ismaelg

Hello, This is the only hobby I know where you spend considerable efforts to "downgrade" something. The model comes with bucket seats and center console. Very upscale trim level. But I'm going for the "sleeper" look. I want my car to look like a base model, as cheap initially as possible because I wanted to tinker with it to go street racing. That is the essence of a muscle car. Not sure if the base bench seat was available in the 2 door coupes, but here is the story in pictures of how a second rear seat became a front 50/50 split base bench seat. By the way, there are like 2 weeks of work here because I have been (and still am) very busy at work. Very minimal workbench time. Start with a spare rear seat. Let Rusty Trusty go to town. Rusty Trusty is my decades old little hacksaw. Add sheet styrene bits for the basic shape. Go to town with putty. Shape and repeat about 5 million times. Primer to check progress, then a few million more cycles of putty. Round all hard edges to avoid the "blocky" look and give the illusion of cushion. Refrain from making the center seam perfectly symmetrical for the same reason. TA-DAH!!! A base model split bench seat. Thanks, Ismael

Thanks! Yes, I think the term pump may be confusing. I now have a clearer idea of how it works. I kept the mechanical fuel pump and the coil ignition system for a more period correct theme. As for the headers, I admit I fell in love with them even before deciding where to use them ? Thanks, Ismael

Hi Ken, On the contrary, Thanks for the info! I was not really sure about how the double fuel line works. That clears it for me. So they are actually feeding the float bowls, not the internal "pump" itself. Makes sense. The fit issue was only with the aftermarket headers. These are big and wide headers and did not fit within the frame. I had to trim the frame a bit as well as one of the header tubes for them to drop. The frame hack is most likely a big no-no in real life but don't tell anyone ? The headers also interfered with the stock steering mechanism. So I scratchbuilt my own "Rack and pinion-ish" looking thing, based on some full blown drag racing Impalas I've seen. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Quite busy at work so not much bench time these days. But I managed to work the gas tank, straps and parking brake lines/cables. Thanks, Ismael

Resurrecting a very old thread. Hard to believe today marks the 7th anniversary of this event. It was so life changing, it is still one of the main topics of conversation in gatherings, meetings and parties. I salute first responders including military everywhere. Massive respect! Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Thank you guys! Gotta check those shocks. They may be leaking. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Letting the engine cool off for a minute before going back to it. Driveshaft ready for installation. Started working the rear end. Flat black with a wash of gunmetal. Adding brake lines. Thanks, Ismael

That looks like a big block (427) not a 327. Notice the exhaust ports are evenly separated and the heads are a hint wider. However, you can't go wrong with a 427 any day....

Hello, I played with 4 or 5 different air filters. Did not really like any. This was the best of them. Painted it black for a more sinister look. Mehh... Really tight fit. Even the oil dipstick feels cramped in there. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Still pending the air filter which I am working on. I think I'm almost done. Oh wait! I am missing something else: Ohh yes! THE REST OF THE CAR!!!! ? Thanks, Ismael

Thank you! This project has been stalled for a few years. I need to get back to it. The color is Velocity yellow, but the correct yellow for the C5R is Millenium yellow, which is a hint more "orangy" for the lack of a better description. I've been wanting to do the Dale Earnhardt's C5R for ages. I need to get back to my racing Corvettes... Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Evolution of a plug wire loom: This TV commercial was one of my favorites from when I was a teenager in the 80's "Blue Max Spiral Core from Moroso: RACE PROVEN!" Correct firing order: 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2 I wouldn't have it any other way. No, I it won't start on only 2 cylinders. Be patient! I'm on it! Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Drilling distributor caps is fun..... said no one ever. Of course it will be properly centered when done. Thinned the kit's belt. Modified alternator's bracket. Added tensioning bolts. Wired the alternator. Added and attached throttle return spring bracket. Thanks, Ismael

Beautiful! This has been helpful. I just started mine (engine halves glued) but I want to finish a few other projects before jumping full into this one. Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Love this project! Did you know that such a car actually existed? Zora built a test mule for the upcoming '63. These pictures were a test session in early '62 at Sebring. https://www.motortrend.com/features/1802-spied-1963-chevrolet-corvette-prototype-spotted-during-testing-of-cerv-i-in-1962/ Thanks, Ismael

