Peter Lombardo Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Corvette XP45C Here is my Concept Corvette XP45C completed. The name stands for eXperimental Prototype 45 inches high Coupe. As a recap, here is the genesis of this car. This car began life as a few drawings that I created about 6 or 7 weeks ago, both included here: From the drawings, I build a clay model of the car in two parts. Part one is the complete upper 2/3rds of the car and the second part is just the front and rear lower fascia’s and the lower side panels. Once the molds were complete I vacuum formed the body in white styrene and then made a vacuum copy in clear styrene so I could have the windows and doors ready formed with the body contours. Next I stretched the Corvette C5 chassis to the required wheelbase and set it up for a rear mounted engine. I removed the driveshaft between the engine and transaxle to create an engine ready for rear mounting. The chassis was built up and I added wheels and tires from the current Revell Camaro kit. I gave the front wheels the ability to turn because I like the way they look when they are angled out of the body. The engine was built with the intake manifold on backwards because the intake comes from the rear. I added tanks and radiators to the side of the engine, left side, oil tank and cooler and right side, Tran’s oil and cooler. Above the side mounted coolers is the intake for the engine air intake on both sides. I topped off the fuel tank in the rear and covered it with carbon fiber decals. The gasoline filler cap is in the center of the tank and is accessible from the opening in the rear deck. Frame supports were added from the rear firewall to the fuel tank in the rear. On the rear wheel covers and at the center of the rear deck, you can see the small cameras for the rear views for the video display and high up on the top above the rear window opening, you can see the third stop light mounting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lombardo Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 The body had its window/doors, windshield, rear window and engine cover engine window opened up. All of the “glass†parts were cut from the clear vacuum formed body and carefully sanded to fit into the openings. The lower panels were epoxied to the main body and all joints were puttied and sanded smooth. The body was cut where the rear body cover and the front body were designed to open. The rear cover, which includes the rear wheel spats hinges to the rear and opens up. The tail lights were created by cutting four round holes in the rear deck, which were enlarged and had a plastic piece the length of the circumference glued in so that when sanded down, I had a small lip around the outside of the light opening. The inside was sealed off and the light “hole†was slightly overfilled with a mix of Tamiya Clear Red and clear 5 minute epoxy. The headlight openings were boxed in from the inside and M.U. lenses used in H.O. train cars were glued in as projector light lens and turn signals. The front and rear grille is a wire mesh left in an Aluminum color intentionally. The interior has the seats from the Corvette Z06 and photo etched 4 point Willians racing seatbelts. The completely scratch built dash and side walls are covered with bronze hue carbon fiber decals and on the dash is a large video screen. A variety of photo etched buttons were added to the side panels, dash panel and lower dashboard. Rising up from the center between the seats is a small console that houses the “joy stick†control for the car. This stick, in theory, would have controls for the steering, accelerator, brakes and the views on the video screen. The views can be switched between, rearview camera views, navigation, engine and speed information and all entertainment and communication systems. Along with the video views, there would also be controls to turn on or off the “heads up†display which would project on the inner windshield the speed, engine revolutions (tachometer) and necessary engine info. The window/doors are hinged from the very front and the rear deck is hinged from the rear for engine accessibility. As I have stated previously, ingress and egress (getting in and out of this car) would be very difficult…yeah, I know, but this is fantasy after all, so it is fine with me. Even though the doors open all the way up, I built a catch in to hold the doors open at about 40 degrees open. The interior was intentionally designed to be tight because I wanted to convey the feeling of flying a jet fighter on the ground. The windshield has the look and feel of a jet fighter, and with the joy stick, video monitor and the heads up display, the feeling would be complete. I added the windshield wiper that was omitted from the drawing, but would be necessary in “road useâ€. The body has a multi layer paint job. After primer, which was lightly sanded, two coats of Appliance White were applied. Once dry, they were lightly sanded. Next the car received a coat of Pearl White for depth. After that, I mixed up a batch of Clear lacquer with Gold Interference micro powder pigment mixed in. This is a mild “flip flop†paint. It looks either Pearl White, Light Gold or Pale Silver depending upon the angle and the lighting and sometimes, I can even see a very light green hue in the top color. On the bottom of the car, I air brushed on Mopar Desert Sand Metallic which is an earthy dark Gold color which fades up to the top color. I intentionally used Bronze Carbon Fiber decals to help contrast the body color and the tan seat leather. So, obviously, I am pretty happy (duh!!!!) with this build. It is the first completed (Aero Coupe will be next) completely self designed and molded car for me. I just love the idea of creating vehicles completely from my ideas. Once the Aero Coupe is complete, which should be in a few weeks, I will start the Viper Concept car that I have (rough concept drawings) drawn out , followed by the Chrysler 300EX sedan. I also have a Ferrari and a generic sports prototype drawn out, so they will follow the Viper XRT10 concept. I have so many ideas for concept cars rattling around in my head that I may never build another straight kit car again, well, actually, I have a few F1’s and sports cars that I want to build, but this whole process of designing and building the car from scratch is just too rewarding to stop doing now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randx0 Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 This turned out awsome .You did a great job pulling everything together .I like the consistency of the build from start to finish and the color looks great also but I bet it looks even better in person. The only thing I am on the fence on is the rear wheels being covered but I think you pulled that off as well .keep up the great work I look forward to seeing your other concepts come to fruition and the wip is a treasure trove of info thanks for taking on such an ambitious build and showing how you did it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lownslow Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 thats one crazy concept, nice build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Oh man.. you're done?? !!! I'm still trying to finish my first kit car for 2009! ehhe This turned out spectacular! I love the way this looks and it looks like it was from a kit! Fantastic job!!! The sketches for future bodies look exciting.. gonna be a good year for watching coming up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony T Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Awesome! Absolutely flat out awesome! Very well done. This one obviously had you inspired, as you seem to have set aside the Aero Coupe in order to finish this Vette! Kudos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1972 Satellite Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) I hope that you get a job at GM. They could use a designer like you, and I would mind my tax dollars paying your salary . I majored in industrial design at AIP and we had to do models like that, but none of us could do what you did with that Corvette. Really great idea that looks fantastic. Can't wait for the 300 or whatever is next. You should call that the Dogbone Vette. Edited December 19, 2009 by 1972 Satellite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Amazing. Just amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railfreak78 Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I am in awe! I love it and it came out great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Zimmerman Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 ....I'm.....Speechless..........This is awsome. 'nuffsaid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 What took you so long? Boy, this one went together at the speed o' light. Ain't inspiration a beautiful thing? Speaking of beautiful, this is one gorgeous car. I agree about the color. It really shows off the (quite literally) sculptured surface development. How frustrating that I will probably never see this stunning machine in real life and will have to content myself with on-line pictures! I would love to see some more "plain vanilla" side, front and rear 3/4 view shots so I can savor the flowing lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 You are an incredible builder and one of my favorites here, this is just an incredible and fabulous work!!!! Thanks a lot for always sharing your work with us mere mortals..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crispy Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 That is impressive to go from the concept drawing to clay and then vacuum forming and finish. Outstanding vision! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Colmer Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Exciting design, Pete. !!!!! You generated a good deal of off line discussion with this work of art. It's been a privilege to watch this come together. It's amazing how fast you created a fully scratchbuilt design. Great color choice too. I'll be looking for the next one. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lombardo Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 Gentleman, I truly greatly appreciate your extremely kind words. It means so much to me to have you guys understand this build. Thank you...I can't wait to get the Aero Coupe done and move on to the next one...this really is fun. Thanks again, I really do appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou Kolar Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Gentleman, I truly greatly appreciate your extremely kind words. It means so much to me to have you guys understand this build. Thank you...I can't wait to get the Aero Coupe done and move on to the next one...this really is fun. Thanks again, I really do appreciate it. IMHO Peter This is the MODEL OF THE YEAR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Peter, what else can be said? You have taken it to the next level- no, scratch that comment. You slammed this one out of the stratosphere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 (edited) WOW!!! That is truly amazing! you did an extremely awesome job on that Peter! Edited December 20, 2009 by Custom Hearse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agent G Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Lordy! Now that's model making. Beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 IMHO Peter This is the MODEL OF THE YEAR Second the motion! Absolutely fantastic! Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbwelda Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 that is just awesome! like someone mentioned, if you arent an automotive engineer at GM, you sure ought to be! and the execution of the design is breathtaking! im totally impressed and another vote for model of the year (though i would have to review the candidates!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slant6 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Amazing! I love it! Hope you dont mind if I use those pictures in my screen saver. Ive been watching this from your first post and I cant imagine be able to do something like that from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vizio93 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Wow !!! I liked the WIP alot and seeing it come out looking this good makes all that hard work worth it !!! Nice job Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsoder Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Guess if you looked up "scratch building" this should be the example!..just incredible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Wow, that is really an impressive model. From concept to execution, you've done one heck of a great job. Talk about an inspirational build, wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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