work_cummins

Incredible Scale Concept

A significant, but too-little appreciated, venue in scale custom car modeling is the creation of a phantom design based upon a particular design in auto history. This kind of modeling requires a thoughtful and history-based approach to building to anchor, and give meaning to, the phantom design that the builder presents at a display or contest.

Probably the most able practitioner of this kind of modeling presently is Dave Cummins who worked for many decades at Chrysler styling. Dave has a particular interest in the rare and graceful Bugatti designs from the Thirties. Those cars were elegant and lithe, and are almost incomprehensible to the modern mind (which is certainly too concerned with function and efficiency) because they were constructed with an eye to design. Go here for a recent a T 57 3C Atlantique coupe that was awarded Best of Show at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance (Dave Cummins' photos):

Dave has created a series of phantom Bugatti designs that reflect his interest in opulent European designs. His latest version is the best of the lot, and evidences an almost incomprehensible level of commitment and hard work (more than 1,500 hours were required to build this model).

Let's let Dave describe this incredible model.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION - LAMINATED ABS AND STYRENE PLASTIC, POLISHED ALUMINUM SHEET EXTRUSION AND TUBING,
DIFFERENTIAL- LAMINATED STYRENE, ALUMINUM TUBING, WIRE
AXLE - ALUMINUM ROD AND TUBING
BRAKE DRUMS - LAMINATED SHEET ALUMINUM AND BLACK PLASTIC DISCS
ROAD WHEELS - FROM "STARTER" IN FRANCE, NO LONGER AVAILABLE
TIRES - BBURAGO

Coachwork Fabrication Designed and Built from Scratch
1,500 HRS +

Design:

BASED ON THE T 57 3C BUGATTI Atlantique
ADDED REFINEMENT AND FEATURES <MINE)
AEROLANTIOUE NAME FROM REFINEMENTS, NOTE NUMBER PLATE
SKETCHES FIRST, THEN 4 VIEW \/\ 5 SCALE DRAWING WITH SECTION AND SURFACE DEVELOPMENT.
BALSA MASTER MODEL, SANDING SEALER, PRIMER PAINTED FOR COLOR TRIAL resin EXTERIOR SKIN, SLUSH MOLDED
GLASS AREAS - HEAT FORMED Plexiglas USING PLASTER MOLDS FROM BALSA MASTER MODEL, FRAMES-N GAUGE RAILROAD TRACK
BODY HARDWARE - HINGES ETC., FILED AND DRILLED ALUMINUM EXTRUSION, POLISHED,
WINDSHIELD WIPERS - MODEL CAR GARAGE, PHOTO ETCHED ' GRILLE - FRAME ALUMINUM SHEET, TEXTURE WOVEN BRASS SCREEN, HORNS BEHIND GRILLE FROM LINDBERG KIT
HEADLAMPS - BBURAGO
ENGINE HOOD VENTS - N GAUGE RAILROAD TRACK BEZEL, WOVEN BRASS SCREEN TEXTURE
CENTERLINE RIB MOLDING - POLISHED STEEL WIRE
TAIL LAMPS - plano PRODUCTS FROM MODEL TRAIN SHOP
BUGATTI MEDALLIONS - LASER COPIES (PAPER) OF AUTHENTIC BADGES, MINIATURIZED- GRILLE AND FUEL FILLER HAVE CLEAR GLUE OVERLAY TO SIMULATE FIRED ENAMEL FINISH
DOOR LATCHES - BALL SPRING IN DOOR SHUT FACE INTERFACES WITH STRIKER IN COWL SHUT FACE
INTERIOR WOOD TRIM - CHERRY VENEER, CLEAR COATED, INSTRUMENT PANEL» DOOR GARNISHES
STEERING. WHEEL - SHEET ALUMINUM ARMATURE, CHERRY VENEER RIM WITH
STEEL RIVETS SIMULATED FROM STRAIGHT PINS
INSTRUMENTS - BRASS AND ALUMINUM BEZELS, DIAL FACES ARE LASER COPIES OF REFERENCE. BOOK LAYOUTS, CLEAR PLASTIC LENSES
ALL INTERIOR HARDWARE - CUSTOM DESIGNED AND BUILT
SEATS - SCRATCH DESIGNED AND BUILT, BALSA MASTER, CAST IN RESIN 'SUITCASES - SCRATCH DESIGNED AND BUILT, STYRENE PLASTIC, ALUMINUM WIRE HARDWARE
CARPET - STYRENE FLOOR, FLOCKED FOR TEXTURE
FRONT COMPARTMENT FLOOR - SHEET ALUMINUM FLASHING

PAINT FINISHES

CHASSIS - PLASTICOTE PRIMER, KRYLON LO GLOSS COLOR, 5PRAYCAN
DRIVE TRAIN - PLASTICOTE PRIMER, TESTORS CHROME SILVER, SPRAYCAN
BODY EXTERIOR - PLASTICOTE PRIMER, TAMIYA SILVER LEAF, CLEAR COAT, SPRAYCAN
BODV INTERIOR AND TRUNK - PLASTICOTE PRIMER, TAMIYA FLAT ACRYLIC SKY GRAY AND FLIGHT DECK GRAY, AIRBRUSHED
SEATS - GLOSS COATED OVER FLAT COLOR TO SIMULATE LEATHER, EDGE PIPING SIMULATED WITH CHART TAPE BEFORE PAINTING

Now, take the time to look at, and think about, this incredible piece of styling and craftsmanship.

Please note that all photo credit here of Dave's magnificent model goes to Don Spiro!