Ford Nasvan

Munkyslut
Only you could pull this off 😉

Nigel Chapman
Well with only working booked shifts and more time at home on my own I've got keep the grey cells busy. It's a bit more complicated than I thought, with everything having to be modified to fit.

Nigel Chapman
Good news, Scalemates has come through big time! Managed to find a set of instructions to download for a Chevy Lumina Stock car, very handy when trying to piece together the engine and suspension.
Bad news, broke the rear suspension during a test fit so have had to resort to the parts doner Ford NASCAR and semi scratch build a new rear end !

Munkyslut
🙂 / 🙁

István Szücs
It's a really crazy build!

Nigel Chapman
Of course, which is all part of the fun. I have found photos of a Transit van race series in the mid 2000's using mk6 Transits (I think) in Europe, so I am not far out !

Munkyslut
I've seen pix of those Trannys from my mate in Germany, he said there are Ford publicity images of them at the Ring.
Remember that awesome Supervan from the early 70's?
I saw that doing demo laps at Silverstone in the late 70's as a yoof ........... now that I'd like to build 😉

Nigel Chapman
I remember supervan 2 - perhaps I could convert one the Iltaleri Transits I have !

Munkyslut
I thought about that before but not sure I could fabricate those beautiful fat arches other than chopping them off a Mk1 Escort rally kit.

Nigel Chapman
So after a failed attempt to fabricate the firewall and start on engine cover, the engine would not fit when test fitting. A WTF moment followed, but after a 24 hour break I think I have a solution starting with the radiator and working backwards. Available space is at a premium so some creative thinking will be needed.

Munkyslut
That's really coming on! The positioning of the motor is spot on, air cleaner lid is just about perfect 👍
I love that triangulated rear end, its bloody genius!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks very much. It is starting to come together, though all I have is modify the original kit parts to fit.

Munkyslut
U gotta take credit for the idea, vision & choosing the right parts 😉 .......only a car guy can put all that together like u have 👍

Nigel Chapman
So after a day experimenting with lengths of Evergreen tubing and florist wire, I have a rough rollcage set up (see photos for attempt 1). Re-enforcing the tube with wire allows it to conform to the desired profile and retain strength. Despite the set backs, I am enjoying myself and improving on my fabrication skills.

Munkyslut
That's really impressive! See how the header tube of the cage follows so closely the leading edge of the roof? Perfecto 👍

Nigel Chapman
Ah, I'll 'fess up to my secret - Evergreen 2mm square tube cut and shaped to the roof contour giving a flat surface/location for the roll bar.

Nigel Chapman
A day messing about with the fire wall (again) so it all been scrapped and I started again. After a bit of thought the last hour has been most productive and I now have a basic roll cage.

Nigel Chapman
Slow and steady progress with having to paint sections before building. Work now started on interior.

Munkyslut
Looking so good! Cage routing is perfect 👍

Nigel Chapman
Interior nearly done using bits from the leftover Subaru Impreza. Project now on hold until I can get a photo etch racing harness

Munkyslut
The 'office' looks great!

Bob Hall
Very unique !

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Chaps

Chaz Gordon
Like the cage detail. I'm doing some experiments with 2mm Aluminium wire, which scales to 2" The Normal mandatory diameter for Racing roll cages is 1.75", although I don't think they prohibit larger diameter.

Munkyslut
I've used 50mm/2" nominal O.D. CDS tubing for cages many tines.
If I check the regs manual I think it mentions 1.75" & 2" so Chaz assumption that larger diameter tube can be used is totally correct.
Good bit of info using 2mm aluminium wire, I'm gonna try that out 👍

Nigel Chapman
Whoa chaps, getting too technical for me!!
I've used Evergreen 223 tube (.093" outer dia x .039" inner / 2.4mm outer x 0.99mm inner) based purely on the kit produced components and the visual look. The wire I have is ancient and no idea where it came from but it fits perfectly in the 223 size tube.
Now going all nerdy, Do all types of racing have different rules for roll cage design and installation?

Chaz Gordon
Most will in some way be related to or derived from FIA rules. As to the wire, The reason I'm experimenting is no heat required to bend it around whatever curve form I come up with. But as it comes in a coil, there is some "tweaking" required to get it straight to start the project. I also don't know how well it will take solder, although Aluminium is used a lot in electronics, so it may work.

Nigel Chapman
Ah clever. Heat dissipation is a problem with plastic and metal parts as I've found using my Dremel.
I've tended to bend my tubing by hand.

Munkyslut
Yeah Chaz, the regs in the U.K. are controlled by the MSA & ACU who are both founder members of the FIA

Chaz Gordon
My racing days only required an Acro Prop bolted behind the seat

Munkyslut
Acro 😄

Nigel Chapman
Post Ratillac and I'm catching up with the Nasvan.
Huetmotors superb Mustang GT4 has inspired me to do a bit of detailing on the interior with some plumbing along with roll cage mods.

