I just put the last of the details on this scratch built 'speed shop'. Still needs 'planting' on layout and lighting added. The '32 coupe is a Jordan kit. I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'. I love to recreate some of my past in the models I build.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Niiiiiice!!! Scratch built or kit? I'm looking to add one to my layout.
Nice scratch build Bob!
Did you make the tool chests?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Really cool, Bob! A very nifty layout addition. Can you tell us what materials were used for walls, trim etc?
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
farrellaa I love to recreate some of my past in the models I build.
Yes! That's one of my favorite aspects of the hobby, too!
Scratchbuilding is another. It is great satisfaction to be able to "dream" something and see it come to reality right before your eyes...
Beautiful work! Be sure to keep posting photos, I'm looking forward to seeing it with lighting.
Ed
Someone needs to make a kit of that...
farrellaaI love to recreate some of my past in the models I build.
Bob, Me too, and I always enjoy seeing and hearing about your work. Liked those Mercs when I was a kid, think James Dean's character in the movie "Rebel Without a Cause" drove one.
Regards, Peter
Thanks guys, I didn't expect so much enthusiasim! This was the first scratch built model that I didn't make a drawing for, just a pencil sketch of a gas station that was of similar construction from my home town in NY. Guess I should go back and make the drawing for my 'records'.
The walls of the garage are cement block sheets from RIX and they have interlocking corners. Had to miter two corners to get size I wanted (no space for full length walls?). The office/store is just .040 styrene. All the windows and doors are left over ones from Grandt Line and Tichy. I scratch built the overhead door sections to suggest a full door in the garage. I made all the decals in Corel Draw and from internet images (great source BTW). The tool chests (there are 2 in there!) are from a set of gas station accessories, I think it was JL Innovation. The are other details from that kit in the garage as well: tires, floor jack, parts washer and the air hose meter and compressor.
Hadn't thought about it but it would make a good kit!
Growing up in the 1950's was a great life experience and having been involved in 'hot rodding' was even better. Those were the 'good old days' in many respects, but I wouldn't trade the model railroading industry for those!
I will post photos when I get the model 'planted' on the layout and lighting installed. Though about a welding light kit (have one in parts bin!) in the garage?
BTW: It was James Dean who made the Merc so well known, although it was a beautiful car on it's own. My uncle gave me his with 144,000 miles on a broken speedometer?
Bob,
Great job!! I too love detail...A must in many structures I build. What Your shop and tool box need's now are...The Tools..If You are interested, I picked up some photo etched shop tools from Detail Associates, that are really great!!! I will be putting them in My kit bash Truck/Trailer shop I am working on. I actually got three of them. I will look later for My receipt, to find out where I got them.
I'll inclose a scan pic' of what I am referring to:
Take Care!
Frank
EDIT: This is the seller I got them from back in Aug:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Detail-Associates-HO-7101-35-Piece-Hand-Tool-Set-Photo-Etched-/231498394778?hash=item35e6612c9a
EXCELLENT job!!! I especially like the Merc and the rod!
In my past, it was "Willie's Texaco" on Chicago's NW side. Of course there wasn't a clean spot of asphalt/concrete/tile in the place. But man, they did some nice work there, and I got a heck of an education.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
zstripeThe Tools..If You are interested, I picked up some photo etched shop tools from Detail Associates, that are really great!!!
Frank,
Thanks for the info on the tools. They look more like carpentry and plumbing tools though, although the open end wrenches would work. I like the little details myself; I have a roll of TP in the outhouse and sea gulls on the roof of my harbor scene buildings.
farrellaa . I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'. I love to recreate some of my past in the models I build. -Bob
. I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'. I love to recreate some of my past in the models I build.
Nice model. Custom always works better. (kitbash is the best I can do...)
LensCapOn,
quote:
What was the day the Merc was back in? (1962?)
I for one, don't really understand Your question....had a few Merc's in My time.
Some info for You:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/business/03mercury.html
Your model and the whole scene are very nice. Scenes like this are my favorite part of the hobby. I too like having scenes on my layout that are autobiographic. I also love the details, I try to make all of my structures have details. This has given me inspiration to build something similar. I already have some spare tires and mag rims, also a chrome engine waiting to be dropped into an old camaro (my layout is 1990s)…. But I think I’m going to build my scene in the garage of a house instead as that is more of my personal experience.
Anyway I really like your garage. It needs a couple of mechanics and customers and maybe some more details then it will be perfect.
Don't overlook the Preiser Military tool set [18356 (of course currently out of stock]). I have used this kit; it's less carpentry and more machine shop so things like the wrench, hammers, bench vises, hacksaw and a welder's masks (among other things) fit well in a repair shop scene. There are other photoetched kits by small garage manufacturers (not the Detail Associate ones) which you see featured from time to time in Garage Scenes featured on the 1/87 Vehicle club Photo gallery.
Speaking of photo gallerys, do you have a locker room/rest room for the workers in that garage? In Memoriam of the soon-to-be-history nude Playboy Centerfolds, you'll need a few pin-ups in that locker room...
Very nicely done but,you need some dudes with ducktails and leather jackets standing by their 'rods.
Some 50 era do-wop music coming from a hidden speaker would really set the mood.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
zstripe LensCapOn, quote: What was the day the Merc was back in? (1962?) Since the OP said "I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'." I wanted to know when he had a hot rodder Mercury. Hence the " I for one, don't really understand You question....had a few Merc's in My time. Some info for You: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/business/03mercury.html Take Care! Frank
Since the OP said "I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'."
I wanted to know when he had a hot rodder Mercury. Hence the "
I for one, don't really understand You question....had a few Merc's in My time.
The OP had said "I painted (primed) the 1950 Merc just like the real one I had 'back in the day'."
