"It's not for sale."
Simms' words echoed in Dave's head everytime he hopped the fence behind the barn and snuck a peek at the withering Dodge 330. The car was bought new for Simms' wife Gracie, but after Gracie slid off an icy backroad and clunked a tree in '68, the Dodge had been dragged back home and pushed behind the barn, where it's been ever since.
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-01.jpg

Dave couldn't blame Gracie for not driving the car -- or any car for that matter -- after that. I addition to the tree, Gracie also clunked her head a good one on the window and it scared her off of driving for good. She was content to ride into town when necessary with her Gus at the wheel of the family pick-up.

What Dave couldn't understand was why Simms never fixed the car, and never sold it either. From the peeks under the bent up corner of the hood, Dave could barely see the orange paint on the engine -- "Could it be a Hemi? Was it even an option that year?" As he walked around the decaying hulk, Dave could only shake his head and wonder why this once shiny, proud car was left to rot.
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-02.jpg

Simms kept his barnyard in order, even going so far as to mow the grass by the 330 on occasion. The smell of cut grass by the barn and the site of Gus and Gracie tooling past his driveway on the way to town afforded Dave another chance to have a peek at the 330 without fear of being caught.

As Dave paused to take his traditional wizz on Gus' old tree stump, he thought, "Maybe if I ask him about it again . . . "
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-03.jpg

About the project:

Model -- JL Dodge 330, light green, white top
Figure -- JL
Diorama -- plywood with Woodland Scenics blended turf, barn backdrop is cradboard stock
Weathering -- Rustall, Floquil, Testor's Dullcote, chalk dust

I've been a fan of Stupid Squirrel's weathering techniques and wanted to try it myself. In all of his models, however (and this is not a knock by any means), they are all factory straight bodies. What a barn find indeed! So I wanted to try something a little more beat up. After some manipulation with a pliers, vice, sandpaper, hobby knife and dental pick, I had the raw elements to begin weathering on.

Overall for a first effort I am happy. I learned a lot and if I decide to do another one in this fashion I will have a good base to build from.

Here's a few more pics:
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-driver.jpg
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-passenger.jpg
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/330-front.jpg
http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/500/medium/330-rear.jpg

This is cool! From the looks of that windsheild she took a big hit (been there).
Please continue. I love a good story! Does he get the car, is it a hemi?
How many miles on it?

By the way. Love the way you have the hood buckled up by the windshield, nice touch!

Very cool story - too bad for Gracie though. Hope Dave gets a shot at it, i think he could fix her up real good!

Great job, weathered and wrecked :thumbsup:

Awesome job!!! :thumbsup: If this was your first attempt, you done good!!! :thumbsup: Love the story too!!!

JP2

great first ruster.
now your hooked keep going.

Pretty cool. Now you have to make more.

MWahahahahaha,

It's all over for you now! You're gonna end up like me n Squirrel - More rusty cars than shiny ones. lol. Nice Job.

Jay

By the looks of this car, I would have thought you did quite a few already.

Keep up the GREAT work, and keep on posting pics.

Man, Gracie did a number on that sucker! All it needs is a little hammer work and shes as good as new. LOL! Is it a hemi?

Looks like Dave is marking his territory!

Great work on this :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Nice work!!!!
My evil plan for world domination is working, 1 customizer at a time!
A truly awesome 1st attempt.
I've done some stuff with body damage, but limited use of my hand makes it difficult for me to do it convincingly.

For me the best parts are the hood and windshield, and the weathering patterns.
I've never worked with Floquil, and haven't yet gotten good results from Rustall (neat stuff, but I've had trouble with it) .
I am impressed.
Truly nice job 'Doba

very nice and nice touch with the story helps bring the scene to life

As I said on the other board....that just rocks! In fact , it kept me up all night writing from your insperation! Whats next for you?

THANKS GUYS!

I have no idea what is next -- lol :lol:

Maybe 'Dave' hears about a rumored Hemi Belvidere in the next county . . . ???

SS -- I scuffed the paint with fine grit sandpaper, then dullcoted it, and then used the Rustall applied thin with a brush. I experimented on another bod and the Rustall just doesn't work right over gloss finish.

I used Floquil grime but you have to thin the heck out of it otherwise it is too much like paint.

Thanks again!

that looks great!

I'd say you really nailed that one Cordoba. It's hard to believe thats your first wrecker. Cant wait to see your second and third :thumbsup:

SS -- I scuffed the paint with fine grit sandpaper, then dullcoted it, and then used the Rustall applied thin with a brush. I experimented on another bod and the Rustall just doesn't work right over gloss finish.

OK then! :woohoo:
Why didn't I think of that!
Thanks!

Nice work Doba,

Love the car...love the story! :cool:

Bob...rusty cars Rock BIG TIME!...zilla