Bills72sj Posted January 26, 2020 Posted January 26, 2020 You are doing an awesome job of modifying AND explaining what you are doing. I look forward to your continued progress.
swede70 Posted January 27, 2020 Author Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) Again - I really appreciate the kind notice... Although better and finer grade metal files will be required to ensure greater quality, an attempt to open up the front license plate area consistent with allowing a supply of scale air to reach the oil cooler using a spare '69 AMX bumper/grille/headlamp casting largely worked. I hope that sourcing better than average jeweler's files proves possible before working on the '69 Javelin SST bumper which is really no different than the '69 AMX; i.e. what differences exist between the two are restricted to the grill surround and related parts. I'm pondering cutting off the grill entire, although as can be seen nothing wears chrome plate but for the headlamp surrounds and maybe the inset and offset Javelin bull's-eye discreetly made out to the right. Should I do the headlamps and trim separately, or should I simply employ a Molotow pen and let matters be? Cutting everything apart might result in a cleaner build, although the effort may not translate into a tangibly better result. Notice too the three upraised areas denoting mounting hardware dimples along the edge of each headlamp fill cover. A pin vise and some plastic rod should make such possible. The smaller diagonal radiator support to fender braces just made out will be sourced from a Revell '69 Camaro via parts bundles that litter eBay. As seen from the cropped reference photo, the corners of each of the three openings don't seem especially sharp, although the cuts are clean enough. Oh - and although quite dark, a single high quality reference photo suggests the center vent on the air dam comes to a very discreet point akin to a shallow vee across the base of such. Here it looks almost flat across, hence I think I'll leave it alone... ...and just a fairly quick go of it with the aforementioned AMX spare; i.e. it's almost good enough. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited March 13, 2022 by swede70
Dann Tier Posted January 27, 2020 Posted January 27, 2020 Glad you're still moving along on this!...its looking GREAT!!!
swede70 Posted January 30, 2020 Author Posted January 30, 2020 Greetings and thanks for the interest displayed... For the use of lots of Tamiya masking tape and successive swipes of putty the hood bubble has been bonded and blended to the hood casting below. Putty can burn a surface and create additional work best avoided, hence only the seam and where the bead of putty would likely terminate top and bottom was left exposed before smearing what small amounts of filler were required. Generally it looks good, although work on the underside is needed to further tidy up matters. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
Dann Tier Posted January 30, 2020 Posted January 30, 2020 KILLER!!!, cant wait to see it in primer!!!
swede70 Posted February 1, 2020 Author Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the continued interest and enthusiasm expressed... Minor stuff, but my recent round of resin casting yields up Jo-Han SC/Rambler exhaust tips that I could employ as abbreviated intake trumpets on the Holley 4500 carburetors seen on the model. Each trumpet needs to be worked over further consistent with subtly siamesing each to the other in turn, although minor trouble I'm encountering with the unmodified units witnessed is actually good news given that they should bump into each other ever so slightly. What are better known as 'Dominators' weren't actually afforded a trade name until the end of 1969 and formed a part of a Holley Carburetor/Colt Industries promotion where drag racing enthusiasts submitted possible names for the design, with the winner to be declared at the World Finals in December of that year. I've read that the fix was in and that the design was internally identified as the Dominator early on, but I have no further insight regarding the matter to share. Ford was closely involved in the development of the design consistent with supporting their semi-hemi NASCAR 429 mill and then-new Cleveland-head small block Trans-Am 302, while it was something of a coup for RKE/JRT to spirit away examples to fit to their Trans-Am racers. Further small additions include the remote oil filter mount situated upside down and evidencing an oversized filter, original application unknown. It looks odd in photos, although it better than approximates reality. The Jo-Han oil filter mount was cut from the front cover of the engine proper, while the needless second filter mount cast-in to the inaccurate Gen. 1 AMC engine block further back has been ground out and blended away. Seen forward is one of the new resin valve covers with the gussets surrounding the oil fill fitting cleanly reproduced from my earlier effort. I'll be able to drill such and insert a metal rod that will 'wear' a Detail Masters aluminum fitting that looks the part. Also noticed will be more concerted work on the bumpers, with a pin vise employed to drill out what would constitute the mounting points front head-on, the sides of the front bumper, as well as holes deemed necessary on the back stamping. The slightly indented 'flush' turn indicator plugs will be permanently set and blended with putty after masking each turn hole with Tamiya tape perforated with a hole punch to minimize smear, while notice too the new Studio 27 photo etch grill material that awaits fitting. ...and finally, another period image. Uncredited, it is part of the memory/photo collection for Ron Grable obituary/memorial that may be found online. Within a rather short span of time Ron Grable, Ronnie Kaplan and John Martin have all passed - sigh. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited March 13, 2022 by swede70
65slotcar Posted February 1, 2020 Posted February 1, 2020 it's looking great Michael. now the 70 javelin looks much different then a 68, but i can't tell if the 69 javelin is much different then the 68. the bodies and grilles look the same.