Munkyslut
You're a machine mate 😄

Nigel Chapman
Not really. This was one of my lockdown projects that was put aside for the Ratillac

Bozzer
I've got something that I've been playing with, on and off, that you guys are gonna love! I'll try and get some decent pictures, at weekend for you both. Nice work Nigel

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Bozzer can't wait

Munkyslut
Same!!!!

HuetMotors
nice work !

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Huet.
More additions to the roll cage which is starting to look more Nascar-ish.
I'm not happy with the top hoop I made, so will work out a better design.

Bozzer
Nigel, i once tried to make a roll cage out of metal. Tbf, i didn't really know what I was doing? I'll try to remember to upload those pictures too! I used...(wait for it) The arms of broken spectacles! Lol, yes, it was for a FB group build. I don't know what to call it, but I'll try to get some pictures up. It was a week build, but not box stock. Mate, it's rougher than the bottom of a bird cage, but I had fun doing it. Munky, you'll love it!

Nigel Chapman
Glasses frames! Fantastic idea. I would never have thought of that.

Nigel Chapman
Some basic plumbing completed. More mods to the roll cage to accommodate the race harness.

Nigel Chapman
Race harness completed and installed with the seat.
I used Mr Model PE parts with some odd bits from Scale Motorsports. 2mm black 'belt' material from eBay.
Totally worth the effort despite the fiddly parts.

Nigel Chapman
On a 'roll' tonight! Top hoop attached and all looks good within the body. More roll cage bits will be added to 'fill' the interior.

Munkyslut
That's bloody awesome mate! This is morphing in to to so much more than I ever imagined 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky, my builds always tend to morph

Brandon H
Coming together nicely!!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks, it's getting there though I keep tweaking the roll cage.

Nigel Chapman
Getting into the roll cage build now with the rear area.
I'm thinking of retaining the glazed windows in the rear doors just to better show the interior.

Munkyslut
Yeah I'd do the same, always got the option of some competition or manufacturers decals to flesh it out if it looks a bit sparse.

Nigel Chapman
Managed to finish the roll cage in between night shifts. Pleased with the end result. A bit of tidying and it's off to paint.

Brandon H
That looks like it should pass chassis inspection 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks I hope so

Nigel Chapman
More tweaking with altering the dashboard and raising it with the middle strut by 1.5 mm to give a better fit with the windscreen.

Nigel Chapman
Got the roll cage finished at last. A quick tidy up and safety net to add then it's onto the body and running gear assembly.

Munkyslut
Proper impressive mate! The neatness & shape & size of the pipe junctions are very good, really accurate interpretation of tubular pipe notching 👍

Brandon H
Agreed, that's some fine work there!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks guys much appreciated. I'm in the 'if it looks plausible' club

Nigel Chapman
Mounted the rear suspension together with a custom built prop shaft. I'm going to add a scratch built stabiliser bar as the original kit one looks rather flimsy.

Nigel Chapman
Small details now - roof spoiler, front & rear tv cameras and rear view mirror.

Nigel Chapman
First time mock up with the wheels and it looks spot on, though that's more by luck than judgement!!
A bit of artistic license with the stance though it looks right. Body looks high for NASCAR style. I want to add a front spoiler and rear skirt. I may even add some sort of side skirts to visually 'lower' the body.

Bozzer
Mate, I see where you're coming from, with the skirts, and you get my backing. If this was a transit, I'd be wading through gallons of nut custard, by now! I'm loving where this is going! Keep at it mate!! 👍

Munkyslut
THATS THE BOLLOX MATE!! 👍

Bob Hall
I have the perfect sponsor for it too !

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Nigel Chapman
Thanks Chaps.
Bozzer I've never seen anyone get excited over a Transit!
Bob sponsor is already sorted, the green and black colours should give you a clue

Bozzer
Nigel, drove them from the 90's, right up to a couple of years ago. From the MK2, right up to the last rendition. It's a passion, that never leaves you. Many great memories, of the ford transit.

Nigel Chapman
That explains it. They do have a cult following. I've been using the excellent Transit owners club website for my Transit build.

Nigel Chapman
More details and tweaking this week. Wheel fit much better with the rears drilled out to 4 mm and extra tube fitted. Fronts drilled out 2 mm.
The scratch built 2nd gen Econoline style front grill will allow a deeper front spoiler.

Bill Newcomer
Wow! A roll cage in a van, Now that is commitment. Following.

Nigel Chapman
Grill updated to a 3rd gen face lift style. Not sure about the front spoiler, it's not quite how I imagined it. Should look better after tidying.

Munkyslut
I like it…….. grille is perfect, spoiler needs to be deep & squared off looking, you'll like once you've titivated it a bit 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky. I've added a bit of filler and rounded the edges

Nigel Chapman
Pleased with the front so I'll call it finished. Rear looks good but somehow incomplete - more research tonight on my night shift. Next up is a fuel filler.

Nigel Chapman
Added some extra pieces to rear bumper so the van looks visually lowered.

