1966 Reo GH

[Chuck Most]

This *should* be a fairly simple project. The idea here is to take the 1972-ish Diamond Reo kit and backdate it to a 1966 Reo GH. The main cosmetic difference is the hood. Though the shapes and basic cues are similar, the Reo does have a few unique features.

Here's an example of a "late model" Reo, just before White Motor Co. merged them with the Diamond T division...

REO, very late model by Dick Copello, on Flickr

Here's an ad touting the benefits of Royalite with a similar hood but a slightly different grille insert.

And here's where I stand with the project so far...

The basic hood from the Diamond Reo kit was assembled as intended. I stripped the chrome from the grille and lower fender trim and added that as well- it'll be treated to Bare Metal foil later on. I filed the grille smooth and glued it into place, then created a new grille surround and trim from Evergreen strip. 

My big problem might be getting the tainty Reo V emblems right.

 

[41CHEVY]

15 hours ago, Cornbinder said:

This *should* be a fairly simple project. The idea here is to take the 1972-ish Diamond Reo kit and backdate it to a 1966 Reo GH. The main cosmetic difference is the hood. Though the shapes and basic cues are similar, the Reo does have a few unique features.

Here's an example of a "late model" Reo, just before White Motor Co. merged them with the Diamond T division...

REO, very late model by Dick Copello, on Flickr

Here's an ad touting the benefits of Royalite with a similar hood but a slightly different grille insert.

And here's where I stand with the project so far...

The basic hood from the Diamond Reo kit was assembled as intended. I stripped the chrome from the grille and lower fender trim and added that as well- it'll be treated to Bare Metal foil later on. I filed the grille smooth and glued it into place, then created a new grille surround and trim from Evergreen strip. 

My big problem might be getting the tainty Reo V emblems right.

 

Plaststruct makes polystyrene letters in various scales., I used them on a Diamond T conversion and filed them to the "deco" style I needed.   Paul

[Chuck Most]

I've got a few sets of the Plastruct letters- it's more the emblem I'm worried about. That dainty little V-crown thing.

[Casey]

Awesome!  Are you going to put all those license plates on it like the picture?

[41CHEVY]

19 hours ago, Cornbinder said:

I've got a few sets of the Plastruct letters- it's more the emblem I'm worried about. That dainty little V-crown thing.

If you have a part with the V and Crown on it, make an aluminum foil pressing of it and cast it in 5 minute Epoxy.

Foil copying (or, foil casting) is done by taking a piece of metal foil--generally aluminum kitchen foil, because it's heavier and stiffer than BMF, laying that over an engraved surface detail of a model body or part, embossing it into that detail (could be a script, a badge, a molded-on door handle, for example). Once it's embossed, it has the impression of the detail you want to copy. Simply lift off the embossed piece of foil, gently lay it on a flat surface, hollow side up, spray with a light spray of Pam or other oily substance to act as a mold release, then mix up some 5-minute epoxy, and fill the embossed foil with that, and allow to cure completely.

Once cured, the epoxy casting can be removed from its foil "mold", sanded on the back side to a flat surface, any flashing trimmed away, and then glued in place on the body shell, or wherever it is to be used. It can then be painted, foiled with BMF, whatever is wanted as you finish the project.

[Chuck Most]

5 hours ago, Casey said:

Awesome!  Are you going to put all those license plates on it like the picture?

Nope, just a Michigan plate.

1 hour ago, 41CHEVY said:

If you have a part with the V and Crown on it, make an aluminum foil pressing of it and cast it in 5 minute Epoxy.

That's what I plan to do, but I'll still need to make that crown somehow. There is one I could use on the Diamond Reo emblem but it's barely there as far as how well-defined it is. I do have an idea or two in mind though.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Yet another really cool subject! And, Great Work so far! Looking forward to seeing more of this one!

[EvanH]

Great work so far, Cornbinder!

[Chuck Most]

Blast from the past!

For many years, I've wanted to do a Minneapolis Moline dealer rig. Since White Motor Company owned both Minneapolis Moline and Reo, I thought why not make THIS that project?

By the early 1960s, Minneapolis Moline tractors were painted in a combination of "Energy Yellow" and a rather unflattering (to me) bronze kinda color. I didn't want to find a color I wasn't fond of, so I opted for something similar but with a little more pop... Enter Tamiya Copper.

The hood and cab are now slathered in Tamiya White Primer, in preparation of what will likely be Tamiya Camel Yellow.

I bought these adhesive decals from Bossen Implement years ago. These will not only carry the theme, but enable me to work around the Reo letters and emblem problem... The larger MM letters will go on the hood sides. The White logo may end up on the radiator access panel.

 

[Rbray47]

That's a cool project. 

[Gary Chase]

Good to see these old projects back on the bench

[Chuck Most]

20 hours ago, Gary Chase said:

Good to see these old projects back on the bench

I've been trying to get a few stalled projects either finished or progressing again lately. Since it's been slow at my workplace I've been taking advantage of the couple extra hours I now have at least a couple days a week for that.

[Chuck Most]

Chassis has a few touches of yellow, and is now up on wheels.

[Gary Chase]

Lookin good 👍

[Chuck Most]

Getting somewhere...

[Chuck Most]

Straps and steps taken care of, and the cab is as aligned as it's going to get.