swede70 Posted December 5, 2021 Author Share Posted December 5, 2021 (edited) Greetings... Seen would be the top stripe artwork worked up and negotiated out with 3 Amigos Decals across days. Accessory/contingency sponsor decals to suit the same pair of projects has also been completed even as the work effort out of sight. Generally looking good then, and likely something that could also be employed on my stock ERTL '70 release - something modified, painted and foiled short of refinishing the body shell years earlier. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 5, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted December 5, 2021 Share Posted December 5, 2021 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 8, 2021 Author Share Posted December 8, 2021 (edited) Greetings... Not quite as elaborate as the earlier '70 Mid-Ohio effort, here I'm beginning to hash out an engine for the '70 Laguna Seca entry. The so-so engine block and accessory drive remain, although a scratch built intake and Lakewood explosion-proof bellhousing have been added (these cast in resin and shared across Pontiac SCCA Trans-Am projects), as has a GMP Muncie M22 four-speed transmission hidden further back. A GMP Penske Camaro driveshaft with U-joint detail stands to be introduced underneath. The distributor base and cap are situated a bit too far forward, this mistake in turn shoving the intake further forward than it ought to be. The air cleaner is a GMP '67 Penske Camaro item that usually appears a bit odd for shape on other topics, although it looks pretty accurate here. Top-to-bottom dimensions concerning the engine assembly mated to the low-slung second generation F-body platform equates to a tight fit, although I hope things will in fact work out for further finessing things. Kind thanks for your review of this project update... ...seen at Lime Rock, CT. not long after the '70 Laguna Seca contest. I'm guessing that the open element air cleaner was run sans the largely stock air cleaner housing base made out here. Notice how the team fabricated patches where the stock snorkels might otherwise be witnessed on said housing base. ...also made out are trimmed cast resin GMP Penske Camaro upper control arms fit after filing out the so-so ERTL rendition of the same detail. ...waiting for adjustment to the distributor installation, but otherwise looking more or less appropriate. A GMP '70 GTO Judge radiator will likely be fit here. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 9, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 (edited) Greetings... Still sizing artwork for the decals, the greater effort outsourced to 3 Amigos Decals and the considerable patience of S. Lopez who's done a lot here. Numeral size tweaking remains, nearing the end then. Also seen would be some minimal work done for fabricating cowl grate fill panels on the '70 Laguna Seca Firebird, and subtle repositioning work on the carburetor/air cleaner which proved all that was necessary. Thanks... Mike K. Edited December 12, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 15, 2021 Author Share Posted December 15, 2021 (edited) Greetings... View of what will likely be the final draft of artwork comprising the 3 Amigos Decals livery, seen here on a '73 shell largely unmodified but for the removal of the usual exterior tampo prints. Alternate contingency sponsor/accessory decals were likewise worked up, as were shorter side numerals made up of a smaller loop atop one larger. With this, hopefully I can return to other necessary project fabrication. Thanks. Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 15, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted December 15, 2021 Share Posted December 15, 2021 Looks like you nailed the graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 18, 2021 Author Share Posted December 18, 2021 (edited) Thanks - happy the artwork is now finalized and almost ready to send to the printer... Avoided until now would be subtle front flares needed on the '70 Laguna Seca Jerry Titus effort. I recycled some thin resin lips that almost appeared as oversized nail clippings from my collection of past castings, filing and shaping such to employ as overlays atop each arch opening as noticed below. In addition, tiny slivers of material were added to the ends of the front spoiler element guided by select period photos. This latter material may well be cut off if I can't convince myself the topic was configured in this manner for the race itself... T/G Racing began with one GM-supplied engineering prototype, but also a mundane '70 350-powered base Firebird going into the season, hence standard argent-colored Firebird grille mesh featured. To my understanding, T/G wasn't afforded bodies-in-white and started with normal production examples prior to laborious conversion and fabrication undertaken by the team to compete in the SCCA Trans-Am Series that year. Generally the front flares look acceptable, although the usual CA glue application and putty work to cleanly integrate each will further be required before matters are sorted. Each lip profile is a bit large at this stage, although I reserve hope that I'll be able to shrink them a bit before adhering the pair to the body, applying putty and perhaps filing out the results from behind so actual clearance might be afforded. