C-1 Models "Shooting Brake" AKA Camaro Wagon

[BDSchindler]

So while waiting for the clear coat to cure on a GTX that I have been slooooowly working on for what seems forever, I figured I'd start my next pair of projects.

Part 2 will be a box stock AMT Camaro (inspired by a recent build from Joe Shaw aka "Mustang1989" here===> https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/174678-amt-2017-camaro-fiftieth-anniversary-edition/).

Part 1 is the C-1 Camaro "Shooting Brake" Wagon.  Initial thoughts were that it would be a fairly easy build using the AMT 2016 or newer Camaro donor.  Now this is my first resin trans kit and I have been warned that resin kits are more brittle that plastic so I am proceeding cautiously!

First real inspection I discovered some pinholes to which I drilled out and filled from behind.  I also saw a lot of resin in all panel lines and while lightly trying to dig them out, I noticed the rear of the drivers door is very thin.  I barely touched it and it opened up...again filled from behind and will get back to that later.

At this point, I figured I should test fit every part that comes in contact with the body...and I'm glad I did!

The Shooting Brake needs the hood from the donor kit.  When I test fitted the hood, I realized that a lot of massaging was needed.  Like 3 hours worth!  When it was done, I was happy with the outcome...

There was a lot of resin in the recesses of the nose also and it was easier to massage the donor parts to fit correctly.  So a quick mock up of the nose produced an acceptable result...

The rear valance was a royal pain the rear, however!  Again with the heavy amount of resin caused the rear valance to literally hang off the body.  There is a YOUTUBE video out there that shows this around 11:43 into it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvvbEtm4jwQ).

I took a fair amount of time to remove the resin, as needed, and massaged the donor valance until it looked closer to what the Camaro actually is.  Right and left rear valance pictures are below...

You'll notice I have the interior and chassis installed.  I did it for 2 reasons...it adds some rigidity while I holding and grinding away on the body but I also wanted to see if the interior went clear to the rear of the Shooting Brake's cargo bay.  Well, it doesn't so now I'm torn with...

1. Extending the rear deck to the back
2. Cut out the rear deck and fabricate a cargo area
3. Take the easy way out and black out the rear window and leave the interior the way it is.  Blacking out the rear window will not show what you see in the picture below.

Thoughts and feedback are appreciated!

Edited March 10, 2023 by BDSchindler

[64SS350]

I too have started this as a second... third... fourth??... project. Lol.

Pulled mine off the shelf a couple weeks ago. I'm finding the same areas that need attention as you are, I haven't tried the rear valance yet though. This resin is very nice to work with, seems more durable than what we use here in the US. 

I'm debating about some modern customization, or get a second one for that. I haven't decided on the rear of my interior yet either. 

[mustang1989]

Now how cool is THIS??!! 
I’ll be watching in on this one Brian. 
I’ve got my instruction sheet out and will shoot you some pictures of it and explain in further detail what I did along the way to drop the car down to a more aggressive stance. 
I had to help our son out with his taxes and cook dinner tonight so I’m bushed after a long Monday. It’s only a matter of a very short time til I have the info to you. 

[BDSchindler]

On 4/10/2023 at 9:33 PM, mustang1989 said:

Now how cool is THIS??!! 
I’ll be watching in on this one Brian. 
I’ve got my instruction sheet out and will shoot you some pictures of it and explain in further detail what I did along the way to drop the car down to a more aggressive stance. 
I had to help our son out with his taxes and cook dinner tonight so I’m bushed after a long Monday. It’s only a matter of a very short time til I have the info to you. 

No worries, Joe!  I'm retired now (as of December 2022) so I have plenty of time...well, when I'm not taking care of the never ending "honey-do" list my wife devised to keep me busy!  I've been busier in the last 4 months than I was in the last 10 years in I.T.!!!!!

Thanks again!

Edited April 13, 2023 by BDSchindler

[mustang1989]

23 hours ago, BDSchindler said:

No worries, Joe!  I'm retired now (as of December 2022) so I have plenty of time...well, when I'm not taking care of the never ending "honey-do" list my wife devised to keep me busy!  I've been busier in the last 4 months than I was in the last 10 years in I.T.!!!!!

Thanks again!

I'm right there with you brother! For sure!! 

[BDSchindler]

Finally an update, painted the Shooting Brake with Splash Paints Turquoise Blue Metallic.

I need to lightly wet sand a couple of spots but overall, it looks good to me.

The hood had some deep sanding scratches that I missed and became ever so evident when painted so that went into the purple pond and has since been re-primed.

 

[Lunajammer]

Whoa! I REALLY like that color. Great choice.

[BDSchindler]

15 hours ago, Lunajammer said:

Whoa! I REALLY like that color. Great choice.

Thanks, I have some minor wet sanding to do on it before I clear it and since the hood needs repainting, I'll hold for now.  I also have a couple of other bodies that need painting so I'll wait and clear them with Splash Paints 2K Gloss clear.

Speaking of Splash Paints, hats off to Sam for straightening me out on what to order for the 2K Clear.  I've never used 2K Clear before so this should be interesting.

Edited April 23, 2023 by BDSchindler

[BDSchindler]

Not much **new** to report but I got a bit more dismayed on this C1 Models Shooting Brake Camaro.  Test fitted the windshield after removing just the front part from the donor glass and noted that it didn't fit.  The pillar is warped so it took a bit of creative grinding to make it so.  Mind you, it is now painted...my fault for not test fitting the windshield before paint.

Also noted the interior wasn't fitting well and found more body issues...

Then, (and I don't know why I didn't see this before) the entire drivers side is warped and at least 1/4 of an inch off!

This is starting to resemble "slush casting resin" and while I know it wasn't, I just find this kind of c r a p (and I am talking about ALL of the inconsistencies found so far) unacceptable for the price of this conversion kit where it is basically a body and everything else (including the hood) has to come from a donor kit.

And I know that I had a choice not to buy, but I seriously think it was just the conversion kit I was sent as others from the same mold did not have all of the issues I have had.

Poor quality control in my opinion.

[BDSchindler]

A small update…calling the interior DONE!!!

Edited June 14, 2023 by BDSchindler

[64SS350]

Nice color choices!

[BDSchindler]

Interior and chassis are done…

Today I applied Splash Paints 2K clear and I think it came out nice…

 

definitely glossy! So I’ll let this cure a bit and do a little wet sanding (maybe) then mask it and hit the trim.

lots more to go!

 

[BDSchindler]

So after a bit of work straightening out a warped body, the chassis/interior and body are now one. There is still work to do (headlights, taillights, rear wind deflector, rear valance, spoiler and more) but for today, getting the body mounted was a major feat!

Side and rear windows were mounted. Rear window required to be taped down (below) and front grill work done. Suspension sits a little taller than I wanted but after the body issues encountered, I’ll take it!

Engine bay settled into place…

still more to do but hopefully, I’ll have this done tomorrow.