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Jet Sweep X5: 1/64 Jet car Resto-Mod **FINISHED**


ismaelg

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Hello!

   I've always been fascinated by jet and rocket powered Hot Wheels cars.  My Hot Wheels collection is always growing and can be divided in 4 major categories: Corvettes, Ferraris, Jet/Rocket Cars and everything else.  You may remember my Jet Threat II "resto-mod" from before.

The Jet Sweep X5 is a Larry Wood designed jet car  from 1985 and it seems it was only released twice. The original spectraflame olive color and the second unpainted release in 1986-87.
I found this little worn puppy all alone in ebay and had to rescue it. It's missing the canopy and the rear spoiler. Axles are bent and the paint in the Ultra Hots wheels is a bit worn....

PERFECT subject for a Resto-Mod.....

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39fda044-7b06-4040-b31b-b376c34aeaf9.Ful

 

It is all metal so I disassembled and stripped it.

aab387b4-6e71-4920-8d80-d6d37f61824e.Ful

 

The body was sanded and sprayed with automotive primer. After sanding the primer, it was painted Corvette Atomic Orange.

It was then masked for a second color: Cadillac Pelham blue.  While these are not the Gulf Colors nor it's scheme, it was nonetheless inspired by it.

f8aaa5c0-da90-4c36-9d14-8cc7170059d2.Ful

cd4815d9-f1e5-4016-88c6-cacc7a1cd372.Ful

 

The nailbiting and nervewracking process of removing the tape was a success.  Only minor touchup will be needed before clearcoating.

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5a1f13cf-7e41-4c6f-92fa-a53739f797b5.Ful

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And that is where I am as of now with the body.  The base and engine hold the body together and I didn't want to bother much re-engineering it so it was left as is. However, the gap is ugly so I machined a simple turbine cone to hide the seam.  I think it came out better than I expected.

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The inside will be painted black to hide it.

Here is a mockup of how it's coming along:

cc670d06-92ac-4182-bd54-6ea1c6c73d4f.Ful

 

Still a long way to go but slowly getting there.  Still pending the canopy and spoiler that have to be scratchbuilt and I'm not decided yet on what to do with the wheels/tires....

I hope to post more updates as I move along.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Edited by ismaelg
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Thanks!

  Bill, that is aluminum turned in my mini-lathe.

Now, STOP ME before I hurt myself!

I machined these front wheels from aluminum to use a small O ring as tires.

IMGP8423-vi.thumb.jpg.9677adf72b775b8fbd 

Then I reworked some parts box tires for the rear.  

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reworked tire on the left, still untouched on the right.

And a little mockup test:

55d2676da5f1f_IMGP8426-vi1.thumb.jpg.264

I may paint the rear wheels to tone down the chrome a bit.

Keep in mind this is 1/64 ...

 

Thanks,

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  • 2 weeks later...

OK! So, this was supposed to be a simple repaint / wheel straightening job, right? WRONG! It has taken a life of its own and it is now controlling me!

I machined a parachute tube with a built in aerodynamic bullet shaped front section.  Wouldn't it be easier just to use tubing? Yes, but what fun would that be?  Now I need to make a parachute.... hint, hint.....

The scratchbuilt styrene spoiler was painted black to simulate carbon fiber.  Of course this is just a mock-up. Nothing is fixed in place yet.  The spoiler will be straight. Not sure if you can see it but the center section of the spoiler is actually curved.

 

 

 

IMGP8497-vi.thumb.jpg.6142a184796ba88429

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What do you think?

 

Thanks,

Ismael

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hello again!!!

 

After a serious mishap during clearcoating, the whole thing had to be sanded down and repainted, including masking the scheme once again.  angry

But anyways, it is back to where it should have been a few weeks ago.

3f211188-5e3f-4f7b-bf83-0e5985617823.Lar

 

In the meantime, I made a parachute for it.....

80584e3c-9ad9-4ea6-9e24-7833957566f3.Lar

 

The driver's cage was painted in the same Atomic Orange:

bf5278b5-4f06-4d26-8c2d-beb2968762ea.Lar

 

And that's where we are now.  Stay tuned as this approaches completion...

What do you think?

Thanks,

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  • 2 weeks later...

 

It is  FINALLY FINISHED!

This was supposed to be a simple wheel improvement job and ended up with a life of its own and controlling me for a while.

Just in time for the upcoming Caribbean Scale Auto Expo show next weekend.

A few tiny details I'd have liked to come out better but overall I'm happy it is done.  I originally intented the scratchbuilt clear canopy to be hinged  but it would have taken way too long.

Hope you like it!

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8a20da39-d0f1-4698-a518-cd413eae7f0c.Lar

 

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The parachute is made out of paper  and wire.

What do you think?

Thanks!

Edited by ismaelg
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