swede70

Greetings, Thanks for the kind words. I have a few build threads here, although most are well buried under the volume of posts and threads others maintain. Consider clicking on my profile name and search for activity related to the following: 1968-69 1:25th RKE/JRT Javelin builds based on the Jo-Han tools 1967-69 1:18th GMP Penske Donohue Camaro work 1970 1:18th Chaparral Camaro based on the old ERTL tool 1970 1:18th Hwy. 61 Chrysler E-body Trans-Am work Various Pontiac projects including a 1:18th Sun Star-based '71-season 'Gray Ghost', a '70 T/G Firebird Trans Am, and finally, a '69 Titus/Ward Daytona 24HR class winner like yourself - For my own builds I'm usually pouring over the digital archives even as most of the images are reproduced in black and white as you've said. Most stuff is downloaded and dropped into the appropriate project file, while after a time this image and that reveals stuff I hadn't seen before. It's fun to glean information and transfer such into a scale representation of all that's been revealed, while every now and again someone like us will turn up insights that a current owner won't have tripped upon or known about. Although you likely know them well, the Dave Friedman Collection/Benson Ford Research Center, the Petersen Publishing/SAE Archive, the Revs/Stanford Digital Archive, and Getty Images are those online archives I frequent the most. Some are a challenge to access and find suitable material within, but all are of value. I wouldn't give up on the red interior angle for the '69 Penske Camaro given it's a real enough thing. The paint work would just be restricted to the side interior trim panels anyhow, while interior images reflecting the specification of things are common enough. If I can attach a few, I'll try. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Just some further revisions with the bars to the front subframe now equal length and angle, while a pair of bars stretch back from the main hoop and terminate at the top of the rear shock mounts. Pretty much ready to paint then. Thanks... ...while it comes out as a single piece. I only tack glued the main hoop and built things out from there. Mike K./Swede70

Very nicely done, while I like the colors chosen too. Neat Rudge knockoff wheels (or the conversion of the as-delivered Burago casting) that you've worked up. An old tool the Burago 300SL, although it's an honest one and happily it seems Continental tires they tooled for the Burago range and used almost indiscriminately were first intended for their MB 300SL. Your collection of period club racers must be massive by now. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Always very neat work and enviably trim and clean in appearance - thanks for sharing. Mike K./Swede70

Greetings... Just an update of the 1:18 GMP '67 Penske Trans-Am Camaro project given it's sprouted a roll cage. Hollow plastic tube with a brass wire core to help retain the shape and lends strength too. Happily no 1:18th scale drivers have thus far been hurt operating my conversions both minor and major. Thanks... ...with rear quarter windows recently added, some chrome trim for leading edge of the same, plus new front wheel bearing dust caps and rear axle ends pressed home into the center of the ARE/TT wheels. Without an engine at this point, hence no exhaust dumps are seen. ...interior mock up with a spare shell (thank you so much ijb40!) in combination with a '69 dashboard, although now I have a '67-'68 dash to use on my model. Bars to otherwise tie the roll cage to the front subframe are absent. A strange design - almost as though it's missing two points from an otherwise sound four or maybe six-point cage. ...more of the same. ...while the passenger's side A-pillar to main hoop bar needs to be refabricated consistent with shortening it a bit. Note that it stretches further forward than it should forward of the cross bar/brace. With some additional bars added, albeit it's not complete. Mostly I'm going with period photos, while avoiding some diecast structural elements restricts what I can do. Pretty much the state of things now. The chassis is just a bare '69 model with inner fenders trimmed to allow for a top of the subframe mounted sway bar installation. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede 70

