Chevrolet Malibu GT2/3/4 Road Racer

[ibj40]

So, it all started when my wife "allowed" me to trade my 2009 Pontiac G8 GT in for a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.



Fortunately, I was able to find an 1/18 scale Malibu diecast model, and started to consider what it might look like as a racer.

My first inclination was to make it Front Engine/Rear Wheel Drive (versus the stock Front Engine/Front Wheel Drive configuration).

So, I found a small displacement Chevy racing engine (out of an R&R Midget Dirt Track racer).



And then started to try to find a Rear Wheel Drive chassis to go under the bodywork.  This has proven to be a major stumbling block in this project.  Here are a few shots of attempts and failures.

I fabricated this front clip, out of an Ertl 2004 Pontiac GTO donor.



And thought that I could use the IRS from that same donor for a rear suspension (after adding a Quick Change Differential to it).



Was looking promising for a while, but then I wasn't satisfied.



Even almost had an interior, complete with cage installed.



And an exhaust fabricated.



Then I tried a different donor chassis.




But still didn't like the look or fit.



Plus the donor didn't have enough detail in the engine bay.



So this project has been sitting on the shelf for quite some time.  Recently, I acquired a body kit to see if I could add some spark to the project.

What do you think?



While the flares aren't specifically for a Malibu, I thought the fit was close enough for some serious consideration.






 

Note that there's another donor cage sitting inside the bodywork.

Now if I can just find a proper chassis donor, I think I might be in business.

Stay tuned!

[vintagercr]

Cool!

[Draggon]

I like it, the flares make a big difference  the Evo wing looks so much better than the one you had in the prior pic. 

[ibj40]

Back when I was building real racers, such as this one;

this is how you would do it.  You started with a tubular chassis, built to your specifications (wheelbase, track width, type of suspension, etc.).

And (for simplicity, as much of this would be performed simultaneously) then you would put a cage and interior on.

Mount the engine (and other key components of the drive train).

Then mount the body (the one in the picture of the Camaro above is all fiberglass except the roof).

And the finish it up with all the other essential details.

Alas, such is not the case in 1/18 scale diecast, but I just thought I'd show you some of the process that I am going through to complete this one.