The 2022 Cannonball Run Year of Birth Build Thread

[Misha]

Been making a bit of progress on the 53 Ford build. While the kit chrome looks great in the recent issue, there is a lot of flash evident, especially on the sides of the bumpers, so into the bleach bath to dechrome the parts. To my surprise the plastic underneath was molded in a gloss black finish, perhaps 🤔 the reason for the great looking chrome to begin with. Also dechromed the side spears on the body, which after playing with it, I decided use Evergreen strips instead to represent the character lines in body colour. 

 

The chassis went under the knife with the removal of the front body work below the grill and at the rear, removing the gas tank and spare wheel well. The plan is to move the front bumper closer to the body work for a smoother look and to install a larger fuel cell for fewer gas stops, gotta enjoy the ride! 

 

The bodywork is coming along with the replacement of the side chrome and using the rear fender insets, now in black, to fill in the area below the lights, again to simplify the chrome treatment of the stock version. 

 

Also looking at interior changes with a console from the 65 Pontiac and a screen for the rear seat and club plaque from the 49 Merc kit. Deciding between the custom seats from the Merc, or more modern ones from the parts bin. 

 

 

That’s about it for now, hoping to get a lot more done over the Easter holidays. 

Cheers Misha

[Mattilacken]

#1 Fujimi 1987 BWM 635CSi

As seen under WIP.

So i have been doing some test fitting to see what needs adjustment. And the chassi was a bit too much forward.

The aligning pins in the front was not centered and so wasn’t the chassi according to the rocker either. So some sanding on the top part of the torpedo amd some sanding in the back moved everything backwards 1mm. Just hope to the gods that this was intended so the whole interior still fits.. 🤯😅 

The suspension is a kit in it self.. 7 parts including the drive shaft just to assemble one side of the rear drivetrain with suspension! Just wanted to se if my move of the chassi affected the wheel placement and it seems to be working

I also test fitted the grills. And one of them, the left one was really badly cast. Allot of flash in between the bars as well as a crocked lower bar. Some knitting and bending with the exato made it better but not perfect. 

I also sawed the hood and trunk of the sprues and fitted the hood bracing. The kit comes with 3 different options for trunk spoiler. I will go with the one that seems to be made for body color and having the biggest kick. 
I also removed the rear bumper chrome and glued the parts together.. will se what I do there. 

An other more complete mock-up with my planed wheels, I like the low stance they can give. O and the rocker panel is not there yet.

 

 

After those tests and an other with the BBS wheels I have tried with some other rubbers on the BBS to see if it would fit better. Ended up grinding the wheel well in front and thinning the fender and overfender to get the wheel to sit more where I want it to. Now it’s looking better. Rear arches will see equal treatment to push the wheels outward.

The part I like the least is the rear bumper, it’s to “low” or some thing. Need to think on it.

Before front arch mod:

And after arch mod:

 

As said, it’s many parts! And that’s far from all the parts for the rear seat.

Edited March 31, 2022 by Mattilacken

[Jantrix]

On 3/23/2022 at 6:16 PM, MeatMan said:

Wow. That is really very impressive looking.

[MeatMan]

8 hours ago, Jantrix said:

Wow. That is really very impressive looking.

Thanks Rob.

[MeatMan]

14 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

#1 Fujimi 1987 BWM 635CSi

As seen under WIP.

 

So i have been doing some test fitting to see what needs adjustment. And the chassi was a bit too much forward.

The aligning pins in the front was not centered and so wasn’t the chassi according to the rocker either. So some sanding on the top part of the torpedo amd some sanding in the back moved everything backwards 1mm. Just hope to the gods that this was intended so the whole interior still fits.. 🤯😅 

The suspension is a kit in it self.. 7 parts including the drive shaft just to assemble one side of the rear drivetrain with suspension! Just wanted to se if my move of the chassi affected the wheel placement and it seems to be working

 

I also test fitted the grills. And one of them, the left one was really badly cast. Allot of flash in between the bars as well as a crocked lower bar. Some knitting and bending with the exato made it better but not perfect. 
 

I also sawed the hood and trunk of the sprues and fitted the hood bracing. The kit comes with 3 different options for trunk spoiler. I will go with the one that seems to be made for body color and having the biggest kick. 
I also removed the rear bumper chrome and glued the parts together.. will se what I do there. 

 

An other more complete mock-up with my planed wheels, I like the low stance they can give. O and the rocker panel is not there yet.

As said, it’s many parts! And that’s far from all the parts for the rear seat.

Cool stuff!

[Mattilacken]

#1 1987 BMW M635CSi 

 

I did some minor modifications to the inside of the rear wheel arches. I used the Dremel and took out some plastic to thin it out, al this to get the wheel couple of mm further out. 
I also think I have made up my mind on the wheels. I also made some adjustments to some parts, no picture yet on them.

 

Please give me your opinions on the wheels. 🙂

[Mattilacken]

While watching the F1 GP this morning  I took out the Dremel and used it as a bench lathe. Turned the outside diameter of the stockers down from 18mm to 17 to fit a set of sleeves I have. Think this looks good now I just have to try to sort te suspension and wheel of set to work with this.. 😂😅

[afx]

I like to deeper offset.

[Mattilacken]

30 minutes ago, afx said:

I like to deeper offset.

I like the last setup also but I can’t find the two final sleeves… 😕…

edit: after I wrote this I went back to the first box I looked in.. and there they where.. 🤪

Edited April 10, 2022 by Mattilacken

[Sam I Am]

WOW !!

Everyone is doing phenomenal work....WoW !!

So, I just about have my big rig community build finished up and it's time to get the Chevelle sorted out. Hopefully I can get a little wider tire/wheel combo, you gotta hook up and handle better.  That injected, twin turboed 427 is a monster. I already know that the inner fender wells are getting cut out and the fire wall is needing modified so this monster can fit. Have to get that engine nestled down as low as possible so the turbos just peek out.(hopefully the hood clears them but I'm not going to hold my breath) 

[tooltime-fan]

Finally started on my build by putting some primer on my urraco.

Need to sand it one more time an fix the crack on the roof.  Hope by then I am sure whether I lay some screaming green or some more decent red on it

[cheyenne93]

Got started on the 62 Catalina. Roof is cut off and windshield frame shaped. Convertible boot  is from a 65 gto just had to reshape the corners. made some filler panels by the ends of the back seat. Dropped the rearend. Wheels and tires are from 70 Firebird. Thanks for lookin, comments welcomed.

[Koellefornia Kid]

#20 1978 Dodge

very few process yet... Tried to modify a Revell Viper chassis to fit under the Monaco and use the the Viper engine as well but that plan failed totally 🙄. The engine didn't fit under the hood and the chassis is no in pieces and tossed away. Guess it was not the best plan to mix 1/24 and 1/25 kits. Now I have to figure out something else...

at least I have a quick mock up of the modified interior:

Still needs some refining... Integrated the Viper seats into the rear seat bench and the resin casted ones in the front, speakers and amp for the rear window shelf and a touch screen for the co-driver. The Viper kit also donated the center console and steering column.

[Sam I Am]

Interior looks great and those viper seats integrated into the rear, that was a great idea.

So with the engine compartment all cleaned up, and the engine set down all the way....I will need to modify the hood.

I think I have wheels and tires sorted also.

[tooltime-fan]

@Koellefornia KidI like the work you put into the interieur. The chassis of the AMT '73 Charger fits quite well.

Edited April 18, 2022 by tooltime-fan

[Mattilacken]

14 hours ago, Koellefornia Kid said:

Tried to modify a Revell Viper chassis to fit under the Monaco

To bad it does not work out. I should guess that scales are not the issue there but the layout. Viper have such a long hood and short cabin which makes any conversion hard. I have 4 different chassi conversions at the table which one is a C5R in to a Silverado. And it definitely comes with its unique issues. please look it up here on the forum to get an idea. 

I an other thing would be for you to use a nascar chassis, maby a Scamp chassi would fit your plans? And then try with the viper engine again when the frame is different.  

[MeatMan]

18 hours ago, Koellefornia Kid said:

#20 1978 Dodge

very few process yet... Tried to modify a Revell Viper chassis to fit under the Monaco and use the the Viper engine as well but that plan failed totally 🙄. The engine didn't fit under the hood and the chassis is no in pieces and tossed away. Guess it was not the best plan to mix 1/24 and 1/25 kits. Now I have to figure out something else...

at least I have a quick mock up of the modified interior:

Still needs some refining... Integrated the Viper seats into the rear seat bench and the resin casted ones in the front, speakers and amp for the rear window shelf and a touch screen for the co-driver. The Viper kit also donated the center console and steering column.

I put a Viper engine in a 56 Chrysler 300 a while back. I cut the crossmember down to allow the engine to sit lower, which req'd me to change the front suspension to a strut type coming up through the wheel wells. Might be an idea for you.

[Sam I Am]

I think I have the engine down as far as it can go without putting the oil pan on the ground. Nasty looking for sure.

[disconovaman]

On 4/16/2022 at 9:25 PM, cheyenne93 said:

comments welcomed.

I like the direction you're heading with this.

