swede70

It looks real nice - very trim. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Very clean - looking good... Mike K./Swede70

...and some gussets added to the '69 roll cage. Looking along the length of the roll cage member running parallel to the door, one is added forward and beneath, another back and above blending into the main hoop. Tabs tying in the A-pillar roll cage members to the A-pillars proper are also spied. Small stuff... The side interior trim panels have also been reshaped a bit to fit better - especially as they mate up with the rear wheel housings. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the kind interest expressed again (and again)... Just evening out my Javelin builds, here the '68 receives the same hinge pocket removal work on the inner fenders/wings as the '69. Trimming and hand-fitting front glass to each build will prove to be tedious given there just isn't huge space looking back. I have spares, and '71 and later glass can work well enough if appropriately trimmed, although in sum I'm not looking forward to it. A five panel Wink rear view mirror should be fitted to each model, while I think I'll have to scratch build something. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Looking really nice. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Hello... Here I've labored to cleanly integrate the stock side panels to the bare Jo-Han '70 Trans-Am Javelin floor, with emphasis to ensure that the sides aren't any wider than the unmodified casting. Note how the top shoulders of the rear bulkhead are cut in consistent with tucking matters flush. Further, the dashboard has been drilled out to accommodate extensions of the roll cage stretching forward, while the dash rests just a bit higher and further back given repositioning was needed. Finally, plugs along the bottom of the interior door panel trim have been fashioned where the cast-in seats stretched upwards and obviated detail otherwise expected. Thanks... ...the small ramp structure seen on the floor towards the rear is intended to afford space for a differential cooler installed and serviced from below. ...noticed too are arm rest plugs after first filing out the faint cast-in detail mimicking such. The seat has been drilled out to allow seat belts to pass through the sides while a more elaborate seat mount will be fabricated for both the '69 and '68 Javelins. ...and small stuff, but the front suspension turrets have been reshaped somewhat to appear a bit softer around the top edges and filed to appear akin to half of an octagon. Again, my thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings... Needing material to tie-in front roll cage extensions to the firewall, noticed will be some material introduced into the corners of each footwell looking forward and across the top. The material added will also better support the side interior trim, while notice too that the cast-in pedals otherwise present have been carefully scrubbed out. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Though not a NASCAR 'head' so to speak, it would be a good use of your time to familiarize yourself with the best of the online digital image archives currently available. I wouldn't strictly expect detailed coverage of the earliest days of the series, although coming into the 1960's I believe you'd be well served for exploring what might be discovered. Consider exploring: The SAE/Petersen Publishing Archive The Revs/Stanford University Archive The Dave Friedman Collection/Benson Ford Research Center Each system has it's operational quirks, and it makes sense to scribble notes as well as copy website information to ensure that what is discovered remains accessible across repeated visits. Search terms that yield favorable results can also be plugged into search engines which can be chased in a systematic fashion. As to the digital archives related above, most will allow downloads with licensing restrictions, while for my builds I typically segregate all the information I may into discreet files. When something specific is being worked up, I'll copy select images to concentrate entirely on that aspect of a build; i.e. a roll cage. Good luck and hopefully others will chip in and elaborate further... Mike K./Swede70

Know that I greatly appreciate the continuing interest and good cheer demonstrated... The roll cage evolves a bit, while the '70-specific interior door trim always a feature of the Jo-Han and AMT-badged Javelin Trans-Am releases has been filed away to make room for a pair of '69 annual kit panels suitably modified. It's rather slow work for only a single bar may be added to the cage at any one time, although for removal of the side trim access is somewhat easier to the floor. ...barely made out, a small addition has added to the center element of the front spoiler lip so that it bows out and come to a slight peak along the front. ...and for the reference photo afforded, notice how the front spoiler appears to be a composite of elements when reviewed close. Jack Brady photo from '69 St. Jovite. ...back to the cage, I'll probably section in material to flesh out the firewall as it would help to more positively locate roll cage members tying into the overall structure. ...and seen here and there are Sharpie marker dots consistent with communicating where everything should go. Sharpie markers are your friends! Thanks again... Mike K./Swede70

