FLASH
REVELL PT CRUISER AND GRAVE
DIGGER KIT BASH
BUILT BY IRA DAHM (12/01)
FIRST PLACE WINNER, IN THE
COMPETITION CLASS, AT THE PETALUMA HOBBYTOWN USA 2004 CONTEST !
THIRD PLACE WINNER IN THE
COMPETITION CLASS, AT THE IPMS SANTA ROSA MODEL EXPO 2005 CONTEST!
THIRD PLACE WINNER IN THE
2001 SCALE AUTO PT CRUISER CONTEST!
MORE COLOR PHOTOS BELOW!
Most of the parts are from the Revell PT
Cruiser and Grave Digger Monster Truck. The Chrysler Hemi engine, and many
of the chassis detail parts are from Revell's Valvoline fuel dragster kit.
The flame decals are from Slixx, and the "Fear This" and "FLASH"
stickers are from Autographics. The exterior paint is Testors Lime Gold
Metal Flake. Testors Flat Black was used on the inside of the body, and
the chassis is Testors Gloss Black, Flat Black, with Aluminum and Sliver
accents. Round rhinestones were used for the head lights and tail lights.
First, the windshield and the rear window
were separated from the side windows. Then the side/rear window posts were
removed. Next, a new rear door opening was cut out. I used the rear window
shape at the top, duplicated the same shape cutout just above the rear bumper
area. The front and rear wheel wells were then enlarged for tire clearance.
The front wheel wells were cut along the head light areas and then down
around the front grill. The bottoms of the wheel wells were then rounded
off.
The tail lights were glued in place and molded
in as part of the rear fenders. The front and rear bumper cavities were
then filled with sheet plastic. The side windows were also filled with sheet
plastic to create a panel truck look. The side window posts were then altered
to change the window shapes. Then I removed the door handles, hinges, and
trim from the body. Next, the putty was applied to get the smooth "fiberglass"
look to the body. The grill openings were then cut out and filed to shape.
Next, I assembled the chassis and painted
it with Gloss Black and Flat Black, with Aluminum and Metalic Silver for
accents. Both the front and the rear of the chassis were then shortened
and new cross members were fabricated with plastic tubing. Next, the roll
cage was reconstructed with plastic tubing to fit the "FLASH"
body. Disc brakes were scratch built and added to all four wheels. The original
Chevy engine was replaced with a big, supercharged Hemi engine. To do this,
the engine mounts and transmission from the monster truck were removed from
the Chevy engine and modified to fit the new Hemi engine. Wiring, fuel,
and cooling lines were then added. Detailing the engine was like building
a ship in a bottle! But, the results were well worth it. Brass metal mesh
was used between the driver's compartment and the engine for driver protection.
The body was then sanded and primed. Then, a base coat of Testers Flat White
was applied to the entire body. Next, Testers Metalic Silver paint was lightly
dusted from the bottom edges of the body up to create some contrast on the
contours. Several coats of Testers Lime Gold Metal Flake were applied. A
dehydrator was used to dry each coat.
Final detailing included adding Bare-Metal
chrome foil to the new grill area, which was extended to the point where
the hood lines meet the front fenders. Brass metal mesh was then cut and
shaped to fit behind the grill openings. Decals and final details were then
added.
