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Chariots of Fire

Reo Gold Comet

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Been toying with the idea of building a Reo Gold Comet that was used for this Port Vue FD rig.

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So I started with a more recent Reo cab but it was a real mess to work with.  I ended up cutting off the bottom of the cab and building it new and installing a brass windshield surround.  Then Renshape was used to carve some fenders and the hood.  

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A section needs to be added to the nose below the two strips of plastic to finish off the front.  This is were we are as of today.

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Got a bit more done on shaping the fenders, fitting the hood and the two small pieces that fit next to the hood at the lower end of the fenders.  Lots of grinding excess materials away to hollow out the fenders to a thinner profile.

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Here's one more.  The headlights have small parking lights mounted on top.  I used  piece of plastic rod and a pin with a very small round head to make them.  There is also a stack of small strips028.thumb.JPG.c708769a982b83080d420eb6963360c9.JPG that separates the horizontal bars on the front.  Next will be to add the Gold Comet medallion to the sides of the hood.

 

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Here's where we are to date.  Finally the belt line under the windows and along the hood is relatively uniform and straight.  That was a bear to do for a while with the hood and cab having been built separately.  Nothing really lined up when I first glued them into position.  But things seem to be getting closer to the point where I can consider sending this out for examination and potential casting.  041.thumb.JPG.cadfbace75d71e78ca0965cba2dde317.JPG100_0591.thumb.JPG.a5121d590b63242e32967fb863f17e2a.JPG

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Got the first casting back today from AITM.  It came out great, even if I do say so myself.  Dave Natale did a fantastic job!  So here are some pics of the casting pieces and what it looks when the fenders and cab are put together.  The grill is easily opened up with an Xacto knife and some small files.  There is just a skim coat over the openings.  Same with the door handles.  Just a file and Xacto will open them up.

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On 5/29/2020 at 8:34 PM, vincen47 said:

Truly a work of art in the making. Your master is already a work of art in itself.

My thoughts too!

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The green and black Reo has gone to another builder.  Now it's back to the Port Vue Reo.  Lots of re-working things.  The cab doors have been cut free and the hood is open.  I recently made a new front bumper from brass using the resin casting as a template.  After soldering the face of the bumper to two pieces of brass sheet top and bottom, It was trimmed to shape, smoothed out and then given a nickel plating bath.  It came out nicely.  Will provide a pic soon.

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10 hours ago, Chariots of Fire said:

The green and black Reo has gone to another builder.  Now it's back to the Port Vue Reo.  Lots of re-working things.  The cab doors have been cut free and the hood is open.  I recently made a new front bumper from brass using the resin casting as a template.  After soldering the face of the bumper to two pieces of brass sheet top and bottom, It was trimmed to shape, smoothed out and then given a nickel plating bath.  It came out nicely.  Will provide a pic soon.

Looking forward to seeing more Charles!!

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Yesterday I got the bumper done and did a bit of tweaking on the fenders to correct the shape.  I think the bumper could have used a little more polishing as there are some spots that look a little dull.  Overall it's not bad.  Now it's on to the engine and getting something close to a Gold Comet.

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It’s great being able to watch this come together. Thanks for sharing. As with all of your builds, it’s impressive.

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Here are a few updates on the build.  The engine is complete and is now mounted on the frame.  The floorboard position is set.  The hood has some brass hinges and a rod that holds it open when raised.  I painted the two front wheels with some blue spray paint I found in a Michaels craft store.  The edges are silver and eventually the center hub will be painted Molotow chrome.  I'll wait on that so it doesn't get messed up during the building process.  In addition the front bumper was set aside and a new one was made of brass strip stock.  Once it was cleaned up it was nickel plated.  The piece holding it to the fenders is plastic sheet stock that was epoxied to the back of the bumper.

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Edited by Chariots of Fire

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Unfortunately, no.  It would have taken some effort trying to do it in a 2 piece mold.  Things like fan belt pulleys, the generator, distributor, manifolds would probably still have to be made separate.

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Nice update. I like the work on the engine, and how you hinged the hood. 
 

Have you visited the R. E. Olds museum in Lansing, Michigan? I think it would be right up your alley, if you ever get a chance. Not sure how far away that would be for you.

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Hi, Vince.  Lansing is a ways away although I did go to U-M in Ann Arbor back in the day.  It's about a 15 hour ride from where I am.  Another day and a bit younger I might be convinced to make the trip!🤓

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