Cyber punk ‘88 Dodge Daytona/Mercedes C9 kit bash

[NOBLNG]

This should be interesting! Your stuff is a work of art and I really like the clear explanation of how and why you’re doing what you’re doing. I like the concept too.??

[Steve H]

On 10/10/2024 at 8:48 PM, NOBLNG said:

This should be interesting! Your stuff is a work of art and I really like the clear explanation of how and why you’re doing what you’re doing. I like the concept too.??

Thank you Greg! I appreciate the compliment. I’m always learning, and trying to improve my skills. I thought about my Mad Max comment and afterwards thought, the build will be sort of “Mad Max but maybe in Beverly Hills”… It’s definitely been a bit of a learning curve working on a style of kit that I don’t have any previous experience with. 
I’ve had to use instructions a few times!!???‍♂️?

[Steve H]

Hi guys, I had a reasonably productive weekend at the bench. Not a lot to show for photos, but I have a majority of the main components sorted out for fitment. The interior door cards took more time than they should have, but it was constant sand/file/test fit, repeat….  

I also needed to figure out where I could relocate the inter coolers. With that task sorted out, I could now add air scoops to direct air for them. I used tape to layout the cuts and act as a guide for the rough cuts. After opening them up, I added some shape to the inlets. 

 

I made a couple of “scoops” from sheet styrene and attached them to finalize the intake.

still some minor clean up, and refining, but close. The inter coolers will be mounted on the rear firewall behind these inlets. 
 

I have most of the interior in primer, so hoping to get some colour on those parts this week. Door cards need some detail, and a bit left to do on the dash.

The biggest tasks left to do are fabricating a “trunk” under the hood, and figure out the turbo piping. 
 

Thanks for having a look!

 

[Chuckyg1]

Great work so far. Great vision and execution. Can't wait to see more.

[Steve H]

On 10/20/2024 at 5:36 PM, Chuckyg1 said:

Great work so far. Great vision and execution. Can't wait to see more.

Thank you John. This concept has lurking in the back of my mind for almost 2 years now. 
 

[Steve H]

I made a fair bit of progress on this over the last couple of days. Not a lot to show YET… but soon. One of the issues I hadn’t dealt with was the missing headlights. So today was the day. Did a little digging thru one of my parts bins, and arrived at a solution I’m happy with. I found a pair of GOLD ? plated headlights from the old Monogram “mean and nasty” pro street Camaro. Now… I didn’t see this coming, but… the gold plating actually is going to work well. I am going to paint the outer edge in silver, but the gold “reflectors” for the lights will replicate amber lights perfectly, and, also be a good fit with the metallic orange paint.
 

 I will let the photos speak…

 

I will add a piece of styrene sheet across the top to blend it in to the rad support and that should have my headlight issue resolved! 
 

I did get a bunch of painting done, but I need to do a bit of work before I show that. Soon…

[Steve H]

Headlights done. Just some minor clean up left. They won’t get glued in place just yet, probably after body is painted. 

[Keef]

I don’t know what to say…… ?

[BK9300]

It's very impressive when your scale modifications look like they came out of a real life custom fab shop!

[Steve H]

6 hours ago, Keef said:

I don’t know what to say…… ?

HA!! Stay tuned, I haven’t even got to the good stuff yet. Soon tho. Thanks for checking in Keith, always great to hear from you.

 

2 hours ago, BK9300 said:

It's very impressive when your scale modifications look like they came out of a real life custom fab shop!

Thanks Brian! 

[Steve H]

Hi all, time for an update. I felt the need to get some paint on this beast. Most of the test fitting etc is done, and the major components are almost sorted out. Of coarse, if it’s painted, it’s time for a quick mock!!  Base coat of silver, metallic orange, and clear orange, all Tamiya. No clear yet. Nothing is glued together yet, and LOTS of detail painting to do yet, just a quick mock to see where I’m at. One thing I will almost certainly change is the rear wing. It’s a bit too far back in my eye, so I will tinker with that. You can see I have started the engine, but still work to do on that as well.

I fully realize that this type of build isn’t everyone’s “cup of tea” but it is fun doing something a bit different. I also have realized that this is an ‘85 (?) Daytona, not an 88. I don’t have the original box…

As always, thanks for looking!!

[DJMar]

Wow, that looks amazing! ? 

[Steve H]

3 minutes ago, DJMar said:

Wow, that looks amazing! ? 

Thanks DJ. Finally making some headway with it. 

[stitchdup]

i love the out of the box thinking on this, it kinda reminds of the old thunder saloon race series over here in the uk, where a vauxhall viva might really be a lola can am car or a bug might be more f1 car

[SpikeSchumacher]

That is looking absolutely amazing Steve! Sometimes something out of the ordinary is refreshing. ?