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 18, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 Your attention to historically accurate detail makes my efforts seem like ham-handed axe wielding. Stay the course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 (edited) Thanks for the kinds words and notice... A little raw, but this would be the first attempt at a new rollcage for working up a four-point design over an evening. A touch wide, the main hoop bends situated a bit low, the mid-level bars also set too low; i.e. the usual given I almost have to learn again what it is I'm doing before results begin to match expectations. It helps to have spares in relation to everything with special reference to possessing a bodies and interior castings consistent with reducing stress most certainly... Moving along, the cast-in interior console was cut out, while the locating tabs, pedal assemblies and carpeting texture were filed off the floor. Plugging the floor consistent with cleaning up the transmission/driveshaft tunnel calls out to be performed next. Tedious labor and largely invisible. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 23, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 (edited) Greetings... Seen would be yet another attempt at a four-point cage (with additions from here not all that difficult), reflecting that learned from four tries at the main hoop dimensions before things came into reasoned focus. Too wide, poorly judged bends, asymmetry, etc., scuppered previous efforts - although matters are better now. Although the dash isn't in, the plastic 'glass' insert is, as is the interior door trim. No collisions, no conflict then... Also witnessed is an attempt at the abbreviated side pipes for the recycling of some 1:18 ERTL 427 Cobra S/C material combined with heat bent plastic rod. Tubing benders on hand aren't strictly allowing me to employ brass or aluminum for the fairly sharp bends desired and required here, hence hunting for a better way forward. Happily two points on the chassis where screws secure the plastic chassis plate to the metal body shell can be half covered up and disguised as mounts for the exhaust pipes leading to the side pipes/exhaust dumps, thus things won't look quite as terrible beneath as I'd feared. A real drag on the works, in 1:18th scale parts are often scarce and/or expensive when they can be sourced, hence pressure exists to economize however and whenever possible. Quality parts and subassemblies can be had, but it takes the fortuitous discovery or the help of friends to secure this or that to push ahead at times given one can basically run up against a brick wall if nothing strictly exists to work with. Out of sight, some urethane is curing around both new and old parts to duplicate, and this fact should help me maintain modest momentum. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 28, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Good discussion on what we face when customizing 1/18 scale diecast. No offense intended to our 1/24 scale plastic kit brethren, but when your shop floor is littered with metal shards, and you realize that the part you just “modified” is both not going to work and was the only one you had, me, I just go back inside my house and grab another beer. Stay the course Mike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) Kind thanks again... Urethane molds poured across the weekend yield parts to flesh out all that would be situated on the radiator support including a GMP '70 GTO Judge radiator, as well as a remote oil filter setup plus oil cooler. The '70 Mid-Ohio T/G Firebird was raided to afford masters to clone, hence just a straight duplication of matters here. Some less elegant aspects of the diecast metal shell happily vanish from sight for the creation of a sheet plastic radiator support, although some filing still needs to be done to square matters away. Other discreet radiator panel work has been performed, although it's not seen here. The coil is a Hwy. 61 '63 Pontiac Tempest item and seems to be the best thing going. Also spotted would be the beginnings of larger diameter exhaust dumps given the first attempt just appeared denatured and puny. A lot of filing and fitting will be required to ensure these tuck into the chassis and in particular, the rocker panels if they're to sit as they should. I can't compromise the strength of the metal rocker lest the body come apart, hence the plastic rod used for the dumps (less the outlets which I hope to do in brass) will be creatively filed to suggest things are more accurate than they are in fact. Plastic rod will be used to prevent wall collapse for the brass ends/outlets worked up, then I'll likely have to drop the same in gasoline or something that will effectively soften if not dissolve the plastic so that I might come away with mildly bent brass tube absent anything strictly inside prior to hand finishing the outlets. Thanks... Yep - one expects to see a svelte Corvette-issue Harrison aluminum radiator - or at least something aftermarket and lighter. Not in this instance, whereas a review of the color underhood photo captured at Lime Rock, CT seen further up this thread reveals use of what appears to be an almost-stock part. The outlet on the top of the radiator was scratch built, so too the domed outlet/inlet further right, while some plugging of holes on the cooling matrix was further required to come up with something that would be clean and readily reproducible. Thanks for checking in... