swede70
-
Posts
712 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by swede70
-
-
First - what an incredible range of thoughtfully considered topics and beautifully rendered graphics you've created...
Being selfish, I too would desire certain topics and would hope you or others might ponder the following:
- Fred Cady did a huge range of 1:25th scale Sports Car Club of American Trans American Sedan Championship sheets, albeit he never did graphics or a sheet for the Ronnie Kaplan/Javelin Racing Team '68 or '69 Trans Am Javelins run in that series. Oh - how lovely if such were afforded! See first below is one of the '68 entries:
...and then one of the '69 entries if you will:
- In 1:20th scale, the MPC 1:20th American Motors AMX can either be done as a solid color, or at the discretion and for application of the owner, as a 'Shadow Mask' car. I don't know if anyone has worked up and/or sells proper stripes to do this topic in an admittedly unusual scale.
- ...and finally, are any select graphics available in 1:18th scale? I have some '69 AMX's that surely could use air cleaner decals after the lids are copied and cast in resin, and subsequently chrome plated. While 1:18th scale demand might be light on this message board, further afield one could make a modest business case for tackling select topics. I realize that the size of the decal sheets used would be a factor surely, but all the same, with a price adjustment for extra labor and a bit of creativity might something be possible?
...kind thanks for your consideration of this message and what few ideas it contains.
Mike K./Swede70
-
Thanks everyone for the kind interest expressed,
Lest I sow further confusion, my reference to the 'pebble tread' is more a description of the shortcomings of the old MPC tire rendition of the actual Goodyear design than any specific reference to what was run in period. Gosh - if one had an example of the rear tires I currently have on the '68 RKE/JRT Javelin in hand, a person on the scene would generally afford thumbs up to the sidewall detail, think less of the harsh edge formed by the sidewall as it meets the tread proper, and finally, take a rather dim view of a wholly inaccurate pattern regarding the tread itself. Not as clear as I'd desire, I've attached a pair of images of the old MPC tire I currently have fitted on the rear of my '68.
I find that the lack of really terrific scale footwear for 1:25th SCCA Trans Am topics to be disconcerting, while at the same time I've tried most everything off the shelf or sourced from a kit box. Even the fairly good Replica & Miniatures of Maryland Trans Am wheel and tire set can be improved upon - or so says I! On another front, while I like the proportions and choices made for tread and sidewall detail on the new Chief Joseph Trans Am tires, I'm not strictly a fan of the very soft and pliable material of which they are made. As for wheels, I have scale Minilites, ARE Torque Thrusts, ARE '69 CP-200's/Trans Am wheels everywhere! Wouldn't it be fun to come up with ARE '70-season Tran Am wheels which were intended to win business back from Minilite going into the '70 season but didn't? See:
I'm starting to play around with molding my own tires, hence understand that I might favor the sidewall design of one, the indented and alternating indented diagonally-lined 'tread' of the traditional dry spec. Goodyear Blue Streak seen on the (again) very old MPC Winston Cup NASCAR tires of old, and even go for cutting strips of vinyl tire tread off to work up alternate diameters and heights. As a reasoned resource apart and away from period photographs, vendors of accurately-patterned racing tires plying their nylon-plyed wares can be found online and can help to clarify matters in a general sense if one wants a quick resource. Hmmm, in this instance maybe try: https://www.racegoodyear.com/tires/sports.html
It's all very preliminary at this point, but (for example) if one reads about Mark Donohue playing around with super modified tires up front and rather tall profile NASCAR tires on the rear of the mid to late-season '70 Penske Javelin within the pages of the Van Valkenburgh/Mark Donohue title The Unfair Advantage, it's pretty clear that an early season entry is going to look and sit quite a bit differently than a late-season iteration of the same topic. Although mostly a blinding flash of resin, seen below is a late-season '70 Penske Racing Javelin wearing some resin masters for tires I worked up that may in turn be used to create molds for softer and black-tinted scale footwear. Consider then:
..and so quickly contrasted to an early-season rendition of the same basic car. The model seen further below features the terrific Jimmy Flintstone flared shell as employed on the project above, with Chief Joseph 3D-printed Minilite wheels (plugged so I might employ a four-lug retention system if you will), different tires, a more basic seat as well as out of the box front spoiler which generally looks right for an early-season car. The front tires are Replica & Miniatures of Maryland items up front (akin to 1:24th scale Monogram '69 L88 Corvette issue), while the rears are vinyl NASCAR stuff picked up from another cottage industry vendor. Ugh - I have too many projects!
