The A-Team Van Matchbox Vehicle – Scratch Model Build (sort of — it’s more of a ‘conversion’)

I’ve owned this little van since I was a kid. It wasn’t actually a Matchbox or Hot Wheels brand toy I don’t think. I found it in storage recently. I lost the wheels and base a long time ago, so I did a bit of Googling to find out what it is. According to this eBay listing, it is a ‘1970’s Bedford CF Party Van Die Cast Firebird Silver’ made by Yatming (Yat Ming).

I always thought it would be fun to turn it into The A-Team vehicle. Now that I am in my 40’s and have the skills to be able to do so, I’ve started the project.

In recent years I’ve gotten pretty inspired by all the custom Matchbox and Hot Wheels restoration projects people put on YouTube. I’ve included a few at the bottom of this blog post.

I have a few other old Matchbox vehicles that I really treasured as a kid (and still do). I’ll restore them at some point as well.

I’m in no rush to finish this A-Team van project. It’s just something I want to enjoy doing bit by bit as spare time allows. I’ll scratch-build details, use my airbrush to do the paint job and make it look as good as I can. I’m modelling it after the original van from the 1980’s TV show, not the more recent movie version.

The van before I started modifying it.
The van before I started modifying it.
Removing paint with Paint Remover
Tried to paint on the Paint Remover. The paint wasn’t coming off easily.
Decided to immerse it in Paint Remover. This helped.
Decided to immerse it in Paint Remover. This helped.
Primed the front grill
Primed the front grill
Painted the front Grill. I'll have to make a Bull Bar for it
Painted the front Grill. I’ll have to make a Bull Bar for it.
Painted the inside of the windows. Aiming for a 'tinted window effect'
Painted the inside of the windows. Aiming for a ‘tinted window effect’
Glued in a bit of Styrene, so I could then putty the rough rear windows.
Glued in a bit of Styrene, so I could then putty the rough rear windows. Used CA Glue with Bi-Carb Soda to glue the Styrene.
Progress so far. Plus an old Knight Rider badge I found that I'll turn into a Fridge Magnet.
Progress so far. I’ve puttied the rear round windows. I’ll sand them smooth soon. In this pic is also an old Knight Rider badge I found that I’ll turn into a Fridge Magnet.

 

Here are a few similar A-Team van projects I’ve seen on YouTube:

 

 

I saw this below video on YouTube the other day too. SOO much work!! VERY, VERY nicely done!

 

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
Title Here ?