stump

Al, that is looking sweeeet-as mate. Excellent work. The Cammer appears to be a resin unit....is it one you have modified into a Cammer.....? Look forward to seeing the final results man.

Thanks Derrick. She's getting a spell while I work on others at the moment.

Cato, this is brilliant. LOVE the "stand" idea......would never have even give that a second thought.......very clever. The hoses look fantastic, as does the whole build mate. I wish I was a quicker builder.... I would be right in the mix beside you. But if I start mine now, my other projects will probably fall by the wayside...

Don, what a fantastic offer, and a true enticement for us "other scale" builders. I already have two of your very exquisite 1/8 turbos... (for use on two 1/12 scale builds..) so I know the quality. What I would really like to see is a few dedicated 1/12 scale options. I'm sure the market would jump at them... Maybe some of the Holley carburettors (already made by you in 1/8)...especially a Dominator style.....oh yeah. The Chev BB engine kit you make in 1/8 would also be a welcome addition in 1/12, as the only one available (for swaps into a Camaro) is in a Corvette kit. Wheels and tyres would also rate high on my wish list..... I'm sure I could think of lots of other stuff too, but don't wish to clutter you too much.

Thanks Dave. Yes.....she will be getting the treatment. I've actually separated the front fenders from the body..................................oops. You know that feeling you get as you make the last cut....??? Should I be doing this.......???? I will make it a "full open" job.....doors, boot (trunk) etc... The hood and trunk will be easy actually, as they both get held in place by hood pins. Been scouring through photos to see what I need to fabricate.....quite a lot missing once you lop the fenders off....... Mating it all back together is a hurdle I will have to cross once I get there.. I have almost got the firewall where I need it, just a few small holes to make. It has been glued to the main floor/chassis. From below, I have filled the voids left by the front chassis removal...no putty or smoothing as yet. I've started on the "missing" lower extremities of the firewall/chassis. The mounting pads for the chassis rails are started. I will blend it all with putty once both sides are done. No pic of the fenderless body yet......not till I sort it out.................. More soon guys cheers Greg

Mate....I rather think you ARE doing the kit justice. ;) Excellent details, and great reference pics too if I may add...(I'm saving them too, hope you don't mind... ) Really like the way you dropped the ride height, as I'm not a fan of high race cars either...I'll be using your idea on mine. (when I get started. )

Can't go wrong with Kenny (KDog) at Bandit Resins. Super guy making superb resin parts.

Thanks Cato. Man, I have too many big kits going as it is...... but I'll see if I can accommodate that thought soon mate. Thank you too Derrick. More soon.......

Thanks Romell. Mate, the triple carbs come in the Safari version of the Datsun. They fit on the standard head motor, same side as the stock "twin carb" set-up. The twin-cam head is what I scratch-built. The triples mount on the opposite side of it.

I followed a similar line to what Steve did too. My chassis was based on a '71 Charger, but I made the full rear section from scratch. A lot of work, but the result was pleasing. It was a labour of love, as I wanted a 'Cuda which was much more accurate than what was available over the shop counter. The full build process shows most of the work required. Cuda build-up Hope this helps some too. cheers Greg

Thanks Len. They are one of my favs too...next to the '70 of course. Just added chassis pics to my album. Showing beside an un-modified chassis. I'll be using the two combined to make mine. Front chassis removed...... And started the firewall mods. From photos I've seen, the car was ordered "heater and wiper delete".....??? Details are very hard to find. I'm gluing orange kit sprue in the heater hose holes, as they need to move down slightly...as does the heater location. Holes for the heater and wiper are being made 'open' and will get an aluminium sheet bolted on to cover them. It will all be sprayed in semi-gloss black. As I mentioned, details on this car are tough to find.... the guys who own such vehicles are quite closed about who and where they share info, and I can't blame them for that. A mate at a Baldwin forum shared some pics he had, but they are still similar to the half dozen floating around the net..... Hopefully they will get me through.... IF.....anyone has seen this car in the flesh and managed to get pics...?? I would be eternally grateful for any you wish to share...http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_smile.png' alt=':)'> Email direct to Greg More soon guys cheers Greg

Well....my strong Muscle car urges have drawn me back to this build....needed something to give me a break from the Datto's...... Been so much happening to this so far.....and no pics to support it. I just could not get happy with the direction the tunnel-ram was taking, so I have completely cut it up to make my own..... The main top plenum will still be used, though modified quite a bit. The base (valley) has been re-made longer and wider. New ribs added. The intake runners I tried re-aligning to no avail, so I am making complete new ones of those....Pics as it gets closer to reality. Also have the front chassis rails cut from the floor pan. These will be modified to more closely resemble a 1:1. The rear trunk floor is also up for some cutting. Ok, what I do have is pics of the rear diff assembly....I have drilled it through, following the removal of the molded axle tubes. I inserted a metal tube, and fitted plastic tube over this. This will allow easy addition of suspension details. A new set of spring perch mounts are on the bench, as I wasn't overly happy with this set I made....they look a tad large. And the monsterous hood scoop which adorned the hood is started.... More soon guys...... cheers Greg

Thanks so much Romell, Fred and Derrick.. My humble apologies for the lateness (read = slackness...) in replies...... I have this motor almost ready for install now....The leads were my biggest headache...fourth attempt was successful. Linkages are complete and the whole thing will just require some touch-ups and a final wash with thinned black before she goes in. Here's where we're at....... The main reason for the Datto's slowing down is that I have also resurrected an old build..... I'm back at the bench on my 69 Baldwin Camaro. A very long way to go....ALL of the work I had started is getting re-made....... Stay tuned. Cheers guys Greg

