Simensays :: Big Oly Blazing Bronco

[simensays 324]

I've decided to rebuild one of the first cars I restored. I've come a long way since doing my initial Blazing Blazer resto about 12 years ago, and have been contemplating re-restoring the Box Art Blazer for a while. The reason is mainly that I have not been satisfied with the job I first did, especially the paint job. Although it wasn't all that bad, I've felt as it could be a lot better, and it has kinda bugged me, sitting there not being what it deserves to be.

This is the result from the first resto job in 2003

I got hold of a semi built/NIB Blazer locally a few years back, but never had the heart to break open those NIP bags og goodies and complete the build, so I sold it. The BB was never one of my favourite cars, but it has def grown on my over the years.

I've always loved the early Broncos though, and the look & feel of vintage off roaders and off road racing. The Big Oly Bronco has long time been one of my favourites. So, after many years of thinking about redoing the Blazing Blazer, I've made up my mind and started the work og turning my old Blazer into a Big Oly Blazing Bronco hybrid.

Fellow TC member Badboy has already done a very nice version of the Big Oly on the Blazer platform, which can be seen here.

There are some obvious differences between the Chevy based Blazing Blazer, and the Big Oly Ford Bronco, but both the bodies have been heavily modified for the legendary Mexican 1000 race, and do look a similar enough for this project. That goes for the main body part, but not the grill. So, I designed a new one, based on the one seen on the Big Oly truck, with the double head lights...

I got the first version from Shapeways yesterday, but did some adjustments, so will have the finished part in about a week. The back of the grill will be filled with a black fine mesh, and iit is designed to fit head lights from the Hilux.

I've already stripped the old body, sanded and smoothed the body, primed and painted & cleared. The next big hurdle is the decals. I am currently designing all the decals in Illustrator from scratch, as most of these vintage logos can't be found in vector format, or as high res images. This is a tedious job, and albeit I am a graphic designer, just the research recognising the old logos and then scratch making them, is a lot of work...

The chassis only need minor work and partial assembly, and the main body is finished in the paint booth, so the actual completion of this build isn't that far off. I will send the decals for printing, and do the detailing and painting of the smaller accessories very soon.

So stay tuned for some pictures and updates

[/img]

[Shodog 1842]

That's ambitious. I wouldn't go ripping into a restored truck to redo it.

[simensays 324]

I normally wouldn't either, Jim, but I was not content with the job I initially did 12 years ago. So, although it has taken me more than a decade to actually start, I've done most of the re-doing in a a week and a half already. I'll bump this puppy up several levels on the quality totem pole with this re-resto. Tamiya re-releases the originals, I re-restore the originals Actually, I've not bought any of the re-issued vintage Tamiyas, as I gathered an abundance of the originals during my first years of collecting.

I will take some pics tomorrow, of the process so far...

[simensays 324]

Body work getting along, colors are matt black bed and interior, pure white, gold and black with a few coats of clear (which isn't very obvious from these quick pics, but will take some proper ones when completed). Co driver (Bill Stroppe) test fitted and ready for paint, same goes for the roll bar wing. Custom Ford grill is on the way. Chassis and wheels are all done.


​

A major job was to scratch design the decals, but almost done now...

​

[Shodog 1842]

Those Decals are awesome. Great work on the paint.

[simensays 324]

The Big Oly project is coming along, and I've mounted the Bronco grill I designed. I am waiting for the decals I've also designed to arrive, and I need to paint the two driver figures next...

[njmlondon 572]

Wow. just gorgeous.

[Toykid 599]

Looking great Simen. I was going to offer you my Bronco stickers I made, but looks like you have that handled. Looking forward to seeing it all stickered up.

[bromvw 744]

very nicely done - are you going to add harness for the driver and co driver ? A blue acetate fly catcher screen would be a nice touch too

[simensays 324]

Received the decals I designed, from ScreenPrintDigital.com - and as always, Jeremy has done a great job. I made 'em precut, and with extra white backing where needed, and some of the details in metalic gold.

