DEL

Here are pics. Almost done, hope to finish over the holidays & get out to Greg. Hope ya'll like it.. Happy Holidays!

Crankenstein, thanks for the good words. Mr. ChrisB, thank you for the interior pics I DID need those, I still have to modify the dash to create that exact dash you have right there. It's the one that was usually found in the police & base offerings. I used to own three Can-Ams and two 4dr LeMans Enforcers but some of my digital pics from back then got 'ate-en' :-( Mr. Ron, thanks for the tips. getting those sculpted body welt lines on this model have been a total PITA. They are'nt very pronounced on the 1:1. I have access to another Can Am and visited it regularly for more pics and to check everything I could. If you have any suggestions as to how better to achieve it I am always open to learning a new techniqe. On the trunk/rear slope, I have had heck with that C-piller/slope. I've used about 75 different pics to try and get the angle just right. It's super sloped in every pic I have. I also cut the rear half off once to raise it and get the angle a bit steeper rather than the longer angle it had, and shortened the trunk area. But it is still quite sloped. As you have probably surmised I used the old JoHan 75 Olds Cutlass kit to build this since it, the LeMans, the Buick Regal and the Chevy Monte Carlo of the day all used the GM A-body platform. So this model's dimensions fit exactly inside the ones that were already laid out on the Cutlass. With the exception of a light stretch of the body & frame to achieve the difference of 116" of the 4dr vs the 112" of the 2dr, everything fits perfectly and the wheels are perfectly situated in the center of the wheel well openings. I know it's not micrometer exact, but for a model in the works since 2011, and since I work for a parish, as the old saying goes, 'close enough for gov't work'. I did not, however, have the exact side pic of the 4dr that you provided and I will use it to go back and check it to see if anything further can be done without wrecking it for another year. I thank you ALL for your input and suggestions! Here are two pics just for back and forth comparison's sakes. I modified the screen grab pic of the Alabama HP Enforcer to show where I think the B & A pillers are. The pic of my model is not the exact same angle in that it's turned a bit more to the left and you can see a bit more of it's side. Perhaps it even messes with the perspective of the angle slope. I dunno. But I WILL be re-checking everything. Thanks again to all..

FINALLY... REALLY ... pretty much done with this model. I solemnly promise. I am sorry I do not have fresh pics to show if I can i will post some tomorrow or by the weekend. It has been rough re-doing the interior tub to fit nicely with the door tops, and making the two steering wheels & columns for each the 88-89 & then the 90-91 CVPI. Door rear view mirrors and a hood ornament has been made. The toughest part at this point is the window glass, windshield rear door side glass and rear window. I have made it two ways and will leave the caster (Greg W ) to decide which one goes. A fabricated glass 'shell' that can be cast in clear, or using inset grooves clear windows cut from sheet styrene by pattern can be inserted. I'm not trying to tease. I just know there have been a few good diehard modelers waiting to hear something and it's been awhile. On a personal note, my mom became terminally ill over the summer and passed away this fall. So my time on this project & others has been greatly inhibited. But, in the meantime, along with this one, there is the 77 Pontiac LeMans Enforcer project I have over on the Workbench Forum if any readers are interested in that project. New pics have been posted and it is also in its (finally) finishing stages. If you like, have a look over there till I get new pics here. Thanks to all who waited.. Tomorrow, hopefully.

Update: Almost finally done with my project. I have some details to finish, door handles, door mirrors, & chrome grille/boxes for the tailights. Also the rear bumper shrouds, Pontiac "V"s on the front peak and trunk lid, and I think that will finish it. Please have a look and see if it passes muster with those that like this car. (I even put the bolt heads in the plain steel bumpers that the 1/1 cars sport) Happy Holidays, All!!

And thank you sir for the kind words. I try...... (and obsess myself) it's why all my masters take years. I am NOT boasting, just exposing my fear of rejection.

Oops. That is what I had wanted to do to start with but I couldn't find any good donor buckets with clear lenses to incorporate. SO, like so many model grilles out there i made them so they would be cast with the grille and thus be chromed with the grille as well.. Hmm. We need to talk. It would not be hard for me to remove them again, I just need those donor lenses & buckets to build into the grille. It's HARD to find lenses on almost any model that look accurate in the engraving of their fluting & lines. I wound up using the ones from the MPC 76 Chevy Caprice because I thought they were most accurate but sadly they are not clear lenses. They're chromed. I'll call you soon..

Well, I think I am finally done with it. Got the headlight lenses installed in the grille buckets or "doors", and the park light lenses were made as well. They don't show in this pic but they exist.. Now time to talk to Greg..

What he said. I know exactly what you're going through Greg. I went into the ER last December doubled over with stomach pain. They didn't locate that but while x-raying in the vicinity saw something else and wanted to CT scan my right kidney as well. I had a 4 CM mass on my right kidney. Since they had to pretty much do the same to biopsy or remove they went ahead with the latter. So that knocked me out last Feb-Mar. Fortunately it was benign. I never drank or smoked or took any drug of any sort, but I do like my sweet tea and Dr. Pepper. I used to be better at controlling my intake but it's really not much more now. Still... Turns out my 24 year old niece has a large one on one of hers. Just ignoring it because it's just a water cyst. Anyway, I will talk to you shortly one to one and I will have you in my prayers as always. I am confidant all will be well in the end. Take care of yourself..

