72 Olds Cutlass Camino..aka El Suprimo

[gotnitro?]

Yeah the title is right...I'm building a "car " gm never did. I found a pic showing a 70 442 converted into an el camino style body...I HAD to build one..Mines gonna be GM Nassau blue metallic keeping with the 72 timeline when this car could've been built. Thanks Tom for the suggestion! The 442 white stripes should really set it off.

I had a couple 72 cutty convertible bodies, and chatting w guys in our model group was told the 68 elco roof and bed would fit the cutlass with minor work..well sorta lol. Proportionally they were similar..I'll fix the rest.

Heres where the fun started..

Off with its top !!! I needed the hardtop roof and bed from the elco...so out came the pencil and dremel 

and the bed after roughing in 

More to come !!

Edited September 18, 2018 by gotnitro?

[gotnitro?]

Chatting with dr Kerry and folks about the look we decided the roof wasnt " flowing " right. I added several  fillet samples  to the bottom till we all liked it..then started body work. The winner was this fillet ..

now to address that horrible under hang where the windshield frame meets the top..I'm trying Bondo glazing putty for better build than the thin tamiya stuff. I was warned about the possibility of shrinkage , so each layer was allowed a few days to dry . Each was sealed w Dupli sanding primer .

My buddy mentioned I should use a black base under the Nassau Blue for more depth..so I sprayed a test on the hood..I was very impressed.  Spoon tests w white left the color too silver for me..the dark base was perfect. 

Thanks for following along...let's head to paint !!!

[Rider]

This is excellent. Clicked on follow btn, don't want to miss this one.

[gotnitro?]

Finally in last primer coat..a quick wet sand w 600 grit for a super smooth finish , wash down and dry in the sun..

Well, I only had one option for black base in rattle can..good ole TS -14..even I cant screw this stuff up lol. Okay...seems I cant upload pics of the black painted body...arggg. figures.

Heres the blue then 

Heading over to HL for clear , then itll be ready for decals.

[gotnitro?]

6 minutes ago, Rider said:

This is excellent. Clicked on follow btn, don't want to miss this one.

Thanks Rider ! I've been puttering w this for a couple days

[Jmaracing]

Wow! That’s amazing..

[montelsc]

Very interesting !!!!! love the body lines after the paint job 

looking forward to seeing more

[DrKerry]

Looking awesome Jeff!! Roof has better flow to it now!!!

[66belair]

Gonna follow this one close, very cool build. I assume you are using the Cutlass chassis as is?

[espo]

Great job on this conversion. 

[Rider]

Man, you are just rolling through this one. I like the blue. 

[gotnitro?]

6 hours ago, 66belair said:

Gonna follow this one close, very cool build. I assume you are using the Cutlass chassis as is?

Well..sorta lol I wanted to keep everything olds, but the molded in fuel tank on the elco bed ended that plan. I actually backhalved the elco frame onto the cutty right behind the seats. I'll snap a few pics underneath. 

 

[gotnitro?]

8 hours ago, montelsc said:

Very interesting !!!!! love the body lines after the paint job 

looking forward to seeing more

Thanks  I had alot of help getting the roof line to sweep back , several friends via email and texts gave invaluable advice when  it was close..I just took it into the endzone

[gotnitro?]

1 hour ago, espo said:

Great job on this conversion. 

Thanks !! Once I saw that photo I couldn't leave well enough alone 

53 minutes ago, Rider said:

Man, you are just rolling through this one. I like the blue. 

Thanks!  I was really tempted to leave it black after the base coat..but glad I finished using the correct GM color.

 

8 hours ago, DrKerry said:

Looking awesome Jeff!! Roof has better flow to it now!!!

Thanks man you and  mrs Kerry helped alot ! My eye kept saying something was off just needed that constructive feedback  ( and from tom saying ya weren't feeling it convinced me to modify the roof ..I certainly appreciate it 

[gotnitro?]

The rest of the vitals on this build..the interior is white w black dash, 4 speed, and wood grain. The engine is the bulletproof 442..olds blue , aluminum intake getting a few details added to wake up the engine compartment. I'm gonna use the white 442 stripes for this one.

Even with the disgusting humidity today I got the clear on the body..its gonna gas out a few days then polish out . Enjoy ! 

sorry no pics of the hood ..for whatever reason they keep failing the upload even though every other photo is larger size..frustrating

Thanks for following along !  I add some engine and interior shots tomorrow 

[DrKerry]

8 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Thanks !! Once I saw that photo I couldn't leave well enough alone 

Thanks!  I was really tempted to leave it black after the base coat..but glad I finished using the correct GM color.

 

Thanks man you and  mrs Kerry helped alot ! My eye kept saying something was off just needed that constructive feedback  ( and from tom saying ya weren't feeling it convinced me to modify the roof ..I certainly appreciate it 

It’s good to sometimes have another set of eyes look if you’re not thinking it’s right! I’m the same way if I don’t think it’s right I ask my wife or other modelers to get another opinion on it..

[ewetwo]

I can't wait to see the end result. Very cool

[rickcaps55]

 It was meant to be.!!!!! Nice.!!

[mustang1989]

What did you use for the clear coat on this? This is one heckuva build so far Jeff.

[gotnitro?]

3 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

What did you use for the clear coat on this? This is one heckuva build so far Jeff.

Testors wet look lacquer..I always get heavy handed w spray paint hence the orange peel. 

5 hours ago, ewetwo said:

I can't wait to see the end result. Very cool

Thanks 

 

3 hours ago, rickcaps55 said:

 It was meant to be.!!!!! Nice.!!

Thanks  ! I have a 71 olds convertible so this was a must have build 

[Snake45]

Very interesting--a short wheelbase Elky. 

[gotnitro?]

I snapped a few pics of my intended engine and interior..the plug wires will end up gray w black boots. 

Heres where I backhalved the elco on the cutty

Now for the 455...

Looks like I forgot the power window switches...funny how cameras show the boo boos l ol l

Edited September 5, 2018 by gotnitro?

[gotnitro?]

I've always sworn off those Orange oil filters but used for added color..I apologize right now..nothing worse than a Fram..imo

I added some fine craft wire to the master cylinder , coiled around a Q tip handle. 

Later the battery cables will get installed,  run fuel line to carb..and probably a vac hose to brake booster..

[89AKurt]

16 minutes ago, gotnitro? said:

[...] Looks like I forgot the power window switches...funny how cameras show the boo boos l ol l

I've found that taking pictures is better than cross-eye squinting through a magnifying glass!

Love the creative subject, this will be really nice.  Have you tried Microsol or Solvaset on the dash decal?

[Slotto]

Great lines on her! Nice color and finish. Very shiny!