Kind thanks for the feedback and stories availed. More to come as they say...
Mike K./Swede70
-
Beautiful work - charting the progression of everything plus the articulation of new techniques always fascinates me. Further, it seems we both derive a high from granulated airborne glue from old builds we carefully break apart and reconstruct! Thanks for sharing...
Mike K./Swede70
-
Greetings,
Not that I'll soon be awarded a lifetime achievement award for the enviable number of project completions I register, nevertheless if I might network with others, absorb insights and share a few ideas, no great harm will come of it. This would be a Jo-Han annual/funny car release of their 1968 American Motors Javelin slowly being resuscitated into a coherent rendition of a Ronnie Kaplan Engineering/Javelin Racing Team SCCA Trans Am racer from that year.
About decade ago I gathered up a pair of glue bomb models in the form of a ghastly 1968 and a still-worse 1969 Javelin SST, hence with the march of time, parts gathering and (I certainly would hope!) progression of a certain skill set, some things come into focus. The '68 is enough together to constitute a going thing, whereas the '69 will eventually emerge, albeit not now. On with the show then...
-
This would be the topic in-period and at play. Seen is Peter Revson early in the '68 season, while I don't really know if the material hanging down up front is strictly intended to be an air dam full truth be told. Also, they really didn't have any effective anti-dive built into the front suspension in '68, hence what is seen isn't the static setting if you will.
...and this would be a few project mock up images which depict the stock release with various modifications and updates. Chassis is basically standard '70 Mark Donohue Trans Am release with '69 Hurst SS/AMX power so to speak, while the stock interior has been cut up to combine the standard '68-specific interior side trim with the bare '70 racer floor. The cage is scratch built, the wheels are resin clones of 1:24th Monogram '69 L88 Corvette racer fare. Tires in the rear are ancient MPC Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Specials with the curious 'pebble' tread these had, whereas the front tires are vinyl repops of NASCAR tires from the early '60's purchased at an area hobby show. The turned aluminum rings employed on the wheels were like-sourced, albeit I can't remember who did them. Stuff is missing and/or incomplete at this point (i.e. the Group 19 RKE wing in the back for one), although as tides shift, now and again updates will be made to this post.
...the roll cage was largely finalized last evening, with the top tubes heading forward from the main hoop splaying out a bit as they arrive under each A-pillar. The odd avocado panels are from a deceased '68 promo picked up for less than $20. Happily it carried an organ donor card, and thus it's vitals were transferred to something living. Headlamp fill panels are '70-'71 Penske Javelin, whereas the turn signals have been filed out and plugged. The cast-in 'JAVELIN' identification on what would be a license plate platform up front has been ground out and filed to remove evidence of such, while a hole to afford scale air to a scale oil cooler (Jo-Han Superbird at this point) was likewise cut. Neat, appropriately patterned screen has been cut to protect the intake area from picking up larger debris as seen in the next image:
...looking the business then with the roll cage installation being a tight as I could make it. The side mirror is Jo-Han Superbird stuff again. Happily the special promo-issue grille with the chromed and upraised 'Javelin' script lived, hence it reappears here. The Wink multiple-element rear view mirror is coming. Obviously, all the identifying badges have been removed, although occasionally the fender script i.d. was retained by Ronnie Kaplan Engineering on their racers.