3 minutes ago, Sam I Am said:

Nasty looking for sure

Yeah! I'm interested in seeing the design on the hood... multiple holes?😆 

I'd like to take this time to say what a great job everyone is doing with their builds! I'm inspired! With all these updates I'm being left in the dust.

I've barely started on mine, still collecting parts really and with my printer still in the shop, I'm not too sure about my original plan with the custom decals for the Wrecker... I'm afraid I may have to change the theme and save Clyde's Tow-truck for another build.😏😒😐

[Mattilacken]

55 minutes ago, Sam I Am said:

I think I have the engine down as far as it can go without putting the oil pan on the ground. Nasty looking for sure.

Looks epic. I have been looking at that engine and turbo kit and can’t understand why the piping is made like that. Seems like the pipes are routing the exhaust too high.

Here is a pic of an original engine. Turbos are mounted in an other manner. 

 I would probably tried to work with the header or have an other header that comes more conventional from bellow and put the down pipe alongside the valve covers. Makes a better looking setup.  Or like this:

But that intake and engine otherwise is so good looking! 

Edited April 18, 2022 by Mattilacken

[Sam I Am]

I think the thing about mounting the turbos like that is just for looks. lol

So here we go. Remember,  the holes are very roughly cut out. I also had to thin the inside of the hood to let it clear the front of the intake. Crazy thing is, the radiator still fits.

Now to pretty it up. 

Edited April 18, 2022 by Sam I Am

[slusher]

On 4/17/2022 at 12:49 PM, Koellefornia Kid said:

#20 1978 Dodge

very few process yet... Tried to modify a Revell Viper chassis to fit under the Monaco and use the the Viper engine as well but that plan failed totally 🙄. The engine didn't fit under the hood and the chassis is no in pieces and tossed away. Guess it was not the best plan to mix 1/24 and 1/25 kits. Now I have to figure out something else...

at least I have a quick mock up of the modified interior:

Still needs some refining... Integrated the Viper seats into the rear seat bench and the resin casted ones in the front, speakers and amp for the rear window shelf and a touch screen for the co-driver. The Viper kit also donated the center console and steering column.

How about a 440 under the hood fro the 68 Charger or 426 fuel injected..

[Spottedlaurel]

Good to see progress on the various builds here.

I still haven't yet started mine! For some reason I haven't been fully committed to my original idea of '70 Challenger with Viper engine.

I think my issue with it is that it's the AMT kit which can be built as a convertible or hardtop, and I wasn't sure how well I could attach the roof and make it look good. Perhaps roll with it being a separate moulding, but the roof having a vinyl finish so it makes the most of it being separate? Or just build it as a convertible and enjoy the weather en-route?.....

Time for a mock-up, this is what I'm starting with:

More about the wheels and colour in a moment.

This is it with the main components, and a spare set of Fujimi 18" wheels and tyres for trial-fit purposes (probably not the actual ones I'll use, but I might give them a go). They seem to fit with the standard arches and it's sitiing well, about as low as a car used on the road would want to go. The hood has a tiny bit of warp,otherwise everything fitted together much better than I'd expected.

 

The BRS M10 wheels are my preference, they're that bit more 'fussy' which I think looks better on an older car. Overall thoughts on colour scheme are a '70s dark metallic bronze with a cream/tan vinyl roof and interior and gold/bronze wheel centres. I think the colour will look fairly subtle, smart but not too racy nor attention-seeking.

At this stage I don't yet know how the kit suspension will work with those wheels at that height, nor what cutting is required to get the V10 installed, but I now feel suitablyinspired to start moving this thing forwards.

[Sam I Am]

Wow, that Challenger looks the part. I love the wheels and the stance.

I found with the amt kit, glue the front of the hardtop against the windshield first. Then take one b-pilar and glue it where it needs to be, after it dries then glue the other b-pilar down. That way everything is where it is supposed to be. Otherwise the b-pilars will be to far out onto the quarter panels if you just sit the roof down and glue it.

Don't ask me how I learned this...

[Spottedlaurel]

2 hours ago, Sam I Am said:

Wow, that Challenger looks the part. I love the wheels and the stance.

I found with the amt kit, glue the front of the hardtop against the windshield first. Then take one b-pilar and glue it where it needs to be, after it dries then glue the other b-pilar down. That way everything is where it is supposed to be. Otherwise the b-pilars will be to far out onto the quarter panels if you just sit the roof down and glue it.

Don't ask me how I learned this...

Thanks!

Can the front and rear pans be fixed before the bodyshell is painted? The chassis is quite a tight fit within the body and I can't see that fitting them will make it any easier.