Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

You may remember that my first ever scratch build was a Volvo c303.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...924/CxqGUm.jpg

I sold it many years ago and instantly regretted it. So, here we are again.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...922/ebnYpV.jpg

Not planning on 6x6, but this is essentially the look. I'll comp Class 1 with this next season.

I build, you watch.

Step one, purchase coolest axle set evar made by two Swedish men. Mad Moose Portal axles for ultimate accuracy for a c303. Building this on a GCM Skeleton J2 chassis that is very, very awesome. A MUST-HAVE.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/FCVPIG.jpg

Step two, have the right tools for the job.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...924/q0PP0Y.jpg

Step three, scratch build a c303 cab.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...922/4IKD2I.jpg

I used .060 styrene that I bought in a 4'x8' sheet that cost me $40. Styrene for days! Fun fact: this sheet came matte on one side and glossy on the other. Never have I seen that before. Bonus though, as it should reduce the amount of sanding for smoothness in a lot of builds.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...921/PG2NXj.jpg

Typical building techniques here, nothing wacky. The first time around, there was a lot less planning and a lot more trial and error. Doing it right, with blueprints and a ruler.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...924/6feJy5.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...921/JFdSJy.jpg

For fun, I'm building two bodies. Don't ask me why, maybe it's because I've got enough styrene to do it.

Basic shape is there. I left the roof off while I build in the curved roof support.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/BNzCfv.jpg

Interior is going to be extremely challenging, as the Skeleton does take up a bunch of space in the front, but I'll figure something out that is halfway accurate and allows for a full legged man. If anyone is asking, this one is 1/9th scale and is much bigger than my last one. By a whole one-th.

More to come. But I had better slow down, this is going too quickly.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Very nice.....

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I like Volvo much, looking good guy.

Curious to see how durable the axles are, I'm capable of destroying everything so...

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Thanks guys, pretty keen to give them a proper test, now that I'm a team driver!

Got my chassis set up the way I wanted to. Medium travel up front, and Xtra Small travel in the rear courtesy of my own Cantilever kit available on Shapeways.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...922/lUOWjt.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/n1eWzC.jpg

Plenty of room with the cantilever kit installed to have a completely flat bed.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/MtqwvO.jpg

The J2 is so versatile, allows for a lot of different setups, and I'm quite happy with how low this is sitting. 13 inch wheelbase seems long, but in 9th scale, this truck is pretty wide. So I've made a box... Yay.

Pay no attention to wheels and tires - I've not completely decided, but have chosen C1 tires in the Genius Sem Limites. Lots of tread and open, perfect for the loamy loose north east. Like all RC4WD tires, these need aftermarket foams.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...921/Uvo1Fp.jpg

Body work has also continued. There's a lot of goofy angles on the front of this heap, but with the right amount of patience and planning, I made this:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/3vq5rf.jpg

Getting to the roofline as well.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/kVAT73.jpg

More to come!

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Does nobody here care about scratch built turks anymore? I feel like this is going nowhere!

And in terms of going somewhere, roof is on and curves are being curved by the grace of my Dremel battery.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...922/qnz85w.jpg

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Looks like a nice and scratchy good building there.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I feel the same way, seems like the focus has swayed toward the bolt on brigade. If you scratch build something or modify something that the average guy can't figure out, nobody comments. Go to the bolt on threads and you get a hundred people asking the same thing 200 different ways. :roll:

Well to answer your question, I care. :lmao:

Always like scratch builds by people that can get the dimensions right.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Waiting to see those fancy axles under this build. Great start on the body.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

body is looking good (but all your builds do). Can't wait to see it up on the axles.

also curious to see how the genius tires work out. been considering them myself.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

NICE "scratchin'" :D Lookin' like another great build. Keep up the good work.


8)

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I took a gander at your first one in the League's Betterest over at that one other place and I really liked it. I always dig your builds. You have a gift my man. And I am super glad to be seeing that Skeleton chassis on something other than a Hyundai! Much happiness to be had by all!

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Super cool! I love the unique custom hand built bodies. I like those portals to"thumbsup"

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Nice! You make it look so easy buddy.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

So itchy. Could be all the exposed fiberglass in my workshop.

Thanks for caring Dean. Yeah, it's definitely shifted around here lately. Good thing there's other forums... ;-)

Thanks! They're very fancy. Now that I've got driveline bolted together, it's so smooth.

Yeah, I've seen a couple other dudes comp with them so figured, if they can, why not me?

Thanks!

It's not a gift, it's a disease. Always better the next time around. But thank you very much.

Portals are the tits. Much clearance.

Thank you very much, but I assure you, it's not easy to get everything look right.

Much more detail work going on today. Got mount/ride height figured out and most of the exterior junk sorted. Scribing body gaps sucks. Especially when you do it AFTER putting the body together. :roll:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...921/bl9qNB.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800...923/qamDlh.jpg

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I agree, you do make it look easy. Hell, I can't even follow through with sourcing materials before I get discouraged and give up.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Absorbing....

Will ask a million questions when I get the balls to try something this awesome. Most "scratch" thing I've done at this point is cut/bend Bomber panels using old aluminum PC case sides, lol...

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Detailing on the doors looks great.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

Can you elaborate a bit on the technic used to scribe body lines ? Everytime I have tried, the staight lines end up curved and the curved lines end up like spaghetti :twisted:

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I like the scratch built bodies even more now since they seem to be a rarity on here. The craftsmanship is top notch. Wish I had the room and skill for it.

Re: Volvo Portal c303 Builded by a Guy
 

I always enjoy watching the threads from guys like you, Noob and Dready ( to just name a few) that work the styrene like a master. I always try to learn something from each build so that my styrene attempts can get better. "thumbsup"