The Goat Wagon Update 12/30/22 Body In Paint!

[Plowboy]

I've had this idea for a long time. But, never got around to it. With the boring stuff left on my Nova build, I thought it was time to do this one. Right now, I just want to get the body work done and allow it to cure out well while I'm finishing the Nova. For this model, I'll be using the Revell '66 GTO and '66 Malibu wagon. I started by marking my planned cuts. 

Then I cut off the front clip on the wagon. That may come in handy some day.

Next step was to cut the roof off with a Dremel.

Cut and filed to the line. Then the line is sanded away.

Time to hack on the Goat! I cut the roof and trunk away back to the tail panel. I was hoping that I could leave the tail panel attached to hold the body together. But, that plan didn’t work out.

I placed the roof section onto the body and marked the lines.

Cleaned up and ready for the roof.

All together now! I won't lie. It was a tough one to get together with the absence of the tail panel! I had to start by gluing the cowl to the the fenders first and then work my way to the rear. Besides being a pain to get together, it went together well.

If I had it to do over, I think I would have left the cowl from the GTO. It would have made the body more stable. But, at the same time, it may have been a pain to get the bottom of the windshield area and the cowl together. Doesn't matter now anyway. I had to extend the bottom of the quarters behind the wheel opening. I also filled the recess in the tail gate. Lots of putty work and sanding ahead!

I'm unsure which chassis I'll use. I would think the wagon's would be best. But, I don't know how well the 389 and GTO interior would fit it. I also don't know how the rear area of the wagon interior will fit the GTO chassis. Lot's of stuff to consider. I'll admit that I haven't looked at either one yet. I got plenty of time to mull it over. It's going to take a minute to get the body work done. 

Edited December 30, 2022 by Plowboy

[Ace-Garageguy]

Looking great, and judging from your earlier work, you can bring it all together into a beautiful model.

For me though, defining features of the GTO's body shell are those gorgeous rear quarters, and the signature taillight panel.

If I were ever to do a similar mod, I'd try to keep those somehow...but that's just me.  

[Metalmad]

Nice work !

[Plowboy]

5 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Looking great, and judging from your earlier work, you can bring it all together into a beautiful model.

For me though, defining features of the GTO's body shell are those gorgeous rear quarters, and the signature taillight panel.

If I were ever to do a similar mod, I'd try to keep those somehow...but that's just me.  

Thanx! I thought about that. But, I'm not sure how the GTO taillights would work with the tailgate. I still have the tail panel. So, it could be an option.

I have the body in what I think will be the final coat of putty. Turns out, the wagon chassis fits pretty well to the GTO. All I had to do was cut away the inner wheel well loops and narrow the section at the rear to get it to drop in. Just looking at it, it looks like the interior may be a bit tricky to work out. The bottom of the rear seat is molded into the floorpan. I'm thinking I can use the entire GTO interior, cut away the package tray and graft the rear section of the wagon to it. Here's where I'm at now with it.

First mockup! Pretty good progress to have started on it yesterday.

I'm kinda thinking about ditching the 389 and sticking an LS engine in it. I've never done a model with an LS. I think it's time. I'm going to paint the spokes gray and see what they look like on it. Color wise, I'm thinking about a light green metallic with a matching interior. I'm going to play around with that GTO tail panel and see what it looks like.

 

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by Plowboy

[Slotto]

Nice clean cut lines. This is gonna be cool

[SpikeSchumacher]

Your work is inspiring Roger. 

Cheers

[Oldcarfan27]

Looking accurate. 

[cobraman]

Cool project and idea.

[ea0863]

Cannot wait to see it when it's finished!

[slusher]

Neat idea Roger, I sure enjoy your projects!

[larman]

Your work is careful and very well done! This is looking great! If you are using an LS, maybe try to find one from a late model "2004ish" GTO. Those had GTO badged engine covers....just a thought. 

[Bullybeef]

I love love love wagons! 

[Bills72sj]

I like what you are doing here. Following.

