swede70 Posted May 23, 2022 Share Posted May 23, 2022 (edited) Greetings... Although there are better approaches to take in relation to the scarce/obsolete Model Car World transkit as well as the Robert Burns/Too Many Projects angle, here would be a fitful attempt at doing a '73 Penske Donohue Matador (What's a Matador?) in 1:25th employing a fairly inexpensive 3D-printed shell I took a chance on. Part of me had given up on finding the MCW modified Jo-Han '70 Rebel Machine tool shell, whereas the $125 option just doesn't seem personally practical in the near term. Concerning what this will be about, at worst, I should be able to toss off a few impressions consistent with helping others pursue the same path plus avail trace insights consistent with helping anyone who attempts the topic in-scale. Seen below are a succession of images relating how the shell can be cleaned up for removing the rendered in-place exterior rear view mirrors, all the weather stripping, the vent window frames, the side indicators, and all I could take off concerning the bumper guards extending into the grille area besides. The rear valance area was very rough indeed, although photos telegraph that with application things aren't strictly hopeless here. The wheel arch openings were filed out, the raise perimeter trim removed, while the trace vinyl top detail plus trim was likewise scrubbed off. The panel lines across the surface either don't exist or hardly exist, while the stock flush exterior door handles just didn't come through the rendering process intact. My initial impression of the body wasn't super favorable, but as can be discerned the as-delivered state isn't cursed to remain unsatisfying - especially in period Winston Cup/NASCAR form. Just made out here, notice the substantial door jam detail or thickness designed into the rendering. A lot of work will be necessary to grind the bulk of this out to work on a period stock car. Rated DNF then; i.e. Decidedly Not Fun to perform... Further work undertaken includes some fill panels for the headlamps, lightly modified AMT Penske Matador (frognose vs. bullfighter if you will) front and rear spoilers, some putty/fill effort to clean up matters here and there, and fuel inlet detail added to one side with a plug on the other specific to the Riverside configuration. Not terrible at this point. Thanks for your review of this meandering sort-of project... Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 23, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted May 23, 2022 Share Posted May 23, 2022 Should be an interesting project Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre Rivard Posted May 24, 2022 Share Posted May 24, 2022 New stuff to try. Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind interest... Fearing that the rendered-in door jamb detail would prevent a roll cage plus interior from being fitted, I made an effort to grind out all I could intent on securing clearance for the protective roll cage bulges in particular. In practice, not that difficult to achieve much to my relief, while also seen would be resized AMT Allison frogeye Matador plastic 'glass' which works well enough. I decided to leave some material near the cowl area to help stabilize things when panel work is added, while things here are generally on the up. Thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 26, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) Just some quick panel fabrication consistent with filling in the rear bumper/cove area as per period photos. Not much to contemplate, but clean and a small step forward. Whoops - its seems what I worked up will have to be shorter across the top. Thanks... Well - it still needs to be squarer across the top, while the spoiler element apparently shouldn't be wider than the deck lid as per the period photo. More work then... Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 27, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBorg Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 This will be worth watching. It will be interesting to watch where 3D printing takes the hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted May 27, 2022 Share Posted May 27, 2022 I am in the middle of this same project right now. I asked the maker of this body if he is interested in a NASCAR version to save us all the work.....he said maybe. I case anyone needs the decals for this I make the #2 and #16 versions. Thanks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) Excellent Dave - I'll check your photo file account consistent with reviewing things... Attached would be a preliminary attempt to fit a 1:25th scale AMT Alan Kulwicki Thunderbird-sourced chassis to the shell even as I'll have to lengthen the wheelbase a bit. Not knowing specifically how these chassis were adjusted for wheelbase during initial fabrication, here I've wasted an example and subsequently was forced to order a replacement off stage. Obviously still learning, although the next try should be better! Kind thanks for the notice... Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 28, 2022 by swede70 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 27, 2022 Author Share Posted May 27, 2022 (edited) Just in short... A trimmed rear spoiler so as not to overlap from the deck lid, and further fine adjustment performed on the rear cove insert. It would be nice if I could have done this correctly first time out, but alas - I didn't! On the other side of the shell I cut through the quarter panel and inserted a recycled AMT Allison Matador fuel inlet/cap which looks well at home. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 27, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 30, 2022 Author Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) Greetings... Opting if you will to carve out the front of the shell to open up the valance area as per period photos. I inadvertently snapped the valance panel at the bottom center of the 'vee', although happily the 3D-printed material isn't hugely brittle and my error shouldn't strictly dissuade others from trying to file things to shape as I have. Also made out are some front turn signal/indicator overlays consistent with suggesting fill panels, although these might be replaced with vent detail leading to the brakes. Thanks... '72 Ontario and on the scales being weighed. Here things are fit flush consistent with one might expect at a superspeedway... ...eBay reference with regards to the shape of the turn indicator. Solo parts listings can provide reference otherwise tedious to collect at car shows, etc. The opening worked up for slow application as viewed from beneath. Pondering the purchase of a second shell to cut to shreds consistent with having an opening hood, greater flexibility with regards to finishing the bumpers and grille, etc. Viewed nose-on then and generally looking tidy. The top leftmost corner of the licence plate recess needs a touch of work to look right, but in the main it's good. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 30, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted May 30, 2022 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Great project, great progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted May 31, 2022 Author Share Posted May 31, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind notice... Here I've ground out the fainted rendered flush AMC exterior door handles and replaced the same with cast resin Jo-Han Javelin versions that will be filled and ground flat before being sunk into the surface of each door panel/skin. I never liked building up layers of primer and paint upon otherwise nicely done Jo-Han AMC flush handles and eventually cut up a wrecked body to cast them solo, whereas here at least I have a well-shaped template to fill and countersink as required. Continuing refinement of the shape of the front valance panel opening is witnessed, while the contour of the bumper around the license plate opening too has been adjusted. Hopefully a debris screen can be fashioned and added without too much trouble. Further, first view of the project on wheels even if I'm just establishing track and ride height sans chassis. Just Jo-Han Superbird NASCAR wheels at this point, while Holman & Moody stamped steel issue have been ordered and are in the mail. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited May 31, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 1, 2022 Author Share Posted June 1, 2022 (edited) Greetings... Small stuff, but noticed would be the replacement of the headlamp fill panels with carefully trimmed aluminum rod 'wafers' with the ends spun in some sandpaper to afford a swirled finish to each, the substitution of an AMT Thunderbird rear spoiler onto the back, new cast resin Holman & Moody stamped steel NASCAR wheels (a blur of white these), and unseen for being situated below - a fuel cell housing scratchbuilt from five sheet plastic panels guided by period research materials. The $2.99 eBay-sourced David Marcis 8x10 color print really impresses and certainly inspires! Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 2, 2022 by swede70 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 3, 2022 Author Share Posted June 3, 2022 (edited) Greetings... One from the Department of Obscure Research in terms of insights gleaned, for application I finally found a means to trace the Penske logo that shows up across the air and oil filters as well as the shock absorbers employed on the early Penske NASCAR Matadors. In their racing endeavors Penske Racing had started to build their own shocks, valving each to suit, and entertained thoughts of producing other specialized wares in-house. Likely in late '70 or early '71, Penske struck up a deal with Sears & Roebuck Co. to market a limited line of tools and service items through the department store chain which was expanding to include service areas selling Die Hard batteries, Sears tires, etc. Most of the range was doubtlessly badge engineered, although there was money to be made. A search of eBay employing the words 'Sears' and 'Penske' generates a mountain of results made up mostly of grubby timing lights doubtlessly unearthed from within equally grubby garages, but careful skimming of the results also reveals the logo desired by this scale enthusiast. One small leap for man, a giant leap for early Penske NASCAR enthusiasts... Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 3, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 I had that PENSKE SEARS timing light!!lasted many years!! I am only on light #2!! Also met Bobby Allison SEARS in Charlotte with the Matador.......still have the post card he signed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 That's coming along real nice Mike! While I don't have that particular .stl file, there is a way to see if parts of the body can be separated. Not all files you can do this, but depending on how it was created, you can separate the doors, bumpers, headlights, taillights, etc. More work for sure, but then I've gotten picky over the last six months or so since I've had my printer. In fact, I've gotten to the point where I need to see if it's available in a .obj file first so I know for sure I can separate out those items I mentioned. Keep up the great work! 👍🏽 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the interest demonstrated and the advice proffered... Earlier today I ordered a second shell, thinking that if the chassis builds up in a fashion consistent with my wishing to display things underhood, then I'd cut up another consistent with having an opening hood, and freeing the bumpers and grille assembly to manipulate and finish and/or apply finishes with less risk. Worried then that I'll overstress the shell for working towards a tight fit of the rollcage, bulkheads and rear wheelhousings in particular, but if a sound mockup of the chassis can be developed that also slides reliably into the shell, then what results will alter the equation concerning what I'll deem possible for this project. - Seen briefly would be the fuel cell housing built up in recent days. Hardly visible in most period shots, but discernible to the extent of informing a guess as to the dimensions of such. Mostly an organic addition to the AMT Thunderbird Banjo Matthews chassis, and no deeper than the frame rails lest it be scrubbed and punctured. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 9, 2022 by swede70 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Greetings... Just quickly this, here I've altered the rear spoiler to better reflect the ducktail profile seen in period photos. I had a pair of AMT Penske Matador rear bulkheads that evidenced a curved lower profile that I thought might be isolated and blended to the front side of the AMT Thunderbird NASCAR rear spoiler, and for plugging one area and extending out the sides I was basically able to capture the shape. Some putty and subtle shape refinement is still required, but in the main a nice upgrade. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 5, 2022 by swede70 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 As usual, well-researched and expertly executed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 8, 2022 Author Share Posted June 8, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind notice... Having taken delivery of another AMT NASCAR Thunderbird kit, I was able to lengthen the chassis with instructions provided by Hks Charger via Tim Stevens. A mock up AMT Matador engine was worked up to afford some understanding concerning how things might align (or not), whereas the Thunderbird Banjo Matthews roll cage was cut apart to leave only the protective side bulges. These last elements may be discarded and replaced based upon the quality of what I might work up solo off the project. Hardly an out of the box resource ready to integrate with the 3D-printed shell, here I've slid the AMT NASCAR Thunderbird roll cage structure further forward on the chassis 'rails' provided. I like doing roll cages from scratch, although I'm a novice concerning all that a period NASCAR racer will require. Some quiet research is being done consistent with filling my knowledge gap concerning such matters. Moving along, the firewall was plugged and puttied consistent with ridding the engine bay side of strengthening ribs and essentially starting anew, while soon the fresh air duct work will be cut into the cowl area to expand and improve upon things. The last image affords an oblique view of the floor pan patches/extensions blended in, while after performing such work the tape employed to tie it to the roll cage bulges was no longer necessary. Very slow work at this point, although I've never been all that quick or necessarily that focused. Thanks... Although not photographed, the side bulges fit neatly into the door recesses without much work but for grinding off the door jamb detail. Still pondering if I should assemble the cage as one piece given installing such glued to the chassis in combination with the stiff body shell likely won't be easy let alone possible; i.e. I'm thinking of developing something that would drop into place for falling into the side rail/slots. A Jo-Han water pump and distributor is coming for the engine, while the accessory drive will be revised somewhat. Hardly visible here is a stacked dry sump pump/scavenge pump setup (hardly great in terms of how it was tooled), and the fast add of a Jo-Han AMC alternator. Seen forward is an AMT Penske Matador dash narrowed and installed so that it'll align with everything above and to each side. The four bar rear suspension needs top links, while the AMT Thunderbird chassis really isn't configured to afford space for the same setup. Anticipating further surgery, notice the white sheet plastic patch just resting in place here. While tucked below the dash, here the floor and transmission tunnel patches largely blend in. So far, so sane. Thanks for your review of this project update. It might be said that I post too much, but then know that I very much appreciate the enthusiasm and interest radiated back, viewing light participation as a resource in turn. Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 9, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrobarry Posted June 8, 2022 Share Posted June 8, 2022 Great work! I`m sure the ride height will be spot on when you`re done. I remember back in the day people thought the cars were "ugly as sin!" and that they stood no chance of winning anywhere. Roger proved them wrong AGAIN! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibj40 Posted June 9, 2022 Share Posted June 9, 2022 The interesting thing from that era is that, due to the common elements of chassis’s, there was a great deal of interchangeability. The unique consideration being whether you were a Chrysler product and ran the front torsion bar suspension. Not sure when the conversion to front coils across all manufacturers happened, but even before that time, I remember being in the Cup garage and seeing the shock suppliers posting the same settings for all, regardless of manufacturer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 11, 2022 Author Share Posted June 11, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind interest... Seen is the second chassis suitably stretched evidencing more careful shaping of the wheel housing 'metal' to achieve a tighter fit relative to the body. Only just learning about matters such as a late Holman-Moody short four-bar rear suspension and how it would be configured, hopefully for application things will come into view. Also witnessed would be a slightly revised engine now featuring select Jo-Han implants in the form of a timing cover/housing, a water pump, a modified intake (given the Edelbrock Torquer open plenum 'X' design came into use only later), a starter motor also Jo-Han derived with other small alterations planned. The PPP tires made out were ruined for my injudicious choice of a clear coat that proved too glossy, whereas the Holman-Moody NASCAR pressed steel rims done in resin were drilled out to afford hub detail up front, and axle retention mods out back - the latter appearing a bit tiny and thus slated to be redone. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 11, 2022 by swede70 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gks1964 Posted June 12, 2022 Share Posted June 12, 2022 Nice work!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swede70 Posted June 12, 2022 Author Share Posted June 12, 2022 (edited) Thanks for the kind continuing interest displayed... Not (yet) finding evidence that a short Holman-Moody four bar rear suspension was fitted to a comparatively early '72 to '73-season Penske Matador, thus far I'll be doing a long Chevrolet pickup truck lower arms with the top links (still a four bar setup then) with a Watt's linkage combined with single Penske shocks out back. Here I've added some kit parts, but also have added some stiffening structure as per information gleaned from a period Steve Smith Stock Car Chassis engineering title. Also spied here will be a rough test fit of the cage sides as they bulge into the door skins, as well as a quick impression of how and where the dashboard hangs. Sort of hanging in space, but I rather like the Revell '69 Camaro driveshaft for the nicely rendered U-joint detail. I might redo the shaft itself - but the joints will likely stay! Discreet, but the perforations for the fire bottle installation cutting right through to the top of the driveshaft/driveline tunnel were plugged. Still cleaning up around the chassis stretch area, with further trimming and refinements to come here. The roll cage will be complex in more ways than one; i.e. it'll likely install in two parts and not be strictly glued in-place entire when final assembled. It's just too tight a fit, while the body isn't pliable to the extent that I feel I can get away with any other approach. The dash is just narrowed recycled AMT Penske Matador issue again. And although just a blur of resin here, the flush exterior door latches were removed, set flat on a bed of clay, filled with a small amount of resin, sanded flat, and reset in a slightly countersunk orientation to suggest an unpunched door skin that might otherwise accommodate the installation of a stock latch. While here the yellow seen along the base of the front 'glass' is just Tamiya tape temporarily holding narrowed AMT Penske Matador front screen in. I had sufficient material to fill out things right across and between the A-pillars top and bottom, but was overzealous and trimmed the lower section narrower than I ought. Yes - multiple kits perished as I've gone about working through problems one-by-one here. Thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70 Edited June 12, 2022 by swede70 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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