Greetings, The cars altered for specifications across the year, while the red interior door trim eventually gave way to those finished in black. The switch was timed roughly to coincide with the removal of the vinyl tops later in the '69 season. The #6 and #9 would be distinguished from the pits for different color spoilers, headlamp fill panels, and of course the numerals painted on (this before vinyl numerals became standard practice), while the red interior panels (or black) would be standard across team cars at any event entered. The interior color for the interior side panels, etc. wouldn't be more sophisticated than standard level trim '69 Camaro vinyl trim. Searching for '69 Camaro restorations optioned out with the red interior would turn up color references, hence you'd not be strictly reliant on period SCCA Trans-Am race reference materials to confirm such. Additionally, most reputable 1:1 restoration parts suppliers stock interior colors consistent with allowing on to refinish interior vinyl trim. Red would be one of the more common colors, and might prove the way to go given the sheen would reflect the finish desired apart and beyond having the right hue. Before the COVID-19 situation effectively shut down concours events nationwide, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance organizers decided to honor Roger Penske at their 2020 event. A good gathering of restored Penske Camaro racers were on display, with one being debuted, and others rerestored with greater attention paid to accuracy, etc. The '69 Penske Camaro present there appeared better than it had before, and sported both a vinyl top and the red interior trim you'd wish to replicate. A great many people attended and took photos, while a bit of web searching would surely turn up large collections of event images even if they'd not strictly be tagged as '1969 Penske Camaro' when you'd mount a search for such. Good luck... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, Nothing major in terms of updates, although some additional parts have been cast/duplicated consistent with fleshing out this project and other GM Trans-Am projects quietly gathering steam. I'd like to source a Lane '67-'68 Firebird differential, reproduce the scattershield scratch built for my '71-season Gray Ghost Tempest, while Delco-Moraine brake calipers are now possible given I recently made a mold for such. I'm freshening up a trio of old GMP '67-'69 Trans-Am Camaro projects as well as nursing the ETRL-based '70 Chaparral Camaro project to life, hence anything of quality that can be spread across the builds carries me a bit closer to applying finishes and being done with these. Thanks for your interest. Mike K./Swede70

Looks like a very well engineered kit and pure pleasure to see to completion. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Neat addition and certainly a nice compliment to the recent first gen./Mark I Capri afforded us. I haven't picked up the first generation model, perhaps for being intimidated by the effort required to accurately paint the Rostyle wheels, although the availability of the late Capri at modest cost might prompt me to reconsider and gather both. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

A very leisurely update of this my '69 RKE/JRT Trans-Am Javelin project... Worried I'd waste my '69 bubble hood effort for applying a finish and misjudging things, recently I created a mold for the hood so that not much would be risked if things fell apart. Witnessed is the results of the effort, which is largely clean. Additional parts have been gathered to possible do a second '69-season team car, although at present they'll just be saved. A five-panel Wink interior mounted rear view mirror assembly is needed for both my '68 and '69 efforts, while it would be good to scratch build what is needed consistent with clearing the next tiny hurdle. Most of the really unpleasant fabrication is mercifully done. Fine pinstripe decals to accent the borders between the red/white/blue body color segments has been found from a German source via eBay, hence that problem too has been solved. Mostly good then. Thanks... The shifter assembly will be made up of the best Hurst shifter lever I can find combined with the round stock Jo-Han boot. Seen forward are some parts I'm contemplating for use. Just a view of the profile worked up on the hood bubble and how the surface profile is picked up along the contours of said bubble. It's mostly good and few surprises were in store for me when I first pulled it from the mold. Pretty content at this point... A little fuzzy this, although the pinstripe detail spoken of can be made out with a little effort. Notice the blue-to-white border has a thin vertical red pinstripe, while the white-to-red border has a blue vertical pinstripe. Fated to be tedious to perform, but thought important all the same... While this would be the Interdecal product offering, with an agreeable red iteration also obtainable. I should be o.k. then... Mike K./Swede70

It looks really nice... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, An almost forgotten used car from way back, for a time I had an '83 Plymouth Gran Fury A38 ex-police car. No great power even with the top-of-the-line 318 4BBL engine, the car nevertheless had considerable presence and was unquestionably fun to toss around. Not many models have been afforded to date, although for application some can be turned up. Seen is a small M-body homage made up of a modified Motor Max Diplomat in 1:24th diecast as well as a stray MM 1:43 iteration of the topic to the far left, the rest being quite good 1:43rd First Response releases. A local hobby shops processes many estates and trade-ins, hence a foursome of FP Diplomats were gathered unboxed for $5.99 each, so a feast of them as such things go. At the very least I could effect repairs on the silver Ohio State Highway Patrol example for swapping in intact antennas, while for being in Michigan, the presence of speed traps along I-75 crossing either border was a real enough hazard back in the day. Both the blue/violet Michigan SP livery as well as the silver Ohio liveries remain in use to the best of my knowledge. The larger 1:24th scale Motor Max model has replacement wheels and tires. These are in the form of 1:24th Monogram Goodyear GT black outline lettering tires mated to 3D-printed six-slot stamped steel police spec. wheels, the same rounded out with chromed 3D-printed ventilated police spec. hubcaps. Some other details are seen, likely to be explained across the space of a further thread addition. Sort of a save this given the light blue metallic Diplomat came through with full wheel covers with whitewalls, plus so-so decal work and a some hastily glued on parts that marred this surface and that. The white walls might gravitate to the taxi cab release given such a mix of parts is common to taxi fleets. The Fury seen just below is a Greenlight 'Another 48 HRS' release that comes through unmarked, complimenting the replacement ride situated just above. I'll probably pick up a spare 1:43rd case to dustproof the new addition, but in the main I like the fleet arrivals very much. The framed photo half-obscured contains an image of my beloved white on blue slicktop '83 Plymouth A38 then. 11 mpg (woo hoo!), and capable of a heady 113 mph if given enough patience and room both. Thanks for your review of this post. Mike K./Swede70

