Msteele's Chevrolet Astro / GMC Safari project

[MSteele]

Well This is my first work in progress on here so please bare with me also most of my builds are 1-off builds and i am attempting something new i am trying to build the same type of vehicle x3 but there sill be differences in each and since i am basing the Chevrolet Astro / GMC Safari off of the crudely made New-ray WV van this might make it alot easier. also any suggestions would be greatly appreciated . One if them is going to have the windows filled in so i can make it into a work van the other is going to be your standard minivan and the third (Not pictured yet) I have not decided.
But i need a pretty common vehicle that i see most every day for my layout .(Whenever i get moved and settled )
Here are the pics.


This is the start of the minivan i had put the bottom trim and the center grille separator on and the 3rd brake-light also separated the back doors.

This one is the work van i filled in the back windows with plastic from 3 1/2 floppy disks ( I am not near any hobby stores to get sheet styrene)


This is just a mock up to get me an idea on where to improve and see ho far i am getting BTW the wheels are from Malibu cars ( since i can pick up those cars at wal-mart pretty easily.) they make a great source for wheels.
As you can see i have a long way to go.
This thred explains where i got the New-Ray vehicles. :Dhttp://87thscale.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1143497103

[DavidJohnson]

Your use of materials found at Walmart is impressivne. In the first photo especially I see the shape of an Astro.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Dave

[MSteele]

Well last night/today i re scribed the door lines on the two ( For some reason i have not done much to the third one ) also scribed the sliding door track then wet sanded (alot of times b/c of the imperfections i kept finding. I am using a water based blue paint marker to help me see where i need to fix like high and low spots.

[MSteele]

Here are the prototype pics i am going by.




The cargo^
I would love to figure out on how to build a believeable rack.


The regular minivan.^

I am thinking of something like this for the 3rd one.

[skunk]

To me, building the roofrack seems a lot less daunting than recreating the overall body shape. Best of luck, you're looking good thus far!

[MSteele]

skunk said:

To me, building the roofrack seems a lot less daunting than recreating the overall body shape. Best of luck, you're looking good thus far!

Coming from a master like you (The builds of yours i have seen) I feel honered . Thanks.

[MSteele]

Here is some pics from today i am still a ways to go



The problem i am having at the time is i am not satisfied with the grilles on either.

[MSteele]

Here is an update pic but the cargo is finished it can be seen in this thread.
87thscale.proboards23.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=finished&thread=1144338170&page=1

[DavidJohnson]

Michael,

These three are very different vehicles Nice work on these conversions. Awhile back you asked about the grilles, and if you paint some sections black or dark grey I think you will capture the look of the prototype fronts.

Dave