I decided that I wanted to build myself a sleeper dragster/hot rod, based on a VW Samba bus after seeing outrageous mods on Netflix and YouTube. Feeling inspired after my Stratos build, I at first decided to go down the route of fitting a 911 engine to the kit, but decided that this was so "old hat" and done to death in the real world.

What to do?

I wanted it to look worn and rusty, but low slung with intent without been obviously a monster in disguise. The 911 approach was scrapped so where was I going to get my power plant from, then it struck me - Revell have a neat Audi R8 with a lovely engine package that I could borrow and decent wheels to boot. So, I decided to create my own hybrid Frankenstein by combining the Revell R8 with the Revell Samba.

This will require some thought as I am entering very deep water and unknowns where I risk wasting two decent kits, but with the potential of creating some thing special and unique.

Here are the two donors.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

The R8 chassis is a bit larger than the Samba's so this will require some more thought.
I start off putting in a cutout into the Samba inner pan to fit the engine through...
It turns out that I need a bigger cutout.
I cut off the rear of the R8 chassis to mate with the lower Samba chassis.
But, this does not work...more surgery is required.:sick:

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

Well on wards and upwards!

I put the wheels together and gave them and the engine a wash finish. Using the full Audi suspension was the intent, but after having to slim it down to mate with chopped up Samba inner pan I may have to cut back on the suspension, not that you would notice as the double wishbone sits well within the wheel rim - this give me a bit wriggle space.
The engine looks good on the back of the hybrid chassis.
The body was a bit of work as it comprised of about 12 pieces including the rear part of the inner pan that was chopped off.
Next up is the engine bay!

What to do?:tongue-out3:

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

I have done a bit of pre-rusting paint work on the body.
I have been working on the interior, and am currently working on the dash. Just finished plumbing in the "Go Faster" dial - the rest of the decals are still on their way
The dash is ready with a few subtle and one very obvious embellishment.

4 attached images. Click to enlarge.

The base is now ready...

I've just gotta finish the body and put it all together.

Thanks for watching.

1 attached image. Click to enlarge.

Just discovered this post, and am surprised no one has commented on your fun and well done build. Nice work on the distressed paint job. Hope you @snowman will post a picture of the completed project.

Echoing the above comments, I love your job @snowman!
Looking forward to your update!

Looks good, why not post it in headlines here on iModeler?