...and this just a quick look at the engine being built up, Some changes made include the addition of an oil fill/vent tube through the single 4BBL intake, the installation of a pair of resin Hwy. 61 old school 'Chevrolet' script '57 Bel Air stamped steel valve covers with the appropriate breathers w/tubes added, while a multi-piece front accessory drive helps facilitate necessary paintwork. A multi-part alternator assembly is coming, mostly so I can preserve detail on either end of the unit as well as be afforded a chance of replicating the tiny orangish brown band that cuts through the center of such. Notice that the transmission case has been filed down on the side to make way for a better detailed access cover, this sourced from a Lane '65 Chevelle Z16, while the cowl induction air cleaner noticed is from the Lane '67 Z/28 tool and further helps matters. Lastly, just in front of the header collector will be found a foursome of detailed plugs intended to be pressed into the center of each wheel assembly, with dust covers for the fronts, axle end detail for the rears. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, Small stuff, but for preparing some urethane molds, new parts allow for new activity and additions. Seen is a new stamped steel fuel tank halve set right side up, complete with fuel fill neck and slam-shut top. The tank is from a Lane '68 Firebird 400 H.O. and happily drops right in. Fuel pumps to come, while note everything less the body shell and opening panels has been resprayed semigloss black versus the '68 and later de riguer gray. Thanks... Marlboro, MD '67 where a rear axle less heat treat failed on Donohue's car. The special cheater rear spoiler (note the exaggerated lip profile) won't feature on my light overhaul of the GMP tool, although the photo is helpful to appreciate the fuel inlet setup run that year. A bit of a patchwork effect consistent with filling out the stripes as they run along the entire extent of the rear of the car. It's looks rather 'high school', albeit it's accurate as such things go. Just fitting and fettling the tank and inlet at this point, hence no paint is witnessed. Also notice that the usual retension straps for the rear screen aren't seen here as they are on the GMP #36 Daytona 24HR release of old. Clips need to be added, but for discreet parts substitution, a 'strapless' screen was found and swapped in. Not perfect in relation to the stripes, but acceptable from my perspective. At this point it seems more important to save the curved outline pinstripe around the main stripes along the fill panel versus anything else, hence I saved the standard GMP tampo prints applied here. The deck lid was replaced, with a solid variety cut through with the resultant hole filed to suggest an oval for clearance purposes when the trunk area is serviced. Tamiya TS-15 blue was used to refinish said lid, and happily the finish coexists well enough with the standard body shell paint hue. Lastly, the roundel offset to the right needs to be doubled up give the decal is more translucent than I'd desire. Something to remedy then... ...and just seeing things out, hoping nothing looks too amiss for leaning unnecessarily, for being too tall or short, or for failing to be centered properly. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

That looks really nice, quietly in-period and possessing considerable dignity. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, All the surface panel work less maybe the deck lid would be different, plus bumpers, grilles, etc., hence I myself wouldn't attempt it. The ERTL 1:18th '68-'69 would be a better basis for such given the '70 styling updates weren't wholly transformative. With a small assortment of junkyard ERTL AMX's, some experimentation could be done, although for careful disassembly and mulling of the qualities of the Replicarz '71-'72 Javelin/AMX release, I don't sense much utility of a mash of the former with the latter. I rather extend and flesh out the missing length of the ERTL AMX than bother with the Replicarz effort in full truth. Maybe harboring a minority view, the Replicarz Javelins strike me as generally well-tooled, although deeply flattered for being dazzlingly finished; i.e. the surface gloss helps one overlook otherwise so-so aspects of most other aspects of the tool. There is no raised chrome trim around the front and rear 'glass', surrounded as it is by photo-etched overlays, the 'glass' is just pliable clear sheet, while the chassis plate has little to recommend. Even the wheels and tires are a slight cheat, given some fudging is in evidence for using different diameter wheels front and rear to emphasize an aggressive look that shouldn't have been worked up in such a fashion. I'd thought for my money that I'd have a host of new assemblies to copy and spread across my other 1:18th scale Trans-Am builds, but in point of fact this hope just didn't materialize; i.e. I'm still clinging to my mostly GMP Trans-Am Camaro-sourced clones to flesh out my conversions. In sum, I'd just give the situation three or four more years, anticipating that Replicarz or TSM might take up the challenge given all the companies seem to be running out of intriguing topics to do. Mark Donohue interest is strong, while as I write this a 1:18th sealed resin Technomodel '71 McLaren F1 Penske Racing Canadian GP release (third place) just hit the shelves consistent with expanding collections so-themed. Mike K./Swede 70