[Chuckyg1]

Oh my...... It just keeps getting better.

[BK9300]

Great progress, Steve!  I don't have the imagination for a build like this, but I appreciate following along with this quality build

[Mattilacken]

Looking cool mate! Will be a killer!

[NerdmanB]

Definitely not something I would have thought of. But I am loving it.very impressive work. I will be watching this. Might have to try to build one myself. There is no shortage of creativity and talent on this sight.

[Steve H]

14 hours ago, stitchdup said:

i love the out of the box thinking on this, it kinda reminds of the old thunder saloon race series over here in the uk, where a vauxhall viva might really be a lola can am car or a bug might be more f1 car

 

[Steve H]

14 hours ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

That is looking absolutely amazing Steve! Sometimes something out of the ordinary is refreshing. ?

Thanks Spike! I like to do something a little different once in a while. 

 

14 hours ago, stitchdup said:

i love the out of the box thinking on this, it kinda reminds of the old thunder saloon race series over here in the uk, where a vauxhall viva might really be a lola can am car or a bug might be more f1 car

Hi Les, thanks for the input. That race series sounds awesome, gonna have to do a search on that…

14 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said:

Oh my...... It just keeps getting better.

Hopefully John. Once I get some details done, it should start looking half decent. 
 

 

13 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Great progress, Steve!  I don't have the imagination for a build like this, but I appreciate following along with this quality build

It feels like I’m moving in the right direction Brian. I appreciate you following along. 

5 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Looking cool mate! Will be a killer!

Thanks Anton. I hope so…

56 minutes ago, NerdmanB said:

Definitely not something I would have thought of. But I am loving it.very impressive work. I will be watching this. Might have to try to build one myself. There is no shortage of creativity and talent on this sight.

Hi Brian, looks like you are fairly new here, so welcome aboard!! There are endless possibilities with this type of build, I plan on doing at least one more eventually.  I would be curious to see what you would create. 
Yes, there are some very talented, and creative people on this site. I have been on this forum for about 4 years, and it is a wonderful place to learn and share. Thanks for checking in!

[espo]

The body work just looks so right, and the paint color looks great. Maybe pull the rear wing over the rear tires just to see if that looks better to your eye. I'm enjoying watching your modifications as you have worked on this. 

[Keef]

21 hours ago, Steve H said:

Hi all, time for an update. I felt the need to get some paint on this beast. Most of the test fitting etc is done, and the major components are almost sorted out. Of coarse, if it’s painted, it’s time for a quick mock!!  Base coat of silver, metallic orange, and clear orange, all Tamiya. No clear yet. Nothing is glued together yet, and LOTS of detail painting to do yet, just a quick mock to see where I’m at. One thing I will almost certainly change is the rear wing. It’s a bit too far back in my eye, so I will tinker with that. You can see I have started the engine, but still work to do on that as well.

I fully realize that this type of build isn’t everyone’s “cup of tea” but it is fun doing something a bit different. I also have realized that this is an ‘85 (?) Daytona, not an 88. I don’t have the original box…

As always, thanks for looking!!

HOLY SMOKES!!!! ?? that is absolutely STUNNING!!!

Maybe move the spoiler forward so the leading edge of it is right over the trailing edge of the tires? 

[chris chabre]

OUT OF THE PARK COOL STEVE!!!!!

[Steve H]

On 11/2/2024 at 11:29 AM, espo said:

The body work just looks so right, and the paint color looks great. Maybe pull the rear wing over the rear tires just to see if that looks better to your eye. I'm enjoying watching your modifications as you have worked on this. 

Hi David, thanks for the kind words, and input on the rear wing. I think you are close with wing location, right now my thought is that the back edge of the wing would line up with the back of the chassis. I will play with final location once the rear suspension is installed. (Or at least mocked up) I appreciate your input!
 

 

On 11/2/2024 at 1:09 PM, Keef said:

HOLY SMOKES!!!! ?? that is absolutely STUNNING!!!

Maybe move the spoiler forward so the leading edge of it is right over the trailing edge of the tires? 

Thanks Keith! Yep, you and David are both  dry close with the wing location I think. Thanks for the input, much appreciated. 

On 11/2/2024 at 5:00 PM, chris chabre said:

OUT OF THE PARK COOL STEVE!!!!!

Thank you Chris, I appreciate you checking in. I hope that everything is ok in your world. 
 

I’m away from my bench for another week and a half, but chomping at the bit to get more done on this. Thanks for taking the time to comment fellas.