swede70 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) Greetings, Long ago I wiped out the sole GMP '67-season Penske Donohue Trans-Am Camaro release in my possession for an optimistic effort to redo the stripe work in particular. As prices continue to climb for rereleases as contrasted to older issues that evidence paint rash related problems, I wasn't really sure I could get an example back to modify as is my (very slow) thing. Yes - project focus is a continuing challenge for me. Recently I picked up a replacement for about $110 less shipping which seemed the best I could do, while for the very real and much appreciated help of ijb40/Oldtimer, I was very kindly afforded a pair of GMP Geo. Follmer Penske Trans-Am Camaro bodies that proved much better for condition versus the #36 body shell plus assorted panels that I'd begun with this go-round. It helps greatly to have spares, with repeated opportunities to 'swing and miss' greatly influencing what I can achieve. In this instance, I'm aiming to keep things more or less simple... ...seen above is what I've more or less started with in the form of a #36 first issue, while below is the '67 Kent, WA specification I seek to replicate for discreet changes across the 'build'... Just below is the more or less finished shell, comprising the best hood, doors, deck lid and body shell I could work up. Some numeral/roundel decals need to be stacked to brighten them up a bit, but in the main it's nice... Although not looking like huge effort, the drip rail trim was removed and painted over, while all surfaces evidencing gray including the underside of the roof, the door jams and inner door structure and trunk wall were masked and shot all in one go. The headlamps and front turn indicators have been painted Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver, while the odd chrome trim otherwise present at the base of the rear quarter windows has been removed. As for the interior trim panels themselves, these have been modified to disguise them as Standard trim level '67 issue. The '68-'69 deck lid with the huge fuel inlet/dump has been tossed aside, replaced with a later GMP Street Fighter solid deck lid without retention pins situated forward of the rear spoiler. An oval was cut and carved through the panel, while the paint used to refinish it is Tamiya TS-15 Blue. The 'strapped' rear window was likewise replaced with one absent such (although still needing clips on the edges), while as a means to economy those sections of the stripes which feature a curved outline nearest the base of front and rear glass weren't touched - hence they look as-delivered and clean. Sometimes it's best not to risk too much... Carefully refinished wheels to suggest slightly oxidized magnesium are noticed below, while the rather gray appearing GMP tires have been coated with Vinylex to dark them a bit. A paint mask for the GMP wheels was fashioned some time ago for gluing sections of a plastic model rocket nose cone together as witnessed forward, while to the left an abbreviated front spoiler has been scratch built reflecting prior effort again. The front spoiler has since been refinished body color, while the nose of the body seen actually reflects what was tossed aside for replacement with one of the better Geo Follmer assemblies... While here would be the chassis taking shape, with most of this being paint. Predating Penske Racing's practice of applying light gray paint to most chassis surfaces, here the tomb-like ambiance is unmistakable. The exhaust dumps are fashioned from brass tubing, although mostly it's stock. Goodyear tires (or at least those marked as such) have been swapped in (Firestones are accurate fitment prior to Kent '67), the headers and exhaust dumps are indeed a pale, dusty yellow, while Eastwood 1:1 restoration spray paints were tapped in the form of 'Alumi-Blast' for the transmission case in particular after first masking it with Silly Putty. Thanks for your review of this post... Mike K./Swede70 Edited August 19, 2020 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 As usual Mike, thoroughly researched and painstakingly produced. Glad I could help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Nice work, Buddy... Looking good... I love these cars... Back when "stock cars" actually looked like stock cars... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Greetings, Small stuff, but for preparing some urethane molds, new parts allow for new activity and additions. Seen is a new stamped steel fuel tank halve set right side up, complete with fuel fill neck and slam-shut top. The tank is from a Lane '68 Firebird 400 H.O. and happily drops right in. Fuel pumps to come, while note everything less the body shell and opening panels has been resprayed semigloss black versus the '68 and later de riguer gray. Thanks... Marlboro, MD '67 where a rear axle less heat treat failed on Donohue's car. The special cheater rear spoiler (note the exaggerated lip profile) won't feature on my light overhaul of the GMP tool, although the photo is helpful to appreciate the fuel inlet setup run that year. A bit of a patchwork effect consistent with filling out the stripes as they run along the entire extent of the rear of the car. It's looks rather 'high school', albeit it's accurate as such things go. Just fitting and fettling the tank and inlet at this point, hence no paint is witnessed. Also notice that the usual