I wanted to know when he had a hot rodded Mercury. "What was the day it was back in" may not of been the best wording.
And English is myFirst language....
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Thanks again for all the kind words, it makes the build even more satisfying. To answer a few of the questions;
Larry: your description of 'dudes with ducktails and leather jackets' fits most of my friends back then. I graduated HS in 1959, so you can see the era I was working on. I still have the old 45's from the 50's, just have to put them into digital for my sound boxes.
Chutton01: Yes, there is a restroom in the back of the store area, just not modelled in detail. I could throw a couple of lockers against the back wall in the garage, they don't need much!
Lens-cap-on: Not sure of your question but it was a 1950 Mercury flathead V8 and I owned it around 1960-1962. Sweet ride, wish I still had her (her name was 'the rat'). I used to paint car names on front fenders for my friends as it was the 'thing' to do back then, as well as pin stripping the hood and trunk. Oh, the memories!
Mel: I was a Stude fanatic myself. Had a 53 Commander 2 Dr hardtop with 324 Olds V8, a 53 Champion 2dr coupe, a 54 Commander 2dr hardtop 232 V8 high performance from factory, and my brother had a 56 Golden Hawk with 354 Packard V8 and stick on the floor (very fast). Later I had a 63 Avanti 289 V8. I have HO models of the Avanti and 53 coupe, just haven't finished them yet.
I have a list of all the cars I have owned to date (I'm 74 now) and it is about 33 so far. I still need a HO model of the 57 T-bird.
Hey, Bob, is that a Shelby AC Cobra on the left? Looks to be a later model with a big engine---and even the smaller one that came out with the Ford 260ci V8 didn't come along until '61 or '62... (I remember lusting after them, "Back in the Day.") Nice models, though. Did you put a drop of brake fluid in a metal container, back in the corner? That's the smell that instantly takes me back to my own racing shop days!
Deano
OT Dean Hey, Bob, is that a Shelby AC Cobra on the left? Looks to be a later model with a big engine---and even the smaller one that came out with the Ford 260ci V8 didn't come along until '61 or '62... (I remember lusting after them, "Back in the Day.") Nice models, though. Did you put a drop of brake fluid in a metal container, back in the corner? That's the smell that instantly takes me back to my own racing shop days! Deano
Deano,
That is a Cobra and is OK for my layout period of around 1965 ( I actually use 1966 as a cut-off date for any model cars and even 'Built Date' on rolling stock; got to draw the line somewhere?). I am stretching things because I want to make all the steam engines 'acceptable'. I know most steam was gone by the late 50's to early 60's but I have to 'have' some models on my layout.
Sounds like You and I, are about the same age. I also graduated from high school in 59, was 17. Memories??? Had quite a few classic's that I restored, mostly inframe and painted, myself over the yrs. One of My favorites, was My 49 Ford, that I just sold four yrs. ago, along with My 54 which had a 256 OHV cui. v8 police interceptor engine with 411 rear 3speed overdrive trans...fast car for it's time. The 49 had a 239 V8 flathead/3speed overdrive, I put Edelbrock 3 deuces on it.....I did all My own engine mechanical/painting Myself. Drag strip, circle track stock cars, outlaw circle track, memories and then some.
Bob ... Thanks for sharing photos of your speed shop. Very nice.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
farrellaaI still need a HO model of the 57 T-bird.
Gentlemen, Our age and colloquialisms are showing, lol.
Bob, When tow truckin' in the 70s had a 57' T-bird call one day, it was quickly apparent that I had the owner's baby on the hook'. BTW, Praline made a nice 1:87 56' T-Bird with a continental kit, close to a 57' except for the grill bullets.
zstripeBob, Sounds like You and I, are about the same age. I also graduated from high school in 59, was 17. Memories???
Thanks for the photos; nice cars, just like the one's we rode around in back in the 50's. I did a frame-on restoration of my 57 bird sometime in the mid 70's and then drove it from Connecticut to San Francisco; like driving a new car; great memories.
farrellaa I still need a HO model of the 57 T-bird. -Bob
I still need a HO model of the 57 T-bird.
(Those in N? O Scale?)
Williams Bros. used to make 57 T-Bird model kits, that were clear plastic, that You had to paint and put together, (easy to do) I picked up some 56 Crown Vic's from them when they sold them in three packs, back in the 80's. I have the link for Williams Bros. and they were taken over by Brett Ind. some time ago...I don't know if they are still around, My link show's error when I click on HO autos.
I did find a distributor that has 57 T-Bird kits from Williams Bros. if You are interested, this one is a convertble though.....might be able to bash a top. The Link:
http://factorydirecttrains.com/williamsbrothersmodels53120ho57thunderbirdclear.aspx
BTW: My high school friend had a 57 port hole top that You could take off and store in Your garage and snap on a fake convertible top cover...I'm pretty sure, they are were like that...only drawback was getting caught in the rain too far from the garage...LOL.
As long as the thread has gotten more auto oriented, may I add.....
My second car was a '57 Ford Fairlane 500 ragtop - black with white top, red/white interior, and the gold trim on the side. It had the T-bird option, a 312 cu in mill with 4 bbl and duals. This rather rare extra was denoted with an extra chrome piece (elongated V) on the front bumper.
While there are a number of kits out there for '57 fords, I have yet to find a ragtop - or for that matter - one with the T-bird option chrome piece.
Mobilman,
Go to that link I provided and click on previous William Bros. kits which is right above the pic of the bird and You will see a 57 500 Fairlane model, but it is a 2dr sedan....
Heck....here it is:
http://factorydirecttrains.com/williamsbrothersmodels53110ho57fairlane5002doorclea.aspx