Hey Greg. Family issues have encroached and caused a delay in my building. My mom is now terminally ill. Not excusing myself at all just saying my normal rate of snail like pace has been dealt a bit of a body blow. That aside I really have to say the car is virtually done. I did the park lights up front separately so they can be cast clear and remain so or be made orange for the 88-89 versions. What I am doing now is fitting headlights into it. That will conclude it. I know I have said I would call you and I will pretty soon. Just bear with me a bit more. Thank you for asking.. D

I noticed that myself subsequent to the pics you see. Rest easy, it's already been done. Final pics to come when I finish the H/Lights and park lights up front.

Thanks friends.. Here are a few comparison shots plus a couple that shows how it will assemble promo-style with four point contact screws. Eliminating the need for crypto-cyo-cryanulates (wTf?!) superglues as it were and the inherent problems that resin has in assembly should hopefully be a welcome different kind of modeling experience (?) peruse at your leisure.. Thanks again...

Some of my scratchbuilt stuff. In addition to the actual cars themselves I build all the attendant accessories from scratch as well. The following 78 Ford LTD 460 Interceptor is completely scratchbuilt, as are the comm console on the seat, the cage, standing shotgun rack, TwinSonic lightbar, Jabsco overhead remote spot and Taylor Buddy Bumpers up front. My first 'labor of love' so to speak.. Built a Whelen 8000 lightbar with overhead remote spot from scratch for my 82 Diplomat LSP, seat console and map light, and bumpbars Bumpars & lightbar installed: FS Mod. Seat Console Controler & map light: Jabsco spot, and Console, installed: FS 1/24 TwinSonic build: Rotaters (made from scrap box) & Mirrors (from thin aluminum cans) Superglued to base Make lenses from sheet styreen, one panel at a time, glue OUTSIDE the corner edges, prim and carefully sand to square/ Use .05 sheet to make speaker cover, then Bare Metal Foil. Tamiya Cl. Blue, install, wire up and enjoy the light show! No wait, it's not real.

Close to DONE final update pics. Got the moldings all back on, tailights detailed, small crown & ford badges, added a front bumper lic plate bracket and had to do a bit of mods to the interior tub.(I even made a hood ornament but forgot to include it.) But I mean it when I 'm finally ready to say this is it. It's as close as I can get on this one. I've learned a lot and it will all help me with the other incarnations. Oh, BTW: I scratchbuilt a Whelen edge 9000 just for kicks to have something to display with it. Hope ya'll like it. D

Bingo!

Oh, and another sneak peek of a little thing I'm working on... here's a hint: I got this from a complete glossary of Sylvester Stallone/Rambo speeches and catchphrases: in other words a 3X5 index card with the word "Yo" printed on it...

One quick update.. I had to tear it up a bit AGAIN.. The wheel well openings were too 'tight' on the tires and the C-Pillar rake was still wrong. It stood up too straight and less fastback slope. I have a computer with two screens. Back a week ago I had brought pics of it to post.but before I did d before I did I put a side view pic of the model on one screen and a side view pic of the a 1:1 CVPI on the second screen. The n I did that thing like the old cartoons when I wa a kid where you had two pics and you looked for the added or deleted things.. Back and forth back and forth ... That's when I saw those items and I could not leave it be. (Posted pics below for you to see what I mean..) I'm sorry it's still taking time but I want it to be able to sit on the shelf with your styrene offerings and not look too out of place. Anyway, I do hope to trim it out and finish it this long weekend as all the hard bodywork is DONE...

I am slow. Sadly, sickly slow. I'm NOT proud of it. I just am. the only good thing about that is by the time I'm finalizing the obvious stuff really sticks out to be addressed. I guess those makerbots will put a stop to all this scratch building nonsense before much longer. Still i do enjoy the proces even if I get tikked at myself for dragging..

Thanks guys. Working late at night and feverishly. even neglecting the yard work!! Hope to have a couple of other things to show soon as well. Stay tuned..

