Salvinos JR Next Gen Camaro

[Brutalform]

First time posting in the nascar WIP, as I’ve only built one nascar car, and that was years ago. I built a Fireball Robert’s 64 Galaxie. My brother in law is a big nascar fan, and he bought this kit he wanted me to build for him. Kyle Larson 2024 Camaro. This kit is super cool. I’m really having fun building it, as it is a change of pace for me as well. I’m enjoying it so much, that I bought one for myself. Except it’s the 2022 car, and it was super cheap on eBay. I also bought the jig from Jim at Salvinos, as I plan on building more. Seems the way to go, instead of messing with Pennies for the ride height.  These pics are pretty much where I’m at now. I’d like to get some input from the other nascar builders out there. Let me know if there are any surprises ahead of me. The decals look like they would be a real challenge. 

Edited January 14 by Brutalform

[Brutalform]

Also, can this model be completed so the body is removable? Seems like a shame to cover up all the detail this kit has. 

[dwc43]

IT looks good so far. I probably would not change it, but for your next build, NASCAR does not allow the use of those twist type release belts. They use a latch link belt. 

 

     

[Brutalform]

Thanks for the reply. I actually do have some of those from Futurattraction. I just figured I’d toss a harness in there for some minor detail. Not going all out on the build. My brother in law thinks it looks great so far. I knew he’d be cool with what I was doing with it. Got the interior bars, and bumpers done, and almost ready to move onto the body. 

[dwc43]

Don't get me wrong, it looks good. Can't wait to see the body painted with decals. Paint is always the hardest part for me, but so are big decal sheets that come on some of these race cars. It's easier but time consuming to do a bunch of small decals, but less risk of damaging them that way. 

[Brutalform]

No worries, I appreciate your input. I’m just hoping that the decals don’t give me a problem. I’ve never applied decals this large.  I watched some videos on the subject, and Luka Cee has an informative video, in several parts, on building these cars. He suggested Tamiya Mark Fit Strong, and it made the decals lay down really nice. I usually use Micro Set/Sol, but I grabbed a bottle of the Tamiya. 

Edited January 16 by Brutalform

[Brutalform]

I must say, this build is a bit challenging, but really fun as well. Sent a few pics to my brother in law today. He loves it. I decided to scratch build a window net, as the supplied net will not allow you to see inside much. Also it’s a bit thick. So this one will hang on the door when finished. Pretty much only the body left now. I have to sand a few putty filled sink marks on the inside of the spoiler, then on to prime and paint. I’m definitely going to do another one or two of these. 

[dwc43]

Looks good.

[Brutalform]

3 hours ago, dwc43 said:

Looks good.

Thank you. As always, I appreciate people’s input on builds. I got the body in primer, and the under shell painted semi gloss black. I will probably lay some color on it tomorrow. One thing I was thinking on these kits, they are very detailed. Some of the best details I’ve seen. It’s too bad, that after all the air ducting and radiator, ducting, fender wells, and the bottom chassis plate, really hides a lot of the details. I might try my hand on the next build, to try and display some of the details more. 

[dwc43]

I got an idea or two. You could build a crashed version to show off some inside detail for one. Every seen one of those display engines where it's cut in half so you can see the 4 pistons and rods and crank on one side, but the other side looks stock? You could cut one in half and show off the insides like that. Somewhere in my stash is a ship that has all of the side panels that can be removed to show the inner decks and how it works, same as cutting the body in half to make a two sided show car. Just and Idea I had that I thought I'd throw out there. 

 

    

[Brutalform]

That’s a cool idea. I had an old friend that built a 65 Ford Mustang like that. Maybe I could buy a few detail parts that I don’t already have, and display the car without two wheels, and the hood open, without the air ducting. Most of the really nice detail is in the suspension, and engine. I bought Larsons 2023 car on eBay because it was $30 shipped. Are the older Salvinos cars from the 60s and 70s highly detailed? Like one of Petty’s cars?

[dwc43]

Very Detailed. You can watch a video for all of their kits at this link. They open the box and show you what is in it.   What's In The Box Videos – Salvinos JR Models

Glad you liked the cut a way ideas. 

[Brutalform]

Thanks! I just subscribed to their YouTube channel. When I have some time, I’ll go through it, and check out the videos.

[dwc43]

Welcome, anytime.

[Brutalform]

Building the car was a breeze compared to applying the decals. The decal sheet had a crease below the #5, and Salvinos is sending me a new sheet. I totally ruined the hood decal, so I’m glad I have another set coming. I just hope I don’t ruin another. I’m using Tamiya Mark Fit Strong, but it seems these just don’t want to lay down. 

[Brutalform]

The rear part of the car, and the glass have the decals applied. The glass looks “ok” I suppose. This is all that I have accomplished in the last two days. Maybe I should cut the decal to go around the vents in the hood? Getting a little frustrated so I’m taking a break. 

Edited February 4 by Brutalform

[dwc43]

Looks good to me. 

[Brutalform]

I watched a video, then went back downstairs to give another try, and ruined the door side decal. Trying to get a wrinkled bubble smoothed out on top of the wheel well and it tore. 

[Brutalform]

I think it’s time to take a little break from it now. I didn’t even work the decal hard and it tore. But obviously hard enough. 

Edited February 4 by Brutalform

[OldNYJim]

On 2/4/2025 at 8:23 AM, Brutalform said:

I’m using Tamiya Mark Fit Strong, but it seems these just don’t want to lay down. 

Are they thicker than a regular decal?  Coated maybe?

There was an issue of the Revell 32 3 Window that had a decal sheet that had a clear laminate of some kind over the decals and they were so thick that they were nearly impossible to apply…

[MarkJ]

I've been told the newer kits can make the body removable and the fit is good. I had to add a small bracket to the front of my two next gen builds that basically lock the front together and just keep the rear loose. It is a shame to glue the body and chassis together with all the detail going on inside that's hard to see.

[catpack68]

Really nice work! I am finishing up a Next Gen Camaro myself.The instructions were hard to decipher and it was challenging at times,but they look good once they are  finished.It is a shame that most of the details are covered up.It’s a really good engineered kit.I have a Next Gen Mustang and a Next Gen Camry I plan to build this year too. Looking forward to seeing your Camaro finished up.

[Brutalform]

On 2/13/2025 at 12:02 AM, OldNYJim said:

Are they thicker than a regular decal?  Coated maybe?

There was an issue of the Revell 32 3 Window that had a decal sheet that had a clear laminate of some kind over the decals and they were so thick that they were nearly impossible to apply…

I think it’s just the contours of the body, they want to bubble, and wrinkle where it’s not flat. Still waiting for the decals to arrive from Salvinos. 

[Brutalform]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:46 PM, catpack68 said:

Really nice work! I am finishing up a Next Gen Camaro myself.The instructions were hard to decipher and it was challenging at times,but they look good once they are  finished.It is a shame that most of the details are covered up.It’s a really good engineered kit.I have a Next Gen Mustang and a Next Gen Camry I plan to build this year too. Looking forward to seeing your Camaro finished up.

Thanks Scott. Yes, I agree the build is a little challenging, but I think the decals are more challenging than the build itself. I’m planning on another build real soon, and would like to do a Mustang as well also. 

[Brutalform]

On 2/14/2025 at 8:54 AM, MarkJ said:

I've been told the newer kits can make the body removable and the fit is good. I had to add a small bracket to the front of my two next gen builds that basically lock the front together and just keep the rear loose. It is a shame to glue the body and chassis together with all the detail going on inside that's hard to see.

Exactly. On my next build I now know where to add detail and what to just leave alone. It’s a shame that you have to cover that all up.