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 30, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 8, 2022 Author Share Posted January 8, 2022 (edited) Greetings... Now working on the reproduction of the sheet aluminum structure atop the interior driveline tunnel, refining past efforts and hoping to cleanly update matters for new insight obtained. The Facebook groups specific to the old SCCA Trans-Am Series are quite active, while the contributions of others better-placed and better-informed has helped me to a considerable degree. Doug Innes and Dave Tom in particular have been very kind and forthcoming, while their input adds a lot to my experience of the hobby. - One discovery of note consistent with coming up with a better color match for the over the top stripes was made, it being a sprawling seventeen-page message board thread where a fellow articulates his plans to reproduce 1:1 early second generation Firebird Trans Am stripes and all that such entails. It's really quite helpful; i.e. he speaks of the research he's done, affords evidence of his early print tests, dimensions are revealed, color samples are afforded, the pixelation issue with regards to the blue-to-black color fade and how the same topic might be handled from the design and production front is addressed; i.e. the lot. If you find yourself stuck in this regard, pining for better information in a second gen. Trans Am sense, do consider reviewing: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666571 - Gleaned from the above, I tried to work up color samples that might be afforded a printer. The current state of the art cannot guarantee total fidelity to the tone or hue desired, but then technology evolves and capabilities arrive on the scene that redefine what can be afforded to people such as us. Reproduced below would be a rear stripe image, a color sample taken from such, and finally, a color chip image of 1970 Pontiac Lucerne Blue Iridescent which would constitute the finish applied to the shaker scoop on a Polar White '70 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am model. The color match between the stripes and shaker scoop was said not be the best in-period, while it's known that UV light exposure had the long term effect of fading the stripe color in a manner to suggest more of a greenish hue. - Lastly, another 1:18th diecast ACME/ex-Lane Pontiac 400 engine has been sourced, thus I should be able to work up two pretty fair engines versus being forced to 'go cheap' on one. Interior panel work and roll cage fabrication likewise continues. Hoping of course that quiet application across spheres will result in tangible quality gains. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 8, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 8, 2022 Author Share Posted January 8, 2022 (edited) Seen would be a revision of the interior driveline hump overlay; i.e. basically so many aluminum panels with a 'chimney' situated along the bulkhead formed at the rear. A bit frustrating given the transmission hump is wider than it needs to be further forward, while the interior floor is set higher than it might otherwise be given scale thickness of materials isn't something strictly on offer. A better start then, while strengthening ribs on the rear bulkhead, a twin fire extinguisher setup and roll cage refinements stand to come. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 8, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 8, 2022 Author Share Posted January 8, 2022 Just some underhood additions in the form of a new coolant overflow/surge tank situated along the firewall, a repositioned remote oil filter installation following the removal of the heater core 'bump' roughly situated in the same area (happily it was a separate part I could remove), and the coil again. Some fill panels and mounting lips were added to the top of the radiator, hence this area appears somewhat fuller too. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted January 8, 2022 Share Posted January 8, 2022 Again, lots of high detail, quality fabrication and research! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 (edited) Thanks again for the kind words and interest displayed... Seen would be the rudiments of the driveline hump overlay reproduced three times - the same fabricated from sheet aluminum in-period. Also discerned would be the patch I hope to cast and copy consistent with plugging the interior floor where a cast-in front console formerly lived. Removed from my first build and cleaned up for light work, just resting inside a different interior it blends well enough to use forthwith. Thanks. Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 11, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Interesting project. I too would like to encourage you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 14, 2022 Author Share Posted January 14, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind interest and support... Here the abbreviated package shelves have been sanded smooth along the top, the floor mounted differential oil cooler housings reproduced, the floor sections for each rear passenger area cut to shape and hand fit to mesh well to the bulkheads previously fabricated. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 14, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 21, 2022 Author Share Posted January 21, 2022 Greetings... Trying if you will to identify a likely hue for review of eight colors selected and subsequently printed, seen here would be my efforts to first identify something likely under poor light conditions, cutting up the color chips and reordering the same consistent with selecting again under clear weather/daylight conditions, and finally arriving at much the same place for selecting the hue I'd first latched onto in the night. The topic again would be the center stripe decal work, influenced and impacted by the limitations of the current technology in relation to precise color reproduction. