Oldsmobile Quartet

[GMasterG]

The Foytmobile gets a clear coat:

[GMasterG]

…….and decals. Including some headlight covers made from thin zinc/tin plate:

[GMasterG]

A pre-emptive test-fit:

Grinding out the rear wheel-wells has paid dividends. It's allowed me to sit the rear wheels slightly wider than they otherwise would have sat had I not. I have no idea about the correct stance for these NASCAR racers so I'm happy to be guided by those who know better. I currently have no room in the front to lower the body (I may be able to grind out the wheel arches a little if needs be) but I do have some margin in the rear to raise it. What say you good people? I leave it to your superior wisdom and better judgement on these matters.

If this picture of the (presumably) actual car is anything to go by, the front can stay where it is and the rear (despite the profile of the kit's wheel arch being very different) can be raised a little. I also find it interesting that Salvino's box art doesn't actually represent the livery that accompanies the kit.

Edited January 22 by GMasterG

[Shark]

I would say you are correct in stating leave the front alone and raise the back up some. On a well designed kit, I would see that the side roll bars are parallel to the window openings. In your previous build of the Hardee's car, those old Monogram kits had a great stance right out of the box.

[GMasterG]

31 minutes ago, Shark said:

I would say you are correct in stating leave the front alone and raise the back up some. On a well designed kit, I would see that the side roll bars are parallel to the window openings. In your previous build of the Hardee's car, those old Monogram kits had a great stance right out of the box.

Thanks Todd, that is a very useful visual reference. You make an astute observation about the Monogram kit. As I type this I am looking at the model sitting on my desk thinking that I had no such issues about profile/stance when I built it and it looks great.

Cheers

[GMasterG]

Notwithstanding the fact that I like to do the best work I can whenever I apply myself to a modelling project, I’m not as invested in these NASCAR racers as I am my other models. So I quite often find myself using them as the prototypes for trying new techniques or working with new materials. This morning I’ve combined my interest in 3D-printing and my desire to find new ways to add detail and authenticity to my builds. 
 

I bought a printer file for what I think are rivets of varying sizes and I printed them months ago:

and I noticed that the fuel caps on these NASCAR racers have such detail, so I decided to try to recreate a facsimile of it:

probably a couple of sizes too big but it’s a start and from a regular viewing distance it actually provides some visual definition. This close-up also reminds me that I have to add the breather pipe to the rear. 

Edited January 26 by GMasterG
Spelling and grammar. I'm a pedant; what can I say.

[GMasterG]

I’ve now installed the engine in this chassis and it’s fitting nicely both top:

and bottom:

I did want to 3D print some ignition coils to mount on the firewall but after changing the resin vat film I can no longer get any of my prints to adhere to the base plate. I will leave that challenge for another day and get on with these builds. So instead I’ve just fed the coil wire through the firewall and attached a 2nd:

[GMasterG]

Well it's certainly been more than a moment since I posted any progress in this build diary but since the end of January I've finished Richard Petty's 64 Plymouth Belvedere and Bobby Allison's Dodge Charger from 1971. And now returning to this group of four they will be the beneficiaries of the new standards that I've set myself having completed those two models.

Firstly, I took delivery during the week of some Meguiar's Polishing creams and compounds so I set to and gave the Foytmobile a polish. The automotive 2k has really responded well to it.

Secondly, I added bare-metal foil to the front and rear window surrounds; something I now regret not having done to Allison’s Charger.

Thirdly, I added the rear window. In the process I smeared a little resin glue in the top left hand corner which the Meguiar's Plastix polish removed without fuss and it has left the clear plastic looking very good.

Finally, I finished the underside and it is here that you can notice a few details that this car has inherited from the Charger build, namely; the detailed drive shaft, heat-shrink tube between the exhaust headers and pipes, and a little weathering with Hot Metal Sepia from Alclad.

Tomorrow I can insert the front glass and unite the body with the chassis before adding the wheels and calling it done - what could be easier?!!

 

Edited March 3 by GMasterG