Rusty Race Cars ?

I've never done that before Ron but one idea does spring to mind.

If you have an old fashioned 'hotplate' (the round solid disc type) you could get it nice and hot then hold the tyre to it, melting the rubber. When solid again you could probably sand to shape.

Worth a try on a spare tyre. I've got plenty of 1:24. I could send you some to experiment with.

Thanks Al,
Making a flat tyre is something I have thought about doing for years, and yet never tried.
Yes, one thought was to use the kitchen hob once my wife’s back was turned, or a heat gun on a sheet of metal - at least some source of heat.
The tyres I have for these 1/16th models are hollow, so would deform easily, I think. I have a set of standard tyres that came with the 1/12th Camaro that are already out of shape that I can try and experiment with - later today, I hope.
Thanks for the offer.

In the mean time, other ideas will be gladly received.

Searching on Youtube for ideas on making flat tyres, I came across a video by Hobby Robby, and his diorama of a abandoned Mini Cooper
- it’s 20 mins long, but worth a look on a wet cold Sunday.

https://youtu.be/Q9-ryQYcNys?si=xR7xXLPZJsZFwtJ0

After checking a couple of videos on Youtube, I came up with my own version.
Heat has to be the key, plus expansion of the tyre.
I took a socket from my toolbox that was the same diameter of the wheel, and fitted the tyre around it. To allow for expansion, I cut a 15mm slit in the middle of the tyre longitudinally in the tread where it was to be flattened. I applied heat from a heat gun until it was looking soft, then pressed the socket/tyre onto the metal lid of a toolbox - and sprayed it with cold water from a squirty bottle to set it.
....and hey ho - a flat tyre !

That looks good Ron, they usually look like someone had a quick go with a fag lighter.

That's a great idea for flat tyres!

That’s a lot of Info to digest with the lettering but it looks worth the effort with the tyre idea and the bushes growing from the bonnet it looking ace.

Dioramas are really interesting too, a car or bike is a car or bike, but take that same creation and put it in a diorama of some sort it looks way better imo and this will be the same.

Hey now ! I installed vinyl lettering and graphics for over 20 years !
Never even attempted hand painting, not even a pinstripe, and they make a tool for that.
My hat is off to you Ron, anyone who has that talent, it is amazing to see the artwork, vision, and patience it takes to achieve such a spectacular end result.

Nothing personal Sam ...and thanks.
As a signwriter that did the work by hand for many years and establishing myself as a craftsman, then seeing people who haven’t had the training but seemingly just the ability to press a few buttons on a computer taking over my business and livelihood really hurt at the time. I literally saw the writing on the wall and converted to computers and vinyl in 1989, and continued until I retired 10 years ago - occasionally dabbling in paint when the opportunity came along.

Not much progress today....
.....except for grey primer on the Mustang, and the odd green donor door, and a spare trunk lid in metallic blue.

Looking good. This is going to be a great looking diorama.

The diorama moves slowly on.
The Mustang has had it’s first coat of base white, and the Nomad van continues to get rustier and rustier.
This isn’t going to be one of my quick builds, because it is essentially three separate models - the display base and two cars, but it’s a change for me.





However, the Gods seem to be on my side today.
This Omicron bug which has knocked my socks off for the past 4 weeks seems to be almost over, thank goodness.
Not only that, but when I switched on my old sign computer to have another go at decals for the Mustang - the missing colour swatch has mysteriously come back,
so I’ve printed out a set and hopefully by tomorrow I can apply them to the car. Fingers crossed.

Looking good

I managed to get the decals added to the Mustang last night and started to add a bit of patina, but still far to go.
The idea around the diorama, was not to have badly rusted cars that were complete wrecks, but to as if I’ve come across a couple of old race cars that might be resurrected to hit the drag strip again - sadly not to the dizzy heights of ‘64-‘71 when Junior Stock was king.

I’m still not happy with my photos. They are sharp when taken, but once they are reduced to 800x600 much of the detail is softened, and I check it is set to 100% quality. However, clicking on the photo does bring up a better image.

Nice Ron, I like the window rolled halfway down.

They look well good enough to be rescued and put running again with no paint or bodywork, next project perhaps?

You just sent a shiver down my spine. I grew up in Salem and have been on that car lot quite a bit growing up.

Like the 1/12th Camaro, and the Irish flag colour scheme, I did my research to add Dublin businesses as sponsors to the car because I knew Shay was from Dublin.
Likewise with the Mustang. I tried to find Ford Dealers in Toledo that had a history, but the best I could find was Skyline Ford in Salem.
I had no idea that you knew the place personally but hoped the name would be recognised.......and I’m not stalking you Sam.

That's pretty cool. ....stalker.

Those flat tyres make it all the more realistic looking, was a good shout with those and fiddling around to make it work. Top marks so far and a shed load of tiny details make it all the better.
Do you have any 1/24 cars to place at the side for scale?

Thanks Ash, when I’ve finished I’ll do a comparison of scales.
Not much happening with the diorama lately, just the odd ten minute tinker.
My head is thinking of how I’m going to make trees - as it needs two or three. I’ll be out in my garden and trimming down shrubbery for the Winter soon, and looking at what I could use as a basis. I’ve checked out a few videos to give me some idea, but this will be a first for me.

I saw someone use wire which the wrapped around for the truck and roots then stick some green stuff on. I think he used some paper mache to wrap amount the wire.. green stuff was proper modelling diorama greenery. Wonder if wool would work, if you’ve got any green lying around. If not maybe paper mache the top part and paint it?
I’ll try think of something else if neither of those things are doable.

All good suggestions Ash.....whatever I do, needs really thinking out.
But for realistic trees you can’t beat mother nature.
.....t didn’t take me too long to find suitable contenders for the basis of trees in the diorama in my garden this morning.
On the left are ‘branches’ of a Japanese Maple that died off mid summer, and on the right are from a Rhododendron bush that was in the garden when I bought the house over 40 years ago.
At least it’s a start.

No major advances on this build today - except this Mustang came to me as just a body and the interior tub. I had cut out the trunk lid, but now I have added a floor and rear bulkhead - once full of trash it should look convincing. I also added a few loose wires to the engine compartment - with the hot motor still under the hood.

It's all coming together. Love it !

I don’t think you’ll get that back on the road buddy but its brilliant and those branches made me smile.
Really looking forward to seeing it finished