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 26, 2022 Author Share Posted January 26, 2022 (edited) Greetings, Having obtained a second 1:18th Lane '68 Firebird 400 H.O. engine (it seems a great many upgrade diecast models to run LS-power), seen would be the effort to duplicate work undertaken before to dress each as a SCCA Trans-Am 303. Both would run Ram Air IV heads, whereas the Laguna Seca engine really ought to be a short deck iteration with adapters to allow for the fitting of same basic intake. Continuing, the extended wet sump was scratch built before, as was the intake and the explosion proof bellhousing. The transmission are GMP Penske Camaro M22 Muncie four-speeds, the pulleys are derived from the same tool with different frontal contours done in resin, while the belt material hasn't yet been determined or decided. Pressing ahead, a transmission crossmember hasn't quite been worked up, although a few choices exist and soon the engines will rest somewhat lower across the back for swapping in something more suitable. I'd like to plumb up a coherent take on the Bendix 'Hydroboost' power brake assist system, although precious little room exists underhood to accommodate anything devised along such lines. The smooth stock vinyl radiator hoses will go, to be replaced with corrugated material likely reinforced with brass wire within to retain a proper shape. Also seen will be new roll cage structure given some bends were misjudged before, with special reference to the too-narrow take on the dimensions of what would exist between the A-pillars when viewed head-on. It's expected that some of this will have to come apart to be adjusted and tweaked consistent with ensuring a tight final fit. Additional bars stand to be added, although mostly these will just flesh out the structure(s) seen and won't present surprises. Approaching the end, across the interior will be made out a cloned console plug (all ERTL Firebird Trans Am models based on this tool come through with interior consoles), further refined exhaust dumps on the '70 Laguna Seca example, a rudimentary seat installation shared across models, as well as a differential oil cooler 'wedge' visible along the floor mounted fast along the rear bulkhead. Not glamorous in sum, but a lot of work undertaken and painstakingly duplicated to ensure all fits as it ought. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 26, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 We’ll done 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind notice... Seen would be the first revised transmission hump/driveshaft tunnel overlay assembled (as in glued) and subsequently dropped into place. On the actual racers this would have been a sheet aluminum structure with a peculiar 'chimney' situated along the rear bulkhead as described before. Wider across the bottom of structure would be better, but then adjustments can be made beneath largely out of sight to tweak things. One to repair then (as seen), two more work up from fabricated bits. Thanks... For fine adjustments to the backmost interior floor panels (they dip a bit towards the front as-seen here), things should align. Thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 27, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted January 30, 2022 Author Share Posted January 30, 2022 (edited) ...just the same with a cast resin CDI voltage regulator and electrical control switchbox atop the aluminum center console structure. The chassis strengthening tubes seen crossing the floor laterally weren't great fun to create the first time, hence what is seen are resin copies so that each set will be consistently shaped, presenting no strict surprises when dropped into place. Things are fleshed out slowly and in stages, whereas for having three interiors and feeling the need to match them closely for fit, maybe my quality is coming up a bit. Fuel cell fabrication (at least the housing as viewed from below) is underway, although cutting and shaping the soft 1:18th chassis plastic is never much fun vs. what's possible in other scales with stiffer kit plastic. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited January 30, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 (edited) Greetings, Although likely not correct for every race outing (speaking of the tie-down points), seen would be a trio of fuel cell housings fabricated from sheet plastic with craft store beads employed as tie-down points set atop small wafers of plastic formed from rod plastic. The inner structure for each housing is basically intended to take what adhesive I'll use and keep any evidence of a join out of sight, while basically things look sound enough. Also noticed will be the fill panel substituted in where the stamped steel standard fuel tank formerly resided. Some sanding and light putty fill work was required to rebuild one subframe wall across three chassis, but in the main things appear clean with all the seams and walls reproduced where one would expect them versus just introducing in a cut blob of resin. More chassis work in particular to come... ...seen from the top, with the rough aspects basically tucked out of sight. ...viewed from below, and pretty much a match. ...while here one can see through the hard plastic beads carefully set in place upon a mound of CA glue gel six times over. ...nicely integrated, and no lower than the rear subframe as intended. ...largely straight and evidencing little interference with other assemblies. ...and generally how things will look even as much work remains to be done underneath. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 2, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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