Last Gen (2013-2017) Viper

[ismaelg]

Hello,

   After finishing my Ford GT and having it parked next to one of my Corvettes, it occurred to me I need one more All American powerhouse 2 seater: a Viper.  I like the first and the last generation Vipers.  Actually my favorite is the 1996 GTS coupe.  I like the looks of the last gen but unfortunately it was discontinued in 2017.
Since there are no kits of last Gen Vipers (insert rant here about a dying hobby because we don't cater to the young ones), the only alternative is a 1/24 Maisto.  I found this abused puppy on ebay and rescued it.  Now I know what they mean when they say "from smoke free home" in some items.  This one didn't and as soon as the package was opened, the smell of smoke and cigarette hit me like a freight train! YUCK!
So this baby is missing the mirrors and it is all scratched up.  But the most important parts; the "glass" (windshield, rear window, headlights and tail lights) are in good shape. Just dirty.
So this is how it came in the mail:









Typical diecast, the gaps are awful, no brakes, stance can be improved and the "engine" is a joke so the hood will be shut for good.

Within minutes it looked like this:






The stripper did the job...  Wait, that doesn't sound right....     I mean.....





I have no idea where this is going except that it is not going back to original and it will be blue.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Geno]

Can't wait to see it. I love this gen Viper as well. I pray it makes a come back.

[robertw]

Should have known my friend, that you couldn't leave this alone and once you had the idea of a trio in mind it would have to occur....somehow. Good luck and I will look forward to seeing the final result.

[Spex84]

Cool.  I've always found die-cast cars are immediately identifiable by their soft panel lines and chunky panel gaps, even when re-built by excellent modelers. That has led me to wonder--is it possible to build up the edges of the panels (say, with JB weld) and sand/re-scribe them to get sharp, in-scale panel gaps? It could make a big difference in realism, especially on the hood and doors of this Viper.

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

[ismaelg]

Thanks guys,

Chris, that's what I did with this convertible last year:
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/129046-c7-corvette-convertible-3lt/

and the finished result:
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/130122-ladies-and-gentlemen-my-c7-corvette-convertible/

Thanks,
Ismael

[Gramps46]

Good project Ismael.  I must say though that door gaps on most modern diecasts have come a long way since the old Italian made BBuragos and even some of the Mint cars.  I will be following this one for sure.

Gary

[ismaelg]

Hello,

  This kind of project comes out of nowhere and next you know you are immersed in it!

Filed a lot of material from the front of the driver's door to align with the front fender.  Added material to the back of the door.

 

 

Quick burst of primer shows the gap is still uneven but moving in the right direction.  Once tweaked will concentrate on the front of the door.

 

 

Thanks,
Ismael

[Cool Hand]

This build should be in the diecast section.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Long story made short, after months of bodywork, this is finally ready for paint.

First coats of Scalefinishes Viper GTS blue. 

Thanks,

[Geno]

I'm droolin' Ismael. That is gorgeous.?? There's my 2 thumbs up lol.

[randyc]

I know this is a bit of a high Jack, but I just boxed up a Welly BMW to go in the mail this evening.  I was amazed at the shut lines.  Took photos.  This is a real cheap, but check out the panel gaps.  Pretty tight and sharp.  

With the or if the way, this viper is looking great!  Keep going.  Really like to see it completed

[ismaelg]

Hello,

I was finally able to start clearcoating this thing. First light coat of clear and already hard to photograph due to the shine 
More coats will follow before letting it rest, before polishing the heck out of it.  Should be done in less than 10 more years
Scalefinishes 500 series single stage clear









Thanks,

[Gramps46]

Looking good.  Appreciate the update.

[kilrathy10]

One very nice paint job on this baby... Super smooth....

[ismaelg]

Hello,

  While the clear dries for a few days before polishing, there is still a ton of work left on this thing to make it halfway decent.  There are no brakes in this thing so I have to fix that.  To me, brakes are a huge part of the appearance of a performance car.  There are no factory stock brakes available in scale for this generation Viper.  So I made my own. I don't have a 3D printer so I cut 2 level stacked calipers and rotors. Front and rear calipers are different and the rotors slightly bigger up front.  Stack 'em up, paint and you get something like this.  
May not be the best but it looks the part.
 
Thanks,

[randyc]

That will work.   From any distance maybe other than what a scale dog would see.   Maybe even then if the dog didn't know his brake calipers.   Good work.  I 'd never get ONE of those made, much less 4.  

[ismaelg]

Hello,

This was supposed to be just a repaint.  But I can't live with that interior.  Added seatbelt and buckle, some painting and drybrushing some light gray to bring out some texture.  After all, it will barely be seen at the end. 

See that lump where a shifter is supposed to go? Stay tuned.....



Can you notice the difference?



Thanks,

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Printed some Brembo logos in my computer.


The interior is as basic as it can get but I tried to put some life in it with paint. 
Added carpeting. Hey! This is an expensive car!
Scratchbuilt the shifter and seatbelts.  You can't see it in these pics but I did the "H" pattern in the shifter with the hobby knife. 






As for the dashboard, nothing spectacular to write home about.  Detail painted and dullcoated the plastic for a better look.


Thanks,

[randyc]

Nice details!

[ismaelg]

Hello,

  Started polishing.  This is only a test.





Thanks,

[kilrathy10]

This is a very nice project going on... I'm really diggin' your progress pics... Really giving me some ideas for a future project of my own....

Excellent work....

[ismaelg]

Hello,

  After a long hibernation, THIS ONE IS DONE!!!

While I make sure in the pics it looks as good as it can be, the truth is that this model is nowhere near any of my others.  I don't go to model shows. But if I did, this will most probably stay home.  But I'm happy it is done.

This one is dedicated to Bill Brown, a fellow modeler from the Scale Motorsports forum  who passed away a few months ago.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, presenting my 2016 Viper GTS coupe.

I adjusted the ride height but I still think it needs to be a tad lower in the back.  But I tried to lower it more and the paint chipped very ugly in the wheel well.  So I think it is what it is.  Home printed inspection sticker, license plate and 3rd brake light.  Emblems shaved off.  Scalefinishes Viper GTS blue.














Interior is nothing to write home about.  Flocking carpeting and seat belts were added.



 

And the reason for this build:  I envisioned this picture in my mind when I finished the Ford GT last year.

My 3 American 2 seater powerhouses

From left to right, Night street racer (2 extra cylinders),  Top Speed toy (2 missing cylinders), Daily driver and weekend toy (correct number of cylinders)

2017, 2016, 2015 model years respectively

 

 

Hope you like it.  What do you think?

Thanks,

Edited August 28, 2020 by ismaelg

[Gramps46]

Ismael,

Thanks for keeping us posted on your build and you certainly now have a nice companion with the other American 2 seaters.  Can a C8 be far behind?

[ismaelg]

Thanks Gary!  There is a C8 underway but it will take a LOT of work.  It is posted in this section as well as in the other forum. 

https://race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/2215/2020-c8-corvette-24-scale

Thanks!

[kilrathy10]

Very nice work on this baby... I like all of your builds... They all look good...