Rick Winchester 71 Corvette H/SA

[R. Thorne]

Well, here I go again.  Another “quickie” stocker build.  Probably won’t be an exact replica, but close enough, of, what I think, is one of the prettiest cars in Stock Eliminator.  Got some painting done and lopped off the stick transmission.  Only had to put it in the alcohol bath once to correct a bad can of paint (or, maybe, more likely, a poor quality spray person).  As with all my builds, criticism, suggestions for improving the quality of the build, points of inaccuracies, are always welcomed.   Paint was Tamiya spray cans:  white primer, gold, clear red, then 1 coat of clear.

[dwc43]

Nice looking color. I like that.

[deuces wild]

[Nitrobarry]

I like this project a lot. We need more contemporary Stock/Super Stock models! I`ve always found it interesting when guys don`t cover their car with contingency decals. For those who don`t know, those decals translate to dollars if you win or runner up at a divisional or national event. Love the color too!

[R. Thorne]

On 11/7/2023 at 8:06 AM, dwc43 said:

Nice looking color. I like that.

 

On 11/7/2023 at 2:15 PM, deuces wild said:

 

22 hours ago, Nitrobarry said:

I like this project a lot. We need more contemporary Stock/Super Stock models! I`ve always found it interesting when guys don`t cover their car with contingency decals. For those who don`t know, those decals translate to dollars if you win or runner up at a divisional or national event. Love the color too!

Thanks, guys.  Much appreciated.

[Keef]

Love that color! I’ll be watching this build! I’m 

[Scott8950]

Great job matching that color. 

[R. Thorne]

On 11/8/2023 at 7:55 PM, Keef said:

Love that color! I’ll be watching this build! I’m 

 

On 11/8/2023 at 8:57 PM, Scott8950 said:

Great job matching that color. 

Thanks, Keith and Scott.  I did get some painting and assembling done on the chassis and other parts.

[R. Thorne]

Did some preliminary engine/trans fitups to check mainly for header clearance.  These Camaro headers look pretty good and are “tuned” equal length primaries that are mandatory for performance applications.  I have never cast any parts before, but I have a kit I purchased a few years ago and will try to “clone” some headers, wheels, and transmissions.  

[R. Thorne]

Another part of this build I am grappling with is the TH200 trans that most GM racers use, but is not available through anyone in the modeling industry or aftermarket.   I may try to modify this th200-4r trans or maybe even a th350.  I will also be modifying the breather system and The inherently weak trans case.  Unlike most current racers, I have always done my own engine, trans, and differential work, so I am very familiar with modifying these trans in the 1:1 world.  

[R. Thorne]

Still another item in limbo are these Alumastar wheels I ordered from eBay (should be a week or so before I get them).

[Zippi]

Coming along nicely.  Love the color and those wheels & tires are going to look Great.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Great project Ron, the color is superb!👍   Do you think a silver base instead of gold would have produced such a beautiful result?  I imagine the way you did it is the technique used to produce candy apple red on a real car.

[R. Thorne]

9 hours ago, Zippi said:

Coming along nicely.  Love the color and those wheels & tires are going to look Great.

Thanks, Bob.  I won’t use those tires.  They will be swapped for slicks and tall front tires.

[R. Thorne]

6 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Great project Ron, the color is superb!👍   Do you think a silver base instead of gold would have produced such a beautiful result?  I imagine the way you did it is the technique used to produce candy apple red on a real car.

Great question, Francis.  My 37 Chevy c/gs build that I posted here was painted with the silver base and same red clear.  Definitely a darker color, though still pretty.  

[AmericanMuscleFan]

17 hours ago, R. Thorne said:

Great question, Francis.  My 37 Chevy c/gs build that I posted here was painted with the silver base and same red clear.  Definitely a darker color, though still pretty. 

You're right Ron, both methods produced great results, I think the gold base produced an even more "candy" look but obviously the final coat of red plays a vital role in the end result.  Keep up the good work, the subject you chose is right up my alley! 😉

[R. Thorne]

Well, it’s TH200 trans time.  After some studying of the aftermarket transmissions I had available, I decided on the TH200-4R to modify.  It looks more like a 200 now.  Now, some finishing work, and come up with something to make bolt heads, then trans reinforcing rod, rerouted breather line necessary to keep fluid coming out of oem breather location.  Maybe even a dipstick.   Geez, I gotta stop somewhere.  

Edited November 15, 2023 by R. Thorne
Add pics

[R. Thorne]

On 11/13/2023 at 10:25 AM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

You're right Ron, both methods produced great results, I think the gold base produced an even more "candy" look but obviously the final coat of red plays a vital role in the end result.  Keep up the good work, the subject you chose is right up my alley! 😉

Thanks, Francis.  

[R. Thorne]

Some more trans mods.  Tried to drill some .015” holes for added pan bolt holes.  Was going to super glue some wire in the holes, but, after busting 2 bits off in 2 separate holes, I broke the rest of the bit off in the third hole and called the broken bits “bolt heads”.  Sometimes, a man’s got to know his limitations.  I am planning to make a mold and cast some copies of this trans in the next week or so, so I didn’t want anything attached to the trans that would come loose easily during removal from the mold.  Also drilled and installed a breather tube that will have an extension “hose” attached to it after casting.  Filed flat, drilled hole, and attached short piece of styrene that will eventually be attached to the reinforcement rod pictured.

[R. Thorne]

Finished the front mount and made some end brackets.

[Bills72sj]

Beautiful color. I am planning 3 C3 Vettes for my next batch build. Following

[dragcarz]

Another great project Ron! Looking good!

[R. Thorne]

On 11/18/2023 at 4:41 PM, dragcarz said:

Another great project Ron! Looking good!

Thanks, Roger.  Waiting on some wheels I ordered from a couple different places.  Seems like most front wheels of that style are designed to replicate a 17 or 18 inch wheel.

[dragcarz]

That’s the trend nowadays. Hard to come up with accurate 15 inch drag wheels. I really like what your building here. 

[R. Thorne]

13 hours ago, dragcarz said:

That’s the trend nowadays. Hard to come up with accurate 15 inch drag wheels. I really like what you’re building here. 

Thanks, Roger.  Got some wheels today that should do the job.  The upcoming holiday may hold me up a bit, however.  I will use the ones measuring about .660”.