Mike Slapattack Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 (edited) Another project I'm working on is a base model version of the MPC 1979 Chevrolet Nova. I've decided to 3D print the parts that I need, and I will be eventually selling these parts once I set up the 3D printer I just bought. I'm nearly complete the rims. They will be styled to 14"x6" steel wheels and wheel covers. They are a 2-part assembly with front and back segments for easier painting behind the wheel cover. Below is a render with my progress. Edited October 16 by Mike Slapattack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted October 16 Share Posted October 16 Mike, a bench seat and correct '79 dash would be a good thing to make. The seat is obvious but the dash, whole interior really, wasn't updated since the kit was converted from the '77 Ventura to the '77 Nova. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 17 Author Share Posted October 17 (edited) 1 hour ago, Can-Con said: Mike, a bench seat and correct '79 dash would be a good thing to make. The seat is obvious but the dash, whole interior really, wasn't updated since the kit was converted from the '77 Ventura to the '77 Nova. Thanks for the info on the dash! A bench seat is also already in the works! I'm just familiarizing myself with the surface workbench in Fusion. Also I will need to make a steering wheel, as the one in the kit is not accurate either. I've attached a picture of the bottom of the bench seat as it sits right now (pun intended haha). I'm not really happy with it at the moment but I'm going to keep chipping away at it. There are more complex compound curve surfaces than I expected. I want it to be a proper looking seat and not just a block. Also, side note, I've also began work on the standard 195/75/R14 tires! Edited October 17 by Mike Slapattack 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 17 Author Share Posted October 17 Little update. Figured out a good way to tread tires in Fusion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondamatic Posted October 17 Share Posted October 17 Cool! I love these "ordinary" style cars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 17 Author Share Posted October 17 1 hour ago, Hondamatic said: Cool! I love these "ordinary" style cars Me too! You'll be able to make your own soon ?. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 17 Author Share Posted October 17 Update: Reworked the tires a bit and painted everything up for a render! Very happy with it, I'll call it done and ready for test printing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 19 Author Share Posted October 19 Created a more appropriate radial tire for the wheel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncbuckeye67 Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 I'm definitely going to have to keep my eyes open for these parts. A bench seat will give me an opportunity to use some of my plaid pattern washi tape! You're making pretty quick progress on this "new to you" process, and I'm excited to see your updates! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 21 Author Share Posted October 21 (edited) On 10/19/2024 at 6:33 AM, ncbuckeye67 said: I'm definitely going to have to keep my eyes open for these parts. A bench seat will give me an opportunity to use some of my plaid pattern washi tape! You're making pretty quick progress on this "new to you" process, and I'm excited to see your updates! I appreciate that! I restarted the bench seat from scratch after discovering a more efficient way to make the model. It will be a split bench as the 2-doors were equipped with. Edited October 21 by Mike Slapattack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 21 Author Share Posted October 21 (edited) I added the beading to the bench seat. Some dimensions may need adjusting, and I still need to do the headrests, but the hard stuff is done! This is the first Fusion model I've made that incorporates both solid bodies and surface bodies merged into one solid body. Edited October 21 by Mike Slapattack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 23 Author Share Posted October 23 Did some reworking on the bench seat to make it more adjustable when I get to the test fitting stage. I also added some armrests! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 This is a nice set. I suggest that if you do the bench seat, match the upholstery pattern to the rear seat in the kit tub, or do a separate rear seat. I'd love this set, as I sold these cars new. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 28 Author Share Posted October 28 On 10/25/2024 at 6:16 PM, Ron Hamilton said: This is a nice set. I suggest that if you do the bench seat, match the upholstery pattern to the rear seat in the kit tub, or do a separate rear seat. I'd love this set, as I sold these cars new. I'll get on that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 29 Author Share Posted October 29 I got a SolidWorks license on my personal computer yesterday and I'm super excited. This is a software I'm far more familiar with than Fusion 360. I'm moving over to that. The first part I'm making with it is a correct '79 Nova steering wheel, as the one in the kit is the '76 wheel. This will be included in the kit and available as an individual part. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted October 30 Author Share Posted October 30 Finished the steering wheel! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted November 2 Author Share Posted November 2 The very beginnings of a correct 1977-1979 dashboard: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 I like what you're doing. I sold Chevrolet from 1978 through 2002. My first Demonstrator was a 1978 Nova 4 Door Sedan. I'd like to build a model of it. The parts you are doing, save the wheelcovers will get me close to building a model of that car. If I can't get a 4 door body, I can make one myself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted November 2 Share Posted November 2 On 10/18/2024 at 9:33 PM, Mike Slapattack said: Created a more appropriate radial tire for the wheel. Don't forget the curb rub strip on the side of the tire, as well as maybe a white wall insert. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 2 hours ago, Ron Hamilton said: Don't forget the curb rub strip on the side of the tire, as well as maybe a white wall insert. Thanks for the input! I will for sure do that. I was trying to find reference pictures in old magazines but most of the ads only show pictures of fancy radials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 2 hours ago, Ron Hamilton said: I like what you're doing. I sold Chevrolet from 1978 through 2002. My first Demonstrator was a 1978 Nova 4 Door Sedan. I'd like to build a model of it. The parts you are doing, save the wheelcovers will get me close to building a model of that car. If I can't get a 4 door body, I can make one myself. I know there are some 4-door bodies floating around! I hope you find one. I may make one in the future, but I have quite a few projects lined up. I can however make the proper full back bench seat for the sedans. To my knowledge the sedans did not have a split rear bench, but maybe you can fact check me on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted November 3 Share Posted November 3 5 hours ago, Mike Slapattack said: I know there are some 4-door bodies floating around! I hope you find one. I may make one in the future, but I have quite a few projects lined up. I can however make the proper full back bench seat for the sedans. To my knowledge the sedans did not have a split rear bench, but maybe you can fact check me on that. The back seat on the Sedan is a solid, non folding rear seat, which is the same as the non hatchback coupe. I believe the AMT based Nova kits are not hatchbacks. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted November 3 Author Share Posted November 3 10 hours ago, Ron Hamilton said: The back seat on the Sedan is a solid, non folding rear seat, which is the same as the non hatchback coupe. I believe the AMT based Nova kits are not hatchbacks. . Sorry, I didn't write that properly, I meant to say the front bench seat with the full seat back that isn't split. Also, the MPC kit does appear to be a hatchback because it has a panel seam all the way up around the rear window. It also has a silly "Hatchback" badge on the C-pillar that doesn't belong there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spkgibsonfirebird Posted November 4 Share Posted November 4 I'd be interested in one of these conversions, I owned a Carmine Red Metallic with a Red interior 1979 back in 1989 when It was gifted to me on my 16th birthday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Slapattack Posted November 7 Author Share Posted November 7 (edited) I was making some steel wheels for Squarebody trucks and realized that they are very similar to the Nova steelies. With some adjustments I am able to make some proper Nova steelies that will be available instead of the full wheel covers I showed earlier. They will come with dog dish hubcaps. Edited November 7 by Mike Slapattack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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