Greetings... Here some AutoART interior parts have been introduced onto the Tonka/Polistil interior casting. I have most of the AA interior less door panels, while for first trying to hack and slash the entire AA interior tub to fit the T/P chassis and body, finally I decided just to steal select subassemblies to the T/P interior and avoid most of the fit issues. Flocking to come, other assemblies to be stolen soon. The dash board, the interior rear view mirror, the steering wheel plus column, and finally, the shifter and controls surrounding it make up the visible upgrades. Thanks... Not terrible - while the really cheap appearance the total assembly had before is mostly eradicated. The pedal assembly, safety belts plus flocking are to come. Nice seats, with carefully marked controls on each side and textured paint for the inserts as-delivered. Quality stuff, while a lot of the Tonka/Polistil dash mount structure was recycled to support the new AA dash assembly, saving time versus scratch building some other solution. ...and just proving (to myself largely) that it'll all fit. I'm unsure about clearance between the interior door panels (not present here) and the seats, although this was enough work for a day. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings... This would be the second shell refinished with slightly cleaner body prep even if the paint finish seems no different. No more lumpy areas along the engine cover at it transitions onto the wing, no gouges to report for being too aggressive with a file, and lighter paint application overall. No - I'm not sure if all the effort was worth it! A spare set of wheels were reshaped a bit to soften their appearance along the outer edge of each, while a Tamiya Bare Metal Silver was used on the rims rather than Tamiya Mica Silver which had been applied to the body. The contrast between the two shades of silver is minute, but it does mix up things a bit. Vinylex was used on the rock hard tires, although it does seem to help. Happily the sidewall profile doesn't suggest a rock bottom purchase price, redeeming matters somewhat. It looks a bit better, while an AutoART spares order will afford a new dash , console and seat assemblies I intend to mate to the more or less standard Tonka/Polistil interior shell so that the dimensions of what is worked up won't offer up any surprises when assembled. Just to mesh with the new interior parts, I'll have to go with a gray interior versus the intended burgundy. Thanks... The side mirror is off, either to be refinished or replaced in part with an AutoART item. Side repeaters will be replaced with AA parts and will register life soon... Hardly looking different, although some careful sanding has the wheel discs looking a bit cleaner too... I'd more or less wrecked the previous shell for dropping it in a way that dented the rear cooling duct ribs as seen here intact on shell number two. At least the putty work on the back is cleaner on this second effort, the rear fascia appearing smoother for a lighter touch in evidence. Sorry these images aren't well illuminated. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings and thanks for the kind notice... No '68-'70 1:18th scale diecast or resin cast American Motors Javelins exists to date, nor or any in the developmental pipeline to the best of my knowledge. I suspect 1:43rd Spark SCCA Trans-Am releases and demand for the same influence what might be availed to the public as 1:18th Replicarz releases, although no indication is given that anything is strictly afoot. A Replicarz 1:18th '70 Chaparral Camaro has been announced, although it could be a year or more before we see such. That the '70 styling facelift was but a one-year offering, and further, that only the Fyr Fyter fire extinguisher-sponsored/Ted Roberts-driven independent entry is all that could be done besides the '70 Penske cars, this would limit how costs for such an effort might be amortized. The NASCAR GT efforts run in '70 would likely be judged too obscure to model, hence blunting hopes in that direction. I suspect we'll see Replicarz stock releases based upon the '71 shell they've done for their SCCA Trans-Am release, although given the rather bulbous flares needed on the '70 racer, I doubt any firm would be tempted to sell a stock release based upon something obviously modified to accommodate racing rubber. Unless someone thoroughly scratch built all that might be required off of an ERTL 1:18 '68-'69 AMX base, much more time will pass before anything so-themed will be afforded to the market. It's possible that BoS/Best of Show will step up to the topic in sealed resin at some point, although I'd expect a stock release from them if they so chose. Here's hoping someone or some firm will have pity on us! - Oh - and only if it matters, in period Jo-Han did the subject to death in 1:24th (so it's said) scale, with other years and other aftermarket options possible with certain application. I half-wonder if the legacy of old Jo-Han releases has depressed interest amongst 1:18th scale firms to tackle the topic given the relative paucity of offerings availed thus far. Reproduced below is a link to my sprawling Ronnie Kaplan Engineering '68-'69 Trans-Am Javelin thread, with passing reference to a Jo-Han based '70 Penske Javelin build also taking shape. A little while back I picked up two Jimmy Flintstone flared '70 body shells (one for my '69 RKE/JRT project), hence another '70-season model will take form, likely as an early-season Peter Revson ride given no one would likely bother otherwise. For Peter it was a grueling and decidedly unsatisfying experience, while now he'll be memorialized in scale by golly and by gum. I just picked up a spare '70 bare interior shell and race (as in sans cast-in fuel tank and exhaust) chassis, hence it's percolating out of sight right at present. Mike K./Swede70

