ismaelg Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) Hello gang! I'm BAAAaaack!!! Well, after 6 years away from the workbench I'm trying to get back to it. Life has been hectic and "interesting" for me. The hobby had to be sacrificed for a while. I'm trying to get at least a few minutes a day on the workbench. Many stalled projects I didn't even remember starting I feel like a total newbie starting from zero. So I'll start with something quick and easy. A curbside snapper just for warming up.... Or so I thought.... In 2010, Chevrolet introduced a new model in the Corvette lineup: The Grand Sport. Offered in both coupe and convertible, it had wider body cues from the Z06, performance suspension, Z06 brakes, but most importantly, distinctive side vents in the front fenders. The Grand Sport was made from 2010-2013. There are no model kits of this car. So, the best way to get a model company release something is to scratchbuild it yourself To keep it "simple" (HA!) I will attempt to convert a curbside snap Z06 into a Grand Sport. First of all: Pics of the real cars. I haven't decided on a color yet. Pictures from the internet (ebay motors)http://images58.fotki.com/v448/photos/4/1233394/13429187/adersCam3LT1G1YW2DW5B510801211-vi.jpghttp://images108.fotki.com/v360/photos/4/1233394/13429187/_57-vi.jpg As I said, to keep it simple, I'll just rework a curbside snap Z06. An all out conversion can be done using the Z06 and base coupe models but that would take a lot of time.http://images45.fotki.com/v1431/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6630-vi.jpg started hacking...... I'm officially back!!!http://images20.fotki.com/v682/photos/4/1233394/13429187/DSCF0374-vi.jpghttp://images53.fotki.com/v716/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6662-vi.jpghttp://images60.fotki.com/v367/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6663-vi.jpghttp://images20.fotki.com/v1534/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6666-vi.jpg Getting there, but still some fine tuning needed. The side vents have been a challenge. I needed a material that would bend but hold the shape. I tried brass, but the piece I had was too thick. Then I tried styrene but it kept breaking at the bends. Then I tried aluminum from a soda can and it was better, but couldn't get the bend as sharp as I wanted. So I tried clear thermoformed plastic and it worked better than the previous attempts. I still think thin brass sheet should be the best option but I don't want to wait.http://images53.fotki.com/v107/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6669-vi.jpg Getting the vents identical in shape and size but mirror image left and right was also a challenge. And this is where we are as of now.... http://images53.fotki.com/v107/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6674-vi.jpg http://images20.fotki.com/v233/photos/4/1233394/13429187/IMGP6675-vi.jpg Both sides look similar but still a lot of tweaking is needed. I need to decide whether permanetly attach before painting (prototypically correct) or work them as separate units (easier to work with). I hope you like this. I'll keep you posted on the (slow) progress. Glad to be back! Thanks! Edited January 23, 2023 by ismaelg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjracing Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Great start, I want to see more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemopar70 Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 This will be a nice conversion, keep it going!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Very Kool Ismael. Here is mine in Inferno Orange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 Hi Len, That looks great! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Thanks Ismael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exotics_Builder Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 (edited) Looking good so far. If you need more views, I have a few shots in this album, start around page 8: http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013-08-10%20Weekend%20Car%20Show%20Pix High-res on my hard drive if needed. Edited November 22, 2014 by Exotics_Builder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share Posted November 22, 2014 Thanks Gerry! Nice album. Thanks for sharing. That's Carlisle blue, a 2012 only color. That is one of the colors I'm considering for this build...... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted November 22, 2014 Share Posted November 22, 2014 Great project looking forward to more.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duntov Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I will be watching this one --- always wished they would do the Grand Sports --- Here is a shot of my 1:1 2012 GS (6 speed car)---- One of the best balanced and fastest Corvettes I have ever owned!!! Regards Bill (Duntov) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exesivefire Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Awesome start, watching this one, I have a z06 kit here to make my 1:1 grand sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted December 21, 2014 Author Share Posted December 21, 2014 (edited) Hello, Some updates and comments on this project were lost in the server change. So let's try to get it back on track. After countless micro-adjustments, the side vents are getting there. Before permanently attaching and blending them, the rest of the body was worked on. Mold lines were removed (some of them were really stubborn). Panel lines were carefully deepened and rescribed. Several coats of primer were applied (Plastikote T-235) and sanded smooth. Now it is time to permanently attach the vents...... By the way, I need to pick a color! I already have C6 Corvettes painted in Daytona Sunset Orange, Arctic White, Magnetic Red Tricoat, Velocity Yellow, LeMans Blue and I plan to paint a ZR-1 in Jetstream blue (my favorite) and a 2013 427 convertible in 60th Anniversary scheme. If I were not working on a 60th Anniversary convertible, I would have gone for that scheme. I'm not a huge fan of black or silver. So I'm considering Cyber Gray like the second picture in the first post. What do you think? Thanks, Edited December 21, 2014 by ismaelg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exesivefire Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Cyber grey or the centennial scheme would be cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Side Vents look spot on Ismael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I'm tuned in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted December 28, 2014 Author Share Posted December 28, 2014 No progress since last update, but I think the color has been decided..... unless I change my mind again Cyber gray with red interior...... What do you think? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 I like the red interior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o-man Posted December 28, 2014 Share Posted December 28, 2014 Works for me, but it has to work for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrari87 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 Well you are just hammering out vettes arent you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 Hello, The side vents have been permanently attached. The driver's side went a bit smoother but the other side is putting up a fight........ This is not a battle of force, but a battle of perseverance What do you think? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 After countless hours of fine tuning I think it is ready for next step. Primer has been applied. Next step is to sand the primer and check for any imperfection before paint!!! By the way, during the process, the molded grille was cut out...... Like my other project, I feel as if it were finished! What do you think? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted August 17, 2015 Share Posted August 17, 2015 Sweet! It's good to see your update! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 Hello, WOW! Three years for an update! Sorry for that Finally got to sand the primer smooth and shot the first 2 coats of Scalefinishes Carlisle blue: a 2012 only color. Very strong metallic content. It looks more silver in the picture but it is really a bit "bluer". After it dries I'll lightly color sand it before a final wet coat. The primer had 3 years to dry. I hope the paint dries quicker than that Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps46 Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Three years on the primer should do the trick! The body is look really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted August 24, 2018 Author Share Posted August 24, 2018 Hello, Color sanded the body and applied a final wet coat, diluted 3:1. The picture looks very similar to the previous one, but it is much smoother and "bluer". The color is really hard to photograph. Once completed I'll take the official pictures with proper equipment and light. Next step: Clear. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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