swede70 Posted February 4, 2020 Author Posted February 4, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the continued interest... Indeed - the '68 and '69 Javelins are barely distinguishable, although one of the changes is the cross hair frame and offset target roundel found within the grille/grille shell as seen below. Noticed will be an effort to putty and final finish the turn indicator plugs, as well as fit the bumper attachment hardware done with slightly countersunk sequin pins. Four are seen from face-on, one each of the ends, and four more to 'secure' the back bumper. On the racers the bumpers were painted, while the hardware was on occasion left unpainted to form a slight visual contrast; i.e. all for the good. Moving along slowly, the small overlay panels on each end of the grille surround have been fabricated anew and evidence better control for shape, while the vent detail just back of the license plate indentation on the front bumper has been cut into the rare '69 bumper/grille/headlamp casting, the openings being rendered slightly smaller even as they might grow later. Along the back, the pair of Studio 27 photo etched grilles have been temporarily tacked in place, with the mesh size small enough to appear suitably discreet. Lastly, three respective dots of glue applied twice over along the edges of the headlamp fill panels help to reproduce the hardware attachment dimples made out in the reference photo seen further up this thread. I'm so slow! Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 5, 2020 by swede70
Belugawrx Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 Very nice details you are adding Mike ! Keep it going .. Cheers
Dann Tier Posted February 4, 2020 Posted February 4, 2020 12 hours ago, swede70 said: Thanks for the continued interest... Indeed - the '68 and '69 Javelins are barely distinguishable, although one of the changes is the cross hair frame and offset target roundel found within the grille/grille shell as seen below. Noticed will be an effort to putty and final finish the turn indicator plugs, as well as fit the bumper attachment hardware done with slightly countersunk sequin pins. Four are seen from face-on, one each on the ends, and four more to 'secure' the back bumper. On the racers the bumpers were painted, while the hardware was on occasion left unpainted to form a slight visual contrast; i.e. all for the good. Moving along slowly, the small overlay panels on each end of the grille surround have been fabricated anew and evidence better control for shape, while the vent detail just back of the license plate indentation on the front bumper has been cut into the rare '69 bumper/grille/headlamp casting, the openings being rendered slightly smaller even as they might grow later. Along the back, the pair of Studio 27 photo etched grilles have been temporarily tacked in place, with the mesh size small enough to appear suitably discreet. Lastly, three respective dots of glue applied twice over along the edges of the headlamp fill panels help to reproduce the hardware attachment dimples made out in the reference photo seen further up this thread. I'm so slow! Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!!!!!!!
swede70 Posted February 5, 2020 Author Posted February 5, 2020 (edited) Thanks everyone for looking in and affording words of encouragement... Wishing to start in with regards to under hood braces and such, I decided to cut out the SC/Rambler hood hinge pockets and patched in new material to blend back to the firewall to better allow me to do so. Discreetly made out will be the inclusion of a subtly shaped solid plastic rod atop the Jo-Han firewall to better plug gaps between it and the body proper (it helps), while the new oil injection port may also be seen added to aluminum rod that passes through the new cast resin valve cover featuring gussets to support such. Finallly, a CDI module has been added to the passenger's side footwell, and a lone fire extinguisher makes an appearance on the transmission tunnel - safety first, circa 1969! Apologies in the I didn't notice the fill panel seen forward wasn't centered! It's just resting in place, although things generally look tight. Much still needs to be added underhood, but at least I'll not be disguising horrid limitations of the platform. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 5, 2020 by swede70
Dann Tier Posted February 5, 2020 Posted February 5, 2020 13 hours ago, swede70 said: Thanks everyone for looking in and affording words of encouragement... Wishing to start in with regards to under hood braces and such, I decided to cut out the SC/Rambler hood hinge pockets and patched in new material to blend back to the firewall to better allow me to do so. Discreetly made out will be the inclusion of a subtly shaped solid plastic rod atop the Jo-Han firewall to better plug gaps between it and the body proper (it helps), while the new oil injection port may also be seen added to aluminum rod that passes through the new cast resin valve cover featuring gussets to support such. Finallly, a CDI module has been added to the passenger's side footwell, and a lone fire extinguisher makes an appearance on the transmission tunnel - safety first, circa 1969! Apologies in the I didn't notice the fill panel seen forward wasn't centered! It's just resting in place, although things generally look tight. Much still needs to be added underhood, but at least I'll not be disguising horrid limitations of the platform. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 You are really starting to pick up momentum, bud!!!
