My 2023

[rastta]

Lots of different builds this year - mostly custom, with a few slightly modified kits.  The custom ones were of the cars owned by various guys in my car club who helped me work on my truck - which required the motor and trans to be pulled and replaced.  Also a couple requests by them. 

 

First was a 32 Ford 5 Window that I chopped and channeled.  Built for my Club President.  Custom decal on the side is directly from his C10 truck.

Next was the Buick GSX.

 

Next up is a 64 Corvette for another Club member.  It's a numbers matching 64 with a 327.  First pics are of the real thing.  Notice it has 3 taillights per side - what is commonly referred to as a Cali Custom.

 

 

Next up is a 46 Ford Coupe for another club member.  His is a mix of 46/47 and 48.  Has a 383 stroker and is on bags.  So lots of customization to the IMC model on which it is based.  All the trim and visor are handmade.  Original car pics are first.

 

Next up is a 39 Sedan Delivery.  Fun build with a few modifications.

 

Next up was my build in memory of my pup Charlie who we had to say goodbuy to in March.  I was building it when he passed.  It was a crazy coincidence - as I was building my first Fleetline when we had to say goodbye to our other pup Lana in 2020. 

 

Next up was a 71 Roadrunner.  Did it in Mango Orange. 

 

Next was a 1960 Impala.  Found this old kit at a shop, and snatched it up.  First time using my dry flake attachment on my airbrush as well.  Lots of modifications including the cruiser skirts.

 

Next was a 70 Chevelle SS 454.

 

Next was the MultiMaverick.  Found it online while searching for new kits.  I had built this origiinally in 1973 in 8th grade for a model contest in Jr. High and won first place.  Back then I wired up the motor with my moms sewing thread and did the fuel and brake line with twist ties that I removed the wrapper from and polished. Nice going down memory lane.

 

Next build was for another club member - his 69 Blazer.  An original 2wd Blazer - based it on the Crew Chief kit.  Used the 1966 C10 frame and motor. Made the seat decals from photos of his actual seats, all other decals are handmade.  White walls made from peel and stick vinyl which I handcut with a circular cutter.  It is painted in the Blazer's original medium olive poly - although the truck is dark green right now - he intends to repaint it in the original color.

 

Next is a 66 C10.  Had this left over from the Blazer build - so ordered an Iceman Collection bagged frame and 454.  Handmade the back side and moveable cover.  Iceman air tank with lines.

 

Next was a 1948 Fleetline for the wife of one of my club members.  He just bought one to restore and wanted me to build it for her as he wants it done for a Christmas present.  He wanted it done in House of Color candy green with a black base, and light metalflake topside.  No matter what I did, I couldn't get the HOK paint to work with any primer.  So I wound up doing it in Tamiya Lacquer. There's flake in the roof, but I used Testor Wet Look clear which didn't hide the surface irregularities caused by the dry flake.  I did 4 coats, and thats was all it would take.  I think next time I'll try an acrylic enamal which would "eat" back into the lacquer below.  Overall I was really pleased with everything but the roof.

Last build was the Beatnik Bandit.  Did this and all the Roth models back in the day.  Happy with the results - even though I messed up the decals on the fenders/running boards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 16, 2024 by rastta

[Rattlecan Dan]

Wow! That's a whole ton of good work! Great job.

[espo]

Like the many different build subjects and the way they are finished. 

[ismaelg]

Very productive year.  All very nice. Love the Vette, the Blazer and the Fleetlines the most.

[Yeah Nah]

Great variety of top class builds. Nice!

[Darbo]

Great builds, fantastic year !

[ChrisR]

Great looking builds!

[David G.]

That's a fabulous set for the year!

David G.

[rastta]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.  Was a lot of fun but also a fair amount of frustration along with it on the custom builds, especially the green Fleetline. 

[Phildaupho]

You certainly had a very productive year at your workbench. I like the replicas of cars you have seen.

[slusher]

Absolutely Beautiful builds!

[Zippi]

Looks like 2023 was a mighty fine year.

[bbowser]

Really cool that you can reproduce cars of your buddies so faithfully!  Nice work.

[ewetwo]

They are all beautiful. 

[spencer1984]

Some good looking builds, nice work!

[PappyD340]

Awesome group of builds!!

[Koellefornia Kid]

Very nice looking builds, Joe! I really like the ‘46 Ford!

[catpack68]

Love that Blazer?

[XYHARRY]

Great line of builds there Joe, it's really hard to pick a favourite as I like them all. Well done.

Cheers, 

David. ??

[louis Carabott]

Super models Sir ?

[rastta]

Aww - so many kind words.  Thanks!!!