Cheers Romell. Checked out your Chev....... Thats KOOL..... Love the 1:1 too. Well, I spent most of the weekend working on a fuel delivery system.......or carburettors. I had been putting this off, as I knew what would be involved.......and I was right. I am now totally bald and feel like an eighty year old...... A little build up......................... The linkages were all made from flattened .5mm solder, then cut and trimmed to shape. Holes were tapped to accept some gorgeous RBMotion ball-joint hardware. The main linkage rail is supported on 3 x Tuner model factory eye bolts. linkage arms are also drilled, flattened .5mm solder and more RBMotion ball joints. The triple carbs received holes for the linkage and fuel inlets prior to painting. They were sprayed with a gun-metal base coat, followed by champagne gold. I will add the connecting linkage through the week...... And I made a new set of plug leads. The first set were not adequate....... That's where we're at for now......with some spare time, I should get this part finalised sometime this week. cheers guys Greg

Well, to be totally honest.....I think it stinks................................ That you can be so dang GREAT ! Romell, what an absolute joy to watch. I've just spent the best part of an hour going thru the whole build. FANtastic work. B) Your attention to detail and scratch building are super. The suspension and chassis is a work of art......well able to stand alone. I too am now a "follower"......and please accept my apology for not spotting this earlier... I rarely browse the smaller stuff these days. That NEEDS to change. Keep it up man, you're on a winner.....with your 1:1 as well. cheers Greg

That would be my ultimate choice of direction too..... Though I could also be easily persuaded to go full Pro Stock....(aka, Sox & Martin ) Anybody interested in a stash of 1/12 kits....?? I NEED one of these beasties.....

Thanks Cato....I wish it was that easy. Been working on these Z's so long now, I'm scared if I stop, I may not get back to them...... :lol: I LOVE your tip on the tiny toggle switches too.....pretty sure I can find some small pins around here..... Syd, maybe just a different shade of black for the round vents...?? A semi-gloss may do the trick. Nice progress so far mate.

:lol: WOW ! Dave, super work.......just SUPER. (man, I gotta get into this 1/8 stuff.... )

Great work so far. You're are doing a fabulous job on restoring this, best of luck with completion. :lol: The new wheels are a work of art.

Thanks George, Romell and Skip. Romell and Skip, Yeah, as George mentioned, there is not a hole lot out there for the bigger scales. Probably more for 1/8 than 1/12 these days.... Aside from the wheels/tyres I made, I haven't given thought to trying to master other bits..... A mate in the U.S. is currently popping a 1/12 turbo and some assorted pieces for himself and me......I don't know that he's given thought to production though.

Yes, I believe the quality of the parts (and accuracy) is way behind even the Tamiya's of the day....but I would still give my first borne for a 69 Vette in 1/12 scale..... NOT having seen a Bandai in the flesh (plastic), I am pretty sure the Monogram Vette chassis could be adapted for greater accuracy....?? I would love to try at least....Per-leeeeaze Mr Bandai.

Ahah....I had no idea what those boxes were....... I shall be leaving my "luggage" at home when I build mine in that case..... Great work by BOTH of you guys.....I want to start mine now, but have too many on the go now, and limited bench space.

Hey, thanks George, Rodney and Dell. Now Dell, I wouldn't do that to you guys...................... .................................................. Cheers mate. Ok....well, believe it or not, actually done a little, back on the blue car. Been messing with the ride height again, as I wanted it to squat a bit more................. The front will come down a couple more mm's, I just need to finish re-radius(ing..?) the original wheel openings some more. Making them bigger.... The lowering procedure went pretty smooth by all accounts.....easier than I thought it was going to be. The rear shock/struts have approx 7mm of solid plastic at their base, so I cut and removed 5mm from the length. I then placed a sleeve over the new join to give it back some strength... This pic shows the two black marks I used as a guide to my cut. (right hand unit) Sleeve in place. The front units were no harder, just different. There was not sufficient plastic to allow a simple cut'n'shut like the rears, so I simply moved the brake assembly up the strut. Too easy...... And finally..................a T E A S E R for you....... Yes, this is #3................... You get the idea now that I like these........ This one is still a loooooooong way down the track, but as soon as it arrived, I had to "test fit" the new power plant......... More soon guys, and thanks for watching. cheers Greg

Best of luck with this one Syd. You're in the right spot for some fantastic advice here, no doubt. :) I shall be following Cato's advise and researching thoroughly before I start mine, thanks Cato. It's on the "to do" list.

Surely the fact that 1/12 is still a popular size these days...... ......I know, not as popular as 1/25-1/24..................... Paul, I'm right up there with you mate, this would be the last kit required for me to feel my collection is complete. I've chased down maybe 6 over the last 4 years surfing ebay.....missed out every time. Plus the fact (in my experience) that the 1/12 section on ebay has boomed in the last year or two. Influenced largely by motorbike kits, but also a lot of re-issues from Tamiya (autos)... Their big Porsche kits being the latest I would think.....or maybe F1......(not really my main interest...) But I would hope (and we live in hope, don't we..?? ) that maybe Bandai see the light and realise an opportunity to help out the modelling culture of today. Maybe we need to hit them with a petition.....?? Send them hundreds of emails.......???