1:18 ERTL 1970 1/2 Camaro L78 Camaro SS396

[swede70]

Greetings and thanks for examining this thread...

Although not an elaborate mod., I nevertheless have harbored longtime ambitions to combine the old 1:18th ERTL 1970 1/2 Camaro tool with the like scaled AutoART 1969 Corvette wheels and tires - specifically to glom onto the finned turbine wheel covers that were seen often enough on full-size Impalas, Corvettes, and the odd 396-powered Camaro in period.  The expense involved seemed certain to preclude my ever attempting this, but very happily a friend was able to secure a set of the AutoART wheels and tires in question recently off of one of their Corvette releases for not so very much, whereupon I copied the same in resin to afford the reader what is seen below:

...although not an SS model, this image nevertheless communicates well what I'm after regarding appearance.

...this would be a resin copy of the AutoART Corvette wheel cover, derived from a one-piece urethane mold and later vacuum plated.  The black wash employed is Testor's Model Master aerosol Transparent Black Window Tint applied liberally with a brush, while the center received a small dollop of Tamiya Black aerosol.  The tires used are old Hwy. 61 F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT's. that are slightly larger in diameter than the same basic tire the most recent ERTL release of the 1970 RS/SS 350 Camaro comes through with, but all the same the former can be swapped in and centered on the wheel backs prior to gluing with minimum effort.  Heating the tires in hot water prior to swapping them onto the standard ERTL wheel backs ensures that they will be that much more pliable as less likely to resist efforts to positioning them accurately.

...with the creation of four copies, the wheel/tire assemblies are set in place.  As seen, the bumpers have been removed to facilitate mold line and license plate removal, whereas the cleaned up castings will be reset soon enough.  

...this being a L78 396 (402!) powered second-generation Camaro, the tail panel has been painted a semigloss black.  Happily the rear valence is removable for this simplifies the necessary paintwork.  Resetting the tail lamps isn't much fun, whereas the license plate was removed, sanded flat, drilled for mounting hardware and finally painted a contrasting gloss black before being reset.  Note too that I've opted to remove the bumper overriders otherwise seen on the accompanying 1970 1/2 Citrus Green RS/Z/28 positioned just to the right within a display case; i.e. living dangerously then with minimal bumper protection both front and rear.  Exhaust tips, some hitherto missing identification as well as modest engine mods. are still to come.  Thanks for examining this post.

Mike K. 

 

Edited May 30, 2017 by swede70

[ibj40]

If it's one of yours, Mike, it's going to be spot on.

[swede70]

...modest updates to report, although to this point little has been done underhood. 

...the front bumperettes have been returned by the vacuum plater, after first being sanded to remove mold lines as well as the front license plate.  Noticeable, though surely difficult to discern, the exterior door handle has been flooded with body color paint, while old Detail Master photo etched door lock cylinders have been added to each raised 'lock' assembly.  Matter appear less toy-like in sum...

...shorn of unattractive locating pins and mold lines, the delicate chromed exhaust tips have here been reset. 

...held in reserve at this point, seen are a pair of cast resin 1:18th ERTL Collectibles 1967 Impala SS 427 valve covers in combination with a 1:18th Hwy. 61 1969 Camaro COPO air cleaner lid, also cast in resin and subsequently vacuum plated.  I'll likely add '396' identification to the lid from an old Fred Cady 1:25th sheet, all the more so given that the air cleaner art always struck me as a bit large for 1:25th use anyhow.  Thanks for reviewing this most recent update...

Mike K. 

Edited August 14, 2017 by swede70

[Junkman]

Oof!

[Arjay 396]

I've never been a fan of the P02 hubcap but those turned out exceptionally well.  I'd say the time and effort you put into the model's entire "tune up" was well worth the effort.

[Maindrian Pace]

You have managed to obtain exemplary results in the undertaking of this Camaro project, enhanced in no small part by the additional efforts in both the vacuum plating of the modified and resin cast components, and the accurate placement of said components with regard to stance and wheel/tire placement.

Also, are you an English teacher?

[swede70]

I'll do my best to disregard the teasing tone of the message left above.  At some point people post so many messages that they claim ownership of the whole experience of the board, and I suppose if I don't adjust my presentation to suit whatever might be their expectations and standards, then I'm a target.  Complaint lodged, complaint ignored.

Mike K.

[ibj40]

Mike - Genius is never understood or appreciated.

[Maindrian Pace]

Gee.

[swede70]

Greetings,

Having secured a set of actual AutoART '69 Corvette wheels and tires, I decided to swap out the resin clone wheelcovers and Hwy. 61 tires with what is now seen. Fortunately, the wheels are zero offset, hence to trim the gray rings bonded to the AutoART wheelcovers down to half the thickness of the rim width is all that was strictly required to ensure they'd be happy on this model.  The fit is tight enough across assemblies to the extent that no glue was required.  

The model sort of looks like a period game show giveaway at this point, although at least it's a bit different!  A new ACME '65 SS396 Chevelle engine has been ordered and will be added soon.  Thanks...

Mike K./Swede70

Edited July 4, 2019 by swede70