Lunajammer

This is the kind of stuff that really turns my crank. I'm just too dumb to come up with it myself. Coincidentally, I'm working on a mash-up right now, the details of which shall remain silent until I'm confident it will gain any momentum. Keep going, I'll be watching.

This was probably the most relaxing model I've built in years. Fitting the LT5 into it was an easy upgrade that any novice could enjoy. At the back of the tranny, the chassis needs to be ground away from a crossmember to get the transmission to settle down, but it's a scar that isn't visible. Otherwise, the engine fits itself, sits level and doesn't interfere with the hood on the top side. There's a little fuss with the plumbing at the front but it's nothing a couple simple cuts can't fix. Steel rims were home cast resin and I found suitable tires from my parts box. The selection of beautifully pad printed white wall tires that come with the kit were too nice for this project. Some light wash in select areas and a little pastel dusting on the body, chassis and engine brings it all to life. Edited 19 hours ago by Lunajammer

In the movie, a sign ends up through the windshield, but that didn't seem practical for a cross country race. But at this point in the film the rally rims have been replaced and the steel rims are apparent.

Body painted. I'd like to see a tick more brown but despite the lighting here, this Rustoleum color is pretty close. I added the dent in the front fender as seen in the screenshot below. This is the paint I used. Slow to dry, but in a can, this was the closest I could find. The spray can color looks more accurate than the screenshots imply. Here the interior is mostly done. The movie clearly shows a filthy dusty interior, so I grunged it up with pastels. Printing wood paneling on white decal paper is troublesome as the printing always chips at the edges when trimming. The way to go is decal printed on clear over a painted light surface. Clear epoxy was added to the gauge faces. The kit shifter is a chrome blob so I'll add something later.

As a matter of record I'm compiling this WIP thread of the build I did for this years Cannonball Run CBP to spare viewers from pooling through 22-pages of mixed projects. The theme is movie cars, but prepared as coast to coast trophy dashers. Early in the film, Dalton (Patrick Swazye) buys the car off a lot, then loads up on spare wheels, which we later learn is because they are prone to getting slashed by roughnecks trying to intimidate him. Only it won't be running a "4BRL." But the kit V-8 is being replaced by this Corvette LT5 that I picked up from a vendor at NNL North a few years ago and has been clunking around looking for a project. I've got to hand it to Round 2, they've really cleaned up these old kits. Parting lines are minimal and fit is very good. So after an evening of clean up, I started dry fitting. It all fit so well I just kept going until all the major parts were in place. Chassis was primed with rust colored primer then given a liberal wash of Vallejo black model wash straight from the bottle with a thick brush. I started using the wrong wash product at the back of the chassis, that's why it's pretty dense. Using reference pics from the net, I used Adobe Illustrator to help make detail decals for the dash. Rather than redraw the console radio, vent and air controls, I just cut and pasted photos of the faces into the space. The gauges are vector drawn. Not accurate but I made them bold so when shrunk down you can still make them out a little. Side trim panels are redrawn and vector.

Dalton's 1965 Riviera from the movie Road House. Early in the movie it has typical Buick rally wheels, but after getting slashed Dalton runs on replacement tires with steel rims. That's the version I've built here. Rustoleum Dark Cherry paint. Home cast resin rims on parts box tires. Corvette LT5 engine. BMF. Interior trim and gauges designed in Adobe Illustrator, laser printed decals. Weathered and dusted with washes and pastels.

I just came across this Gareth while I was researching my next project. You did such a great job it sort of humbles me about my project. Thanks for the tips about the fit issues. While dry fitting I was kind discovering some incongruities around the dash and windscreen so I'll refer to your notes when I get there.

Jeff Healy played at our city blues fest twice and for as many years as I've attended I managed to miss those dates.

The nice thing is it lets a cool looking camera be out where people can see it and still serve a utilitarian purpose.

Well folks, it's last call at the Double Deuce and Jeff Healy is off to that great blues fest in the sky. Dalton's 65 "Road House" Riviera is ready to head to California. This was probably the most relaxing model I've built in years. Fitting the LT5 into it was an easy upgrade that any novice could enjoy. Steel rims were home cast resin with parts box tires. Some light wash in select areas and a little pastel dust and bingo!

Did the interiors come with them?

Flat out brutal Tom. You know what the stance reminds me of...?

The last two years I've been exercising Herculean strength in not buying kits. Buying a kit makes me feel like I'm being an enabler to my own weaknesses. Not attending any swaps this year has been a big help.

Stop! It's making me dizzy. What a fun thread. Sorry I missed it first time around too. Just the thought of making it all work and having it come out like it was nothing is mind boggling. Gold stars for the engine and interior too.

Tim, the story is as inspiring as it is sad. Modeling can be so personal. A wonderful tribute. The model is jaw-dropping, and with good pics it's one of those posts where I spend a little extra time just adding up all the detail you and Eric put into it, hoping to learn something. Really glad you shared this.

You captured the nostalgia perfectly. Not sure I've seen a '51 done this way. Makes me want to watch old black & white movies. ?

The 2021 Cannonball Ruse.

Heh-heh, touche' ?. But that's a good pic anyway, because it shows the steel rims, which is the time version I'm building. Earlier in the flick the ralleye rimmed tires got slashed and were replaced with the steelies that Dalton (Swayze) picked up here...

But the devil is in the details, ain't it Bruce? No worries, I've got some time off next week, that ought to be enough. Anthony, that Camaro is stunning, it really is. Looking forward to more pics.

Where the Road House Riv sits for now.

Oh Steeeve! I'm crestfallen that the whole front end didn't make it to the body. Would've been a bunch of work, but it would be jazzy!

A great display of model building knowledge, from resources, technique, talent and knowledge of subject. Bravo.

Such a cool piece. Love the engine with the carb set up. I've got a couple in my parts box that go unused because nothing seems good enough for them.

One of the first movies to bring back 3D in 1981. I never walk out of a movie I paid for, so I suffered in some sort of continuum where time and space stood still while I languished in a vortex of boredom until the gods released me. I think the entire budget went into the poster, the movie shot for free.