GS Corvette #003

[Art Laski]

Nice work, James. I'm enjoying this thread and the subject matter.

 

-Art

[Dann Tier]

9 hours ago, James2 said:

There several ways to go about filling these channels in. I believe they were designed to eliminate shrinkage and waste.

This is how I went about fixing mine. Using styrene rod and liquid cement, and then filling with two part body filler. 

That's how i'll do mine.....much less mess too...

[James2]

MCW Automotive Finish has every color you may need. And the owner did a lot of research to insure proper matching. Pelham Blue is an exact match for the Grand Sport as seen when unloaded at Nassau. And this is where things get a little fuzzy. In my research I found, the first cars were painted this factory color. Nearly all restored or replica cars of AJ's #2 looks to be a brighter  blue.

If you look on pg. 86 of the Paddock & Friedman (and other pix) GSC book it appears not so bright and there are other sources that suggest the same color. I honestly can't see the teams custom painting the #003 car, but nothing is impossible...

If anyone can shed some light on the subject I would greatly appreciate it. I'm having trouble going forward because of this paint selection.

[ismaelg]

My thoughts:

Due to the publicity gained in the Nassau success in '63, GM slap Bunkie's and Zora's hands halting the program.  The cars were sent to privateers. John Mecom, who  fielded the 3 cars in Nassau in '63, had the chassis #003 in Houston. Chassis #003 (the car Foyt's drove) was painted dark blue and white for the '64 Sebring race.  I'm pretty sure it was not any factory color.  That's the scheme the car has today. 

The first tribute car, the 1996 Grand Sport,  honors this car as Foyt's raced in '64.  I have done extensive online research but  I have never seen #003 in person.  I'm convinced that Admiral blue, the color used in the '96 Grand Sport is as close as it can get to the Foyt's car as it raced in Sebring in '64.  
From what I understand, current owner Larry Bowman and previous owner Tom Armstrong have kept the car in the late 80's restoration scheme, when it was restored  back to the '64 Sebring configuration by then owner Bob Paterson, who eventually sold it to Tom.   The car raced in Nassau in the Pelham blue scheme in '63 with the black stripe to distinguish from Penske's car who had a white stripe.

The picture you refer to in the book is most likely over-exposed and washed out since it was a night time picture.  If you look at the previous page (page 85), you can see the car behind Penske's white GS and it is definitely dark blue.

My suggestion: To do chassis #003 as driven in Sebring '64 by Foyt: Admiral blue.  (That's what I'll build eventually)
If doing the car as it raced in Nassau in '63, Pelham blue with the black stripe, but keep in mind the hood was different.

To add to the confusion, keep in mind there is a new Admiral blue recently released for current C7 Corvettes and I think it is NOT the same.

Thanks,

[James2]

Thanks  Ismael, this confirms what my initial thoughts were. And also the fact that the original 63 car was Pelham blue. I will be using the Admiral blue for Foyt's car. I have an idea for my second car of building it as it was unloaded at Nassau with only the white circles and of course the correct hood.

Thanks again... 

[ismaelg]

By the time I build mine you will have done all 5  

[mustang1989]

Man that was some intense work to get that hood to fit but it looks like it was all worthwhile. Coming along nicely James. Very nicely.

[randyc]

Seems like I read recently that John Mecom has said that nothing since has ever matched the original color when the cars were restored.  He also says there was a sixth car as well.  One photo exists that *might* bear that out.  The history of these cars is just awesome.  That period of racing, in all forms, was such an exciting time.   I can read about any of it.  

As for this build, you are encountering every issue that was ever had with it.   Start thinking about the header issue now.  They do not, will not match the side pipes as molded from kit.  I can't remember any other major things that are going to crop up.  

Love watching your progress though.

 

[Len Woodruff]

22 minutes ago, randyc said:

Seems like I read recently that John Mecom has said that nothing since has ever matched the original color when the cars were restored.  He also says there was a sixth car as well.  One photo exists that *might* bear that out.  The history of these cars is just awesome.  That period of racing, in all forms, was such an exciting time.   I can read about any of it.  

As for this build, you are encountering every issue that was ever had with it.   Start thinking about the header issue now.  They do not, will not match the side pipes as molded from kit.  I can't remember any other major things that are going to crop up.  

Love watching your progress though.

 

Didn't they make a running change on the headers? I thought the Revell release would have those changes?

[randyc]

I don't know - all mine were AM issues.  Haven't bought the Revell - I did the Delmo car with VRM decals.  Haven't seen the  later issues. 

[James2]

On 9/18/2018 at 12:56 PM, mustang1989 said:

Man that was some intense work to get that hood to fit but it looks like it was all worthwhile. Coming along nicely James. Very nicely.

I was a little nervous about  grinding on a nearly finished chassis.  It was a good reminder to test fit!

On 9/19/2018 at 9:21 AM, randyc said:

Seems like I read recently that John Mecom has said that nothing since has ever matched the original color when the cars were restored.  He also says there was a sixth car as well.  One photo exists that *might* bear that out.  The history of these cars is just awesome.  That period of racing, in all forms, was such an exciting time.   I can read about any of it.  

As for this build, you are encountering every issue that was ever had with it.   Start thinking about the header issue now.  They do not, will not match the side pipes as molded from kit.  I can't remember any other major things that are going to crop up.  

Love watching your progress though.

 

It would have been good to know more of the kit before starting, but overall I'm enjoying the build. None of the reviews I read mentioned these issues.

I think I'm good on the headers, but we'll see...

You would think with today's technology they could computer match the color.

As far as color goes, using the info gathered here, this is what I came up with. Fortunately MCW's new owner is about 35mile from me and I was able to talk with Mike in pearson. Using the paint code for 96 Corvette Admiral Blue he was able to mix up the desired color. It's gonna be a decent weekend so I'm going to do some test shoots.

 

Thanks again for all the interest and help...

 

[ismaelg]

I see you already got it, but if needed I have some Admiral blue lacquer left from this project: Jet Threat II Grand Sport.  I plan to use it on my Grand sport but that is far into the future. Let me know if you need it.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/94052-restoringcustomizing-a-hot-wheels-for-the-fun-of-it/

Thanks,

 

[James2]

Spoon test with both colors, no clear.

[ismaelg]

Both are beautiful colors....

[James2]

#003 Test Fit Also...

[Ace-Garageguy]

Looking good. Much good historic info and build tips here too. I had the same problem as you James, with the slightly off-register tires. Still deciding how to proceed.

Anyway, what you've got so far is very nice.

[SfanGoch]

On 9/19/2018 at 9:44 AM, Len Woodruff said:

Didn't they make a running change on the headers? I thought the Revell release would have those changes?

If you're referring to this

Why would Revell change anything? It bought up the remaining inventory of GS kits from Accurate miniatures and reboxed them. Nothing more.

If you want the correct exhaust headers, get Historic Racing Miniatures HRM-503

[Dann Tier]

It looks better, and better every time I see it!!

[James2]

Thanks guys! 

I'll be working on and showing updates on the headers soon.

[Gramps46]

13 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Looking good. Much good historic info and build tips here too. I had the same problem as you James, with the slightly off-register tires. Still deciding how to proceed.

Anyway, what you've got so far is very nice.

I friend of mine used the tires from a Fujimi - Revell GT40 and they look much better than the kit tires.

[James2]

[afx]

Paint work looks great.

[randyc]

Super nice!!!

[Modlbldr]

Those both look beautiful. Nice work on this project. I just finished reading through this entire post and will have to bookmark it for the future when I do my build. It would seem by now that someone should have come up with a better set of tires. Any answer on this?

Later- 

[Danno]

Mmmmmmm.