Definitely a smooth look and a nice rendition of the topic. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the interest... Seen are the wheel disc overlays quickly painted and applied to the first set of wheels. Not terrible... Mike K./Swede70

That's an entire morning's worth of game show grand prize giveaways there; i.e. You've just won a BRAND NEW CAR! Indeed, some thought went into those and surely they'd respond well to an intervention consistent with getting a bit more out of them. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, Some blending around the wing and engine cover to suggest a unified structure (especially underneath and through the pocket so to speak), while the wheel disc overlays are new. Each overlay is simply a section of sheet plastic shaped to suit. I should be able to soften the edges of the outer rim perimeter to complete the look, although at present this second set of wheels hasn't been modified so much. Know that no vanilla wafers were hurt in the making of these rims! Mike K./Swede70

Greetings, Photoetched 1:18th scripts aren't widely available, although some exist with most tailored to exotic topics versus domestic fare. Type in 'Photo etched 1:18' into eBay or other search engines to reveal what might be had (I remember seeing a Mustang-themed sheet or two). It's a bit of a surprise that more hasn't been available to date, while with prices of diecast and resin cast topics ever on the increase and more people trying their hand at modifying older tools to come up with what they desire, I suspect the availability of suitable scripts will improve consistent with affording potential purchasers something to ponder. Just in passing, sometimes I'll review but also collect like-themed 1:24th and 1:25th photo etched sheets searching for material that, for creative application, might be recycled and used in alternative ways in 1:18th. If one collects 1:18th Hwy. 61 'Cudas, some of the older 1:24th scale Monogram '71 Hemi 'Cuda photo etched material still lingering on the market can offer up possibilities in terms of interior door scripts, dashboard scripts, etc. It also isn't unheard of to find that some photo-etched renderings of this and that are revealed to be oversized - a reality that can favor the 1:18th enthusiast. Sometimes enthusiasts will communicate with those who have created artwork designed for more mainstream plastic kits in 1:25th scale and inquire as to whether waterslide decals might be blown up to suit 1:18th topics, while others either seek out or avail others custom decal work. It takes a bit of application to reveal who specializes in what, in addition to revealing who is most flexible and receptive to feedback and guidance consistent with securing the best service. Know too that Fred Cady Decals did a few and admittedly rare 1:18th sheets, while another firm by the name of Firebird Designs is also worth seeking out on the musclecar front. No Nova materials that I can recall, although some Camaro, BOSS Mustang and Chrysler E-body stuff can be had. Do know that the 1:18th modification scene is actually quite robust and isn't strictly limited to exotics, Sports and GT, or the tuner scene just to suggest a few facets of what is a diverse hobby. Most of the activity that exists may be found for review of those select Facebook Groups that cater to such creative effort. 1:18th Scale Junkies as well as 1:18 Diecast Modifiers (the names are approximate here) are the major domestic groups, although others exist reflecting more specialized focus amongst members so-affiliated. As spares can be expensive, more than a few people have taken it upon themselves to either afford services or essentially replicate services otherwise common across the 1:25th plastic kit scene, while techniques, materials used, tool recommended as well as guidance in relation to disassembly and reassembly are just part of the territory that stands to be discovered. Good luck! Mike K./Swede70

Very nice - thanks for sharing. Mike K./Swede70