jeffinvt Posted May 17, 2011 Posted May 17, 2011 (edited) Here is one we don't see enough of built up, Although there are 2 being done here now. This was one of my grail kits until I got lucky enough to grab one on e-bay. Better yet It was 100%, and un-started, and less than $50 shipped! I didn't want to go to crazy as I find it to already be a perfect design in terms of proportion. I did use the custom option front bumper/roll pan, but hated the rear custom option. That said, the stock rear bumper looked odd paired with the custom front. In the end I decided to attach the stock unit and file and sand until it was flush with the body sides, retaining the stock rear light set up. Pictures show the lowered stance, and front and rear treatments. The only parts so far that are not kit supplied are the tires and some mesh behind the front grill parts. I also have some custom plans for the interior involving cool 60's pattern inserts for the seats and aluminum inserts on the door panels. Edited May 25, 2011 by jeffinvt
crazyjim Posted May 17, 2011 Posted May 17, 2011 I'm liking it, Jeff. Since it'll be a custom, it has to be shiny - right?
jeffinvt Posted May 17, 2011 Author Posted May 17, 2011 In my mind the only acceptable color on this one is black, and BMF. Going classy all the way.
PeterC(MrMondeo) Posted May 17, 2011 Posted May 17, 2011 Are ya gonna make it into the Gadget Mobile ? only kidding , i like the look of this kit
Chuck Most Posted May 17, 2011 Posted May 17, 2011 Less than $50 for an untouched kit? Man, now I feel like a doofus spending $35 on my started example! Really like how you reworked the stock bumper into a custom piece- mine had both the pans attached, so I had to take them off to run the stock bumpers! Goes without saying, I'll be watching this one.
jeffinvt Posted May 18, 2011 Author Posted May 18, 2011 Chuck, it took me three years of watching auctions to get it at that price. I got lucky with an auction that ended on a Wednesday so it had less last minute bidders than normal. I am looking forwards to watching your build evolve as I work on mine. I don't blame you for scrapping the rear roll pan, it's pretty awful looking,lol.
Chuck Most Posted May 18, 2011 Posted May 18, 2011 Chuck, it took me three years of watching auctions to get it at that price. I got lucky with an auction that ended on a Wednesday so it had less last minute bidders than normal. I am looking forwards to watching your build evolve as I work on mine. I don't blame you for scrapping the rear roll pan, it's pretty awful looking,lol. I guess we're even on that end, though. I just stumbled across mine! I don't even remember what kit I was looking for when I came across this one, but when I saw it was in stock, I called Dean's and had it reserved, and picked it up two days later. (Then it spent another two days in the purple pond to strip all that paint!) Yeah, I wasn't too keen on either roll pan, but I like how you set the front end up on yours. I just like the look of the stock Connie. Of course, now I've got to order some new taillamps from Modelhaus, as one of my kit's missing pieces was one of the stock tails!
jeffinvt Posted May 19, 2011 Author Posted May 19, 2011 Well I scrapped the grill arrangement I showed earlier, something just wasn't doing for me. I tried a few things yesterday and came up with a solution that makes me much happier. I filed some sheet styrene down to fit the grill opening, painted it flat black so it would not really show on the finished build, and wrapped it in the mesh. This solved my problem of the mesh being so soft it was not holding it's shape without support. I will add small pin heads as "drawer pulls" when I can get to Michaels to pick some up. I was happy with it so I did the same for the rear panel opening. The finished and glued front panel this one the lights are just sitting there, not glued down yet. Here is the rear part, and then it in it's place. On to the interior next, I will be using Dr. Cranky's paper upholstery trick to put in patterned panels on the seats, white panel on black seats.
jeffinvt Posted May 19, 2011 Author Posted May 19, 2011 Interior pretty much set, I still want to figure something cool for the dash though. I may foil the two pods on the dash and lightly scuff them to replicate a brushed aluminum, we'll see. First time trying Cranky's paper method, I think it came out acceptable? Let me know what you think... And one for fun showing the scratch grill in place as the car will sit.
Chuck Most Posted May 21, 2011 Posted May 21, 2011 Very cool. Utilizing the kit custom parts, but putting your own spin on the design.
jeffinvt Posted May 23, 2011 Author Posted May 23, 2011 Anyone wanna offer their opinions on which wheel to use? Stuck on which to use, the originals in all the mockup shots or these: Would really appreciate any opinions, thanks
Chuck Most Posted May 23, 2011 Posted May 23, 2011 Yep- those five spokes with wide whites do it for me!
Harry P. Posted May 23, 2011 Posted May 23, 2011 Nice idea wrapping the mesh around the grille insert.
bbowser Posted May 23, 2011 Posted May 23, 2011 Hello fellow Green Mtn boy! I love the classic 5 spoke on just about anything, but in this case I like the full covers. Seems to go a little better with the 'sled' theme.
VW Dave Posted May 24, 2011 Posted May 24, 2011 I like the ones you have on the mock-up. Took the words right outta my mouse, Rob. Those full covers oughta look the business against a black car.
diymirage Posted May 24, 2011 Posted May 24, 2011 as usual i like the 5 spokes better as a wheel...not as a whole though, it seems to clash styles with the grilles you made im no fan of the 347 spoked rims (just guessing, i didnt count them) but i think in this case they fit better with the overal look of the car though they would look even better if they were 1-2 scale inches larger i was gonna ask, where did you get the mesh for the grille from? im gathering parts to replicate a car i used to own fresh out of college and that mesh would be perfect
jeffinvt Posted May 24, 2011 Author Posted May 24, 2011 i was gonna ask, where did you get the mesh for the grille from? im gathering parts to replicate a car i used to own fresh out of college and that mesh would be perfect The Mesh came from Michael's craft store, about $3 and you get more than you could use in a lifetime. Everyone else, thanks for the input. I will need to decide but am glad to hear what everyone thought.
jeffinvt Posted May 25, 2011 Author Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) Almost done with this one, just need to do the engine and firewall and put the steering wheel in. I went to the LHS yesterday to get some BMF to do this and all they had was Ultra Bright Chrome, man that stuff sucks compared to the normal stuff I have been using. Really hard to work with IMHO, wish I could have used reg on this one, oh well... Here are a few shots as it sits now. Edited May 25, 2011 by jeffinvt
Foxer Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) Hey .. I'm in the Green Mountain range too .. but down here we call it the Berkshires! I really like the work on this one, especially the grills! I have one small suggestion though. The paper interior pieces look really good, but next time try using a straightedge to cut them. I'm sure it's not even noticeable from a distance, but cameras are nasty when they get in closer than you're view in real time. Very cool build. Edited May 25, 2011 by Foxer
charlie8575 Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Very nice work. I like that upholstery, too. Charlie Larkin
Chuck Most Posted May 25, 2011 Posted May 25, 2011 Oh, yeah, Jeff! Might need to foil mine sometime tonight- sure hope the paint is cured by now!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now