Very nice indeed. They're proceeding along in fine style. Mike K./Swede70

Thanks again for the kind interest expressed... Here the basic dimensions of what stands at present as a six-point roll cage are locked in. It fits well, no additional room strictly exists to accommodate the design further upward or outward, while a host of additional bars and gussets will hopefully complete it. ...just a look forward into the interior of the topic, this a K. Ludvigsen image from Bridgehampton '69. Notice how the A-pillar bars bend down somewhat higher than expected and slightly forward of the dashboard. ...the bars terminating in the trunk area were removed and set a bit wider, while those bars forward of the main hoop are new. Once these basic dimensions are set, adding additional elements becomes a low-risk thing. ...sort of a sea of white plastic and resin, note the shape of the aforementioned A-pillar roll cage bars and how they will match the angle of the sheet metal (so to speak) set atop each in the next photo. ...so generally looking good. I'd add more photos to telegraph the fit achieved, although this aspect of the build will be telegraphed readily enough without resorting to overkill now. Kind thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks everyone for looking in and affording words of encouragement... Wishing to start in with regards to under hood braces and such, I decided to cut out the SC/Rambler hood hinge pockets and patched in new material to blend back to the firewall to better allow me to do so. Discreetly made out will be the inclusion of a subtly shaped solid plastic rod atop the Jo-Han firewall to better plug gaps between it and the body proper (it helps), while the new oil injection port may also be seen added to aluminum rod that passes through the new cast resin valve cover featuring gussets to support such. Finallly, a CDI module has been added to the passenger's side footwell, and a lone fire extinguisher makes an appearance on the transmission tunnel - safety first, circa 1969! Apologies in the I didn't notice the fill panel seen forward wasn't centered! It's just resting in place, although things generally look tight. Much still needs to be added underhood, but at least I'll not be disguising horrid limitations of the platform. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the continued interest... Indeed - the '68 and '69 Javelins are barely distinguishable, although one of the changes is the cross hair frame and offset target roundel found within the grille/grille shell as seen below. Noticed will be an effort to putty and final finish the turn indicator plugs, as well as fit the bumper attachment hardware done with slightly countersunk sequin pins. Four are seen from face-on, one each of the ends, and four more to 'secure' the back bumper. On the racers the bumpers were painted, while the hardware was on occasion left unpainted to form a slight visual contrast; i.e. all for the good. Moving along slowly, the small overlay panels on each end of the grille surround have been fabricated anew and evidence better control for shape, while the vent detail just back of the license plate indentation on the front bumper has been cut into the rare '69 bumper/grille/headlamp casting, the openings being rendered slightly smaller even as they might grow later. Along the back, the pair of Studio 27 photo etched grilles have been temporarily tacked in place, with the mesh size small enough to appear suitably discreet. Lastly, three respective dots of glue applied twice over along the edges of the headlamp fill panels help to reproduce the hardware attachment dimples made out in the reference photo seen further up this thread. I'm so slow! Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Very beautiful - they're looking great. Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the continued interest and enthusiasm expressed... Minor stuff, but my recent round of resin casting yields up Jo-Han SC/Rambler exhaust tips that I could employ as abbreviated intake trumpets on the Holley 4500 carburetors seen on the model. Each trumpet needs to be worked over further consistent with subtly siamesing each to the other in turn, although minor trouble I'm encountering with the unmodified units witnessed is actually good news given that they should bump into each other ever so slightly. What are better known as 'Dominators' weren't actually afforded a trade name until the end of 1969 and formed a part of a Holley Carburetor/Colt Industries promotion where drag racing enthusiasts submitted possible names for the design, with the winner to be declared at the World Finals in December of that year. I've read that the fix was in and that the design was internally identified as the Dominator early on, but I have no further insight regarding the matter to share. Ford was closely involved in the development of the design consistent with supporting their semi-hemi NASCAR 429 mill and then-new Cleveland-head small block Trans-Am 302, while it was something of a coup for RKE/JRT to spirit away examples to fit to their Trans-Am racers. Further small additions include the remote oil filter mount situated upside down and evidencing an oversized filter, original application unknown. It looks odd in photos, although it better than approximates reality. The Jo-Han oil filter mount was cut from the front cover of the engine proper, while the needless second filter mount cast-in to the inaccurate Gen. 1 AMC engine block further back has been ground out and blended away. Seen forward is one of the new resin valve covers with the gussets surrounding the oil fill fitting cleanly reproduced from my earlier effort. I'll be able to drill such and insert a metal rod that will 'wear' a Detail Masters aluminum fitting that looks the part. Also noticed will be more concerted work on the bumpers, with a pin vise employed to drill out what would constitute the mounting points front head-on, the sides of the front bumper, as well as holes deemed necessary on the back stamping. The slightly indented 'flush' turn indicator plugs will be permanently set and blended with putty after masking each turn hole with Tamiya tape perforated with a hole punch to minimize smear, while notice too the new Studio 27 photo etch grill material that awaits fitting. ...and finally, another period image. Uncredited, it is part of the memory/photo collection for Ron Grable obituary/memorial that may be found online. Within a rather short span of time Ron Grable, Ronnie Kaplan and John Martin have all passed - sigh. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Nice work on the 'glass'. I've been thinking Novus 2 is too harsh and Novus 1 too tepid for words, while (again) Tamiya comes up with something that proves superior. If it might matter, sometimes I'll go over my clear plastic with a very wet application of Mequiar's Quik Wax which seems to help too. Indeed - I'm hoping our Michigan weather doesn't quickly morph into something terrible. Trimming my Jo-Han Javelin glass and fitting it tightly to the resin shell I'm using will be dreary work enough, although getting the front and rear screens in good enough condition to confidently use would help too! Kind regards... Mike K./Swede70

Very beautiful and well-controlled. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

That looks great. Certainly a nice stance, intelligent and well-thought out upgrades throughout, while the color choice made will surely set it apart. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

