1965 Monogram Corvette (B.O.Y.D. entry)

[randyc]

2 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

I really like those Torque-Thrust (at least I think what they are) wheels. Great depth.

Cragar S/S.  

[Spottedlaurel]

On 7/24/2020 at 1:37 PM, randyc said:

I built this kit years ago.   I wish I had a pic.  I think I used the exact same wheels.   Mine is a pearl red.  Good luck with it.

Thanks Randy. Would love to see a shot of yours if you manage to locate it.

10 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

I really like those Torque-Thrust (at least I think what they are) wheels. Great depth.

Cragars, as Randy mentions. An odd wheel to find in a 1980s Japanese car kit, but they are really nice with a lot of depth to them.

10 hours ago, Draggon said:

The stance on this is perfect! Love your choice of wheels and tires ?

Thanks Glenn. As previously mentioned, I think the stance is just down to the tyres being a lower profile, the ride height is untouched from when my friend first started building it - I just hope that when the glass, interior, splashguards etc are in place it doesn't lift it back up again.

While the repainted wing is drying out I made a bit more progress on the engine:

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Comparison with what might have been its original unit (it's what I'm fitting into the Maserati). The LT5 is a big old thing! What I didn't realise is that there is some local interest in this for me. I believe the ZR-1 and LT5 engine were developed in conjunction with Lotus, who aren't very far from where I live. I vaguely remembered their link with GM at the time.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Quick trial fitment, so some bits aren't quite straight or need rectification. I shortened the air cleaner, now I have to fit a radiator in the gap between it and the front of the engine.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

This is the set-up that came with the '92. I've cut the stepped plastic off to leave just the radiator top and I'll see if there's room for it when assembled, if not I'll cut down the original unit and mount the electric fans onto that.

[Spottedlaurel]

I put this to one side for a few days after polishing through the front wing top again. The wait was worthwhile.....

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

The above shots are with this installed underneath:

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Gentle polishing of repaint #2 did the trick, which gave me the boost I needed to complete the engine installation.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Getting the radiator and electric fan set-up in place was the challenging aspect.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Yet more trimming of the chassis, suspension crossmember and shaving the bottom of the fan installation did the trick. Shortening the air cleaner snorkel means that the bonnet can close as intended on its pins.

While I had this on the bench I thought I'd see how a C3 Corvette body fitted, in this case the Owens Corning '68. The answer was not very well, the wheelbase was somewhat shorter than the C2.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Edited August 1, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[Snake45]

42 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

While I had this on the bench I thought I'd see how a C3 Corvette body fitted, in this case the Owens Corning '68. The answer was not very well, the wheelbase was somewhat shorter than the C2.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

That's because the Monogram '65 is 1/24 scale and the Revell '68 is 1/25. 

Great progress on the '65. Looks like you'll GITTER DONE! 

[Spottedlaurel]

6 hours ago, Snake45 said:

That's because the Monogram '65 is 1/24 scale and the Revell '68 is 1/25. 

Great progress on the '65. Looks like you'll GITTER DONE! 

O/C '68 Corvette is Monogram 1/24 isn't it? I had to check as I bought mine unboxed.

And thanks, yes, it'll be done!

[Snake45]

6 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

O/C '68 Corvette is Monogram 1/24 isn't it?

Might be Monogram boxed but it's still the Revell 1/25 molds AFAIK. 

[Spottedlaurel]

After a day of no modelling whatsoever on Thursday, had a really good day yesterday on this and my other WIPs. I reckon this will be my last update on the Corvette, should finish it off today.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Completed radiator and fan set-up as taken from the '92 Corvette. I find this little assembly very pleasing, it was lightly modified for the '65 but I've retained the twin electric fans and full depth radiator core. Once fitted almost none of it will be seen......

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

What was left to detail and fit near the beginning of yesterday. I need to find a brake servo and the '92's A/C set-up isn't yet definite, I'll see how it fits in the engine bay of the '65.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Where I was at the end of the day. Pretty much everything fitted onto the body, foilwork all done and panel lines given a wash of thinned matt black.

1:24 Monogram 1965 Corvette kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I managed to keep the original suspension with the LT5 fitted (glad it's not a 1:1!). The back end is as my friend built it back in the early '90s - I don't want to redo everything for the sake of it. Only thing I really need to do under is get the gearbox crossmember repaired, modified and installed and work out something for the exhaust - this will probably be rather basic, depending on what I can use of the original parts and what else I can concoct.

It was a busy day in the shed, as I was also progressing three other kits (and doing a bit of spraying on a Skyline my son is building). At one point I had two pigeons fly in and join me, which caused a moment of concern as they flew awfully close to the bench.....

Edited August 8, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[Gramps46]

I am really enjoying your build.  The C2 Corvette is my all-time 1:1 favorite having owned and restored 2 of them back in the '70s.

[Spottedlaurel]

7 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

I am really enjoying your build.  The C2 Corvette is my all-time 1:1 favorite having owned and restored 2 of them back in the '70s.

Thanks Gary, that's very kind of you to say so. Have any C2s been fitted with the LT5 at 1:1?

I have to say that working on this kit has made me appreciate them more than I had done previously.

 

It's now finished and "Under Glass".

Edited August 8, 2020 by Spottedlaurel