ARII Chaparral 2C

[Zippi]

That Chaparral looks like a fun build Mark.  I really like the way the engine is exposed to show all the detail.  

[Mark W]

Working on the screens for the front. I really want to make them flush.

First a piece of screen was cut about 1/8” oversize all around, then a it was covered with a piece of masking tape.

Placed underneath the vent and traced with a pencil. Then with needle nose, a box was made.

The fit doesn’t look perfect right now but I’ll super glue a bit at a time and form it in, if all goes well that is.

It will be painted lightly and installed after the body is painted.

[Straightliner59]

Screens look very nice, Mark!

[Pierre Rivard]

Real screening really looks like... real screening right?

I like it!

[Straightliner59]

2 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Real screening really looks like... real screening right?

I like it!

Funny how that works, no?😃

[Zippi]

That screen came out pretty nice looking.   Nice work. 

[Mark W]

A bit of progress on the Chaparral.

Anyone that has built this kit knows the interior is pretty basic, as it was designed around two AA batteries. The rear of the chassis is offset to accept a tint electric motor.

This was supposed to be a quick build for me, that ended after the first modeling session.

So now I’m firmly caught in the “I can do this better trap”. Ah well, at least I enjoy it.

So here’s my efforts to insert the Union Chaparral 2E interior in the 2C.

It needed to be widened a bit and reinforced to fit the AARI chassis. Paint will be aluminum, but does anyone know what color/material the seats were?

 

[Straightliner59]

The entire lower section is fiberglass. Often it was unpainted. The seat was black. It almost looks like a knit material, of some sort, here.

Edited Friday at 12:30 PM by Straightliner59

[dwc43]

That was my problem too. Every interior shot I found had black seats in it. I could not find an interior pic of any of the Chaparral cars that had a roof on it at all. I'd go with black if it was mine.

Side question: Can anyone say why the Sucker cars doors were left bare aluminum instead of painting them white to match the rest of the car? Wreck, maybe, but both doors. No. Maybe they were not completed in time before painting and the race. No. Gotta be a reason for that, but I've never heard what it might be.

[Spooker]

32 minutes ago, dwc43 said:

Side question: Can anyone say why the Sucker cars doors were left bare aluminum instead of painting them white to match the rest of the car? Wreck, maybe, but both doors. No. Maybe they were not completed in time before painting and the race. No. Gotta be a reason for that, but I've never heard what it might be.

The reason, IMO, would be weight.  Paint is heavy.

[Spooker]

Back to the seat question, in the Falconer book there is a color pic of the 2D coupe with the brown, bare fiberglass tub, neither seat has any upholstery in it.  Other pics of the open cockpit 2 series cars show some sort of very light looking upholstery in black.  I suspect each driver had a seat set up (insert) that suited his size and weight.  It looks like it just laid in the fiberglass, I don't see any snaps, altho there could be some somewhere.

Edited Friday at 01:18 PM by Spooker

[Spooker]

Mark, the real screening is such an improvement!  I no longer have an extra IMC/Union kit to rob the interior from, but that looks like it will work out well.  Might have to look for one!  The body shape for the Arii kit is so good, I wish someone had done a trans-kit for it.  Yours will be one of the best, I'm sure! 

[Pierre Rivard]

Brown or unpainted fiberglass inside, black padding for the driver seat, brown/bare fiberglass for the passenger "seat"

[Mark W]

11 minutes ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Brown or unpainted fiberglass inside, black padding for the driver seat, brown/bare fiberglass for the passenger "seat"

Ok, the 2C had an aluminum monocoque chassis, so this I will paint aluminum. 
My reference photos show the seat area as “dark” (black and white).

I will follow your suggestions, brown with black padding, which in the photo looked pretty basic.

Thanks!

[Mark W]

6 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

The entire lower section is fiberglass. Often it was unpainted. The seat was black. It almost looks like a knit material, of some sort, here.

Hey Dan,

What you’re showing is a 2A. The 2C went to an aluminum monocoque, thus the lower half was painted white.

But the pictures you sent will be a great reference when I do my 2A.

many thanks

[Mark W]

6 hours ago, dwc43 said:

That was my problem too. Every interior shot I found had black seats in it. I could not find an interior pic of any of the Chaparral cars that had a roof on it at all. I'd go with black if it was mine.

Side question: Can anyone say why the Sucker cars doors were left bare aluminum instead of painting them white to match the rest of the car? Wreck, maybe, but both doors. No. Maybe they were not completed in time before painting and the race. No. Gotta be a reason for that, but I've never heard what it might be.

DW, read Pierre’s response below. It’s pretty spot on with the b/w photos I have. Looks like the black material on the driver’s seat was duct taped on.

[Mark W]

6 hours ago, Spooker said:

Mark, the real screening is such an improvement!  I no longer have an extra IMC/Union kit to rob the interior from, but that looks like it will work out well.  Might have to look for one!  The body shape for the Arii kit is so good, I wish someone had done a trans-kit for it.  Yours will be one of the best, I'm sure! 

The IMC/Union interior is a great improvement. Perhaps you can find a junker at a decent price.

good luck

[Straightliner59]

17 hours ago, Mark W said:

Hey Dan,

What you’re showing is a 2A. The 2C went to an aluminum monocoque, thus the lower half was painted white.

But the pictures you sent will be a great reference when I do my 2A.

many thanks

D'oh! I just started grabbing photos from my 2C folder, not even paying attention. Glad to be of assistance with the 2A!😄

[Dann Tier]

On 4/18/2025 at 8:07 PM, Mark W said:

Working on the screens for the front. I really want to make them flush.

First a piece of screen was cut about 1/8” oversize all around, then a it was covered with a piece of masking tape.

Placed underneath the vent and traced with a pencil. Then with needle nose, a box was made.

The fit doesn’t look perfect right now but I’ll super glue a bit at a time and form it in, if all goes well that is.

It will be painted lightly and installed after the body is painted.

 Nice bending job!

[Dann Tier]

 I'd love to have one of these kits. Its looking brilliant!

[Dave B]

Looking great Mark, I wish I had made the effort to replace the screen with mesh when I built mine!!

Might have to retro fit it one day.

Dave B