Bargain Mini Finds On eBay!

DenverDino · Post by **DenverDino** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 12:36 pm

My just came in this, thanks for the Hot scoop!

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 3:29 pm

Hey, congrats! It's a very nice doll. Not quite as limber as the made to move Barbs and a wee shorter, but a whole lot more shapely. Regular Barbie clothes don't fit her very well, but clothes for the Curvy Barbies do.

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 10:36 pm

Regular Barbie clothes don't fit her very well, but clothes for the Curvy Barbies do.

I misspoke there. Regular Barbie clothes do fit, but not regular Barbie shoes. However, some of the Curvy Barbie shoes do fit, but not all.

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:17 pm

Found a dirt cheap Barbie Beetle on eBay, It arrived today! I already have the first edition in silver, but this is the second release that mimics the 2011 New Beetle's profile. This version is slightly smaller than the other Barbie Bug I have and not quite as well made. Also, the first release was made of harder painted plastic that came in lots of different colors. This version is made of a little softer colored plastic. Guess that's why I've only ever seen it in various shades of pink.

No worries. Got this as a project. Gonna fix that.

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Moments later......

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the living tribunal · Post by **the living tribunal** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 5:22 am

Thought it was only kids who instantly dismantle things they just bought

Be interesting to see what you do with it next

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 5:44 am

Let's just say, Herbie Rides Again!

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Fri Nov 17, 2023 6:08 pm

Got some preliminary sanding in today. Discovered 2 things. One, this is no job for arthritic hands. Two, though this thing is made from pink colored plastic, the surface is painted a slightly different hue of pink! Found that out trying to remove tape residue with acetone, thinking I was dealing with bare plastic.

The good news, I now know this plastic will accept paint. The bad news, I have no idea what kind of paint it is. It's thin because the plastic color shows through, giving a sort of flip flop effect, visible in the 1st series of pics I took. I just don't know if it's lacquer, enamel or what? I originally thought I was going to get away with just knocking the shine off the plastic then giving it a quick and rattle can job. Now though, looks like I may have to prime first. I have a feeling this is going to end up costing me more than I paid for the car. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Post by **Pia** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:26 am

Billie should have fun with the scooters

The Beetle could become a bigger project!

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:24 pm

Kind of stuck on what paint best to use for the project, so bit of a slow go at the moment. Did make a little progress though. Like most used Barb Beetles you find, the outside mirrors on this one are missing. So, found me a suitable replacement. An old set of broken ear-buds. Cut the bottom out of a tin can for the mirror glass and voila!

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Pia wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:26 am Billie should have fun with the scooters
The Beetle could become a bigger project!

Yeah, Billie looks good on the Barb Scooter. She came by today to check the progress on the Beetle... or lack there of...

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So did Jhipri. I can just hear the little wheels turning in her head...

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the living tribunal · Post by **the living tribunal** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:52 pm

That trick with the in-ear headphones and the tin can ... love it

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:55 pm

the living tribunal wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:52 pm That trick with the in-ear headphones and the tin can ... love it

Oh, shoot! Totally missed the tin can and string reference.

the living tribunal · Post by **the living tribunal** » Wed Nov 22, 2023 2:38 am

Mr Franz wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:55 pm Oh, shoot! Totally missed the tin can and string reference.

Actually, so did I :haha4:

With all the smartphones, iThingies, etc., it's easy to forget what childhood was like for people in our age group (over 55)

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:26 pm

Still putting around with this thing. Worse than working on a real car. No paint yet. I've been trying to do something about the lack of interior detail. It has a detailed dash, seats and door panels, but that's about it. The rest of the interior is pretty stark. So spent a couple hours today making some backseat side panels. Didn't turn out too bad. Just a bit of cardboard and some black duct tape.

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Meanwhile, with this ride not even finished, just ordered another off eBay. Guess I'm just a glutton for punishment. :drinking:

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Thu Nov 30, 2023 5:05 pm

Still plugging away at this thing. Taking forever just to do minor things. Anywho, decided to make me some "Herbie The Love Bug" decals. Just printed them out on some self adhesive shipping label stock I had lying around. They sell these pre-made for RC cars, but they cost more than I paid for the Barb car in the first place and they don't come with VW emblems or vanity plates!