DIY models..

[roity]

I'm just wondering..
some people custom make there own models around the place, how do they do it? Where can you source bodies from and then how to do you manufacture decals etc?

Sounds like a pretty broad question.. but I wouldn't mind making some of my own models and as you know, most model kit makers don't manufacture australian based cars to start with...
:(

[-Pille-]

I can't help you with australian cars, but this is how I made a 1/43 scale estonian rally truck.

I used a hand made GAZ-51 truck as a base and a cheap rally-Focus model as a donor car for parts. I took both apart and completely rebuilt the truck, adding new mirrors, racing seats etc. The rollcage and bed were scratchbuilt using copper wire and copper plates. Finally everything was painted with Humbrol enamels.

I haven't made any decals yet, I might use some from a plastic kit (Heller's WRC Peugeot).

HTH

[Eliot Meadows]

Roity,
depends on what scale you want to play around with, there are plenty of options if you want to model Aussie cars in 1/24, but in other scales your options diminish greatly. In 1/24 check out any of the better hobby shops around Oz and they will be able to provide you with full kerbside kits like Cavalier or partial kits (need US kits to provide chassis) like Jaymar. I'm not sure about smaller scales like 1/32 or 1/43, but if you want to model 1/18 then probably the only option is to code 3 (aftermarket modify) an existing Biante or similar car, but then you are reducing the number of original stockers and if you make a mistake with the modification then it can turn out to be a very expensive exercise. Hope this helps.

[loste_treasures]

i have seen some commodore body kits complete with dash, lights etc on ebay.com.au

you modify a particular model and add these parts to make a 1:24 scale commodore. the guy who was auctioning these kits had a picture of a VP 'Group A' style car made up and it looked awesome......

i found it by using the word commodore as a key search word...