That looks very nice indeed. The Cordoba was a significant money maker for the Chrysler Corp. even as the economic situation of the company was sharply deteriorating during the period. Almost forgotten now, they sold a great many of them. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Greetings and thanks for the interest displayed... For the use of lots of Tamiya masking tape and successive swipes of putty the hood bubble has been bonded and blended to the hood casting below. Putty can burn a surface and create additional work best avoided, hence only the seam and where the bead of putty would likely terminate top and bottom was left exposed before smearing what small amounts of filler were required. Generally it looks good, although work on the underside is needed to further tidy up matters. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Again - I really appreciate the kind notice... Although better and finer grade metal files will be required to ensure greater quality, an attempt to open up the front license plate area consistent with allowing a supply of scale air to reach the oil cooler using a spare '69 AMX bumper/grille/headlamp casting largely worked. I hope that sourcing better than average jeweler's files proves possible before working on the '69 Javelin SST bumper which is really no different than the '69 AMX; i.e. what differences exist between the two are restricted to the grill surround and related parts. I'm pondering cutting off the grill entire, although as can be seen nothing wears chrome plate but for the headlamp surrounds and maybe the inset and offset Javelin bull's-eye discreetly made out to the right. Should I do the headlamps and trim separately, or should I simply employ a Molotow pen and let matters be? Cutting everything apart might result in a cleaner build, although the effort may not translate into a tangibly better result. Notice too the three upraised areas denoting mounting hardware dimples along the edge of each headlamp fill cover. A pin vise and some plastic rod should make such possible. The smaller diagonal radiator support to fender braces just made out will be sourced from a Revell '69 Camaro via parts bundles that litter eBay. As seen from the cropped reference photo, the corners of each of the three openings don't seem especially sharp, although the cuts are clean enough. Oh - and although quite dark, a single high quality reference photo suggests the center vent on the air dam comes to a very discreet point akin to a shallow vee across the base of such. Here it looks almost flat across, hence I think I'll leave it alone... ...and just a fairly quick go of it with the aforementioned AMX spare; i.e. it's almost good enough. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Looks very clean and controlled. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the kind interest... More stuff, mostly modest additions as well as a valve cover that can be cast and shared across builds. Most period Trans-Am entries had fittings that permitted fluids to be added under pressure - typically oil but also coolant. Towards the front of the valve cover in the reference photo can be seen such a fitting, while some gussets were added to ensure the addition wouldn't snap off if it were handled roughly. The detail is a characteristic RKE/JRT thing, and hence I felt it needed to be added. A turned aluminum fitting mated to some aluminum rod will flesh out the top, although the shape is mostly there. Also discerned with be trimmed exhaust dumps that are now flush and feature oblong openings, a new main roll hoop has been fabricated situated further back and leaning just a bit forward, and bars leading to the trunk and passing through the package shelf have likewise been added. Everything fits, everything is as close fitting as I could manage with what is still a thick shell. Plastic 'glass' will be fitted separately front and rear, hence no interference will be run for leaving material in that might otherwise join the two panels. The photo depicting the model head-on relates that the main hoop fits tightly, while the small grille surround ends have been redone and look a bit better. I don't have many roll cage images from '69, although the four or five I have will likely suffice. ...K. Ludvigsen image from '69 Bridgehampton, NY. Notice the gussets surrounding the fitting where oil might be injected under pressure. The remote oil filter mount is situated upside down and seems to run an oversized filter of some kind. Jo-Han SC/Rambler exhaust tips will be used to create the very short velocity stacks fitted to each carburetor venturi. ...still needing to be filed down a bit, although at least the new material is positioned appropriately. When cast the end result will be that much more rigid and amenable to final shaping. ...given the cast grille isn't anything special in terms of the egg crate pattern, it will likely be replaced with brass screen. The main hoop fits well... Hard to discern, but the exhaust dumps have been trimmed flat to match the contour of the rocker panels. The RKE/JRT rockers were often heavily stained at the end of any contest, hence no great effort was made here to ensure that the exits stretched out further than what is seen. The positioning of the main hoop is about right, while the tedious A-pillar bars will likely be worked up next concerning the cage. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70

Neat stance and very nice choice of scale footwear in particular. Looking very good... Mike K./Swede70

Thanks for the good will and continued expression of interest... Small but laborious stuff, for review of period photographs it appears that across '69 RKE/JRT didn't cut into the rocker panels to set the exhaust dumps further into the floor. All the Jo-Han Trans-Am Javelins have this feature cast-in to the body shell, while given I still have the shattered remains of one '70 Penske Jimmy Flintstone resin body, I fashions two plugs to clean up the rockers on my intended '69. The work is all but invisible, but such is my intent... Somewhat later in the season, with slightly different front flares. Not a high-resolution image this, but notice the uncut rocker panels... Early days for the underside of my model, with the plug work on the rockers faintly detectable. Further seen are some SC/Rambler springs and a pair of bottom shock absorber mounting points pulled from a pair of kits so that I can afford myself a staggered installation. An Aviaid-design extended wet sump pan was worked up, teamed with an early Jo-Han rendition of their oil pan when it still featured bolt detail on the mounting lip. Much of this is preliminary, and other things await. Thanks again... Mike K./Swede70