Convert the 1986 Monte Carlo SS to an LS

[Superbird McMonte]

Recently, Salvinos J R Tooled up an LS nose for the NASCAR Monte Carlo kits. Since Stock Cars in the 80s hadn’t gotten completely away from their production counterparts yet, I thought I would test fit this nose on the most recent release of the Monte Carlo SS. 

Mounting it directly to the front fenders resulted in a nose pointing up. So I pulled the top away from the hood until the lower body line leveled out.

I measured the gap at the top and transferred that measurement to the bottom. I placed a piece of tape from the measurement to the top corner and cut out a pie slice from each side.

 

That pulled the whole nose into the fenders. The result matched what I found in the dealership brochure.

 

I think this is going to work pretty well. I will have to scratch build a grill and headlights right now.

[randyc]

That's looking good.  Headlights?   The MCSS kit?  hurst Olds?  Camaros?  Good luck with grill

 

[Dave Van]

Cool idea......I had a resin LS nose from years ago....always thought it would make a neat stock conversion!! 

[bisc63]

I wish he'd sell just that nose piece. Headlights should be fairly simple; I believe the LS used (at least one year) a single large composite lens as opposed to the double sealed beam rectangles. Grill will be a bit trickier. I started scratch-building one a couple years ago, wasn't satisfied, tried again, got closer, put it aside, and so on. Still haven't got one good enough to show, but technology may have caught up to solve the problem as this would be an ideal project for 3D printing! Get yours right, and I know where you can sell a copy or two...?

[53_Sedandelivery]

Love what you did with the NASCAR nose--looks like the best way to make an 81-86 version. There is a conversion kit on Evilbay for the 87-88 rounded version already. I really want to see someone make these GM #14058974 "Checkerboard" wheels for the LS! I've attached the early nose LS as well as the '87 wearing the checkerboards.

[Lowridingmike]

On 8/14/2020 at 1:37 PM, bisc63 said:

I wish he'd sell just that nose piece. Headlights should be fairly simple; I believe the LS used (at least one year) a single large composite lens as opposed to the double sealed beam rectangles. Grill will be a bit trickier. I started scratch-building one a couple years ago, wasn't satisfied, tried again, got closer, put it aside, and so on. Still haven't got one good enough to show, but technology may have caught up to solve the problem as this would be an ideal project for 3D printing! Get yours right, and I know where you can sell a copy or two...?

You’re right. That’s not an Ls clip. These and the ls clips have been popped in resin originally from a guy named jevries for about 20 years, google him.

[Lowridingmike]

On 8/14/2020 at 1:37 PM, bisc63 said:

I wish he'd sell just that nose piece. Headlights should be fairly simple; I believe the LS used (at least one year) a single large composite lens as opposed to the double sealed beam rectangles. Grill will be a bit trickier. I started scratch-building one a couple years ago, wasn't satisfied, tried again, got closer, put it aside, and so on. Still haven't got one good enough to show, but technology may have caught up to solve the problem as this would be an ideal project for 3D printing! Get yours right, and I know where you can sell a copy or two...?

You’re right. That’s not an Ls clip. These and the ls clips have been popped in resin originally from a guy named jevries for about 20 years, google him. Not the best pics but here’s an early resin ls clip on an old build of mine

[Ragtop Man]

If this isn't one of the most obvious 3D projects, ever (Wylde!) I don't know what is. 

FWIW, the car IRL was never my cup of Cuervo, but I know it is an icon of sorts for many builders, and a clean car is a great entry into the collector / special interest side of the 1:1 hobby. Plus - you can use it every day.

[Zoom Zoom]

2 hours ago, Ragtop Man said:

If this isn't one of the most obvious 3D projects, ever (Wylde!) I don't know what is. 

FWIW, the car IRL was never my cup of Cuervo, but I know it is an icon of sorts for many builders, and a clean car is a great entry into the collector / special interest side of the 1:1 hobby. Plus - you can use it every day.

https://canuck3d.ca/product/?cd3--009

[Ragtop Man]

3 hours ago, Zoom Zoom said:

https://canuck3d.ca/product/?cd3--009

Many thanks, Bob!  Anyone do this conversion yet? It looks very angular in the pic - even more so than the 1:1.

 

[Zoom Zoom]

17 hours ago, Ragtop Man said:

Many thanks, Bob!  Anyone do this conversion yet? It looks very angular in the pic - even more so than the 1:1.

 

Don't know, I don't have a dog in this hunt, no interest in that one. Maybe a '73 conversion for Revell's snap kit MC or some Cosworth Vega stuff.

[53_Sedandelivery]

On 3/27/2025 at 11:39 AM, Zoom Zoom said:

https://canuck3d.ca/product/?cd3--009

Holy Schnikies! Holy Grail of custom front end conversion! If only someone made the checkerboard wheels!