Munkyslut
That's pretty good mate 👍 Back looks better than front now!

Nigel Chapman
Really? Thanks Munky. Perhaps the front needs a splitter

Munkyslut
That sounded like a criticism but it's not…….. I think the rear looks more interesting cos u got that nice gentle curve on the bottom of the skirt leading to the rear arch……. where the front looks sort of plain in comparison.
Instead of a splitter u could extend the leading edge with a simple stick of thin sprue & just fill the 90 degrees gap?

Nigel Chapman
Hey Munky no offence taken.
I see what you mean about the front (I think)
Check my last photo, is that what you mean?

Nigel Chapman
Fuel pipe looks good. Pipe is from the parts stash with a bit of tube and brass rod covered with filler then filled to shape. Fuel cap will be added when body is painted.

Munkyslut
Yes!!! That's pretty much it mate, just a minimal bit of extra dimension but does a whole lot more to the overall piece 👍 ……… hose is perfecto

Nigel Chapman
Right. Will do it tomorrow morning.
Hope you don't charge for the consultation!!

Munkyslut
😄

Jv
Good to see you back into it agen Nigel

Nigel Chapman
Thanks JV. I've had to crack on with this one as I have a long queue of future projects.

Laurent VILLANUEVA HELLER ForEver
top

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Laurent

Nigel Chapman
My Munky modded front spoiler now done - thanks for the input Munky.
So build complete. Next up will be paint but that's another story and album to follow.

Jv
Sounds good always interesting to see what you do

Munkyslut
Ahh that look's the bollox mate! 👍

Bozzer
A Texas bumper, Munky? Oh, you naughty devil! But Nigel, I've gotta admit, it does look fandabbydozy! Now bring on the colour [****] 100%

Nigel Chapman
At last, thanks to my new paint booth, the van is painted Halford's Ultra Matt black camouflage.
Only assembly and decals to go.

Munkyslut
That's the bollox mate!!! Looks fantastic, even the primer looks good, u gotta be happy with that 👍

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Munky. Yeah it turned out alright. My body prep is getting better.

Jv
Looks fabulous Nigel
I was wondering when I would see more of this one
Happy to hear you got new tools
Let us see your new things always interesting to see how others do things

Nigel Chapman
Thanks Jv.
Decals now applied using Microset and Microsol.
They are a combination of the original kit (contingencies, #15, Motorcraft and Igloo), Slixx (Monsters hideaway and M logo) and Modelworks (oval Ford logos).
I will also make a sun strip once glass is installed.

Bill Newcomer
I like the livery you have chosen. It appears the clear parts of your decals are not playing nice with the flat paint. Any clearcoat in its future?

Nigel Chapman
Yes Bill I had noticed so some Matt clear coat will be used. I guess it's a hazard of the Ultra Matt paint.

Nigel Chapman
Wow, 2 years to build!!
Pleased with the end result though not sure about using the ultra matt paint, as the glossy decal film is visible.
Engine pulley made race fuel filler looks far better than expected as do the tyres - hand painted letters with 2 lots of Tamiya yellow and Humbrol semi gloss black to neaten up.
So that's my what if Ford Nasvan completed

Jv
Looks great Nigel

Kyle DeHart
Well I'm very late to this party but this is very cool!!

Nigel Chapman
Thanks guys

Jv
Nigel I think I just got onto scalemates at the time you started this one
And monkey slut was also doing some amazing builds out of the ordinary
I remember not having any tools and no paints
Got some basic stuff from the hardware
And slowly got more confidence
Now I fell much more comfortable
Trying to do some of the things you do
You and many more have been a great inspiration
I must say you were one I always followed from my start here at scalemates
I remember you always telling me you can do it
What I do is nothing special
Well I still think it's special and thanks for the inspiration over time
I think I will always keep an eye out for what you do
You are always pushing the limits
Always interesting

Bob Hall
Slow and steady definitely won the race on this one ! 👍

Bozzer
It's crazy how we pull out old builds, when we find that extra inspiration, and finish them. I don't why or how it happens, but I'm exactly the same. It's kinda like you get stuck in a rut, then move on to something else, and one day, you just pick it up again, and finish it?
She came out great, mate. Too much to like about this build! I might have to finish my tranny now.

Nigel Chapman
JV - In this hobby anything goes be it stock out of the box or wild and wacky. You will find your groove, just go for it!
Bob - Thanks, I'm just not a fast builder.
Bozzer - Thanks. I have around 5 part built project's which I look at from time to time and think I should just get on with them and yes one of them is a Transit.

Jv
I started a few kits now
Haven't finished 1 yet
So you finished this one before I finished any
There is many things I like to try
I have always been interested in how people modified things
Many great builds here

Bozzer
Diversity, Uniqueness, and total madness.
That's all you need, to be a glue sniffer 😉

Munkyslut
Nigel, this is what they call 'THE BOLLOX' mate

Brandon H
Awesome work here Nigel!

Nigel Chapman
Thank you very much chaps