As mentioned earlier, I designed all the decals from scratch, but there are some of the smaller, more generic ones found on the rear of the real car, that I couldn't identify, and did not design. I am planning on substituting some simliar race decals from the original Sand Scorcher or similar. I will complete this is the next few days, along with painting the driver figures and adding some small details (blue fly plexi as Bromvw mentioned), before taking some pics of the completed project.

[Shodog 1842]

That body is coming out nicely

[njmlondon 572]

Wonderful work. Enjoying this a lot. I appreciate all the effort you are putting in. I cannot begin to imagine how much prep work has gone into getting a finish like that.

[SRB Bloke 237]

Stunning work on those decals, I have no idea how go about creating them... Really looking forward to seeing this complete and hopefully running over some beach dunes.

[simensays 324]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your kind words!
I'm currently doing some small adjustments to the proportions of some of the decals (Firestone logo smaller and Olympia Beer a little bigger etc...), and supplementing the sheet with some of the missing decals. I have received some questions regarding the availability of the decals, and am happy to inform that they will be available for others on ScreenPrintDigirtal soon.

[bromvw 744]

Wow - just WOW .

[Toykid 599]

So cool. I had made the art for these stickers and never got round to making them. Now I can just buy yours it looks awesome dude!

[simensays 324]

Thanks guys

I've completed the design of the remaining, smaller logos that I left out in the v0.1 version of the decals.
Also, I've adjusted some of the details and proportions/sizes, to better replicate the originals and fit the BB body better.
Jeremy is out of the office for a few days, but I will send him the updated version of the decals sheet when he arrives, and update here with some pics of the finished car soon.

I'm not getting a cut from the sales of the decals, but I can vouch for the quality of the work that ScreenPrintDigital.com does.

[Leckster 34]

A thing of beauty... Quality stuff

[Toykid 599]

Awesome Simen. I spent a lot of time and money making my own sticker artwork for Big Oly, but yours looks so good I think I'll just order a set when they come out. Any idea when we can get them?

[simensays 324]

I have completed the design of the remaining decals not applied in the photos, and made some adjustments as mentioned to the sizes. I am just awaiting feedback from Jeremy on some details, but hopefully they will available for others in a week or two.

[Toykid 599]

Great, thanks.

[simensays 324]

The revised Simensays Big Oly decals has arrived, and I've had some time to fit them to my project Blazer.. well, no longer a Chevy now, starting to resemble a modified Ford, like the genuine Big Oly truck.

I've added all the major decals that was previously missing from my design, and gotten around to painting the driver figures according to the racesuits the guys were using. I will make a check list of my opinions on the paint lines, color scheme etc that I would have done different if I were to tackle this truck from scratch back in the days, but more to come on that later, as this project is to make the Blazing Blazer resemble the original Big Oly Bronco as much as possible, within reason. Also, there are some variations in the pics I gathered for the planning & research, and as the projects has evolved, I decided to make some more custom parts (front & rear bumper and bumper mounts) gor a better end result. I've removed the original bumpers in these pics, as these take away some of the scale look for the Big Oly.

I will give Jeremy from ScreenPrintDigital my go for the decals now, as they are up to par, and ready for sale, in my book. All the decals used on this truck, including some extras, is present on the design I've made.

New pictures of the completed project will come when I get the parts from Shapeways, and with better lighting than the ones to follow


​

​

[SRB Bloke 237]

As always, loving your work .....

I wish they'ed re-re this kit then we can all go super crazy with exciting new designs and concepts.

Looking forward to seeing the new shapeways parts...

[simensays 324]

Got note from Jeremy at ScreenPrintDigital.com, that my decals are available on eBay - do a search for Simensays and they should come up. This is not a plug for my own gain, as I do not get a dime from the sales of the decals, but meant as input for whomever might be interested in getting a set.

I am currently finishing up the design for the front bumper - the rear bumper mounts are on the way from Shapeways soon, and I'll update with new pics when this happens.

[Toykid 599]

Looking superb Simen,

I just ordered a set of your stickers, I can't wait to get them to update my Bronco.

James.