M04 VW Samba - Dawn Patrol at the Beach
Model: (Click to see more)
58307: Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA
Status: New built
Date: 21-Jan-2013
Comments: 64
Status: New built
Date: 21-Jan-2013
Comments: 64
This is a Maisto toy van body I modified (a lot) and placed on a Tamiya M04 chassis. This van has a full interior, hand made surfboard, many other hand made styrene parts, working safari windows, and 6v incandescent headlights. A lot of people on the forums helped me with ideas and made this what it is today. There is a full build thread with over 150 photos of how it was done. Much more detailed photos as well. There is a link in the first comment to the build thread. It actually was quite fun to drive on the beach!
Comments
Skottoman
Full build thread here with over 150 pictures! - [Click here]
stickerbod
Awesome, looks totally real, top job
lupogtiboy
I've said it before, and I'll say it again! MINDBLOWING!!! So much attention to detail, really does look real! I'm also pleased to say that you have inspired me with a lot of new ideas for my own models! Thanks!
SRB Bloke
Absolutly superb, I've been waiting for these pics, watched the build on the forum and these photos are exactly what this project needed 'a day at the beach' The man is a genius, I have to ask, did you get any video?
SteveAdair
Wow, amazing VW. Hard to tell some of those shots are not 1:1 ! Wonderful paint job, nice weathered look. Thanks for sharing.
Percymon
If it wasn't for the grain size of the sand suggesting otherwise, this could easily be mistaken for a 1:1 camper. Once again, great creativity, build and photos. True genius
andyalarto
exceptional work my friend
Finman
Wow. Difficult to tell from 1:1. Simply amazing.
njmlondon
That is really special. I am blown away. Every photo looks 1:1.
MAD-BEE
Wow dude!!!!
Not sure what to say?
How about......this is sick man!!
neobrunox
Super cool combi & fantastic pics
beefmuffin
this is stunning. i love the bumper stickers - what happened to portland?!? did it become necessary to move it to CA when you added the stones sticker? ron jon board is totally rad. what this needs, to my eye: a scale guitar case on the roof - properly ratty, board is too clean!, tires have waaaay too much tread! and maybe too much tread pattern in general, more glued-on scale bottle caps and/or glued on scale seashells! maybe cover one of the side mirror bodies with shells. and to make it truly skeevy and realistic, a tiny dream catcher inside??
SCORCHER KID
Outstanding.........nuff said !!
Skottoman
Thanks guys! The interesting thing about this build is how many different ideas have come about. It's amazing how while we all know the look of the VW Samba, we all have different views on how it should be. Of course it's never ending of how many things I could keep adding... I know I'll glue scale miniature snow globes all over the outside! Haha.
Cheers! Skottoman
BeetleOne
Amazing piece of art! Incredible skill! Thanks for the full build thread! Wow, entries like this one make this site really great!
speedy_w_beans
This was a great build thread; I enjoyed watching it unfold. It really broadened my horizons and made me appreciate scale builds and small details more. Thanks for sharing this in the forums, and for the updated pictures here.
Singleseven
Right now I have to say that you are the most creative and productive member on TC. This is without doubt your best scale build to-date and the 2CV and Unimog were good! With skills like this I'd say your're ready to graduate to the Scale Builders Guild, assuming your not already a member already of course. What I'd like to see now is a line up of the 2CV, Unimog and this bus.
Wandy
Insane. Just an incredible piece of workmanship!
RallyeBaz
WOW I thought what is he doing listing a 1:1 Van lol. Stunning model and pics
wrightpumpkin
Fantastic job, really well done. I do like the bacon sticker on the back
ruebiracer
How can anybody not like this cracker! Scott, hats off for this build. Your builds are one of the reason I finally had to join this community, even if I will never reach 1% of your skills!! Enjoy every drive with it!
LylesTV
Wow!!! just awesome !! I NEEEEEEED one of these modled on my van Lyle!! my 56 TV repair van (see my showroom) This is a fantastic piece of work, Man got skills!
CAVS995
Absolutely awesome build, I had to look through the thread to believe it wasn't real!
oldie
Pure class, your photography is as good as your model skill
pagedm_f350
Amazing build and awesome photos too!!!
mtbkym01
Expert modelling here, tremendous scale appearance, and to top it off, it has working lights and is RC! Outstanding job mate, bar raised to infinity
def4x4
Wowwww......this is really amezing, the first pic woudt look like a 1:1 buses. Looks great on the beach only. Woudt look great to see it together with your 2CV as your most amezing scale cars ever seen. You did some awesome work again, fantastic.
kevinthegerbil
Unbelievable Detail. I wish I had the time and Patience! I think I got you to finish off my projects now Skottoman
RACECRAFTERS
Maan! You've done an amazing transformation here, WoW! Now I know never to lend you my new car 'cause you really have the ability to trash things.
Insanely awesome! 
