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Model-Related Handicrafts
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Topic starter
24/03/2026 3:09 pm
Hi guys, I’ve checked this forum for years for news on the latest releases but never felt that I would contribute anything meaningful, though John K. has helped me before “off-site” (thanks for putting me in touch with Jeff Lane several years ago!). Finally, though, I can offer something unique that some of you may find interesting. If you do, know that there’s a sequel in progress.
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One of my fondest memories from childhood is the demolition derbies I attended at one of the premier fairs in my home state. This is an actual pic I took in the late 1970s.
As an adult, I attended a popular annual derby about 75 miles from my home. A volunteer fire department put it on each year until 2020. I also had been collecting the 1:64-scale Johnny Lightning Demolition Derby series, along with a few 1:64 truck/trailer combos and ramp trucks from various manufacturers, so that the space in front of my office TV is quite convincingly a miniature pit area.
Tucked away in the back of my mind, I had an idea that one day I would build a custom, scale-model derby car.
In late spring of 2025, while surfing the ‘Bay, I spotted a nice selection of 3D-printed, 1:64-scale demolition derby cars from JeffZilla Hobbies. One of them was a pretty close match to a car that ran in a 2014 derby here.
What made that car special is that my name was on the rear fender. I had gotten to know this driver and several others over the previous few years and had posted lots of photos and videos of their events. For this year, he honored me as a supporter of the sport. I was beyond excited as my name got bashed to hell over several heats.
The 3D-printed car is a 1972 Chevy; the actual car was a 1973. Still, the shape was the same and the telltale 1972 front grille and taillights were omitted from the print, so I basically had a blank canvas. Of course, I had picked a super-complicated paint job to replicate and I had no special model-building skills.
Still, I found a Testors fluorescent paint kit online and dove in. Over the next couple of weeks, I painted each line of color individually and let it dry before starting the next. Luckily, I had photos of the real car from all angles. If a color didn’t exist in the paint kit, I custom mixed it.
I cut tiny pieces of plastic to add to the front and rear ends to mirror additions to the real car. The simulated orange tie-downs below the hood? The wire from a stripped trash bag tie, snipped apart and then glued individually and painted. I even simulated the little red flag that the driver would break off during a heat to signal that the car would no longer run. There was obviously no way I could replicate all that sponsor writing on a 3-inch-long car but it also wasn’t appropriate to ignore it, so I instead captured the essence of it with a combination of dabbed paint and fine-point Sharpie. I set it all with a clear matte top coat. From a foot or two away, it looks pretty good, I think.
Thanks for reading. The few modifications were relatively simple; the hardest part was the painting. And, this whetted my appetite for something much more ambitious and complicated that I’m now putting the final touches on. If you’re interested, I’ll share it when it’s finished.
24/03/2026 3:28 pm
Well this is an interesting model project we haven't seen done here before. The Chevy pickup and trailer addition presents nicely. That was an appropriate color scheme considering you sent that 1:1 Impala over the "rainbow bridge". I'm thinking your other pic featured a '65 Valiant wagon vs. a late 60s Chrysler...my best guess at least.
25/03/2026 2:27 am
what a great post!! Incredible how you were able to create such accurate reproductions, and in 1/64. Love the bright colors on the car. And what wonderful recognition:
What made that car special is that my name was on the rear fender. I had gotten to know this driver and several others over the previous few years and had posted lots of photos and videos of their events. For this year, he honored me as a supporter of the sport. I was beyond excited as my name got bashed to hell over several heats.
25/03/2026 5:23 am
Really cool 'stuff'! Thanks for taking the time to post the pics and Welcome Aboard - Nice to have you here!
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
25/03/2026 8:26 am
Nicely done Marc! We can't wait to see what your next, "more ambitious," project will be; PLEASE keep us in the loop! I've fabricated several 1/64 projects, however, the more I work with plastic, the more I feel the need to work with brass or something thinner to achieve proper 1/64 scale thickness.
It's VERY cool YOU were able to find this '72/'73 Chevrolet in a fairly accurate 3-D printed form; it looks REALLY nice! The second car I ever owned was a '73 Impala 4-dr hardtop. So, I like this project too! 😎 😎 😎
Q: Did you NOT remove the 1/64 B-pillar on your 3-D printed model (to match the 1:1 hardtop look ) in fear of the roof collapsing? Did YOU keep it there for added strength?
This is a great project.... now you need to replicate "the entire field." 😏 😏
There are services that will print decals. Turnaround times can be a bit long, but it will SAVE YOU TIME replicating ALL that detail by hand. TRUST ME, I KNOW ALL THAT lettering was a PAIN! ....although YOU did a nice job. 😉
Here's what decals look like....
Jack Dodds and David Green reacted
25/03/2026 8:28 am
@perrone1 I echo Tony's welcome and Geoff's comments regarding the detail on such a small model.
Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
25/03/2026 5:22 pm
Thanks, guys! @jack-dodds, I THINK the other derby car was a mid-‘60s Cadillac. And @chris, you are absolutely correct about the B-pillar. This little car is very light and delicate. A good breeze could probably pick it up. I wanted to be sure that it maintained its structural integrity, and that meant leaving it in place. It does look insignificant in real life because it’s so thin but I think it’s necessary support for that relatively large roof. And I couldn’t imagine trying to manipulate such tiny (and probably pricey) decals. One slip or rip and it’s over LOL. I promise to try it, though, if I ever find a larger 3D print to tackle!
Hopefully the new project will be done this weekend, so I’ll have something to post in a few more days.
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
25/03/2026 6:08 pm
And I couldn’t imagine trying to manipulate such tiny (and probably pricey) decals.
Trust me, it can be done.... YOU can do it! 😎 😎 😎
Jack Dodds reacted
26/03/2026 11:33 am
@jack-dodds Thanks... LSS: I started with the best 1/64 '53 Vette available - a Hot Wheels Elite - then replaced the wheels, added minor detail, and of course applied all the graphics. Mine is the only 1/64 '53 Vette Mexican Road Race I've ever seen. One day, I'll probably add two figures.
THANKS again Jack! 😎 😎 😎
Jack Dodds reacted