WILD WILLY RIDES AGAIN !!!!!!
Status: Restored
Date: 21-Aug-2010
Comments: 18
I have to say this project was pure joy. From the beginning to the end. It all started when I won a NIB body set a few months back. I figured i would find a chassis eventually. Well about a week or so ago I won a Wild Willy lot with no bodys...Perfect !! I spent all last weekend taking 2 willy chassis and making 1 good one...I carefully cleaned all the parts and since I have a sand blaster in the garage I sand blasted all the metal parts to a shiny new finish. I sanded down the front bumper and painted it flat black. It took me over a week and a half to finish the body....Back in 1984 I bought a Tamiya catalog, and I always wanted to paint my original Wild Willy just like the picture on page 74, but at that time I had no skill with an airbrush, heck I didn't even own an airbrush back then. So other than adding a few decals (I love this decal sheet) I replicated the picture as best i could....In all the years of building and restoring this was the best project i have ever done....Sorry for the long read...and comments welcome...:)
2
All 4 Tires now fixed...LOL....
The restore begins !!!!
Love having a brand new body set !!!
Sand Blasted Parts !!!!
Took some work but made them nice and round again.
Page 74 of the 1984 catalog Finally after 26 years
Comments
slimmy
Fantastic story and a fantastic build. Congrats on a job well done
Skottoman
That looks SUPERB!!! Really nice job! Don't mean to pick, but are you sure the tires are on the right direction? Regardless, what a great paint job, and I can understand the time it took you to do this!
BeetleLover
Hey Dan, that looks sharp! Saw the first pic and wondered about the black spotlight but then later realised you've been a 100% accurate! Looking forward to repainting my M38 in the future
Tamiyamandan
OOOOPS....In my haste I put the front tires on backwards,,,Now fixed...Thanks Skottoman...LOL
Toykid
You did a great job painting this. I started to do the same scheme months ago and still haven't got it anywhere near finished. Great job!
mongoose1983
LOVE IT!!! looks awesome! The camouflage paint job is really top notch. Not an easy thing to do.
By the way, how did you fix the tires? I could use some ideas on 'how to make round again' old tires.
mr alan
FAB! It looks great!
slimmy
Mongoose, you can use a hairdryer to heat up a tire that has flat spots. Takes them right out.
Stan :0)
That's fantastic great job fella one of Tamiya's best ever cars
SRB Bloke
Excellent work, love the paint job... superb
tamiyaonebay
Dan, that is truly something to be proud of. So sick!
TIMECMDR
Dan, that is a stunning job you have done there my friend, the paint job is spot on as is the total restoration, it looks the beeznees!!
stickerbod
Looks superb
Onetenth
What a sweet ride! How about a fleet of military rides including FAV, Hummer and Wild Willy?
Frank Lux
Hmmmm....makes me want to get another M38 and get it painted like yours...!!! Top Work!!!!
simensays
Great job, and absolutely great result! Now rebuild it to a SWB and you hvae an perfect camo Willy
Never get tired of seeing (or reading the story) these puppies being brought back to life! Thumbs up on a exellent paintjob and resto.
Fernado Alonso
Wow that is a nice restoration Dan
It sure looks great and just like the 84 catalogue
Cheers Alex
mongoose1983
I'm a fan of this one. It's superb. Anyway, I have one question about the tires. I have tires with a flat spot, you know, from being sitting somewhere for years now. Since you mentioned below that 'you made them round again' I was wondering what is the correct method to fix them?
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