Sure looks 1:1.
TIMECMDR
Another fine masterpiece mate........ I too followed the thread!! Absolutely amazing craftsmanship and awesome photos to boot!!!
Skottoman
Thank you again guys, the best part of this build, is hearing that I've inspired people. Almost everything on this build was an experiment, and it turned out well. I encourage you to try the same... I do enjoy the photography aspect of this hobby , although honestly, all these photos were taken with a point and shoot camera... but I had to get up at 6am to get them! Sunrise!
beefmuffin
all you need now to make this complete is a 1:10 scale hippie. preferably very hairy/beardy. i know some, but they are 1:1 scale.
Meakz1973
This is fantastic! I love the photos too, worth getting up at sunrise for. Superb!
R/CVET
fantastic detail!!
ModMax
This is outstanding. I thought it was a real vehicle. I'm blown away.
gozone
Turned out amazingly great!!!..
Very nice work Scott. 
I remember that 'Ron Jon' brand from a friend in school, who did some surfing too.
Cheers.
Michael
warlord62
This is awesome! I can't believe the detail you've added....just incredible!!!
Steffen
What!? That's a scale model and not a real surf bus!?
JWeston
This deserves to be all over the internet. I hope the 1:1 VW fan sites have seen this. You ought to have people knocking your door down for work.
slimmy
SKOTTO! I thought this was real as well. Unbelievable workmanship. Well done.
delux
Just brilliant! I've had a few buses and I have to say this totally fooled me! Stunning!!
DerbyDan
Simply Stunning!! Great pictures really set-it off too (Love pic 8!)
Aussie Top Force
That is cool!
sunnyjai
Your Veedub spells only one thing - 'ABSOLUTE REALISM!' I'm blown away
skywhelp
This model really is the cure for the blues! Anytime I get into a rut I will look at it and I'll be back at full strength! Outstanding work on this, and the beach shots raise the level to perfection. And raises the bar for builds. I hope I can reach a 1/10 of this ability and I would be a happy fella. Your dedication is really inspiring and your willingness to show others the way makes you a true master of the craft.
SB_Aust
Absolutely magic work! Curious to know how many hours were put into this. All worth it i am sure..
BigDuke
Fantastic! Would look very cool on a shelf but looks real in the correct setting.
CASE1
Oh No, this cannot be real! I mean: it looks real, no: this is to good to be true. But is is a model, it is an out-of-this-world-model, never would have imagined this could be build. A bit confusing maybe, but so cool and your photo's do it justice: what a beautie, what a pleasure!
sludgeguts
My god that is amazing. Can't think of anything else to say other than it's gone into my favourites list.
Skottoman
Such awesome comments. I really appreciate it! This one turned out very special, and I'm so happy it's been a motivating factor, and inspiration to others. I have no idea how many hours I put into this, but I'm guessing 40 or more hours for the shell alone. Chassis was pretty simple as it's an M04, and I've built those many times. Sadly I forgot to actually film anything when taking these photos, but I think a van driving with no driver would be strange. At least in these photos, it has the illusion of being driven and parked there. Thanks again for your comments, they really make the build and photos worthwhile!
MAD-BEE
I think we all like this van Skotto buddy!
rcdomi
Wooow,this is the best of the best of the.......................
pastimesteve
Lots of awesomeness on display here! Fantastic job, as always.
Wyoming
LOl thats amazing Scott, I'm never in the forums so hadn't seen it before. Funny thing is I almost didn't even look at this when I saw it in the show room cause I thought it was just some real car ref pics of some old hippy van
berman
Jaw dropping. Stop setting the bar so high, or we are all going to need NASA to get us there!
Grastens
Hands-down my favourite build to follow and now to enjoy complete. The variety of techniques used and their results are astounding. Good decision to leave out the driver, and an even better one to take photos at the beach. And above all, I love the fact you still run it!
scollins
Wow, one of the best RC models on this website for sure!!!! A+++++
Toykid
This will be the next RCCA reader ride of the month, possibly the year
biggamehunter
this build blew me away , i read the whole thread 4 times ! amazing modeling well worthy of recognition from tamiya japan !!
megadeth
I cant believe that these is rc.looks real mate
nice job
i what it.
Pintopower
I often wondered how hard it would be to take a picture of a real car and play it off as an RC? Clearly that's what you have done
If I didn't read the build I wouldn't believe this.
steve3smart
I can't get over how realistic this is. My job in England was helping to restore Veedub's back to new, but this looks great just the way it is. Amazing work.
simensays
Excellent!!! Had to look twice
Great work and great model!
Dirt-540
Damn! Cant believe I didn't leave a comment on this. This is one of my all time favourites on TC, it's a really beautiful and stunning piece of work. Just finished a long-term Humvee project but it just doesn't come close to this. Am in ore of the weathering and body work, its simply amazing. Envy!
Want to leave a comment?