Ronnie Thomas #41 1983 Pontiac

[Iraceitall]

While primer is drying on my 'Bird and its too cold for my full size race car, I thought I'd start another. This is the car that brought me back. Stapleton42 on YouTube did a video at Ronnie Thomas's shop and he had this car in it. I thought it was so cool I had to build one, which snowballed into my return to the hobby. I'm starting with an Earnhardt Wrangler Grand Prix from the Monogram combo kit with the 5 hole wheels from a T-Bird, and decals from Slot Car Fever. 

[Iraceitall]

Cage is semi-assembled for paint and bumpers glued to the body. I had to straighten the frame from a slight warp and I swapped in a dash from the Ford kits because it looked more like the one in the YouTube video. The chassis will be black, body I think Duplicolor GM Torch Red.

[MarkJ]

Joe, another great build in the making. Never seen this car before. The red and white pops very nicely. Thanks for another build to follow.

[Volzfan59]

I saw that Stapleton YouTube video too, it was really informative. I enjoy his channel.

Looking forward to watching over your shoulder on this build. I always liked the independent guys. Afraid that is an era that is gone in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

[bigryan18]

Why not make the chassis red? The roll bars seen thru the side window shows the chassis would indeed be red...

[Iraceitall]

8 hours ago, bigryan18 said:

Why not make the chassis red? The roll bars seen thru the side window shows the chassis would indeed be red...

In the up close of the car in the video, it's black, which is more definitive than anything I've found. I'm not trying to 100% perfectly replicate that pictured car, the available decal sheet doesn't quite either. It'll be more like the restored version he currently owns. In some pictures it has the five hole wheels, in others the 10, I chose the fives because I like them. Maybe this is more tribute than replica I guess?

Edited April 7, 2024 by Iraceitall
Added info

[Iraceitall]

Almost have everything painted, I used Rustoleum 2x semi gloss black, it took a full week to dry, not using it again. Terrible coverage.  Cage is just sitting on the chassis so I could detail paint it some. Got my tires and wheels done too. I still need to do some more detailing, and if the weather keeps up ill get color on the body in a day or two. 

[Iraceitall]

Got a little more done, managed to lay some red down, Krylon Short Cuts Pepper Red looks decent. Started some assembly, but it's nice out, so going to set this aside until next week when the weather turns. At least it's got color!

[Volzfan59]

Looking really good!

[MarkJ]

Great job with the Krylon. Not that easy to get that stuff to look good. Are the white areas on the car decals or do you have to paint them on? If it is paint you might have wanted to do that part first and mask before putting down the red. 

[Iraceitall]

46 minutes ago, MarkJ said:

Great job with the Krylon. Not that easy to get that stuff to look good. Are the white areas on the car decals or do you have to paint them on? If it is paint you might have wanted to do that part first and mask before putting down the red. 

They are decals. I'm hoping they cover well, if not I'll order a 2nd set. That is not one I'd want to try to mask off!

[MarkJ]

Yes, you may need another set. Sometimes you get lucky, and they cover well.

[Iraceitall]

I'll probably try them out middle of next week, the weather will be rainy so I'll be stuck indoors (building a 1:1 race car as well, in a carport) and the paint should hopefully be cured enough. 

[Iraceitall]

Well, I had an issue with windows and trim on the Ford, so while I await some Bare Metal Foil, I assembled the Pontiac chassis. It fought me the whole way, it was warped more than I thought. I think it'll be good enough. I test fit the body to see how it looks, the hood doesn't quite fit right, but worst case I'll display it propped open. It was after that I decided to paint the rest of the cowl black. Next up is foil, decals, bumpers, and done. 

[Iraceitall]

This might be closer to what it'll be than the first pic I found and shared, less the hauler:

[Iraceitall]

 Well, its ready for decals, but ive never worked with this style, and they're VERY delicate! I messed two up already, so I am walking away for now. I need to order another set, and research how to handle these aftermarket decals. No more of these two-part ones for me! 

Edited April 21, 2024 by Iraceitall
Added info

[MarkJ]

For as obscure as this build is, about the only decals you will be able to get are this type. Have you checked with "Three Amigos." I hear they make very good custom decals.

[Iraceitall]

2 minutes ago, MarkJ said:

For as obscure as this build is, about the only decals you will be able to get are this type. Have you checked with "Three Amigos." I hear they make very good custom decals.

I haven't. I'll look them up. In the mean ordered another set. For what it's worth the white actually covered fairly well.

[MarkJ]

44 minutes ago, Iraceitall said:

I haven't. I'll look them up. In the mean ordered another set. For what it's worth the white actually covered fairly well.

I make most of the decals I use for myself, and they are also very thin and hard to work with. Thats why when I make a sheet, I make two or three extras of each decal on the sheet because I know I will probably mess up a couple of them. It's a little bit of extra ink but at least I won't have to make another whole sheet. Thats where the expense is, in the actual raw decal sheet itself.

[Iraceitall]

That makes sense. I'm bummed but not mad, I figure it was human error. Guess I'll start on another car in the meantime!

[Iraceitall]

It's getting there. Definitely a good 10-footer. It took two sets of decals to get this far. If I were to attempt it again (unlikely) I would rather mask and paint, it would take the same amount of time, and look better. Next up it'll be under glass, hopefully this week.