Greetings FSM compatriots, my name is Christian and I used to be a regular participant here before an unexpected and involuntary hiatus kept me from this hobby I so enjoy for too long. Well, I’m back and hopefully for a good long time. This is the last kit I started so I made it the first finished. Just in time to give it to a friend for xmas. He seemed to like it and I hope you guys do too. Comments and critiques welcome and appreciated. 
Hi, Christian. My name is Jim. I’ve only been on here for a little over a year but I’ve been a model builder most of my life. Glad to have you back.
That’s amazing. Did you build that out of metal or plastic? It looks like real rusted metal. Care to give any tips on how you did it?
That is cool and a nice take on this classic.
Love what you did with the windshield - definately a nice touch to give a little life to the scene!
Yeah, beautiful job on a classic kit. I too love the rusting effect.
Wonderful work on the “Rat Rod” paint finish and “dirty” windshield ![:D][Y]
I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Well, this is certainly a good way to make a sixty’s era fantasy kit look like a reality. Best all around work I’ve ever seen on one of these…
Actually, !https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQnVCcaBN2C3pbih6aspg8h-qajvAKJij-HeR0xiUENhqEJQxkQpAKqzHsthis is a great piece of work regardless of the subject.
I really like the well weathered derelict finish approach that you took on this kit. Very cool looking!
Thank you everybody for your awesome compliments and warm welcome. This was a fun project of a cool old kit (what? Late 60’s early 70"s I think.). It’s simple enough to easily be a weekend build but with enough room to spend forever adding as much scratch built goodness as you please. Particularly the fairly well detailed engine that just begging for plug wires, bolt heads, belts, fan ect…as well as the tracks, which leave a lot to be desired. I kept it a minimum because of my self imposed dead-line. The convertible top, seats, dash, door pouches and a few other bits are all scratched. Along with cutting and re-positioning the figs.
Jim- It’s an all plastic kit. The beat up finish is pretty easy. I start with finishing it as normal with a good paint job and decals with a final coat of Future. Then with a piece of torn off of a cheap foam brush I slowly dab brown and red-brown on the areas of heavy wear. Trying to keep in mind where boots, hands and the environment are mostly likely to effect it. Then came multiple oil washes of raw umber, burnt umber and burnt sienna. Areas of newer rust and sand accumulation got treatments of ground chalk pastels set with turpinoid, for a much more orange-red or dusty and textured appearance. A final black pin wash made certain details pop All of this was sealed with a couple coats of flat. Finally, after masking the wiper swipes on the windshield, I quickly and lightly sprayed it with heavily diluted deck tan for an overall dusty look. That’s it. If I can do it, anyone can.
Wonderful job!
So THAT’s what Rommel’s Rod looks like!! I’ve read several references to that kit, but have never actually seen it! You did a GREAT job on it Christian, from the beat up, rusty look to the cracked windshield to the skeletal crew!! BTW, is that an MG34 pointing out the rear!?! NIIIICE!!
Brings back memories .I remember building that in the mid sixties.I was fairly young,yours looks way better
Top notch weathering.
Thank you, thank you. You’re all too kind…
The best one of these that I’ve ever seen.
That’s really cool!
I kustomized mine with a Tamiya 251 rear end and took off that American style roller on the front.
I like yours a lot.
A “Blast from the Past” - with a superb “touch by the magic” of modern scale-modelling technique.
I think I painted my bright red 40 years ago 
You are doing the kit a favor in every way.
Thank you for sharing your build Christian, looking forward to your next project!
Very Best Regards
Johan
Great job on the kit, I remember this piece from waaaayyyyy back when.
You certainly did it justice.
Mostly, , , thanks for sharing!
Very nice work!