71 Olds 442 W30 (replica of my brother in law’s car)

[BK9300]

Hi Steve - just been through your thread - beautiful car.  Really hard to tell it’s not full size in your final photos!

[Steve H]

On 8/5/2024 at 3:41 AM, slusher said:

Beautiful work Steve!

Thank you Carl, always nice to hear from you sir.
 

 

On 8/5/2024 at 4:29 AM, Moparman18064 said:

Bellissimo!! An absolute beauty. You should be proud of this one, for sure. Your BIL should love it!

Hi Rich! Thanks for the comments. I am looking forward to seeing the look on his face when I give it to him. 

[Steve H]

On 8/5/2024 at 7:13 AM, BK9300 said:

Hi Steve - just been through your thread - beautiful car.  Really hard to tell it’s not full size in your final photos!

Thanks a bunch Brian. I appreciate you taking the time to have a look and comment. Hoping that I can get better quality photos with my new phone! I’ll wait til it’s 100% complete for that tho…  I’m enjoying having it in my display case for now. It really is quite an interesting colour. 
 

Cheers, Steve

[Noah H.]

This has got to be one of the best builds I have ever seen. This level of detail is nothing short of incredible. Amazing work!

[Codi]

Super clean build Steve.  Your brother in law is one lucky guy to own one and of course to have you making this gem for him. 

cheers, tim

[Steve H]

On 9/3/2024 at 10:09 AM, Noah H. said:

This has got to be one of the best builds I have ever seen. This level of detail is nothing short of incredible. Amazing work!

Thank you Noah, I appreciate your kind words.
 

 

On 9/3/2024 at 12:46 PM, Codi said:

Super clean build Steve.  Your brother in law is one lucky guy to own one and of course to have you making this gem for him. 

cheers, tim

Thanks Tim! It’s been a fun journey building this for him. I think he will enjoy having this in his display case. I also think he’ll get a kick out of the build thread here to see the process. 
 

Cheers, Steve

[Mike Slapattack]

Beautiful work!

[Steve H]

Thank you Michael.

[mustang1989]

On 8/2/2024 at 9:55 AM, Steve H said:

Hi guys, this will be the second to last update. Time to wrap this thing up!!

First, my apologies again for the poor photos. My phone has taken on a life of its own. New phone coming this week!  I will be ordering custom decals in the next day or 2 for the license plates, and a decal for the back window. The decal order kept getting delayed , as I keep thinking of more ideas for future projects. So my decal order keeps growing. 
Once I get the last details added, I’ll post one more update here then it will go under glass! Probably few weeks…

 

It has been an enjoyable project, and fun to push myself a bit on the details. You know, just a simple “box stock” build.? It is also very rewarding to do something like this for someone who has done a lot for me. I’m looking forward to the handoff and seeing his reaction. I also think Wayne will enjoy reading through this thread and seeing the process. There are a handful of “oops” here and there on the build, but most of them, you have to really look for. I did put a nasty little scratch on the top of driver side quarter panel right at the bottom of the A pillar. There was some very colourful language that followed…  

Thank you to all of you who followed along on the journey, sorry it took so long!! All of your comments were very much appreciated, thanks for taking the time to add your thoughts. Now, with this one in the rear view mirror, time to get back to some serious kit-bashing!! 

Thanks so much!  Cheers, Steve

 

  YEESH!! Bad pictures....."handful of oops".....?? I don't know where both of those are but I sure as heck don't see any. I just got through going through this build and have to say that I am just floored. Truly remarkable build and a great bar to build to IMO Steve. My hat goes off to you man. 

[Steve H]

On 10/22/2024 at 1:06 PM, mustang1989 said:

  YEESH!! Bad pictures....."handful of oops".....?? I don't know where both of those are but I sure as heck don't see any. I just got through going through this build and have to say that I am just floored. Truly remarkable build and a great bar to build to IMO Steve. My hat goes off to you man. 

Hi Joe!! Good to hear from you my friend. I very much appreciate your comments. Actually, this is great timing as I just heard that my custom decals are on their way! So hopefully I can get this to the finish line.
 Also…. I just re-read most of my posts and realized that I forgot something important. I always try to give credit to builders that gave me inspiration, or that I learned something specific from, and use on a build. Hard to always do that as there is a ton of super talented builders here. So… one thing that you taught me sir, is how to make a good looking black interior. Your black interiors have always stood out to me, and I recall asking you in one of your threads a while back how you achieved that. I forget your exact reply, but basically …use many different blacks. On this builds interior, I used: flat black, semi gloss black, nato black, and black embossing powder. The result is my best looking black interior by far. So thank you Joe for your contribution to this build. 
 

I should have the decals in about 2-3 weeks ?. As soon as I have them, I will get this build finished, photographed, and then hand it over to my brother from another mother. Really looking forward to the handoff.