...not too bad in profile, with a 1:18th GMP Trans Am Camaro diecast fuel filler used on the deck lid. I think they rendered it too small for 1:18th, whereas it looks at home here. Noteworthy and tedious will be the rocker panels which were cut off and replaced with '71 rockers that first had the upraised trim present on them carefully sanded down and out. Sanding the same detail out on any rare shell isn't recommended for either children or adults. Again, the upper bars on the cage are splayed looking forward, hence they look a touch odd here. I keep trimming the exhaust dumps again and again for length, and some work still needs to be done here...
...noticed will be the scrubbed off dash pads with overlaid panels fitted as per photo reference gathered. The fill panel beneath the rear screen, the trunk lid, the quarter trim extensions and rear valence panel are all separate items, while the sans bumper profile is an insert that was scratch built and is not yet complete. That my old trunk lid and fill panel were glue-fried and distorted pretty much sealed matters, hence I had to do something. The resultant surgery was delicate as seen below, but largely successful...
Happily I was able to save and recycle a 'Javelin' badged tail light insert for they certainly don't grow on trees. Other mild stuff would be the meshing of a '69 AMX wheel with the taped '70 Jim Paschal NASCAR GT steering wheel rim given some photos show the car with the same. Given I'm looking to mix up things, I thought this would be something to do/try. Aluminum rod hub inserts are also seen if one looks close. Thanks for reading and examining this post. GO JAVELIN!
Mike K./Swede70
-
Nicely done and cheers for the inclusion of a detailed seat frame which is something that is typically skipped. Kind thanks for directing our notice to such.
Mike K./Swede70
-
Beautiful and a very confident restoration surely. Thanks for sharing.
Mike K./Swede70
-
Terrific project idea and happy to note the aplomb and thoroughness in evidence and you research and fabricate that which you need. Being in SE Michigan, Herb Adams is something of a local hero. Kind thanks and looking forward to each of your updates in turn...
Mike K./Swede70
-
Greetings,
In the realm of detail changes performed on the 1:18th ACME Sam Posey Autodynamics Challenger Trans Am entry, there are a few items I specifically wished to see to before paint and reassembly work. For reviewing the photographs attached, one will note that the rear bumper tool may be getting a bit old given irregularities show up along the bottom of the casting, whereas per photos, no overriders were fitted at the first event of the 1970 SCCA Trans Am season held at Laguna Seca. With this in mind, I stripped the bumper I had in hand, worked to clean up the part while also doing away with the overriders, and filed off the unwanted cast-in trunk latch assembly from the back of this same assembly. Further, the modest amount of casting flash could be removed from the bumper ends otherwise visible from the side, hence this too was cleaned up. The second photo effectively answers whether Hwy. 61/ACME parts can or may be rechromed, whereas I will likely cut sheet plastic masking elements in the shape of the individual turn signal lenses to help mask what requires it. Certainly the bottom edge profile is markedly cleaner.
Moving on, also irksome was the inclusion of an Challenger R/T rear valance panel which translates as one that features twin exhaust tip cut outs. This had to go, while the perforated license plate platform was likewise filed out and some discreet lip detail added to the top that is in turn barely visible with the bumper assembly installed. Additionally, the rear spoiler assembly struck me as too tall and having ends that were not shaped to tuck in from bottom to top to match the profile of the styling lower down. I decided to sand the base of the spoiler to rid it of the cast in ledge while also taking time to sand the end profile so that they blend agreeably with what again is setup below. Lastly, some dedicated web searching turned up the elusive Classic Car Wax bumper sticker seen on the back of the topic from the Getty image likewise attached - hence I'll have something to start with in relation to producing a decal to mimic such. Thanks for your reviewing this update...
Mike K.
M.K.
