dino246gt Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 I started to make this kit into a full detail from a curbside, Here's what I've done so far: (I've described pictures in order, not the picture name) 1 Box art 2 body and chassis 3 another view of kit pieces 4 using the backside of the knife I removed the hood. 5 I also removed the engine bottom as molded to the chassis, the console will be the transmission hump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted October 27, 2022 Author Share Posted October 27, 2022 1 With the hood removed, I could see that the inner fenders are not wide enough. 2 I covered them with .020 styrene sheet to match the body contour and started a firewall. 3 Then I started to make a rad core and some inner fender detail. 4 Kit grille 5 Opened up grille, small drill to top and bottom, then backside of the blade dragged up and down both sides of 16 thin slots! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamsuperdan Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Great start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Yes, nice start Dennis. What are you doing for a drivetrain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Amazing! I too, wait to see what Engine You Chose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted October 28, 2022 Author Share Posted October 28, 2022 (edited) So far I'm thinking of a Chevy "crate motor" But I'll see how I can fit it in. Soon! Edited October 28, 2022 by dino246gt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattilacken Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 Great! You give it Whatsapp it deserves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 I decided to go with the LS3 and auto, so........... 1 I measured the kit frame and locked my calipers so I could make a better crossmember and keep the width the same. 2 I assembled the 3D engine and transmission after I cut off the headers, then made my new crossmember and motor mounts. 3 I had to use some scraps to make a transfer case work with the big transmission. 4 Then to make room for everything in the body firewall and floorpan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 1, 2022 Author Share Posted November 1, 2022 1 I had a couple of '62 Catalina kits for parts, so I used both driveshafts, cut, drilled and made to the length I need. 2 With my modified transfer case, and floorpan, it all fits! Next step will be to make an exhaust system, then add some more realistic crossmembers to that simplified kit frame! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stavanzer Posted November 1, 2022 Share Posted November 1, 2022 Looking Great! Good Engine Choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted November 1, 2022 Share Posted November 1, 2022 Very nice clean work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted November 1, 2022 Share Posted November 1, 2022 Interesting project. Looking forward to seeing this come together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 3, 2022 Author Share Posted November 3, 2022 I couldn't fit that big engine and auto trans and front driveshaft AND headers, so I went with exhaust manifolds. 1 and 2: On the driver's side, no problem, but on the passenger's side, where the front driveshaft is, I had to modify the exhaust manifold. 3 So now the motor fits, on to making more realistic frame crossmembers! 4 Various widths and thicknesses of Plastruct and Evergreen styrene pieces make the crossmembers. 5 Not exactly high detail, but WAY better than what came with this kit. I've built the 4 door version of this kit, in fact 2 from different manufacturers, and they're both exactly the same, and curbsides but with great chassis and interior detail! I thought this kit would just be a 2 door version, but NO, it's a terrible kit! However, I love doing this kind of stuff, so just so you know the Italeri (2 door) is NOT the same kit as the Aoshima and Revell Germany (4 door) kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stitchdup Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Cool build, its like an updated range rover overfinch, they used to convert them to small blocks and upped the luxury to rolls and bentley levels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 1: Of course now I can't leave the suspension molded to the rails with THIS much extra plastic! 2: After some plastic surgery, it's more "refined". Just the usual dragging the backside of the blade over and over, then finishing with thin files. 3: I cut the tailgate open, the kit provided it partly cut out, so I finished that! 4: Here's the side panels, which I will cut. 5: Side panels cut, and floor also. 6 and 7: Assembled rear area, only 3 pieces, but I added locater blocks to keep the upper sides level with the window openings, and filled all the holes with sprue. 8 and 9: It fits nicely now! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 So when I decided to cut the hood open, and make the inner fenders and firewall, I made them a bit taller than the way the kit was designed, which was curbside. This would allow me to have a body lift kit, sort of, as the frame will now sit a bit lower, body a bit higher. That meant the interior would be too deep, so I made the rear compartment, which I plan to have painted sheet metal to match the body, and added that to the body. I can put spacers on the underside of the rear compartment floor to keep the frame level, but mounted to the front as planned. That might explain some of the pictures in the post above! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Looking really nice, you have made lots of progress and detail, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkychiken Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 Super cool mods on this build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 1: So I mounted the engine and driveshafts in the frame, it's a tight fit, but so far, so good! 2: I took a rad from a Nascar kit and decided to mount it backwards, so I had to remove the fan shroud, first by making several cuts this way: 3: Then I cut the shroud off this way. 4: Next I filed the rad down to leave a reveal on the top and sides so I could put some photo-etch rad screen into the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 1: I mounted the rad with a slight lean so that I could fit the intake over and in front of it. 2: I made a little side filler neck and put a 3D cap on it sitting level. Also made a serpentine belt from .010 X .040 styrene painted rubber black and found some tiny white letters on a decal to add to it, not sure what they say, they're the tiniest I had! 3: This is what will show through the opened up grille........... eventually! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 I also made this little piece to go under the rad, it hides my sloppy glue holding the rad in place! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOBLNG Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 You’re making great progress on it Dennis. That engine looks real nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugatti Fan Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 Very nice build progress Dennis. Just shows what can be done with an elderly kit. Where did you source the LS3 engine from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted November 15, 2022 Share Posted November 15, 2022 Things are looking good. The engine really looks the biz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dino246gt Posted November 16, 2022 Author Share Posted November 16, 2022 On 11/15/2022 at 4:35 AM, Bugatti Fan said: Where did you source the LS3 engine from? Texas 3D some very nice stuff he makes! I have bought a few times. Here's some of his engines I have, I made the "labels" myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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