Hello, The most exquisite set of headers I've ever used. A friend of mine 3D printed them for me. After cleanup I painted them aluminum, then dusted spray flat white to simulate high heat paint. Just like the real car, this monster doesn't fit in the chassis. Some minor modifications were needed to the chassis and the headers for a very tight fit. Throttle return spring was added. Did I mention I love those headers? Thanks, Ismael

Hello, I have failed to complete the last 2 buildoffs on time. I'll complete them but the deadlines are far in the past. So the last time I joined a buildoff was a few months ago. The theme was muscle car with deadline Sept 30th. I will not be even near halfway done at the deadline. So this will be the third consecutive buildoff I fail to complete. This was my entry in that buildoff. The idea is to build a street machine daily driver that could be raced on the weekends at the local dragstrip. Yes, I know, the SS 427 was not called Impala. Just SS. I started it months ago, but really very little progress. I'll share the progress here. The heart of the project will be the mighty Chevy 427 Big block. Added oil drain plug. Machined some tiny parts. Oil breather and oil filler cap. The idea is iron block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake and magnesium valve covers. Four barrel / double pumper carburetor. Fuel line from fuel pump to hi flow filter to splitter to each front and rear pumps. Throttle return spring Stay tuned for more... Thanks, Ismael

Sorry, I forgot to inform it was received earlier this week. THANK YOU! Ismael

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Thanks, Ismael

Hello, Anybody happen to have a spare passenger side upper A Arm for AMT 67 Impala? Part #18. My kit is missing that part. Weird. Yes, I looked into the box and in between other parts but it is not loose. Thanks, Ismael

Thank you Gary! It was a fun little project.

Hello, Don't you love it when a mere experiment goes better than expected and takes a life on its own? I wanted to test the Renegade Velocity airbrush on something more meaningful than a test card. I wanted to test Tamiya clear red paint over aluminum enamel. I wanted to test Honey Gloss enamel clear over Tamiya transparent acrylic. I have a friend who is getting into the 3D printing business and I wanted to try his 3D printed resin scale wheels and tires. My son, who is now an "adult" (whatever that means because I might grow old but I refuse to grow up) recently gave me the proverbial shoe box full of his Hot Wheels. He told me "You will use these more than I do"? The planets aligned properly and this came out. This is a 1/64 scale car which started life as a beaten up $1 Hot Wheels toy. The body was stripped and bodywork was done with automotive filler. After bodywork was completed, a coat of primer was applied. Then it was painted aluminum enamel. The aluminum was sanded and recoated for a smooth finish. Hard to get in such a small scale. After it cured for a few weeks, I airbrushed about 3 million 2 hundred thousands coats of Tamiya Clear Red reduced about 20% with Tamiya X20A reducer. Seriously, I think there may be a dozen or more coats over many days (nights actually). Tamiya Clear blue reduced about 10% with X20A was used on the Velocity airbrush again, this time to tint the windshield. The resin wheels were prepped and painted. The separate tires were also prepped and painted and eventually assembled. At the last minute I cut some decal strips. After dry everything was sealed with Honey Gloss clear. Let it dry for a few days before polishing the heck out of it. Exhaust tips were done with aluminum tubing cut to size and reamed. Had to make 6 as these have the tendency to fly away and disappear... The end result: This was just a fun experiment. Not an overly serious project. But I am very happy with it. Hope you like it. Thanks, Ismael

Just got mine! Following this thread with interest.

Hello, After more than a year of teasing, Revell has finally released the C8 Corvette model kit! The first release was Revell Germany in their usual European style box. The US market model (same model, different box as far as I know) is finally getting to distributors! I just got my hands on one! I've only had it for 5 minutes but I like it already! ? Finally! Nice pile of parts! Of course once opened it won't fit back in the box ? Stay tuned... Thanks, Ismael

Thank you all for the nice comments! Really appreciate!