Cool Hand Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) My ole mate Ray got this kit for me back when he was building, unfortunately he gave the hobby away couple years back. So I figured it was long over due to build it and remember the times we shared on forums building model cars. I remember when he shared a pic of the box art. I just laughed, got to love those 80's kits. Supercharged engine got me interested For it's age and from that era, seems like not too bad of kit, bit simple but the detail is there with the few parts there are. Overview of all the kit parts Parts i'l use for the build. As much as I like the supercharged engine, not sure about that. But I am kinda thinking of transplanting a big block from the AMT 69 Chevelle to fill out the engine compartment. Definitely going to use the 69 Chevelle seats and centre console. Have to use my favourite wheels of course. Applied a check of surfacer and done a wheel mock. Got it set up to where I think id like the ride height to be. So the fun begins. Edited February 9, 2021 by Cool Hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plowboy Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Cool project Luke! Don't see these built very often! Something you may want to consider is bashing it with the AMT '68 El Camino Street Machine version. It has a nice separate frame and a blown BBC with fuel injection that will fit under the hood. Here's a photo of the engine in a '68 Chevelle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Hi Luke, this speaks to me. I’m working on a El Co build now too. Love the stance as I tend to like things low! I think this is the only generation of Elky I don’t have yet, but it’s on the list. I like Rogers idea for the motor. One of the kits I’m using in my kit bash has that motor and it’s awesome. I used the block, but went with different induction, however the blower will be used in a future build for sure. I’m watching... Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 (edited) 13 hours ago, Plowboy said: Cool project Luke! Don't see these built very often! Something you may want to consider is bashing it with the AMT '68 El Camino Street Machine version. It has a nice separate frame and a blown BBC with fuel injection that will fit under the hood. Here's a photo of the engine in a '68 Chevelle. Thanks Roger. I was lucky Ray found the kit for me. Appreciate the suggestion as that would be an excellent idea. But I dont have a 68 El-Camino street machine version in the stash, and it is not an easy kit to find in Australia and I dont do e-bay so that counts that idea out unfortunately. So il just make do with what I have. 2 hours ago, Steve H said: Hi Luke, this speaks to me. I’m working on a El Co build now too. Love the stance as I tend to like things low! I think this is the only generation of Elky I don’t have yet, but it’s on the list. I like Rogers idea for the motor. One of the kits I’m using in my kit bash has that motor and it’s awesome. I used the block, but went with different induction, however the blower will be used in a future build for sure. I’m watching... Cheers, Steve Thanks Steve. Being an Aussie I like utes, so im a fan of any El-Camino. I built the 68 when I first started in the hobby, and my favourite part was the engine. So I agree with you and Roger both. Just that kit is out of my reach sadly. Edited February 10, 2021 by Cool Hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Put in some axles for an oob mock and yep needs to be lowered a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 Was planning to sort out the ride height, but got distracted messing with the engine. Fits good and looks right at home. Chucked on the injection style manifold for giggles, and surprisingly I like how it looks. So that has given me some ideas for the intake possibly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 Great build, i really like the stance and love the engine. Both ways Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 (edited) Thanks Chaz. Got the stance/ride height roughed in to where im happy now. Check it out in the posts below. Edited February 11, 2021 by Cool Hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 Build session didnt start out to good today, wanted to start out with thinning the wheel arch's before setting to the lowered ride height. But dumb me got carried away when thinning one of the arch's with the drum sander in the dremel micro. Nearly burnt through on the right side rear. But what ever no big deal, just had to fix the situation. So back filled inside with super glue. Once it had cured on the inside, was able sand the damaged on the outside. Re applied some 1500 black to the area to see how it looked, I was happy enough to leave it as is for now and finalize the repair when I prep the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 With that fiasco out the way. Got the front sorted. Used the dividers to measure from the existing hole. But when I put the axle in and wheels on to check how it looks, this situation arose. The cross member was lower than the wheels. LOL! Always fun and games when lowering a build down in the weeds. Luckily these types of axle kits are simple enough to work around troubles. So set the short axle locating stubs in position and marked the side of the cross member for flush cut to the frame. Had to sand down excess material on the sides of cross member, then spot super glued it back in place. Also needed to thin the tops of inner fenders for tyre clearance and filled the hole while I was it. . Put the wheels back on and had a look. Much better. To lower the rear, had to notch the frame and gouge a hole as the diff was hitting the floor preventing it to lower further. And re shaped the frame to disappear the ugly notch. Didnt get a pic of after. Il show that later. So after all that messing about finally got the results I wanted. Engine also sitting in a much better position after raising the cross member. And finally Old style axle through the block. Yeah nah, cant have that. Quick rough filled in. And added some 1.6mm styrene rod for a mounting pin in the cross member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 A thought on the rear tire clearance issue. Building the SS version of this kit a while back and used larger rear tires that wouldn't clear the inner fenders. I tubed the rear wheel housings in the bed and floor. I narrowed the rear differential enough to move the tire just inside the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 (edited) It's all good David, no clearance issues with the tyres. I thinned the arch's for appearance. Guess ive flushed tyres on too many Japanese builds and it's become a habit as I do it on most builds now. A catch up pic from yesterday to show re shaped rails. Actually need to do the opposite and widen the diff . And sorted out the seats and console fittment. They were one piece so... And didnt fit. So separated. Edited February 12, 2021 by Cool Hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 Looking great! Your repair job on the wheel well looks good. Any thoughts on color? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plowboy Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 22 hours ago, Cool Hand said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modelbuilder Mark Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 7 hours ago, Plowboy said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. I agree completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 11 hours ago, FLHCAHZ said: Looking great! Your repair job on the wheel well looks good. Any thoughts on color? Thanks, paint will be black like most of my lLowrider builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spottedlaurel Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 On 2/12/2021 at 2:21 PM, Plowboy said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. Agreed, like it has some red neons under there. Look forward to seeing it progress, some useful pointers here for when I build my GMC El Diablo version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 On 2/12/2021 at 8:21 AM, Plowboy said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. Ha! I thought I was the only one that might think that. I was going to recommend keeping the red inner fenders, as it has that mid-60s GTO red plastic inner fender vibe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 Very cool build I really like these Elky conversions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve H Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 Hi Luke, enjoying watching this come together. I agree with the others, the red fender wells looks really cool, would you consider Tamiya TS100 semi gloss gunmetal for the body? I think it would look really sharp with the red too. Just a thought, love your builds. Cheers, Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted February 18, 2021 Share Posted February 18, 2021 On 2/12/2021 at 8:21 AM, Plowboy said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. I agree! Really nice engine choice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cool Hand Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share Posted January 29, 2022 On 2/13/2021 at 12:51 AM, Plowboy said: Ya know, looking at these photos, the red undercarriage against the black body has a pretty cool effect. Came across this pic just recently, reminded of your post. Red chassis frame by the looks of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 That boxart! There are no words. Excellent work on the build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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