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Scratch Built 'Speed Shop' from the 1950's

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 8:15 AM

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! Big Smile

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

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Knoxville, TN
  • 2,055 posts
Posted by farrellaa on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 7:30 AM

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?

   -Bob 

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?

Life is what happens while you are making other plans!

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 12:21 AM

farrellaa
I 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

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 89 posts
Posted by Jack Derby on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 7:40 PM

Someone needs to make a kit of that...

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:57 PM

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

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:51 PM

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

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:48 PM

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!

  • Member since
    June 2014
  • 89 posts
Posted by Jack Derby on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:45 PM

Niiiiiice!!! Scratch built or kit? I'm looking to add one to my layout.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Knoxville, TN
  • 2,055 posts
Scratch Built 'Speed Shop' from the 1950's
Posted by farrellaa on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 6:28 PM

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!

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