ismaelg

Very nice as usual!

Hello, It is finally done! This is an important project for me, as this is the first complex model I finish since early 2009! The 54th Rolex 24 Hours Race at Daytona was held on January 28–31 2016. One of the most popular classes in IMSA is the GTLM, where factory teams throw it all for bragging rights. Corvettes, Porsches, Ferraris, BMWs and Ford GTs started the race hoping to win. That year, after 23 hours and 45 minutes, the 2 Corvettes were up front leading in class when they were told on the radio: "You are OK to Race! Keep it clean, No Risks", setting the stage for an epic battle between teammates Oliver Gavin in car #4 and Antonio Garcia in car #3. The last 15 minutes were basically a close sprint race. The closest it could be without contact. The last lap was a drag race between both cars. At the checkered flag, Gavin in car #4 won by only .034 seconds over a 24 hour race! For 2016 there were substantial changes in the regulations, making the 2016 cars quite different from the 2014-2015 seasons. Why is this relevant? Revell released the C7R model with decals for the 2016 winner, but the model represents a 2014-2015 car. Many modifications were required to update the model to 2016 specs. Unfortunately this model did not cooperate. It fought all the way with frustrating fit issues and many other problems. It is probably the most frustrating and disappointing model I've done. There are a few details I'm not happy with and a few missing details here and there but I just wanted this over! This was also my first time weathering a car. The intention is to represent the car as it rolled into Victory lane. Weathering is easily overdone so I tried to control it. You can see the model's progress thread here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/117667-corvette-c7r-daytona-winner/ Some of the modifications include: -Reworked hood -New front splitter with side aero fences -Added dive planes -Added pitot tubes and housing -Replaced rocker panels with updated ones -New rear spoiler brackets -Updated rear spoiler end plates -Reworked rear end with diffuser and aero modifications -Reworked front grille and driving lights assembly -Added camera dome in correct location plus antenna and transponder -Fully detailed engine wasted because nothing fits. Top of the engine had to be removed for the hood to fit. The model is essentially now a curbside. -Tons of Interior mods and details added (screens, wiring, belts, displays, nets, paddle shifters, water cooler, etc.) but nothing is seen from outside -Added position numbering indication panels Here is my story: Before the race, I did the prep of the car and told them to bring it to my shop right after the race to wash and clean it. (Took pictures of it before the weathering in case it was ruined). Before the race: https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4ZcfWxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4ZcBnxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Zc6qxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Zc7CxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4ZckGxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Zc4FxJ21ND.jpg AFTER the race: (Weathering) https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1FVxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1jGxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1qqxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1dhxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z15LxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1rWxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z18nxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1MqxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z1zFxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Zp3LxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4ZpvgxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4ZpUWxJ21ND.jpg https://media.fotki.com/2v2J4Z99FxJ21ND.jpg In this link you can see that battle and the finish of the race. Over 2 years later, I still get goosebumps watching it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u06idGnmgDc&t=9608s Hope you like it! What do you think? Thanks,

Hello, And into the banking the C7R enters the home stretch! The FINISH line is approaching! Thanks,

If I smash it and then step on and then set it on fire, I'll scatter the ashes between all of you. ? Stupid model is like a mistress. Nothing but trouble you want to get rid of. But then you look at that gorgeous body and here I am.....

This has to be the LUCKIEST model in the world. It has been so many times so close to meet a wall thrown like a fastball........ Walked away a few minutes ago. Worst EVER! Stupid model.

Interesting project. Always liked the 924/944 lines.

Hello, Do you notice any improvement? Thanks,

Hello, Some more progress before this car races in vintage class. Thanks,

Hello, Here is a link to one of them. Can't believe it was 12 years ago already! http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/2045-presenting-our-grand-sport-tribute-lotsa-pics/ and I recently did this: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/94594-jet-threat-ii-grand-sport-1st-workbench-activity-in-6-years/ By the way, stay tuned as there is yet another Grand Sport related project on my workbench now: the GS90. I also did the master for a correct '96 Corvette Grand Sport coupe but the resin caster could not make it work because of the complexity of the body/glass/roof combination. Thanks,

Nice! Beautiful car and interesting color combo.

Lovely collection! I did Gurney's '68 Eagle a few years ago.

Good job! It looks great.

Looking good! I agree it is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. I have that kit slated to be painted Ecurie Belge yellow.

Looking really good! That color suits the car well. I need to try a flat colored car someday.

By the way, Ron Fellows chased me to get this picture at the Corvette Racing team's trailer at the 2007 Petit LeMans race in Atlanta...