First of all: No shaker for Justice. Mostly those were fake-o four screw holes drilled through the hood non operating J.C. Whitney junk. Looked kinda cool from a distance on the Mississippi HP squads. In one scene from the driver's seat you can see daylight all around the base of the 'shaker" First of all I too want to say I have had the same sentiment towards the model companies. Seems like they always only want to focus on two door sport cars or MAYBE a pickup truck here and there. When I was a kid about 11 or so I wrote Revell (I think) and asked them to do a more modern copcar. Got back a letter that more or less said THEY chose what to model and did not need any input from a snot nosed brat. Never forgot that. I mean it really did have a snide tone to it. Their subsequent monetary troubles and sale to...AMT? I dunno, but it gave me no less than a good gloat. Like you I have pointed out their blindness for anything other than camaro's, firebirds & mustangs ad nauseum but if that wasn't bad enough, you had to wade through a different offering of each of those each model year, from every one of the model companies out there!! God I hated them all for that. Would it kill them do do a good four door family car as they used to do the Lincoln continental annuals each years? Guess so. They killed that off even around 1970 I think. To all that asked about scratchbuilding, I'm afraid it is simply not as simple as mating this half a model to another half, if I read that correctly. First you need to find the nearest styrene kit to use as a donor. It's best if there is already a two door version of the car you want but barring that a near sibling helps and is better than total scratch. Remember that in the 70's, there were many cars that were the same under the sheet metal. Wheelbase, dimensions etc. As in the Buick Regal,Olds Cutlass, Chevy Monte Carlo and the Pontiac LeMans. SO I want to build a LeMans the nearest commercial modeled sibling was the JoHan Olds Cutlass 73-75 versions. They are 2drs but you have to stretch the body and the frame. Do you're homework on wheelbases and get a good 1:1 - 1/24 or 1/25 conversion ruler. Use Evergreen styrene to stretch the frame first to a 4dr chassis and then the body itself. Re-work the body lines from the 2 to the 4 doors. Oh, and stretch the interior tub as well. And it may be just me but I search for and copy off the net whatever I',m building. I need pics of it from every conceivable angle for reference. If I can get access to a real one I spend a good while measuring every body panel top to bottom, & width. Use the ruler to transfer and work slow. Feel free unlike me to spend less than a decade tho! The final body sculpting for me is done using 1:1 tube body spot air dry body putty from PPG. It has tolulene as a base so it 'melts into the styrene and gives the catalyzed body putty (the good stuff) a chance to grab on better. If you put the catalyzed stuff directly to styrene it eventrually WILL pop loose or crack PPG non catalyzed air dry spot filler is great for a start and try to do as much in styrene as possible. Putty is easy but it shrinks and has other problems if used thickly. About all I can think of really More pics coming SOON. Thank you one and all!

Yes! As well as each of the other incarnations of the 79-91 box body Panther platform in due time. I HOPE to do at least one of each of the big 3's four door police offerings from 71-91. Hope hope hope. Some are already in the pipeline. Baked in the cake. frigged in the pudding (?!) not sure on that last one, but I'm sure they used it on one of the current news shows. The folks that love creating new euphemisms over just saying something simple like... it's coming... D.

Hello Doctor Larry, Nice to meet you. A very nice version you have there. Do you have any pics of one built up? I'd really like to see that if you do. Did you extend the frame as well? I bet it took you a lot less time than me. I'm ashamed to say I've been working on this one since 2009. I have a little cat that was born the month I started it. She's getting OLD..

Thanks Tom! Hey Greg! I tried to call you a while back to catch up but I missed you. The last six months have been busy and very unfun. If I haven't had a health issue someone else in my family did but I have been steadily grinding away at it. They found a something by accident in December that had to be surgurated out in February so I was down and out for some time. Still some of the recuperation time helped the overall projects. There's this 91 that's the main thing I'm trying to knock out, then the 77 LeMans Enforcer over on the Workbench forum, plus a 73 Chevy Bel Air 4dr and a 77 LTD II all in various stages. Hopefully this one will be done soon. Soon soon.

Another project I am working on simultaneously with my 91 Ford LTD Crown Victoria P71. A 76-77 Pontiac LeMans Enforcer, or in other words, Sheriff Buford T. Justice's ride. :-) Also used by many other dept.'s across the country including my buddy Bill in DFW who is waiting oh, so patiently for this one. So I THINK I am finally getting past the 80% mark. Apologies for the pics. My regular camera died, and I don't know much about adjusting the controls of my video cam that also takes pics but here are a few of it as best I could get. On top of it all they removed my fav. pic grooming program as well from my 'puter. Still a bit rough, but almost ready for drip moldings, trim, tail lights and other fine details and then it will be done. At least to me. Feel free to criticize & point out deficiencies, and thanks for stopping by..

Well, here's a couple of pics of where I am at. The majority is done. Though I admit I keep seeing.. stuff. to do. I got intricate on some of the other details, raised the roofline, thinned out the A pillars, corrected C pillar angle, and a couple of other tiny details. Screech if you see something off.

Dirkpitt: it is actually a Motormax Diecast 1/24 1986 Dodge Diplomat Salon, in plain white I bought some time back. Other colors are available on Ebay as well. It may also be available from some of the diecast sellers still too. I didn't really want to use the diecast as I feel it has somewhat of a 'toylike' appearance rather than that of a scale model. I had built myself a scratchbuilt Diplomat some years ago using the old MPC 1978 Roadrunner kit, but I never got around to replicating it so I just did this quick diecast. Pics of my scratchbuilt 82-84 Diplomat attached just for giggles. One of these days I'm going to copy it. Till then I'll just content myself with this one.