GlueTube Posted August 27, 2015 Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) I decided to build a collection of sports racing cars. Specifically those that competed in endurance events. Le Mans being the big daddy was the event to focus on, especially because of the wide variety of cars, characters, and stories. This decision to build this collection came in 1997 and was inspired by at story appearing in an issue of VETTE magazine. That story was off a Corvette that raced at Le Mans wearing Ferrari livery! Anyone who knows of Enzo Ferrari’s single mindedness will understand that this is great story and should research it. The famous N.A.R.T. Vette was to be the first build in my new themed collection. However it did not turn out be the first (the first car is featured in the diorama section) due to the time and effort it took to round up the appropriate kits and decals. (pre-Revellogram Greenwood Vette) My 17 year odyssey follows: The inspiration, the story from Vette magazine and the kits used to build the model. Edited August 27, 2015 by GlueTube spelling and image issue
GlueTube Posted August 27, 2015 Author Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) The Owens Corning Vette was chosne for the flares and roll cage. First photo shows the body with the front and rear flares. The rears from the previously mentioned Owens Corning Vette kit and the fronts were formed from Evergreen Rod filled with Squadron putty. The second photo shows the headlamp buckets roughed in. The third photo presents the gas filer hole and more rear flare detail Edited August 27, 2015 by GlueTube spelling
ProStreetOnTheStrip Posted August 27, 2015 Posted August 27, 2015 Man, if only I could do work like that, nice job!
Speedfreak Posted August 27, 2015 Posted August 27, 2015 Very cool, I'll be watching. I watch endurance racing, and , love the sounds of them Corvettes!
GlueTube Posted August 28, 2015 Author Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) The interior tub is done. Roll bar is modified into a cage using the Owens kit piece and Evergreen rod. Harness buckles are Detail Master. The spare is from the parts box. Switches and lights on console are scratch built using Grandt Line rod. Gauges are decals with Micro Clear. Photo one a frontal view Photo two is console detail Photo three is gauge detail Photo Four is a overall top view Edited August 28, 2015 by GlueTube spelling
superbike-shaun Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 Now this has got to be an interesting,,,,,,,, very interesting story! Great scratchbuilding so far! Shaun.s
Speedfreak Posted August 29, 2015 Posted August 29, 2015 Very nice Brian. that seat belt hardware looks real, best I've seen I think. What did you use for the belts? They look good as well. Thanks.
GlueTube Posted August 29, 2015 Author Posted August 29, 2015 SpeedFreak,I used wine bottle top lead foil, an old figure builders trick. It cuts nice and holds its shape. Very tough to find these days. Fortunately I have a good supply of wine bottle tops! Thanks for the kind words everyone. RegardsBrian
Speedfreak Posted August 29, 2015 Posted August 29, 2015 Thanks Brian, so you used wine bottle top foil for the belts? Did you have to do anything to 'dull' it?
GlueTube Posted August 29, 2015 Author Posted August 29, 2015 Yea. Humbrol paints. Black, then dry brushed with Field Gray. Brian
Speedfreak Posted August 29, 2015 Posted August 29, 2015 Nice work, they look really good. It looks like some kind of woven material, amazing.
James2 Posted August 30, 2015 Posted August 30, 2015 That's a lot of detail in a small place, Very nice...
Ace-Garageguy Posted August 30, 2015 Posted August 30, 2015 Loving it so far. Flares and details look great. Thanks for callin' 'em "flares" and not "flairs", too.
GlueTube Posted September 1, 2015 Author Posted September 1, 2015 Fuel Cell details. The fuel cell area was carved out of the rear chassis area. The cell itself made from Evergreen sheet. The frame from square and rectangular Evergreen bar stock. A direct side view showing the rear wheel. Regards Brian Kroon
GlueTube Posted September 3, 2015 Author Posted September 3, 2015 Today some engine and chassis progress! This is an overall view of the chassis. Here we are looking at the scratch built oil cooler that sits in front of he radiator. I believe the mesh used is Detail Master P.E. as are the fittings. The fittings are painted with Tamiya colors.
GlueTube Posted September 3, 2015 Author Posted September 3, 2015 Purists will note the incorrect orange engine block. I happen to think it adds color...so there Seriously though I knew it should have been aluminum but wasn't thinking. My bad. Note the front end sits lower than the kit does in stock form. I added .040 to the length of the steering knuckles in effect lowering the ride height. The brake disks are Detail Master while the calipers are scratch built from sheet Evergreen. Fog Lamps are scratch built from Evergreen sheet stock. Next more body shots...... Regards Brian Kroon
afx Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 A neat tip a friend of mine showed me to recreate the gasket around the air cleaner is a rubber O-ring you can find in the plumbing department of your local hardware store. You have to do a little work on the under hood plenum to get the hood to fully close but I think it looks good. Here it is on my OC Vette.
om617 Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Coming along nicely. Those fog/driving lights are awsome.
GlueTube Posted September 4, 2015 Author Posted September 4, 2015 Neat trick JC! Next time I'm in the hardware store I give the O rings the once over. Nice work on the OC Vette. RegardsBrian
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