Wip 1/8 79 Trans Am

[Fantom]

So I’ve been waiting along time for this kit, I missed it when I was a kid and have been wanting it ever since and I’m 55 yrs old…so…

 

Its everything I figured it would be, I knew it was gonna have some issues,but that’s ok. The big disappointment is the decal sheet. The bird on the hood does not match any photos I’ve seen for any color Trans Am. On top of that my kits decal sheet with all the pinstripes got smeared during printing. I’m hoping ROG will replace. Anyone in the States with experience getting parts from Germany please let me know how it went. Here is the very first mock up. I can see minor warping of the hood, and rear bumper,spoiler is gonna take some work. Over all I’m happy with it. 

[thebavarian]

A really „great“ project. The fitting of the hood seems not perfect.

[TransAmMike]

Really sucks about the decals and it being the only color available does too.  Maybe at some point there will be aftermarket decals but that won't be anytime soon.

Seems I have read the Revell Germany is good about replacing parts.

[Can-Con]

So, I was just on the Ray's Decals site. He was working on the 1/8 set but his wife, Vicky has had a stroke so it's on hold for a while. 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2022 by Can-Con

[Sam I Am]

On 9/29/2022 at 6:18 PM, Fantom said:

So I’ve been waiting along time for this kit, I missed it when I was a kid and have been wanting it ever since and I’m 55 yrs old…so…

Ha! I'm 55 as well, and I did attempt one of these when I was about 10-11. You notice I said "attempt", it was more like I ruined it. I have always wanted a second chance, but prices have been crazy. So even with any little defects, I was happy when a friend told me it had been re-issued.  Mine will be here about the end of the month.

I will be watching yours for sure.

[Fantom]

Well…I’ve managed to get some of the ripples sanded out of the body but lots more to sand. I’ve been working on the engine, I’ve improved the oil filter , which was just molded side ways to the block, got a start on an air conditioner compressor bracket and re worked the distributor to accept RB Motion spark plug boots. A lonnnng way to go! 

[Sam I Am]

That is awesome work. I know how blah that engine looks, so all the effort you are putting into it will make a vast improvement.

[Sam I Am]

Any progress? 

[Plastic_Passion]

I'm glad to see someone else doing a big kit. I'm in the same boat kinda as you. I had the iroc when I was 15. I ruined it and have just recently bought a kit off ebay. I'm spending some time on this one tho. I built my last one box stock back then.

[Fantom]

6 minutes ago, Plastic_Passion said:

I'm glad to see someone else doing a big kit. I'm in the same boat kinda as you. I had the iroc when I was 15. I ruined it and have just recently bought a kit off ebay. I'm spending some time on this one tho. I built my last one box stock back then.

I’m anxious to follow your IROC build but for some reason I can’t see any of your pics or any of the replies to your thread.

[Plastic_Passion]

Must be my phone... ? I'll have to get that figured out. I switched browsers because Samsung internet and the site are not playing well with each other. Thank you for the heads up on that! I wonder if nobody can see them. ? I see them.... very strange.

[Plastic_Passion]

1 hour ago, Fantom said:

I’m anxious to follow your IROC build but for some reason I can’t see any of your pics or any of the replies to your thread.

Let's try something.... can you see this?

[Fantom]

13 minutes ago, Plastic_Passion said:

Let's try something.... can you see this?

I see that

[Plastic_Passion]

Weird...

[Plastic_Passion]

Maybe I'll copy the content in that thread and try it again. I had a real hard time even making the thread to begin with. It made my browser crash every time I tried to write anything. Again thank you so much for the heads up! I'll certainly be following your work along.

[Plastic_Passion]

On 9/30/2022 at 7:32 PM, Can-Con said:

So, I was just on the Ray's Decals site. He was working on the 1/8 set but his wife, Vicky has had a stroke so it's on hold for a while. 

 

 

I just peeped Rays as well. He has a few in stock but they're pricey. Look to be great quality tho.

[Fantom]

No real progress on this lately but more is coming soon. I did want to show the decals I got from Rays. Two sheets of decals and a thick paper printed sheet with instruments etc. Also included a pic showing that Rays printed them in the correct colors as opposed to Revell printing them in god knows what colors.

[Sam I Am]

Those look great. I will need a set for mine. 

[Fantom]

Not much progress on this but  I will have some pics to share soon. However I did have to show off these gorgeous Ralley wheels that I found on the Facebook 1/8 trans am group. Multi piece 3D printed with brake disc and lug detail and separate beauty rings. I have done no cleanup for these pics. They are very nicely done. 
 

https://m.facebook.com/groups/5764275106940307/

 

 

 

[Sam I Am]

Beautiful wheels. Looking forward to your update.

[Fantom]

The chassis is done. I detailed it as follows: scratch built all 4 shocks, added coil springs to the front control arms, rebuilt the exhaust system and added welds and bolt detail, removed and replaced all the poorly molded details on the spring mounts, and added bolt details and rubber bushings washers on the rear shock mounts, removed the molded in bolts and replaced with resin bolts on the diff cover ,ran brake lines to rear, ran fuel lines to the tank, and added a parking brake cable. I wanted a little weathering but not a rusted out car so I did it gently. I’m attaching pics of what I started with and the complete chassis. It’s not perfect but I’m happy with it.

[Sam I Am]

Wow!

Excellent added detail, as well as fixing the poorly molded areas.

[Fantom]

Quick update tonight. I’ve been working on removing some of the molded in detail in the engine bay for replacement or improved parts, and started building a battery box.

[Maindrian Pace]

Very nice work. It's amazing how much detail wasn't there, it looks like a scaled-up version of the 1:24 kits with a few extras added mainly in the visible areas.

[Fantom]

I’ve been working on engine bay details as I’m waiting on stuff to arrive. I finished the battery, I cut it out and made the missing side, added the missing viewing eye, added side post details for cables later and made a hold down bracket, I also finished the coolant reservoir by adding the hook for the hose and sanding off the molded in cap and building a new one.