[Mr Dirt]

New here but what a wonderful build. I am trying to build a replica of my old car wish I had your skills.

[mustang1989]

On 10/23/2024 at 9:13 PM, Mr Dirt said:

New here but what a wonderful build. I am trying to build a replica of my old car wish I had your skills.

Keep hangin' around and you'll get there John. 

[mustang1989]

On 10/23/2024 at 9:07 PM, Steve H said:

Hi Joe!! Good to hear from you my friend. I very much appreciate your comments. Actually, this is great timing as I just heard that my custom decals are on their way! So hopefully I can get this to the finish line.
 Also…. I just re-read most of my posts and realized that I forgot something important. I always try to give credit to builders that gave me inspiration, or that I learned something specific from, and use on a build. Hard to always do that as there is a ton of super talented builders here. So… one thing that you taught me sir, is how to make a good looking black interior. Your black interiors have always stood out to me, and I recall asking you in one of your threads a while back how you achieved that. I forget your exact reply, but basically …use many different blacks. On this builds interior, I used: flat black, semi gloss black, nato black, and black embossing powder. The result is my best looking black interior by far. So thank you Joe for your contribution to this build. 
 

I should have the decals in about 2-3 weeks ?. As soon as I have them, I will get this build finished, photographed, and then hand it over to my brother from another mother. Really looking forward to the handoff.

  I hear you on waiting for final bits to wrap a buildup. I'm glad that you were able to use some of my techniques in your build here Steve and I've learned a thing or two from watching your builds here over the last couple of years myself so right back at you on the word of thanks brother.  Black interiors to me have always been the trickiest ones to get right but after studying photographs of and in looking at real world black interiors I started noticing that they look great because everything is a different luster....so.....I applied that to my modeling and it worked out great for me. 

I'll be looking forward to the finishing shots in the Under the Glass section of this modern art masterpiece Steve.  What a beauty man. 

[Steve H]

On 10/23/2024 at 7:13 PM, Mr Dirt said:

New here but what a wonderful build. I am trying to build a replica of my old car wish I had your skills.

Hi John, and welcome to the forum. You will find a lot of helpful people on here, and tons of tips and tricks that I’m sure you will find useful. Keep an eye on the “tips, tricks, and tutorials” section, there is always great snippets there. If you’re looking for help with anything, post in the questions section. My skill, and knowledge has improved significantly since joining the forum back in 2020. One thing I realized is that I needed more/better tools!!  If I see something I really like in someone’s thread, I screen shot it and add to my “model stuff” album in my photos.  What car are you building a replica of?

 

2 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

  I hear you on waiting for final bits to wrap a buildup. I'm glad that you were able to use some of my techniques in your build here Steve and I've learned a thing or two from watching your builds here over the last couple of years myself so right back at you on the word of thanks brother.  Black interiors to me have always been the trickiest ones to get right but after studying photographs of and in looking at real world black interiors I started noticing that they look great because everything is a different luster....so.....I applied that to my modeling and it worked out great for me. 

I'll be looking forward to the finishing shots in the Under the Glass section of this modern art masterpiece Steve.  What a beauty man. 

Thanks Joe, yes,  finding the different shades, and sheens is key to a good looking black interior. Realistically, under glass photos will be late November, got a nice little holiday coming up.

[Mr Dirt]

Steve I am building a replica of my 1967 Pontiac GTO I had when I was 21.  I currently own a 1966 Pontiac GTO so I have a good resource.  I am using a 1966 revell kit for the frame and interior even though I know the interior is not right it is so much better than the MPC/AMT kit.  I will use the MPC/AMT kit body after cleaning it up and taking the Pontiac emblems of the back as they were never there on the 1967.  I sure like the models built on this site there is a lot of talent here. I can come nowhere’s close to these builds but I try to learn all I can.  I have learned to be slower and more patient with my builds. Thanks for your time have a great day.

[Steve H]

12 hours ago, Mr Dirt said:

Steve I am building a replica of my 1967 Pontiac GTO I had when I was 21.  I currently own a 1966 Pontiac GTO so I have a good resource.  I am using a 1966 revell kit for the frame and interior even though I know the interior is not right it is so much better than the MPC/AMT kit.  I will use the MPC/AMT kit body after cleaning it up and taking the Pontiac emblems of the back as they were never there on the 1967.  I sure like the models built on this site there is a lot of talent here. I can come nowhere’s close to these builds but I try to learn all I can.  I have learned to be slower and more patient with my builds. Thanks for your time have a great day.

