TUFF Collectables Blown HJ Holden Panel Van
2025-01-11 16:00:00
Since the very first model release, we have wanted to give our audience a sneak peak behind the scenes of an Aussie model kit car build, highlighting the time and detail involved.
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Introducing Garry Parkinson
We reached out to Garry Parkinson, an experienced scale modeller with over 60 builds under his belt, specialising in custom Aussie street machines.
We asked him to build an Aussie muscle car to go on display at our new store. Garry was free to choose any car, colour, or build style, as long as it looked TUFF!
“As soon as we spoke, I knew it had to be a custom Blown HJ Panel Van, white, clean and dropped to give it that tough stance,” said Garry.
The Blown Holden HJ Panel Van Plastic Model Car Kits by DDA Collectibles include over 90 plastic and rubber parts, a few interior decals, and packaging designed to display the completed model.
The Build Journey
Let’s take a look behind the scenes of this stunning custom build!
Originally based on diecast model designs, the DDA plastic model car kits are more robust. They assemble with small screws for the subassemblies and body, rather than glueing everything to the chassis. Some parts still require glueing, but overall, this method is much easier and less stressful.
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“Before starting, I always trial fit parts to ensure that everything fits together well. Any changes or modifications should be done before painting,” Garry advises.
“The DDA Collectibles kits are perfect for beginners. The instructions are easy to follow, and the parts can only fit together one way.”
The impressive carmine interior features a painted dashboard with supplied decals, red flocking for a realistic carpet look, and a mattress to capture that authentic 70's vibe.
The exterior boasts a clean white finish with chrome wheels, carmine red highlights, TUFF Collectables decals, and a lowered stance. The custom GTS spoiler is a nice addition.
The Focal Point
Finally, the centerpiece is the supercharged engine, featuring real braided hose lines, a meticulous paint job, and a waterslide carbon fiber decal for the blower hat. The detail is incredible!
“The engine is the focal point, it needs to be perfect. I will often fit, remove then refit the engine to get the hoses and placement just right before final assembly,” Garry explains.
Garry’s Final thoughts
Total hands-on hours for the TUFF van came to around 30-35. It’s awesome to have such high-quality Aussie products. DDA kits are as good as anything else worldwide and, in many cases, far better. SMS paint is exactly the same, a great product for a global market.
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To be honest, I’m never totally happy with any build. There’s always something that could have been done better or differently, but that’s just part of the process. That said, this build turned out great, and I’m very happy with it. The engine detail is the focal point, with over 15 hours spent on just that.
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The roof spoiler and chin spoiler from Morris Kustoms really make the TUFF van stand out in a crowd, and the detail in the wheels adds to its impact. But honestly, the best part of the whole process was the feedback from everyone who saw it!
More DDA Kit Builds
Although this custom build extends beyond the standard kit, it offers a behind-the-scenes look at the time and effort involved. A big thank you to Garry Parkinson for this project… he absolutely nailed it.
Great news! Garry will document more of his DDA model kit builds, which we'll upload soon.
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