swede70 Posted February 7, 2020 Author Posted February 7, 2020 (edited) Thanks again for the kind interest expressed... Here the basic dimensions of what stands at present as a six-point roll cage are locked in. It fits well, no additional room strictly exists to accommodate the design further upward or outward, while a host of additional bars and gussets will hopefully complete it. ...just a look forward into the interior of the topic, this a K. Ludvigsen image from Bridgehampton '69. Notice how the A-pillar bars bend down somewhat higher than expected and slightly forward of the dashboard. ...the bars terminating in the trunk area were removed and set a bit wider, while those bars forward of the main hoop are new. Once these basic dimensions are set, adding additional elements becomes a low-risk thing. ...sort of a sea of white plastic and resin, note the shape of the aforementioned A-pillar roll cage bars and how they will match the angle of the sheet metal (so to speak) set atop each in the next photo. ...so generally looking good. I'd add more photos to telegraph the fit achieved, although this aspect of the build will be telegraphed readily enough without resorting to overkill now. Kind thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 7, 2020 by swede70
Jantrix Posted February 7, 2020 Posted February 7, 2020 Wow. This is really very impressive work. I'll be following from here on.
swede70 Posted February 9, 2020 Author Posted February 9, 2020 (edited) Know that I greatly appreciate the continuing interest and good cheer demonstrated... The roll cage evolves a bit, while the '70-specific interior door trim always a feature of the Jo-Han and AMT-badged Javelin Trans-Am releases has been filed away to make room for a pair of '69 annual kit panels suitably modified. It's rather slow work for only a single bar may be added to the cage at any one time, although for removal of the side trim access is somewhat easier to the floor. ...barely made out, a small addition has added to the center element of the front spoiler lip so that it bows out and come to a slight peak along the front. ...and for the reference photo afforded, notice how the front spoiler appears to be a composite of elements when reviewed close. Jack Brady photo from '69 St. Jovite. ...back to the cage, I'll probably section in material to flesh out the firewall as it would help to more positively locate roll cage members tying into the overall structure. ...and seen here and there are Sharpie marker dots consistent with communicating where everything should go. Sharpie markers are your friends! Thanks again... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 9, 2020 by swede70
swede70 Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Greetings... Needing material to tie-in front roll cage extensions to the firewall, noticed will be some material introduced into the corners of each footwell looking forward and across the top. The material added will also better support the side interior trim, while notice too that the cast-in pedals otherwise present have been carefully scrubbed out. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited February 11, 2020 by swede70
swede70 Posted February 17, 2020 Author Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) Hello... Here I've labored to cleanly integrate the stock side panels to the bare Jo-Han '70 Trans-Am Javelin floor, with emphasis to ensure that the sides aren't any wider than the unmodified casting. Note how the top shoulders of the rear bulkhead are cut in consistent with tucking matters flush. Further, the dashboard has been drilled out to accommodate extensions of the roll cage stretching forward, while the dash rests just a bit higher and further back given repositioning was needed. Finally, plugs along the bottom of the interior door panel trim have been fashioned where the cast-in seats stretched upwards and obviated detail otherwise expected. Thanks... ...the small ramp structure seen on the floor towards the rear is intended to afford space for a differential cooler installed and serviced from below. ...noticed too are arm rest plugs after first filing out the faint cast-in detail mimicking such. The seat has been drilled out to allow seat belts to pass through the sides while a more elaborate seat mount will be fabricated for both the '69 and '68 Javelins. ...and small stuff, but the front suspension turrets have been reshaped somewhat to appear a bit softer around the top edges and filed to appear akin to half of an octagon. Again, my thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited March 13, 2022 by swede70
swede70 Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 Thanks for the kind interest expressed again (and again)... Just evening out my Javelin builds, here the '68 receives the same hinge pocket removal work on the inner fenders/wings as the '69. Trimming and hand-fitting front glass to each build will prove to be tedious given there just isn't huge space looking back. I have spares, and '71 and later glass can work well enough if appropriately trimmed, although in sum I'm not looking forward to it. A five panel Wink rear view mirror should be fitted to each model, while I think I'll have to scratch build something. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
swede70 Posted February 19, 2020 Author Posted February 19, 2020 ...and some gussets added to the '69 roll cage. Looking along the length of the roll cage member running parallel to the door, one is added forward and beneath, another back and above blending into the main hoop. Tabs tying in the A-pillar roll cage members to the A-pillars proper are also spied. Small stuff... The side interior trim panels have also been reshaped a bit to fit better - especially as they mate up with the rear wheel housings. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
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