retension straps for the rear screen aren't seen here as they are on the GMP #36 Daytona 24HR release of old. Clips need to be added, but for discreet parts substitution, a 'strapless' screen was found and swapped in. Not perfect in relation to the stripes, but acceptable from my perspective. At this point it seems more important to save the curved outline pinstripe around the main stripes along the fill panel versus anything else, hence I saved the standard GMP tampo prints applied here. The deck lid was replaced, with a solid variety cut through with the resultant hole filed to suggest an oval for clearance purposes when the trunk area is serviced. Tamiya TS-15 blue was used to refinish said lid, and happily the finish coexists well enough with the standard body shell paint hue. Lastly, the roundel offset to the right needs to be doubled up give the decal is more translucent than I'd desire. Something to remedy then... ...and just seeing things out, hoping nothing looks too amiss for leaning unnecessarily, for being too tall or short, or for failing to be centered properly. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 16, 2020 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted December 16, 2020 Author Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) ...and this just a quick look at the engine being built up, Some changes made include the addition of an oil fill/vent tube through the single 4BBL intake, the installation of a pair of resin Hwy. 61 old school 'Chevrolet' script '57 Bel Air stamped steel valve covers with the appropriate breathers w/tubes added, while a multi-piece front accessory drive helps facilitate necessary paintwork. A multi-part alternator assembly is coming, mostly so I can preserve detail on either end of the unit as well as be afforded a chance of replicating the tiny orangish brown band that cuts through the center of such. Notice that the transmission case has been filed down on the side to make way for a better detailed access cover, this sourced from a Lane '65 Chevelle Z16, while the cowl induction air cleaner noticed is from the Lane '67 Z/28 tool and further helps matters. Lastly, just in front of the header collector will be found a foursome of detailed plugs intended to be pressed into the center of each wheel assembly, with dust covers for the fronts, axle end detail for the rears. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited December 16, 2020 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyc Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 That's looking nice to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilrathy10 Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 Looking quite nice... I really like this thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted February 4, 2021 Author Share Posted February 4, 2021 (edited) Greetings... Just an update of the 1:18 GMP '67 Penske Trans-Am Camaro project given it's sprouted a roll cage. Hollow plastic tube with a brass wire core to help retain the shape and lends strength too. Happily no 1:18th scale drivers have thus far been hurt operating my conversions both minor and major. Thanks... ...with rear quarter windows recently added, some chrome trim for leading edge of the same, plus new front wheel bearing dust caps and rear axle ends pressed home into the center of the ARE/TT wheels. Without an engine at this point, hence no exhaust dumps are seen. ...interior mock up with a spare shell (thank you so much ijb40!) in combination with a '69 dashboard, although now I have a '67-'68 dash to use on my model. Bars to otherwise tie the roll cage to the front subframe are absent. A strange design - almost as though it's missing two points from an otherwise sound four or maybe six-point cage. ...more of the same. ...while the passenger's side A-pillar to main hoop bar needs to be refabricated consistent with shortening it a bit. Note that it stretches further forward than it should forward of the cross bar/brace. With some additional bars added, albeit it's not complete. Mostly I'm going with period photos, while avoiding some diecast structural elements restricts what I can do. Pretty much the state of things now. The chassis is just a bare '69 model with inner fenders trimmed to allow for a top of the subframe mounted sway bar installation. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede 70 Edited February 4, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted February 7, 2021 Author Share Posted February 7, 2021 Just some further revisions with the bars to the front subframe now equal length and angle, while a pair of bars stretch back from the main hoop and terminate at the top of the rear shock mounts. Pretty much ready to paint then. Thanks... ...while it comes out as a single piece. I only tack glued the main hoop and built things out from there. Mike K./Swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) Hello... The cage is barely discerned for being painted and coaxed into the '67 Camaro. The exhaust dumps w/straps flesh out the exterior, although the engine is still out. Happily the steering column rests comfortably across the roll cage cross bar forward of it, while no interference is noted between the main hoop and the side quarter windows. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 10, 2021 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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