69 COPO Nova (UPDATE - COMPLETED & UNDER GLASS 1-5-17)

[James2]

Great looking model here. I like your clean building style and attention to detail. I do agree about the wiring also, in scale those would probably be the size of garden hose.

You don't necessarily need exact size but smaller is better. I have had good results with computer wire and I have stripped wire and used the individual pieces. Three or four twisted together and painted black make a convincing wire harness.

Your doing a great job here... 

[lghtngyello03]

Great looking model here. I like your clean building style and attention to detail. I do agree about the wiring also, in scale those would probably be the size of garden hose.

You don't necessarily need exact size but smaller is better. I have had good results with computer wire and I have stripped wire and used the individual pieces. Three or four twisted together and painted black make a convincing wire harness.

Your doing a great job here... 

Thank you, James. I love things simple and clean.  The rear drag radials would be the only hint of the monster lurking under the hood of this old Nova. I'm glad I changed out the wiring on the firewall and fenderwell. Looks much better now.

[blunc]

good job switching out the engine bay wiring, much gooder.   

I would like to suggest something that's fairly easy to add but gets overlooked many times...

the power brake booster vacuum line, just attach it to the booster in an appropriate spot and position it to look like it's going to under the back side of the carb (the most common spot to grab "non-bank specific" vacuum). the hose would be the same size as the PCV hose.

for the seat belts, I have seen the following used: cut strips of masking tape that is painted, very small ribbon or piping (can be purchased at Micheal's, Jo Ann's or Hobby Lobby or just about any sewing/craft store).

[lghtngyello03]

good job switching out the engine bay wiring, much gooder.   

I would like to suggest something that's fairly easy to add but gets overlooked many times...

the power brake booster vacuum line, just attach it to the booster in an appropriate spot and position it to look like it's going to under the back side of the carb (the most common spot to grab "non-bank specific" vacuum). the hose would be the same size as the PCV hose.

for the seat belts, I have seen the following used: cut strips of masking tape that is painted, very small ribbon or piping (can be purchased at Micheal's, Jo Ann's or Hobby Lobby or just about any sewing/craft store).

I had intended to add one of those, but it was forgotten when I started gluing stuff on, lol.  I'll add one on tonight.

Thanks for the tip on the seatbelts. Never thought of using the Masking tape. I usually use masking tape for under hood mats.

[blunc]

I had intended to add one of those, but it was forgotten when I started gluing stuff on, lol.  I'll add one on tonight.

Thanks for the tip on the seatbelts. Never thought of using the Masking tape. I usually use masking tape for under hood mats.

the ribbon I have seen used (and most commonly supplied it seat belt kits sold "aftermarket") has a weave that makes them look like common seat belts but I think thin strips of masking tape work just fine after painting or using a magic marker.

[lghtngyello03]

the ribbon I have seen used (and most commonly supplied it seat belt kits sold "aftermarket") has a weave that makes them look like common seat belts but I think thin strips of masking tape work just fine after painting or using a magic marker.

I picked up the smallest ribbon I could find at Michael's Sunday. Hopefully it looks ok.

[lghtngyello03]

I think I am officially finished with the interior and under hood detail of this build.

I added some seatbelts, the keys from the photo-etch kit, the photo-etch radiator cap, and a vacuum hose for the brake booster, on top of changing out the fenderwell and firewall wiring with the correct gauge.

I couldn't believe the photo-etch kit didn't come with some seatbelt clasps, so I made some quick things out of some styrene strip with a hole drilled in the ends. Hope this looks ok...I picked up the smallest ribbon that Michael's had.

[crazyrichard]

sweet !

[blunc]

that is some excellent work!

if you choose to stretch your skills further, put brake lines on your next build and you will have close to the full spectrum of detailing areas.

[lghtngyello03]

sweet !

Thanks a lot Richard.

that is some excellent work!

if you choose to stretch your skills further, put brake lines on your next build and you will have close to the full spectrum of detailing areas.

Thanks Mike. I have all of the beading wire to do the brake lines, just don't know how to get the spiral shape from the master cylinder. Any tips?

[blunc]

Thanks a lot Richard.

Thanks Mike. I have all of the beading wire to do the brake lines, just don't know how to get the spiral shape from the master cylinder. Any tips?

roll the wire around a straight rod of whatever diameter you think will look close to scale appearance then cut or bend to desired length

the "pig-tails" I added to the master cylinder on this 1/32 scale '34 coupe were rolled around a needle then carefully inserted to a hole I drilled with my smallest drill bit.

[lghtngyello03]

roll the wire around a straight rod of whatever diameter you think will look close to scale appearance then cut or bend to desired length

the "pig-tails" I added to the master cylinder on this 1/32 scale '34 coupe were rolled around a needle then carefully inserted to a hole I drilled with my smallest drill bit.

 

Looks awesome. I'll  give it a go.

[lghtngyello03]

Mike, I tried out making some brake lines for my master cylinder. The car is supposed to have 2 lines, So I made the back side line a little larger to fill up some space.

 

[blunc]

now THAT is a well appointed engine bay!

[lghtngyello03]

I finally got a chance to get the body painted on the Nova. The paint is ScaleFinishes Green Mist Metallic Enamel. I'm very satisfied with how the paint laid down, but even though this says it doesn't require any clear, it isn't shiny enough for my liking. So, I will be putting some clear on it as well.

It should be safe enough to start handling today. I let it bake in the dehydrator for 5.5 hours last night on 105*

I'm going to have to repaint the center tail panel, not sure why but the paint would not lay right in the center. It was prepped the same way as the body, sanded, Tamiya Primer, wetsanded with 1000grit, and washed down again, then sprayed.

Sorry the pics make it look not green, it's due to my workbench lighting and camera.

.

[lghtngyello03]

now THAT is a well appointed engine bay!

Thanks man!!

[NYLIBUD]

Nice car,I'm actually working on the 69 Revell's COPO car,turning into a drag car...

[Intmd8r]

The color really suits the build!

[lghtngyello03]

Nice car,I'm actually working on the 69 Revell's COPO car,turning into a drag car...

Thank you. The kit is surprisingly nice.

The color really suits the build!

Thanks Steve. I hate that the lighting makes the color look like gold, lol.

I'll bust out the DSLR for the underglass pics

[mikemodeler]

That looks great Scott. The cars of that era weren't extra shiny and didn't have clear coats, so don't overdo it. That should be a winner next month in Spartanburg!

[lghtngyello03]

That looks great Scott. The cars of that era weren't extra shiny and didn't have clear coats, so don't overdo it. That should be a winner next month in Spartanburg!

Thanks Mike, It almost looks like basecoat. It has a very small amount of sheen to it. So, I will throw something on it to hopefully make it better. Too awesome of a paintjob to look dull.

[mikemodeler]

I am sure you will do it justice Scott and it will look great!

 

Mike

[Ron Hamilton]

Looks good to me!

[lghtngyello03]

Looks good to me!

Thanks Ronald

I am sure you will do it justice Scott and it will look great!

 

Mike

Thanks Mike, I sure hope so.

[tbill]

fantastic build, that engine compartment is stunning! color looks great, really fits the car, great work on this.