-
Greetings Jim,
Not exactly reduced to a science, I guessed where the deck lid should be cut, using the GMP '68 Camaro deck lid as a guide concerning the shape and size of what I removed for material. At some races the inlet was offset to the right, whereas at other venues the inlet was centered on the panel. I still have to fabricate the funnel leading to the fuel cell proper, but added here is a photo telegraphing largely what I did. I hope this helps. I did measure back from the leading edge of the panel 15 mm if this would aid your efforts, although repeating, what I did was largely guesswork. Kind thanks...
Mike K.
M.K.
-
Looking good - very daring. Thanks for sharing your unfolding updates...
Mike K.
-
Greetings and thanks for reviewing this update...
This would be the second modified shell with slightly better fitting flares with a bit more meat top-to-bottom on the front flares in particular. Not much is new, although some of the past sub-assemblies have been massaged to the extent that they will now live together in peace on the assembled model. The blue painted parts situated forward of the absent doors are the standard Greenlight/ACME door hinge assemblies which have to be accommodated if I'm to fashion the forward members of the roll cage in a reasoned way. The old Grant steering wheel is lifted from a 1:18th ERTL Pro Stock '70 Camaro release, while the dashboard is recycled 1:18th Lane '68 Shelby GT 500KR issue. Not strictly seen is the rear valence panel which is largely scratch built and happily sans GT exhaust cutouts. Discreetly spied is the rear license plate mount that was fabricated and added to the same assembly. Thanks...
Mike K.
M.K.
-
Very nice and very clean as is your hallmark. At this point you may well be ready to host your own 1:18th scale club racer Goodwood Revival given the number and variety of topics you've so deftly handled. Terrific work again...
Mike K.
-
Thanks everyone for looking in and affording compliments,
A little raw for not being 100% complete, I've been working up a series of urethane molds to create parts for reasoned 1:18th scale Ford small block Trans Am engines suitable for '67-'71 spec. SCCA Trans Am Mustangs. Incomplete as I write, nevertheless the work is coming along for setting aside what might be deemed 'the best' of this or that tool, while some items represent modified tools and some other bits will be scratch built. The first (fuzzy) image depicts rough '67, '68 and '69 engine assemblies taking form. The '69 hasn't an intake (yet), while I hope to redo the intakes on both the '67 and '68 assemblies.
...the '67 engine is pretty much what I desire, the '68 Tunnel Port is close, while the '69 engine would need and offset distributor and intake to match. Drive belts, alternators, etc. are to come...
...given the bellhousing and transmission are cast solid, they can be substantially ground down to mate effectively to the inaccuracies of the firewall and transmission tunnel to effect a fair fit. This would be my first test fitting on the Greenlight tool.
...and this would be the model all together less exhaust. Certainly not complete, but nevertheless promising. Thanks for your reviewing this update...
Mike K.
-
9 hours ago, afx said:
I understand Mike has additional T/A sheets planned. I have offered my assistance should he need it.
Thanks again for your good example and fine 'start-to-finish' execution regarding such projects as it too inspires. I've tried to gather up a few 'missing' Challenger images for this project given they effectively and sincerely mastered their rendition of the topic on the restored car, and have sent them to someone who intends to prepare such as quality water slide decals in turn. I restricted myself to just three images desired, namely the Scat Pack Club logo, the 'DODGE' lettering on a silver oval field with font borrowed from the older 'Dodge Fever' ad. campaign, and finally, the early Keith Black Racing Engines disc decal that went through various iterations. We'll see what transpires, whereas I really liked the sheet Mike's came up with and was delighted that the work was outsourced to Cartograf.
-
...what follows is a fast succession of updates:
...although not final, these would be old GMP Trans Am Camaro tires with revised resin rims done by me some time ago. Although not all teams raced to the Goodyear truck and were afforded the 'blue line' tires uniformly, some entrants at the early 1970-season races wore such. I think the rims and tires both will compliment the early-season look of this model, and help too to differentiate it from the late-season #76 version resting in pieces on my virtual work bench.
