NOBLNG

Yes, unfortunately the main goal was to make a TV show...NOT an '83 Corvette.

The front end isn't too bad. I think a hood scoop styled after the '67 big block cars could add a little pizzazz.

And so can people with taste and style! I can't help that they didn't ask me before hand. My thoughts exactly...and fill in that seam where the new rear window frame meets the body!

Yeah. Hard to make that thing look sexy without some very extensive modifications

Did any one watch this? Actually it was called "The Lost Corvette". I think they did not integrate the split window into the body to make it look like it belongs there? It looks like they just put a fiberglass border on the existing window. I have a model that I built of this version that I am not too thrilled with. Actually I think it is the most bland looking generation of the Corvette ever produced! I think I may have to de-construct it and do my own '83. Edit: This would make a good challenge. Heh Heh!

This sounds like your best bet. I would poke a pilot mark with a sharp scribe dead center of each light, then use a 1/16" or 3/32" bit to drill a pilot hole part way or all the way through. Then follow up with the final size by hand to the depth required.

I just checked my AMT Shelby GT350 kit and they do look the same.

Color what you have with silver sharpie?

Doug, you shouldn't need very many bottles. You will likely only use one at a time. I only use the bottles when doing a car body that I will be putting multiple coats on. In between coats I will cap the bottle nozzle with a rubber vacuum plug, then squirt some solvent in the airbrush needle and spray it through a couple times to clean the needle and nozzle. When ready to paint again, stir the paint if needed and connect the bottle. I have never used the plastic bottles that came with the airbrush... I think cleaning them would be a pain. Here is a link to my recent thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/142318-paasche-paint-bottles/

Thank You! I am finally rid of that message!

COOL! I think that Torino deserves a restoration.

Built this maybe 15-20 years ago? I do know it was before I had internet, and I never knew anyone else who built models. The internet is wonderful for inspiration! I have no pictures of anything I built 50 years ago, and I can barely remember the ones that I did do!

Excellent Idea...do them last! I was going to suggest thinning down some of the Tamiya racing white he used and flowing that into the panel lines to partially cover the black wash.

This one is pretty much done. I left the sun visors off because they look a little over sized. I may file them down and try them again...or not. The deck lid still won't sit right down even with the air cleaner and plug wires out of the way. I will have to file a flat spot on the fan shroud I think to clear it.

Oooh, that is maddening! I have never dropped an entire model (touch wood!) but I have had pieces disappear into the carpet forever.

Just take lots of pics as you go and when it is done start posting them up bit by bit. No one will know if you have been working on it for 2 years or a week! Edit: And that is a very beautiful Caddy! http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/134691-johan-31-cadillac-v16-roadster/

Thanks Gary! Thanks Shaun! I managed to get the windshield made and installed from .020 polyester. It needs to be curved quite a bit, but only at the two outer edges. It took me three tries...I melted the first one by flashing my butane torch over it (too slowly), the second one I put a good fingernail dent in it after the butane torch treatment...(I need a better way of heating this stuff)! The wife's old hair dryer blows WAY too much air and is not localized enough. We had a PVC welder at my old workplace that would do a terrific job I think. Maybe I will have to borrow it next time I have to fab a drastically curved windshield.

I search a ton of 1:1 photos on google and put them in a file on my PC inside another file that I start for every build. I also search this site for builds as per Bill's advice in the sticky: "Don't bother with the search function here. Instead, go to Google in a separate browser window, type in site:modelcarsmag.com, a space, and the the topic you're looking for." This works for other sites as well. If you find a subject you like on another forum try substituting "modelcarsmag.com" with the other forum name.

That is a thing of beauty!

Super clean build!

Sounds like a nice upgrade!

Randy, would this be the one? http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/133382-re-engineering-monograms-lotus-espritnew-update/

Got the body mostly painted. I brush painted all the trim flat black but I want to spray the top as a last step. I still want to put a few more coats of clear on and if the trim looks too glossy afterwards I will re-coat it. I added some styrene to the edges of the rear deck lid to even out the gaps. I also snipped off the hinges which would not work anyway and made some small brackets to hold the lid in place.

I can't see it being the plastic itself. Try a little of that paint on a plastic spoon or another junk body and see if it dries. If it is really a lacquer paint it SHOULD dry very quickly unless it is faulty.

Well I for one was hoping to see it finished Mike. I have the exact same kit that I was about to start a long slow build on. I certainly understand your frustration...sometimes you just have to back away.