Sounds like a great project John, I love the ‘66, ‘67 GTO’s.  There is a lot of talent here to learn from for sure. I hope you will share your build, either as a WIP, or once complete in the under glass section. I own a 1967 Pontiac too! Mine is a Canadian car tho, ‘67 Beaumont Sport Deluxe 2dr hardtop. I will be doing a replica of it, but probably another year or so away from that…

[Mr Dirt]

9 hours ago, Steve H said:

Sounds like a great project John, I love the ‘66, ‘67 GTO’s.  There is a lot of talent here to learn from for sure. I hope you will share your build, either as a WIP, or once complete in the under glass section. I own a 1967 Pontiac too! Mine is a Canadian car tho, ‘67 Beaumont Sport Deluxe 2dr hardtop. I will be doing a replica of it, but probably another year or so away from that…

Nice a very rare Pontiac will be looking forward to pictures of that build. 

[Keef]

On 8/2/2024 at 10:55 AM, Steve H said:

Hi guys, this will be the second to last update. Time to wrap this thing up!!

The front grill recessed areas on the real car are not chrome, they are silver. These areas were brush painted with AK aluminum, same for the headlight bezels. This could also be done using matte clear instead of the aluminum paint. The result is subtle,  but it does make a difference to the overall look. The grills themselves were painted with 3 light coats of Tamiya flat black. The turn signals have a dot of clear orange in the centre to represent the orange bulb. 
Real car…

Before adding silver…

After…. 

For the rear bumper, the recessed areas around the taillights is also silver not chrome. I used the same AK aluminum for that, again subtle, but makes a difference to the look. The back up lenses were also painted Ak aluminum, then I added .005” clear styrene for lenses.  As a side note, I am aware that the car has bumperettes. I am considering making some, but I may leave as is…

With that done it’s time to assemble!

Door handles installed, photo etch locks. I used bootlace ferrules for the exhaust trumpets. Not 100% accurate as the real car has tapered outlet, but very close. So….. without further ado here she is…

 

First, my apologies again for the poor photos. My phone has taken on a life of its own. New phone coming this week!  I will be ordering custom decals in the next day or 2 for the license plates, and a decal for the back window. The decal order kept getting delayed , as I keep thinking of more ideas for future projects. So my decal order keeps growing. 
Once I get the last details added, I’ll post one more update here then it will go under glass! Probably few weeks…

 

It has been an enjoyable project, and fun to push myself a bit on the details. You know, just a simple “box stock” build.? It is also very rewarding to do something like this for someone who has done a lot for me. I’m looking forward to the handoff and seeing his reaction. I also think Wayne will enjoy reading through this thread and seeing the process. There are a handful of “oops” here and there on the build, but most of them, you have to really look for. I did put a nasty little scratch on the top of driver side quarter panel right at the bottom of the A pillar. There was some very colourful language that followed…  

Thank you to all of you who followed along on the journey, sorry it took so long!! All of your comments were very much appreciated, thanks for taking the time to add your thoughts. Now, with this one in the rear view mirror, time to get back to some serious kit-bashing!! 

Thanks so much!  Cheers, Steve

DUDE!!! That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I’d be hard pressed to choose between this and the Caddy, and you know how much I love the Caddy ??

[Steve H]

2 hours ago, Keef said:

DUDE!!! That is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I’d be hard pressed to choose between this and the Caddy, and you know how much I love the Caddy ??

Keith!! Good to hearing from you my friend. I truly appreciate the compliment. I have a feeling you will like my next project. Just need to wrap up my current cyber punk build, which should come together quickly now. It is nice to have this one done. See below ??

[Steve H]

It’s finished!!! Got my custom decals yesterday, and immediately installed them. License plates and the sticker on the rear window. I won’t be putting this under glass for a few weeks yet. Need to get some good glam shots, and I won’t be able to do that until I get back from holiday. Couple of teasers here …

[Steve H]

Oops… hit the wrong button ?… 

photos…

I just love seeing those red fenders behind the front wheels.

 

Thank you to all that followed this build, and commented. It was a fun journey for me, and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.

[Phildaupho]

Absolutely first class top notch grade A number 1 primo model. Have a great holiday.

[Keef]

29 minutes ago, Steve H said:

Oops… hit the wrong button ?… 

photos…

I just love seeing those red fenders behind the front wheels.

 

Thank you to all that followed this build, and commented. It was a fun journey for me, and I am very pleased with the way it turned out.

I have one of these in my stash and now I am VERY motivated to dig into it!! Absolutely AMAZING work my friend!!

[Mattilacken]

Looks great mate!

[Moparman18064]

Steve

This build is stunning! You missed nothing in every facet of that beauty. Now your brother in law could leave the car under cover, and just take your build to the shows! I am just blown away by the quality of your build. I truly look forward to your next adventures. This makes me strive to achieve something closer to your type of quality in the future(eons away?). Thank you for sharing your journey.