Hello, Ron Fellows is one of the most important drivers and primary responsible for bringing the current Corvette Racing program up and running. Also one of my all time favorite race car drivers as well. By 2007 he was retiring from active racing driving, but to remain very active as a team's consultant for years to come. To celebrate his accomplishments, GM offered a Ron Fellows Special Edition Z06 Corvette, each one personally signed by him. In the 2007 Sebring 12 hour race, the #3 car (Chassis C6R-005) he was co-driving with Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen was painted white with maple leaf red hash marks, like his special edition. But Canadian Ron Fellows was also known as the "Mayor of Mosport" as the Ontario venue was his home track. So for the 2007 IMSA Grand Prix of Mosport, they surprised everybody by entering a third C6R (Chassis C6R-003) in the Ron Fellows special edition white color scheme. Andy Pilgrim was his co-driver for that race. Since both main cars were in the race as #3 and #4, this car raced as #33. Here is a pic from the internet on that car. And that's the car I want to replicate..... I started with Revell's C6R kit (better than the stupid C7R kit, still in progress). Since I already did a fully detailed C6R, this time I am going simpler with a curbside. Started adding material to tighten the door gaps and filled the incorrect exhaust ports. The kit represents the show car, so it needs to be modified for this specific race configuration. I also added material to both sides of the hood to tighten the gaps. Now here is the catch: This was done in 2008! This project has been stalled for a decade! Fast forward to the present. After finding it (and wondering for a second what it was and why), it all came back to my mind. So it is now sharing the bench with the C7R. I molded the air ducts to the body as per the 1:1. Reworked the rear hatch in place as I had removed it back then (What was I thinking?) Relocated the wing supports. Molding the scoop to the hood Finally ready for white primer And that is where it is now. Haven't even started on the rest of the car. Chassis will require modifications as well but I plan to leave the interior pretty much alone, as it is not seen once completed. I hope next update will not take 10 more years..... Thanks,

Hello friends, ♪ ♪ "When I look into your eyes..." ♪ ♪ Barely seen but there was some effort in making the headlights decent. Thanks,

Hello, While working on the C7R and planning on another C6R and another C5R, somehow, this random thing came up and sneaked into my workbench. Let me explain: Dick Guldstrand was called "Mr. Corvette". The accomplished and very successful multiple championships winner race car driver was also a gifted engineer with a deep understanding of how cars work. A friend to Zora Arkus Duntov, he was a big contributor to the early Corvette racing success. He drove the original Grand Sport for Roger Penske as well as many other winning cars of his own creation throughout several decades . His company, Guldstrand Engineering Inc. built racing Lolas, Corvettes and many other competition vehicles to be raced worldwide. He also helped in the development of early racing C4s. He was a chassis/suspension genius. In 1986 he made his first special edition car, the GS80 Corvette. Then in 1995, he unveiled his Grand Sport 90 or GS90. Using the ZR1 as a starting point, it had a carbon fiber body designed by Steve Winter, a Doug Rippie tuned LT-5 producing 475 HP, and of course Guldstrand worked his magic on the suspension with special coilovers, special anti-roll bars, Brembo brakes and many other goodies. Dick Guldstrand himself drove it to over 190 MPH while retaining everyday driveability. GM supported him at first, with the idea of offering the GS90 as a dealer option, but backed out soon after since the C5 project was well underway. The pricey endeavor costed him a lot of money. At the end only 6 cars were made. There was also a convertible version named Nassau Roadster based on the C4 convertible with a supercharged LT-1. I have always liked the car, ever since seeing it on my May-1995 copy of Corvette Fever magazine. It still looks great even after almost 25 years. Unfortunately, Dick Guldstrand passed away in 2015. Here is a video of the car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPswPoQ9IsA Fortunately, there is a scale model of this car. However, it is from AMT. I don't like AMT at all, but this is the only game in town for this car. The model was released in the late 90's and has never been reissued as far as I know. My plan is to build it as a curbside since I suspect fit will be a problem. Dry fitting the body immediately showed fitting issues and very thick molded body parts, making the curbside idea more appealing. So this has become an exercise in body fitment. My goal: Proper fit of all body panels to pay homage to the original masterpiece. Here are some pictures of the progress so far: Heavy mold lines were addressed Yikes! This will take some serious fitting. Out comes the lumber to stretch the body slightly so the rear bumper can fit a bit better while the glue dries. Much better. Still more work is needed but going in the right direction. Hood fit is lousy to say the least The worst fit is the nose My "body/chassis jig" showed a slight warp in the nose. After careful studying, a precise cut was made so I could wedge some styrene to correct the warp. Disregard the brass tubes in the firewall. It was an unsuccessful attempt to pin the hood down. And nothing happened here! Lots of filler... ...and slowly getting there The model calls for installation of the nose and rear bumper after the chassis is installed. Yeah right. That ain't gonna happen! I modified the chassis for easier installation and made some templates for covering the reworked areas. That is where we are now. Still working on the C7R and starting another C6R (its own thread coming soon) but I suppose this will take center stage after the C7R is done. Of course that is if nothing else randomly lands on the workbench What do you think? Thanks,

I like it. I like them all. I guess that is not a surprise

Great looking! Love the scheme! One of my favorites. Years ago we did a Grand Sport tribute here.

Great job! Love it! Will have to take a look at those as I love the subject.

That looks GREAT! I was away from the hobby for a few years and I'm not aware of recent players. Not familiar with that company but I'll look into it.

I might grow old but I refuse to grow up! Running for the "World's Oldest Teenager" title 47 but stuck in 16-18 range...... Just ask my wife and kids (17 and 16). "Dad, you can go with me but please behave." "Dad, there is a reason for speed limits." "Dad, do you really need to go that fast?" "Don't you have enough models and Hot Wheels?" "HEY! That cake is for everybody!" and one of my favorites while playing hard rock loud: "Turn that down!" etc. etc. Thanks,

I'm getting a subtle hint that you may possibly like Vegas... Like them all but the second one is my favorite. Any more details?

That's very cool imagination! I see the engine backwards in one picture and forward in the other. Is that how it goes in reverse?