...test fit of the cage less A-pillar bars.
...rear suspension minus all the locating links. Note I've used a Hwy. 61 '70 340 Dart 8 3/4 rear end.
...although a bit big, note the transmission linkage bulge of sorts near the firewall and extending back. It needs further work...
...less chassis, but notice the 'GOODYEAR' lettering on either side of the hood scoop, the brighter and better-registered black and white Goodyear 'diamond' forward of the same, GMP cast hood pin detail (two) forward of the rear spoiler, and the new Fred Cady lettering on the roof even if it registers a bit small on this application.
...and lastly, the model together at an earlier moment with the tampo accessory decals wiped off and replaced with better-registered water slide decals. Thanks for examining this update and great thanks for the kind words afforded.
Mike K.
-
Thanks for your kind words and notice. I ended up ordering the new Mike's Decals DG 'Cuda waterslide set and was happy indeed to note that some select images could be added to my 1:18th model even as I didn't strictly expect to discover such utility. Thanks for your efforts to ensure that sheet had all that it features on it.
Mike K.
-
...consistent with the resuscitation of other threads I fitfully maintain, here's another...
Some time ago I broke down and purchased the ACME 1:18th Dan Gurney AAR 'Cuda racer, and so soon after I purchased the ACME Sam Posey Autodynamics Challenger racer even as it too is based upon a stock shell and chassis with only modest enhancements. This said, I did decide to grab one, if only to do a low-key early season #77 with my other effort to be seen to completion as a late-season #76 as originally intended.
-
The Autodynamics Challenger release isn't terrible, although for reasoned intervention one can improve it. A few ideas follow:
...in the pits, likely at Laguna Seca '70. Note heavy strengthening bead on the edge of the front spoiler. The ACME model features a ungainly shovel of a front spoiler akin to what the restored #77 runs, and this I decided had to go. Somehow the pair of GOODYEAR markings otherwise present on the hood are absent here; i.e. perhaps this was in practice or before qualifying?
...more shots of the same, with the collision damage likely resulting from contact with Peter Revson who came out second-best in a braking duel also at Laguna...
...sort of a recycled and old subassembly, this was a spoiler I did up for my original Challenger Trans Am project. The bead is simply half round stock heated to cleanly reproduce the curves. The scoop entries aren't all they could be given they should be higher, but alas, this is what I'm using to date.
...the front spoiler in place, imperfect as it is. Almost impossible to see are the waterslide decals afforded by a friend who took some scanned engine-turned surface detail and rendered a very impressive and convincing pattern that is used over the headlamp fill panels on this model. The black scoop paint has also been extended a bit forward as well as contrasted to the standard ACME release. Since this photo was taken, the blue and yellow Goodyear 'diamond' was removed (a hazardous undertaking this) and replaced with a black and white version of the same which I believe to be correct.
...the topic under hood at Laguna Seca during tech. Note the modified, albeit standard pressed-steel air cleaner housing with modifications to accommodate the twin breather setup, while doubled OEM air cleaners with a slightly smaller stock lid is also seen. Given this setup was not replicated on the restored vehicle, I thought it would be nice to try to reproduce it in scale. Suitable decals for all that is missing are coming - I hope!
...the chassis then from the top, and a lot done even as most of it will vanish beneath paint. From the front, the shock absorber mounts/inner fender detail was scratch built and copied in resin so that all my E-body Trans Am models will feature such. The oil cooler pocket has been opened up, a small (perhaps marine?) battery was scratch built and set in place, an overflow/coolant reservoir has been added (also in resin), while a scratch built cage is clearly taking shape. The cage is something of a low-key compromise given that the door hinge assemblies prevent the front of the cage from extending both fully forward and as wide laterally as I'd wish, while the rear of the cage is a bit of a cheat given the racer doesn't have a package shelf fitted per se. Unlike the standard ACME release, the quarter panel interior trim will be painted black as is seen. Stripping them wasn't a lot of fun, but it is possible - so there!
