Impalow

This is a really cool theme idea... I haven't actually competed in one of these yet, but I think this year may be the year... I have some interesting thoughts rattling around in my head. ?

oh, this is awesome!!! I'm excited to watch this progress! Nice work Mike!

Fantastic builds every single one! great work guys!

Very Cool Martin! I'm excited to watch your progress on this one!

Thanks guys!!! Got the chassis/drivetrain/interior all assembled and wired last night.... I'm about "done" on this thing except the rainbow candy and clear. I'm going to pivot off this one for a little bit, and back onto my RWB Myers Manx.... I think I can get it in basecoat and clear them at the same time. Here are a couple of videos of the screens working: And a photo of the HUD all illuminated.. just because it is way cool. Thank you all for the inspiration and ideas on that!

Hahhaa.. i knew i said that before! thanks a bunch guys... wrapped up the engine assembly today! The belts are made from electrical tape, and boy was that fun.. as well as the imagineered transmission linkage. The HO train fans/grills really bring it to life, and actually look better in person than in photos because of the depth.

Thanks guys!! I made a little progress on the engine(s) today... still needs some work to be a finished assembly, but I like where this is headed... those plug wires were all sorts of fun.. I feel like ive said this before... but no more dual engine model cars.. ?

Thanks guys! I havent found that 3d printed narrow vette yet, but i have looked a couple times... for now I tossed all the vettes back in the boxes to keep concentration on the “impala” i made lots of progress on the records and record player, even made that superfly album.. also moody blues and abby rd. then a random yellow motown record. i used the silhouette cutter for this, and .005 colored film from hobby lobby. I scored the records then cut the perimeters. Then i made a mask and painted the center white, followed by ink jet printed clear decals for the labels. I finished up the HUD with some printed gauge faces, googly eye bubbles and some etched .015 clear. The evans micro flickering LED light is bright and shines nicely.

Thanks guys! I allowed myself to get slightly distracted by this single passenger stingray idea... I was really struggling to figure out how to cut up a split window and keep all those lines intact... especially the tail section. well Thanks to @CabDriver for some images, and his review of the 1/32nd scale kit... I had a epiphany.. what if I used the rear roof/split window section of the 1/32 scale roof? So I went out and picked up a snapfast Mako shark (since its already kind of customized) and a 63 vette in 1/32nd scale. Laying the bodies out it looks like mixing the scales may work... I am going to narrow the mako body, then graft the 1:32 roof onto it (probably will have to lengthen the forward roof area to get it to look correct) Even tho I don't really need the distraction, I'm gonna cut these up and see if I can get this all to play nice together.

Here is a fun little update.... the super detailed turntable taking shape... Turned a platter on the lathe then used RB Motion hex bolts as the knobs, now need to make an arm assembly and put some transparent vinyl on it!

Thanks Tom! We do need to have a show! Im sure it will happen eventually, till then Ill just keep making this build more complex. hahha Thanks! its a beautiful color... it really looks like old school candy apple red! Hey Claude! Thank you!!! The clear we use is actually quite the opposite of top shelf. Its the cheapest no name 2k/urethane clear I can get from the Local Auto body supply. My dad and I buy a quart every couple of years for around $25-30. It works great and the hardener usually goes bad before we even use it all. The cheaper clears usually have less UV resistance, and a lower build film thickness which works great for model projects! We use that clear and the little Harbor Freight touchup/jam gun on everything and have had really great luck! https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-spray-guns/adjustable-detail-spray-gun-92126.html

Thanks guys! not sure if anyone is following the SEMA show this year since its all online.. but I managed to get into the Top10 Sport Compact and Top 40 overall! https://www.semashow.com/botb/ Pretty much blown away at all this.... it has been a fun week!

Thanks guys! not a huge update... but I was able to get some clear on this again... probably the best spraying of clear Ive done, really leveled it all up... almost a shame it needs sanded and cleared one more time... next update should be some Kandy!

I see your points and I get it... maybe to a point I'm just jealous... to me... It's like they gave a baking show to someone that burns everything.. every single time. I will say some of his metal fabrication techniques are interesting, blowing the bubbletop was great and if you have seen on his YouTube channel the Bugatti clone he is building is impressive and relatively accurate to the original. I think part of what angers me with the show is they portray him as this wayward automotive artist that spontaneously draws inspiration from the car hes building. When in reality the car above is obviously somewhat inspired by this: I would rather see them give a little history, talk about how this car was lost in the wildfires... etc... but that's probably why I tend to lean towards shows like "Car Kings" But what do I know... It must be working cause I have watched parts of a few Bad Chad episodes.... even though by the end I am usually fuming.... hahhaa

Back on track....? I think what bothers me the most about the bad chad show.... is the complete lack of thought or consideration of people actually using the "cars" he creates... like no thought of ergonomics or functionality... it makes my skin crawl thinking that people who may someday want to modify vehicles are watching this as inspiration. Take for instance this thing... No access to the engine without removing the body... no radiator cooling openings(its behind the seat)... the seating position is absurd.. knees at your chest to drive it.. face over the windshield... Couple that with the awful proportions of pretty much everything from the show... its infuriating..

