My "Wall Of Wheels"

[hellnbak]

Took a break from SU for awhile, but I'm getting back into it. Been working on my cars, but whenever I need a break from that I've been making some wheels, just for the heck of it. They are full wheels, not just a "hubcap" type affair, and I've made them easy to adjust for various tire widths. Some of them still need minor work, lugnuts, center caps, etc, need to model some of the treads that are just projected, after I've taken care of that I'll put them on the Warehouse. Some I like, some not so much, but maybe somebody can make use of them. I've also been working on a collection of steering wheels and other misc interior items.
I've been playing with some of my cars off and on, opened the doors on my 56 Ford and 57 Chevy, added a continental kit and spoked hubcaps to the Ford, made a few other changes. Also played around with some flames on the Chevy, that's kinda fun. Working on a Crown Vic version of the Ford, and a 2-Door post and a sports coupe version of the Chevy. Other cars I'm working on include a 55, 56, 58, 59, 60 and 61 Chevy, a 40, 57 and 60 Ford, a 53, 55 and 59 Buick, a 57 Desoto, a 58 Edsel....the list just keeps growing. I'm including a shot of the 59 Buick, still in it's early stages (with some cars behind it just for fun).
A couple of weeks ago I entered a contest sponsored by Golden Sim (a great car modeler). He asked people to customize his 59 Cadillac Biarritz. I didn't win, but didn't really expect to because I didn't customize it, I just tried to make it look showroom new. Didn't have time to finish it because of his deadline, but I've included some before and after shots.
Well, better get some sleep. Looks like a really HOT week coming up here in Michigan, and I don't know if my poor old air conditioner can handle it, so I better sleep while I can. The weather is going nuts all over the world, I think Mother Nature has had enuf of us. Can't say I blame her one bit.

[Rich O Brien]

What a return

Great to see you back around the place. That's a crazy collection you got. Beautiful textured as always

[hellnbak]

Thanks Rich. I couldn't quit SU if I tried, I'm hooked. And congrats on another great issue of CatchUp. I always learn some interesting things from it, any chance of making it a weekly?

[ely862me]

[pbacot]

Beautiful Wheels! You even have an old rusty, dusty one. Really fine textures. Amazing. And the cars look great in SU output. Thanks for posting.

[Bryan K]

One day you'll have do a tutorial.

[Pilou]

That is a collection! Indeed!

[hellnbak]

Thanks for the positive comments. Bryan, what kind of a tutorial do you mean -- cars, wheels, or textures? Doesn't matter I guess, it would be difficult to make a tutorial when I don't know what I'm doing half the time

[3eighty]

A big FANTASTIC Thank You..Question: Are those cars available anyplace?

[hellnbak]

Question: Are those cars available anyplace?

Well, there's an early version of the '56 Ford in the Warehouse, but frankly I'd wait till I upload the later version. As for the others, thinking about uploading the '57 Chevy, but it's not quite ready yet, and the others are just WIP, don't know when they'll be done. I've got so many going, I just keep bouncing around between them and starting new ones, I never seem to get one done (at least to my satisfaction).

[hellnbak]

Couple shots of my 56 Chevy, just sorta pieced together for the photos -- bumpers from my 56 Ford, interior from my 57 Chevy, grill is not modeled, just a texture on a face, etc, etc. Still needs a lot of work, but I'm gonna take my time with this one, cause this, IMHO, is one of the finest hunks of steel Detroit ever turned out. I love this car.

[3eighty]

Love you 56...Hardest car to find out of the 3...

[Krisidious]

are these wheels free for download?

[hellnbak]

are these wheels free for download?

Well, they will be, once I upload them. Just gotta do a few things to them first, some need lugnuts, center cap work, some texture tweaking, things like that. Actually I'll try to get to that tonight if I can.

[hellnbak]

Finally got about 30 of the wheels into the Warehouse, will get the rest there as soon as I can

[Ben Ritter]

Couple shots of my 56 Chevy, just sorta pieced together for the photos -- bumpers from my 56 Ford, interior from my 57 Chevy, grill is not modeled, just a texture on a face, etc, etc. Still needs a lot of work, but I'm gonna take my time with this one, cause this, IMHO, is one of the finest hunks of steel Detroit ever turned out. I love this car.

Great work, especially this one (56). I took many a vacation (camping with the homemade rooftop carrier)in one. Ours was two tone, white and green. She got stolen, packed with all sorts of camping gear. My dad was heartbroken to say the least.

It would be fun to give him one for his 80th birthday.

Thanks for sharing

[hellnbak]

Great work, especially this one (56). I took many a vacation (camping with the homemade rooftop carrier)in one. Ours was two tone, white and green. She got stolen, packed with all sorts of camping gear. My dad was heartbroken to say the least.

It would be fun to give him one for his 80th birthday.

Thanks for sharing

That's rough. Yeah, it would be great to replace it for your Dad, although the replacement cost of this particular car has gone up just a tad over the years

[irwanwr]

I think I just found someone who doesn't really need a rendering application
Can I sell those models, Steve? I need to upgrade my PC. Please let me know where and how to sell them too

[Rich O Brien]

I don't think Steve spotted his model in the latest CatchUp.

Sssshhhhhh....don't tell him

[hellnbak]

I think I just found someone who doesn't really need a rendering application
Can I sell those models, Steve? I need to upgrade my PC. Please let me know where and how to sell them too

Sure, go on and sell them. I hear Ebay is a pretty good place. Enjoy your new 'puter

I don't think Steve spotted his model in the latest CatchUp.

Sssshhhhhh....don't tell him

Saw it there yesterday, really surprised me. Like the astronaut's wives were trained to say "I'm just happy, proud, and honored"

[markitect72]

I am new to the group but maybe you can help me. We are currently working on an artist's colony in the Boston area and the centerpiece is going to be a 1958 Edsel convertible. It is going to be Steampunked out but I am looking for a "stock" model of one in Sketchup to play with. Do you have one or any idea where I can find one? Thanks in advance.

[hellnbak]

Hi Mark
Welcome to SketchUcation. You'll find a lot of great information here, and a lot of people willing to help you out any way they can.
As far as the 58 Edsel, sorry, it's on my list of classics that I want to do, but I have not gotten around to doing anything with it yet. And there's nothing in the Warehouse either (of course if there was I wouldn't be interested in doing my own, don't see any point to duplicating someone else's work).
Don't know where you could find one, I would suggest you Google it and maybe you can come up with something that might fit your needs.
Have a good one
Steve

[tadema]

Welcome back Steve, it's been a while
John

[pbacot]

Yeah, Steve. Good to see you back (you're looking good as ever)

[jpalm32]

Really nice Steve!
I had a 55 Chev Convertable.

[3eighty]

What name are your wheels listed under at the Warehouse?

[okomta]

OMG,, you must be crazy guy with cars,,:D

[sh00ks]

Here too: awesome job on the great variety on wheels and even more respect that you share it all

Did you make the wheels as dynamic components so you can easily modify the with/height?

I'm also stunned by your texturing qualities.
Do you use special UV-/texture plugins for this or just all nstandard SU-tools?

Must admit that you inspire me in car design and diversity