Moving along, one will note that I've opted to mount the dash board off of the firewall rather than attach the dash to the body as per ACME/Hwy. 61. The design of the cage with the A-pillar bars cutting through the top of the standard dash pad corners (albeit shaved a bit from below to lighten the structure) necessitated such, while I've done things in a fashion designed to hide the structure I've worked up to do the job. Note too the mount for the triple brake/clutch hydraulic systems as per the reference photo reproduced above. Gone is the velour insert painted onto the stock ACME racing seat - hence the sticky 'comfort' of all-vinyl is afforded the scale driver. Dead pedal to come, although with the screw bosses positioned where they are, doing something convincing will be tough...
Finally, for reference to the air cleaner assembly made above, also seen is an aluminum wine cooler cap that cut up, set upside down and combined with a pair of cast resin 6BBL Hwy. 61 AAR 'Cuda air cleaners employed to reproduce the pair of round stock elements, these finally topped off with a Hwy. 61 340 Dart air filter lid to complete matters. Some tiny half round stock was used to form a lip on the aluminum cap, which the whole thing was cut down on the bottle itself for otherwise it proved difficult to handle. The breathers were replaced with chromed resin Lane '68 Shelby GT500KR items, while the intake is a modified Hwy. 61 340 Dart part. Happily the new ACME Trans Am headers live happily in-place and don't interfere with the new inner fender detail. Whew!
...and just in brief, I dislike the gloss finish applied to the roof, knowing the finish applied in-period was flat as all get out. I ended up taping off the foil (thanks Tamiya!) and deliberately over sprayed the standard finish. The A-pillar fresh air vent had to go given it only appeared mid-season, and hence it was removed and the mounting hole plugged before paint was applied here. Another image across a later post will telegraph the use of 1:25th scale Fred Cady images to redo the lettering across either side of the roof - something that worked unexpectedly well. Whoops - note too the refinished wheels wearing what translates best as Minilite magnesium alloy to me; i.e. namely Testor's MM Stainless Steel Buffing with a light overcoat of Tamiya Pearlescent Clear. Thanks for reading my often clumsy copy. More to come...
Mike K.
-
...returning to the topic of what are now ACME/Greenlight Trans Am Mustangs,
This would be the new 1968 Daytona 24HR-winning Shelby Racing Co. Mustang as driven by Jerry Titus and Ron Bucknam. The main photo depicts the model pretty much as-delivered but for some accessory decals that were applied as tampos having been replaced with slightly better rendered water slide images. The second photo depicts the model wearing a set of old GMP Trans Am Camaro ARE Torque Thrust wheels that have been painted for the use of a model rocket nose cone that served to mask what was required. The ride height of the model was reduced front and rear, while the hood black out paint was extended subtlety outwards near the front fender extensions/headlamp bucket assemblies. Chrome bathroom hardware washers were employed to mimic brake discs, although I haven't worked up calipers to match as I write. More work will follow. Thanks...
...the topic on the infield of Daytona Motor Speedway. If it helps anyone, the 'missing' decal on my front fender 'stack' is a rare 'Lighting by Sylvania' accessory sticker likely reflecting the brand of road lamps fitted. The gooey tape remains are seen of what foam protection was afforded for all the lighting up front as seen in some photographs from the event, whereas so soon the left inner lamp was toast.
...the model pretty much as-delivered, with the May '68 issue of SCG to match. A refueling assembly cloned in resin was painted and is visible on the deck lid, as is a single GMP Trans Am Camaro hood pin that is centered and visible across the back.
...the old GMP Trans Am Camaro wheel and tire set less paint work, otherwise ready to go. FWIW, the period picture likely captures Jerry Titus in practice sans a certain Goodyear 'diamond' atop the front wheel arch opening...
