Mark W

The Chaparral is a very clean and smooth car. To add some interest, I’m re-making the spring and latch hold downs for the body panels. Started by opening up and reshaping the recessed slots. The body will be thinned and a piece of plastic added on the inside. Then a spring and some kind of latch. Also, the sides of the 2E interior needed reshaped, now to add some rivet detail, switches and a dash.

As said, any vinyl accessories need to be scratch built, there’s no drilling holes in the stuff. I turned a couple of oil filters and added them to the firewall. Also cut away a few already installed vinyl lines and replaced them. I’m starting to really like these resin fittings! I wanted ti put the McLaren aside for a bit and work on another car, but this is becoming an obsession, really enjoying it.

I’m with Greg, I have 3 main ones now. But maybe a dozen on the shelves 3/4 or more finished, I’ll get to them…….yep, I will!

Ismael, what you have done with this kit is amazing. I can really appreciate your attention to detail on the body. A badly prepared body can ruin an otherwise good kit. But you had a great amount of preparation on this printed body. The final result will be something to be proud of, I’m sure. Thanks for sharing with us.

Beautiful work! Everything is so crisp, it could pass for a 1:1

Best to stick your hand out the window: if it's wet, it’s raining if it’s white: it’s snowing if it’s hot… well, you get the picture

This looks perfect! Well done.

I have an update (and a small tutorial) on the cars. My order came for Top Studio fittings and braided line. I started the install and painting, quickly found that it’s better to paint them first while on the trees. These are resin fittings and were first coated with Vallejo silver. Next went the blue and red. I found it’s better to wet your brush often so it thins the paint a bit. The anodizing looks more convincing. Finally a gloss clear coat. Initially I was going to leave the previously installed vinyl lines alone, but the contrast between the two was too great. I will be replacing them. But you can’t drill a hole in vinyl, it closes up immediately. So plastic blocks and filters need to be made, you can see a couple I’ve done so far. Please ask any questions because even though they look different from the metal fittings, I believe this is a viable alternative. A lot less expensive and much less fiddling. This project will be put aside for a bit to rest my eyes and to make some progress on the Chaparral.

Bob, just this year I did buy a couple plastic boxes with dividers, like you I put a tag with each item as to where I bought it. Need to go further, but it’s a start.

Hey Bruce, the build turned out beautiful! Glad I could help.

Jim, we all try to keep that promise, it lasts for a while. However, as I get older, I’m getting rid of those older less detailed kits. Keeping the higher quality ones.

Every time I send for something I need, I keep searching till I add those needless items.

Nice clean build. Looks like something I’d see on the road back in my 20’s.

Pierre, your attention to detail is incredible! The “Salt Rat” effect you were after came out perfect! I like all kinds of building techniques, but the weathered/rusted look is right on top. My compliments!

The scribe line is perfect! Nice.

I like detailing, engines, interiors, the bottom of the chassis. But mostly being here. Seeing everyone's work and I’m really in my glory when someone compliments mine! lol

Number one, hands down: loosing that miniature part on the floor!!! You know exactly where it fell, then after 1/2 hour, you find it 6 feet away.

Not the actual car, but this was it, $125.00. With a 283, and stock hubcaps.

This is what I found Greg, hope it helps. If you need more conformation, I can dig out the kits and look for you.

ARII Chaparral 2C, IMC/Union interior, HRM wheels/tires. Checking the fit of all parts, now on to the body work!

The IMC/Union interior is a great improvement. Perhaps you can find a junker at a decent price. good luck

DW, read Pierre’s response below. It’s pretty spot on with the b/w photos I have. Looks like the black material on the driver’s seat was duct taped on.

Hey Dan, What you’re showing is a 2A. The 2C went to an aluminum monocoque, thus the lower half was painted white. But the pictures you sent will be a great reference when I do my 2A. many thanks

Ok, the 2C had an aluminum monocoque chassis, so this I will paint aluminum. My reference photos show the seat area as “dark” (black and white). I will follow your suggestions, brown with black padding, which in the photo looked pretty basic. Thanks!

Thank you, I printed a picture of your work to have as a model when I do mine.