Zombie Build 2: What to do with a collectable?

Go4fun · March 06, 2013, 05:24:10 PM

So here is my starting point, hot out of the LHS and ready to go.

I know, I hear the wailing from here. "But it's a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner! It's worth Ummpteen Kazillion smackers at Barely-Jackshift Auction"!! I face that a lot. Rusted junk you can barely haul on the trailer without it falling apart and the guy wants $125,000 for it. So this is going to be a partly restored one, hi-jacked out of the garage and put to use.

Captain Canada · March 06, 2013, 07:14:01 PM

Maybe keep it subtle ? Or have it look like it was just pulled out of a barn ?

Go4fun · March 06, 2013, 07:52:02 PM

I don't know if this is required on these theme builds but I am getting in the habit. So here is the time stamp.

And I think 'Subtle but Sturdy' is what I will shoot for.

kerick · March 06, 2013, 07:55:21 PM

Sounds good to me! We had a Plymouth Fury when I was a kid. Think of a four door version of the Roadrunner. That thing was built like a tank. Go for it>

Go4fun · March 06, 2013, 08:06:46 PM

I once worked for a (Well) Used Car Lot part time. I went to a lot of auctions with them in Kansas City and drove cars back for beer money. One was a 1970 Plymouth Fury 4 door and it was part of a "Lot Buy'. They put four cars together and you always got one that was junk, (Usually left sitting to be sold again), one was 'rough' and the other two were what everyone always bid on.
I got to drive one rough car and my Nephew asked me to trade at a rest stop as he had the Fury. I did and it ran rough, smelled of half burned fuel and had not one bit of trim letters on it. No "Plymouth" "Fury" and all the trim was flat aluminum colored. I bought it for $300 dollars. A 440 6-Pack Dark Semigloss Grey/Black 4 door 'Road Runner Sedan' unmarked Cop car!

kerick · March 06, 2013, 08:26:09 PM

It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what? Elwood Blues

Go4fun · March 06, 2013, 09:20:07 PM

Quote from: kerick on March 06, 2013, 08:26:09 PM
It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what? Elwood Blues

I am going to build the window framing to make it a sedan. And yes little kerick, there was a Road Runner sedan edition too.

Sticky Fingers · March 07, 2013, 05:23:17 AM

Have fun with the build, mate! One tip: loose the scoop, or at least turn it the other way so it faces the windscreen, otherwise you'll end up with slices of zombie frying on the engine block

Go4fun · March 07, 2013, 07:05:46 AM

Quote from: Sticky Fingers on March 07, 2013, 05:23:17 AM
Have fun with the build, mate! One tip: loose the scoop, or at least turn it the other way so it faces the windscreen, otherwise you'll end up with slices of zombie frying on the engine block

Already planned that.

Go4fun · March 08, 2013, 05:48:07 PM

Rough outline of the story.
After the outbreak of the "Super Flu Virus" in Nevada it was quickly spread around the world. It was only after the dead victim's started rising in morgues and attacking that the public learned the true nature of the problem. As the virus mutated it started to overcome it's 'resting' phase, instead turning the victims ravenous shortly before they 'died' even though they kept moving and attacking after their hearts stopped.
Three friends got cornered in a garage where they found among the MGs and antiques that were fully restored a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner that seemed to have been mostly restored and only needed a little work to get running and Zombie-proofed. Using the old and original panels alongside new replacements panels did not make for a pretty car but the engine was "A thumper!" and it four round tires on it, even if they didn't match!

Go4fun · March 09, 2013, 09:27:59 AM

PROGRESS REPORT.
I used the back of a thick exacto blade to drag down all the body seams to make them deeper so I won't 'lose' them under the paint. also I had to add the seam between the front fender and the rocker panel under the door. Model companies seem to miss those a lot. There will be a lot of paint involved and a lot of masking, painting, remasking, sanding, painting, second verse, same as the first.

This car was found in a professional level restoration garage but it was one of those "Yeah, I can do this at home in my garage in a few weeks!" projects that soon made the guy realize his talents did not approach his enthusiasm. It's a low priority project as it isn't the garage owner's 'Cup of tea' and was waiting for body panels to arrive to replace ones to rough to be worth straightening.
The owner of the car brought it here for paint and they painted all the main parts after fixing them but other parts were sitting around as 'rejects' or new panels not installed yet.
The guys rebuilding it now don't care about the color of or how straight the panels are as long as they fit... somewhat.

kerick · March 09, 2013, 09:48:07 AM

2x4 and a rubber hammer, look it fits now!
This will be real interesting to see in pics. Are you using the zombie plow?

Go4fun · March 09, 2013, 10:51:08 AM

Quote from: kerick on March 09, 2013, 09:48:07 AM
2x4 and a rubber hammer, look it fits now!
This will be real interesting to see in pics. Are you using the zombie plow?

What fun is it without a plow? Or two?

Pictures later today.

Go4fun · March 10, 2013, 12:30:03 PM

A story don't have no kick if it ain't got no pic!

If you notice on the passenger side I drug the back edge of an exacto knife down all the seams to deepen them then I went over them with a fine .05 blue gel pen. These are the first four colors to go on and there will be at least two more used to make it look like something 'pieced together' in a hurry.

kerick · March 11, 2013, 04:45:10 AM

I like it! Mad Max ain't got noth'n on this, I can see it already.