...a plastic nose cone, with a cut down example resting alongside a wheel set to be painted. I found it helped to use a round file and open up still further the border formed between the nose cone wall and where the five individual spokes joined the outer rim proper.
...the mask in action, so to speak. Another scrap wheel was cut apart to isolate the small machined pad that a decorative hub would otherwise be mounted upon were this a street application. This isolated chunk o' wheel was matched to a length of round plastic stock which then was mated to the wheel to be painted so that the plating on the machined pad could be saved rather than lost under a layer of gray.
...the model as it now sits. A contact on FB did the very nice '68-specific Shelby Racing Co. decal seen on the rear quarter panel reflecting the work done to come up with the image seen further up this thread, while the exhaust dumps were removed, reshaped slightly, and finally repainted. Thanks for skimming this post.
Mike K.
-
Hmmm,
I detect a GMP Trans Am Camaro chassis, a quick-change rear of mysterious origin (looks good though!), and maybe an ERTL engine of some description calling the engine compartment home. The plot thickens...
Mike K.
-
...a little over the top, but the F1 BMW/Benetton B186's as they appeared at Detroit was certainly memorable...
-
...also of interest might be the Ligier JS39 Art Car livery seen at the Australian Grand Prix to close out the 1993 season. As was typical in period, the title sponsor was Gitanes, while short of viewing the car from a slight distance to make out the lettering entire, hard it was at first glance to strictly make out what was being telegraphed in a commercial sense.
Mike K.
-
I like the early BMW Art Cars, with this being the first and best known - namely the Alexander Calder CSL.
Mike K.
-
Perhaps in keeping with the theme of adding a mix of O.E.M. decals under hood that weren't period SCCA correct, looking at the contemporary image quickly, I thought maybe I was seeing a 'Magnum' air cleaner image if that helps.
Mike K.
-
Greetings,
Not exactly a speedy project arriving at any swift end, this would be a long-nursed 1:18 diecast project based upon the old ERTL American Muscle '70 Firebird Trans Am tool. In sum, all the Trans Am-specific aero aides have been either cut or filed off in a manner that renders their presence invisible. Engine is a GMP '72 GTO 455 HO less transmission which unscrews and falls away and off - a good thing this. The Formula-specific hood scoops were scratch built by me some time ago, while at nearly the same time I tried to create a full hood mold that included an attempt to plug the void otherwise occupied by the reverse-opening shaker. The hood scoop molds survive, whilst the full hood mold perished after three pulls - sigh. Note the fetching character line plus matching contour I worked so hard for across the territory the shaker would otherwise identify as home...
The model is awaits my sourcing a '72 ERTL Trans Am (a few releases were done complete with mildly revised grille work as well as interior differences) to carry it to completion, while small other details still stand to be altered. The grille surrounds are '73 ERTL Trans Am issue - these being a bit thinner, whereas under hood some assemblies have been sourced from the otherwise good '72 Welly Trans Am including the fan shroud and A/C installation. The exterior door latches are '72 Welly Trans Am items (holes for locating the so-so standard ERTL fare had to be plugged just behind), while I've temporarily plugged the clunky rectangular exterior side mirror mounts in anticipation of fashioning ovalized mounts leading to the otherwise honestly rendered ERTL racing mirrors. And yes - the engine turned instrument panel detail will soon give way to a faux wood sheen. Thanks for examining this post...
-
Thanks everyone for the valued input. Replies with photographs was much more than I expected. Sorry to sow confusion if I did, surely I have enough information to work with and act on. Again, my thanks...
