Any interest in an obscure fuel truck?

[silverback920]

Would anybody be interested in a 1934 Texaco Doodlebug? I'm thinking 1/24, which would give a model about 13" long. Interior would need to be imagineered, since nobody thought to take a pic back in the day.
At the time, oil companies were attempting to supplant coal as the home heating fuel of choice, and Texaco jumped on the "modernism" bandwagon because who wants an inelegant commercial truck delivering fuel oil to your upscale mansion?

[Ponytail]

A remarkable car it is.
Do you plan to design a paper model?
Interesting...

[Madbrit]

Certainly an interesting subject that could easily make a unique appearance on a period diorama. As Ponytail has asked is this planned to be a paper model ?

Derek

[silverback920]

An acquaintance suggested 1/33 scale (9-1/2") to go with his DC-3, since doodlebugs were a common sight at pre-war air terminals. If there is enough interest, I'll try to create it as a kit with illustrated instructions, otherwise I'll just do a one-off.

[Revell-Fan]

It would look great in a "Sky Captain" diorama. It's so obscure that it is cool.

[Scott K]

Funny you should ask about this now...

[Siwi]

-How many compound curves would sir like?
-Yes.

For what it's worth, there are several models of streamline fuel truck from the same period, although none as fantastically deco-futurist as this. I found an article which stated that because of the low height (or possibly to facilitate it) the engine was at the extreme rear with pneumatic-operated transmission and a microphone so that the driver could hear the engine RPM. It would appear from one photo that the driver sat centrally with the wheel right against the middle of the split screen: https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JkrXuMJzM...+Doodlebug.jpg


Also this 3-view which appears to show two variants of cab shapes

https://i0.wp.com/viaretro.com/wp-co...30%2C640&ssl=1

[Goncalo Mendes]

That would be a great model ! Please go for it and do one!!!
As for the cabin, as the chassis used was the "Diamond T" truck of the same time, something inside as that one wouldn't be too far I think...
I'm sure that you had made some searches and know about it, but for inside colours, dashboard gauges, etc, this could be "useful"...:

Follow along the process | 1938 Diamond T Tanker Restoration

a page about the doodlebug:
The origin of the streamlined tankers - the Texaco Doodlebug - Project: Texaco Tanker

And there is a resin kit 1/144 one:
1/144 Doodlebug Texaco - Brengun - KFS-miniatures
Doodlebug Texaco Brengun -S144059

Cheers!

[C9B]

I’ve been looking for a '30s tanker since this thread by Cami, a designer whose work I admire:
1939 Dodge Airflow Truck
I would be a buyer for the model.

[whulsey]

Would be interested in this in 1/25 or 24th. I have the Special Interest Autos #149 issue of Sep/Oct 1995. Its only a 2 page article so if you would be interest in me scanning it, let me know.