29 Window VW/Porsche Microbus

[89AKurt]

Kitbashed the Tamiya Porsche 911 Speedster with the Hasegawa VW 23 Window Microbus. The Porsche donated the engine, wheel/tires, 3 seats, dash, console, mirrors, and lights. Another kit, a Fujimi Porsche 911 donated the roof (thus added 4 windows), which was a recent inspiration that helped restart this stalled project. Over the years have developed techniques, and got detail parts that are an improvement, such as 100 year old pocket watch fusee chain. I screwed up a few things, but seat-of-the-pants engineered my way out of the disaster, which is a reason there are 15 operable parts.  I have scale kit boxes, and a Coke cooler to add still, will take studio glamor shots then.
Utilized another hobby, woodworking, to make the surfboard.  Glued Maple and other exotic wood together, to make a classic board, added a kevlar-fiber fin in keeping with the theme of this project.
Started Jan. 2003, after 300 hours finished 4/18/20 (17 years).
15 operating features (other than rolling wheels, and steering):
1. Opened driver door.
2. Opened right door.
3. Opened left side door.
4. Opened right side door.
5. Opened back door.
6. Opened engine lid (waste of time since failed with fiber optic lighting idea).
7. Opening top (911 roof).
8. Back seat left and...
9. Back seat right recline.
10. Captain chair moves:
a. reclines.
b. arms move.
c. swivels.
d. removable.
11. Little table:
a. lifts up.
b. rotates.
c. folds.
12. Sliding floor.
13. License plate slides down.
14. Backup camera screen folds.
15. Backup light hinged, serves as cargo light too.

Time to celebrate bringing this back from the dead! ?

[espo]

Absolutely stunning. All of the features and details you've put in this are amazing. Anyone viewing this finished model and haven't followed the build really need to visit that to appreciate the finished model.  

[NOBLNG]

3 hours ago, espo said:

Absolutely stunning. All of the features and details you've put in this are amazing. Anyone viewing this finished model and haven't followed the build really need to visit that to appreciate the finished model.  

I agree! The lengths Kurt went to, to get this project where it is are amazing. Far, far more diligence than I have. And it looks fabulous to boot!

[89AKurt]

4 hours ago, espo said:

Absolutely stunning. All of the features and details you've put in this are amazing. Anyone viewing this finished model and haven't followed the build really need to visit that to appreciate the finished model.  

Appreciate you following at the time.

35 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

I agree! The lengths Kurt went to, to get this project where it is are amazing. Far, far more diligence than I have. And it looks fabulous to boot!

Thank you too.  You're doing a fine job on your project too, don't manifest less diligence, it's self defeating.  I see deficiencies, but can't obsess and redo everything, that guarantees not finishing a project.

[Tom Geiger]

Super! I followed the build every step of the way, and enjoyed the process! Especially when you ran into obstacles and got past them!

[bondo bill]

cool build

[89AKurt]

12 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

Super! I followed the build every step of the way, and enjoyed the process! Especially when you ran into obstacles and got past them!

Thank you Tom.  It's a risk to share the process, and expose my human side, safer to just build and then TA DA! post in Under Glass.

12 hours ago, bondo bill said:

cool build

Thank you. Not much "Bondo" used, and in this case experimented with glazer putty.

[Tom Geiger]

10 minutes ago, 89AKurt said:

Thank you Tom.  It's a risk to share the process, and expose my human side, safer to just build and then TA DA! post in Under Glass.

Actually it’s a very good thing to show the trials and tribulations!  People naturally think the better builders can do no wrong and that they can’t do it!  When folks post their failures, redos and third time a body went into the stripper shows that we are all human and we just don’t  get it right all the time.  It’s encouraging! Hey maybe if I keep trying and don’t give up...

Edited April 20, 2020 by Tom Geiger