Mike K./Swede70
-
Greetings,
Sorry if this question seems a bit vain. I'm not well versed in relation to the current crop of kits to the extent of being able to readily identify where to source the best parts for this and that, hence I'm tapping the collective consciousness here to that end. I'm working up a 1:25th Scale Coachworks '64/'71-season SCCA Trans Am 'Gray Ghost' combining the resin shell based on the old AMT annual tool with what I vaguely remember as an Oldsmobile 442 chassis with whatever engine I've cobbled up. I think I've employed the Lindberg kit for the dash and interior panel work. Contrasted to other Scale Coachworks builds of this topic seen online, know that I've filed off much of the flares to the extent of raising and reshaping each wheel arch. The material is there aplenty - it just needs to be removed some...
Back when this was a current project for me, I remember being disaffected with the molded-in exterior door handles, hence I scrubbed them completely from the body shell and need to replace them with something suitable. My question to those who know their contemporary tools is WHAT might be best? I'm thinking of a part or assembly that is attached separately, and that would allow a tiny 1:25th hand to grab the handle given it would be cut clear through. Again, sorry to be uninformed and a bit vain. If it helps anyone working up the same topic, I've included a paint recommendation for the late-season rims, interior and chassis - all of $3.96 - whoopee! Thanks to the community...
Extra and exciting BONUS question! Are the pad-printed GOODYEAR Blue Streak Stock Car Specials in the '71 Bobby Allison Monte Carlo rerelease (maybe it's a '72?) worth grabbing? I'm thinking of employing them here. Kind thanks...
Mike K./Swede70
Mike K./Swede70
1968 RKE/JRT SCCA Trans Am Javelin
in WIP: Other Racing: Road Racing, Land Speed Racers
Posted · Edited by swede70
Greetings and thanks for the kind interest displayed to date...
A quick series of updates this, with accompanying notes:
...this would be George Follmer, likely at Riverside '68. Note how the roll cage members stretching down from the roof line and terminating into the dash bend twist up a bit while also being visible from the floor heading upwards toward the fire wall. Also notice if you will the absence of the factory arm rest which were usually tossed in a bin on a period Trans Am topic. Geo. is obviously a dedicated Ray Ban Man...
...one of the very few full-color interior photos discovered, image by Ron Lathrop. Note what I believe to be a differential cooler access panel atop the rear seat base metal work, as well as crude supplementary padding that has my back hurting as I contemplate the discomfort suggested here.
...and my interior taking shape. The upturned bars situated behind the A-pillars have be replaced for removal of what I'd worked up, while notice that the separate interior panel detail has allowed me sufficient access to both drill out and fill what is faint arm rest detail at best on the stock tool. While the interior tub was apart, I ground off the dated cast-in pedal assembly in anticipation of replacing this with a better rendered material. To ease painting, the entire roll cage (less the bars attached to the firewall and angling down) is a one-piece affair that separates from all that is seen. Although one would expect the chassis and cage to be painted some suitable gray, instead it's blinding WHITE!
...more together now, although material remains to be added. Fill panels of varying description will be fabricated and blended in, while further dash work stands to be done. The fill panel w/contour seen behind the driver and up to the trunk bulkhead is recycled Jo-Han SC/Rambler material, while note the new differential cooler access panel/hatch. Note too the roll cage bars below the dash which were recently added.
Understanding that the chassis doesn't exactly form a point of strength on this build, some things are nevertheless worth pointing out. Here the cast-in leaf springs have been partially filed down, while SC/Rambler parts have been overlaid complete with the shock absorber bottom pick up points and the shocks themselves. Two SC/Ramblers gave their lives to this effort given I wanted a staggered shock installation. The fuel cell housing is something old that was mastered and reproduced as a cast item to be, again, spread across builds...
Moving on, the subframe holes have been drilled, while the radiator support/crossmember present on the promo chassis and missing on the kit releases has been introduced here. I hope to cast this given all my Javelin builds could profit from such. Lastly, plastic rod of a slightly smaller diameter was fit both into the exhaust header collectors as well as the dumps to form what would appear to be a glue-free bond that doesn't allow any day light to show through; i.e. the assemblies look admirably clean for the effort made. Thanks for reviewing this update.
Mike K./Swede70