[Plowboy]

15 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Looking accurate. 

It's not going to be accurate as it won't have the correct taillights. I'm going to use the Malibu taillights and modify them a little. Then there's the interior. I'm thinking about using the Malibu seats and the GTO door panels and dash. Haven't really looked at either. But, I want to try to keep it as simple as possible.

[Plowboy]

10 hours ago, larman said:

Your work is careful and very well done! This is looking great! If you are using an LS, maybe try to find one from a late model "2004ish" GTO. Those had GTO badged engine covers....just a thought. 

Thanx Larry! I hadn't thought of that kit. I was thinking of one from a '98 Firebird. The '04 GTO may be a little hard to come by. 

[Plowboy]

9 hours ago, Bullybeef said:

I love love love wagons! 

You'll have to check out my '58 Edsel Phantom and '57 Del Rio sometime. Also have a '96 SS wagon.

[Scott8950]

This is definitely gonna be a cool build.

[iamsuperdan]

Very cool. Can never have too many wagons!

 

[espo]

I like the idea of this project. The interior seat patterns differ between the Chevelle and the GTO. Using the GTO door panels and working them into the Chevelle's longer side panels might work. The seats, unless you want buckets, might require converting the buckets into a bench for the front seat. The rear bench could be notched a little to match the Chevelle rear seat. All just depends on the look you're going for.  

[Plowboy]

12 hours ago, espo said:

I like the idea of this project. The interior seat patterns differ between the Chevelle and the GTO. Using the GTO door panels and working them into the Chevelle's longer side panels might work. The seats, unless you want buckets, might require converting the buckets into a bench for the front seat. The rear bench could be notched a little to match the Chevelle rear seat. All just depends on the look you're going for.  

I've been piddling around with the interior and while the GTO door panels can be made to fit the wagon floorpan. They're too short in height. Plus, they would have to be modified a lot to represent a four door. And they still wouldn't be "correct" for a wagon.

The wagon door panels fit perfect. They even match the body. So, now I'm thinking I'll use the wagon's interior and the GTO dash. Both interiors are technically wrong. But, only one fits right. 

Another idea I'm floating around is to use part of the pattern from the GTO's door panels and graft it into the wagon door panels. Again, it won't be correct. But, maybe a happy medium. 

[stavanzer]

Cool Build! Your careful work will result in a beautiful finished model.

[1972coronet]

I'm really keen on your idea here, and the work herein. 
When I'd first read about the interior reworking my first thought was, That'd be a cool Beaumont!

I'm looking forward to following your build, as always. Keep on keepin' on!

[Plowboy]

With the bodywork pretty much done, I've been doing a bit of fitment work with the interior and chassis. The interior is fitting well with the wagon door panels. Just gotta get the GTO dash fitted.

The chassis fit easily with a little work.

First thing I noticed was the location of the spring pockets. They look too far rearward. A test fit of of the front suspension proved it. This ain't gonna work!

To fix it, I cut the frame just behind the A arms and added .080 to the length and glued it back together. I also had an issue with the rearend placement. The wheelwells are perfectly located. But, the rearend is too far forward in them. I had the same issue with the Revell El Camino. On it, I cut the pins away from the trailing arms and moved it back. That left a big gap between the pockets and training arm. This time, I cut the trailing arms loose and moved them forward the appropriate amount to get the rearend centered properly.

I glued the firewall in and filled the big gaping holes for the hood hinges. I also trimmed it to fit the transmission tunnel on the interior. The big surprise was the radiator core support fit right in with no modifications. 

Time for a stance check!

Yeah.....no, that ain't gonna work. I'm going to drop it three scale inches and check it again. I may have to switch to a set of Pegasus wheels to get it where I want it. If I can get it close to my first mockup, I'll be satisfied. 

[slusher]

Roger, nice progress. Your have it going your way. I know you’re going to get the stance your after and the wheel, those on it look good too me. Still going with an LS engine?

[FLHCAHZ]

Great stance.  Impressive craftsmanship.