Yes! Thats kinda where my mind is headed... i was scrolling through Gary Campesi’s artwork the other day and saw these... which is what prompted me to explore the idea

Thanks guys!!! im still trying to figure that out... but as of now im thinking a narrowed, open wheel, single passenger 1963 corvette split window... haha... That is subject to change however.. I'm trying to keep my focus solely on the hauler before I get distracted by that. ? Did anyone see a blue interior coming? hahaha.... I made some inserts with ribbed styrene to match the seats.. Splash paints essential series Blue and Light blue... Then topped with a couple dry coats of blue pearl in Testors dull-coat, then a few coats of white pearl in dull coat. The shimmer helps get that 70's velour look. Lots of detail painting to go...but I like the start!

Pint-tastic! absolutely Love it!... Very nice clean work!

Very nice as usual Richard! Glad to see you feeling better and building! Hopefully next year we can stat traveling to some shows again!

Beautiful build! Your hard work and that kit really captures the car well! Fantastic work! Cool to see that re-realsed with the BRE chin spoiler or "Spook" as Ive heard it called. Ive always wanted to get 2 of those 4dr kits and make a wagon... my dad has this one I could use for reference.

Thanks guys!! Finally got my workshop up and running and this thing back on the bench! I'm thinking some linear rainbow candy stripes there...I think that will look cool... if it doesnt, Ill have to figure something else out, its kinda an area for some extra creative freedom.. haha Back masked with old Gold BMF... doesnt stick all that well... which is perfect for masking. Then some Splash paints Mazda Soul Crystal Red... Had a much better time spraying it a second time, also the smaller areas were easier to keep the candy coat even. Next up some more urethane clear... another round of wet sanding... then rainbow candys and BMF trim!

And here are some of the earliest photos I have of it... this is when it fired the first time with the LS.. 2008-2010ish Its come a long way..

Thanks guys! I'm pretty proud of it, I don't think I could have done much better with my current budget and resources. Oh it goes quite well.... close to 400hp at the rear wheels and weighs in at just under 2400lbs... and gobs of torque..... its a blast to drive, and still somewhat civilized if you keep your foot out of, which is hard to do. Here are some photos of it the day I got it, matte black rattle canned... and grey self etch primer everywhere else. Then a few in progress shots... check out that roll cage!

Thanks guys! I actually just found some in progress pics... you can see on the cowl where I did the ripped seam thing... Cowl Before Scotchbrite

I haven't been around much due to finishing this bad boy up to get it entered in the 2020 SEMA Battle of the Builders.... virtually... (stupid Covid) This has been around a 12 year project for my dad and I. I took ownership in 2017 from my dads friend, who had commissioned us to build the car. At that time the car was running and driving with the LS, but in primer to shake it out. Upon me buying the car, we stripped it down completely and put it on a rotisserie for a full paint and rebuild. Just finished up the last parts last Sunday, and had a professional photo/video shoot last Wednesday. The detail shots below show the danger of Model Car guys building 1:1 scale cars..?? Some of the Highlights: Full custom rollcage and chassis reinforcements 2006 Pontiac GTO LS2 and Tremec T56 99 Camaro Fuel Tank Davies Craig electric waterpump and controller FAST intake and fuel rails Sanderson Headers Custom air box and intake wrapped in DEi reflect-a-gold ATi super damper Griffin Radiator Braille Battery Fidanza Flywheel with LS7 clutch Infinity Q45 Limited Slip Differential Techno Toy Tuning Suspension front and rear - custom powder coated Bilstein strut inserts with QA1 springs Ground Control Camber plates Wilwood brake 12.2 brakes with HAWK performance Competition DTC Rotors Tucked brake lines and harnesses Evo8 Recaro Seats Custom Fabricated Aluminum dash and center console wrapped in Suede Real carbon fiber accents/inserts and tube protectors Fabricated aluminum floor panels painted with Steel-It stainless steel paint Rota RB wheels Carbon fiber bumpers, door handles and taillight panel here is the video: