Buick GNX road racer

[RodneyBad]

Good looking Intercooler..

My My, what a Big Turbo ya got there..

[stewart]

Haven't had enough progress on this one to post pics for a while. I have the rear suspension all ready to put in place and I'm working on the front suspension.

After looking at some reference pics, I cut the frame piece out of the front suspension piece in the kit, extended it, filled it in, and put it in place. I then took an a-arm setup from the parts box and cut the arms off of it for the suspension. I need to make some upper arms and figure out how to set up the coil spring. I am in the process of making brackets for the arms.

I detail-painted the turbo and intercooler with black wash and other colors of metalizer. I got an aluminum oil and transmission pan as well. Other than that, not much is going on with this build. Don't have a whole lot of time for it with school but I am working slowly and surely.

STewart

Edited October 22, 2011 by stewart

[stewart]

Well, it has been forever since I have done any building. Between school and not really feeling like doing much in the way of models, nothing has been done except to clean up and organize the work bench. But tonight, I got back into it. I have been having trouble with the suspension and had to take it out and redo it several times. I was using a four-link setup from the Revell IMSA mustang kit and had the suspension all set and ready to go when I knocked it off the workbench So, I have started all over by making the links from aluminum tubing instead of plastic. The benefit is, this will look much more realistic as the previous suspension was just cobbled together. No pictures right now but I will get some up later. Progress will be a little slow for the next couple weeks because the school term is almost up. But once finals are over I will get right into this.

STewart

[gray07]

I never seen this build. this is cool, one of my favorites buicks.

[Rob McKee]

Looks great.

I would go with a glossy black, carbon hood, and spoiler. I know it is the norm but I think it will look very cool. Nice scratch building on the rear suspension and rear seats.

[Rob Hall]

Looking good...I like the idea and execution.. I'd probably go w gloss black or white for the body but do the hood, flares, and spoiler in a matte black.

[stewart]

I'm planning either semi-gloss or matte black with the spoiler, fenders, and hood in carbon fiber. The engine and interior will have deep blue accents.

Stewart

[stewart]

Got a little more work done. I used a blue wash to accent the engine. Interior is about half-way done. But the rear suspension is finally finished. I used aluminum tubing and crimped the ends to make the links. They are "bolted" in place with scale hardware bold heads. This project has been really good. I finally had the patience to make myself go slowly on the suspension and make it look right and sit right. All four wheels are on the ground and the wheels are spaced almost exactly how I want them. The fronts might need to be moved forward a bit. Sorry about the blurry pics. Can't find my good camera right now but I will post better ones when I do.

STewart

[Prostreet]

Nice work on the chassis, stance looks good.

[A.R.C.]

Cool!

[stewart]

Another update. Got a lot done tonight. Found the camera so here are some detailed pictures of the suspension. The rear suspension is done. A little to do on the front yet.

I got the interior base color painted and I am working on the blue highlights (looks a little purple in the photos.) It's going to take several coats because of the black base. One of the front seats is on the top of the photo.

Lots of work on the engine. The plumbing is very complicated. It took me several tries to get the header tubing to go to the right place so the turbo would'nt sit too high. Not a whole lot of room in the engine bay, especially when you're trying to add a huge, intercooled turbo. I had to cut out the molded-in battery so I can fit an air filter box. I guess I'll have to move it up by the firewall.

Finally, a picture of how it sits right now. I am really liking the stance I was able to get. I think it looks great. Any helpful suggestions welcome.

STewart

[crazyjim]

Terrific work work going on, STewart. In the last pic it appears that the rear wheel/tire is sitting a little too far forward. It might be me or the angle of the camera -just thought I'd mention it to you.

[greenmondaymorning]

nice looking car, i this that flat of semi gloss is deffenetly the best choice, if you are going to use those rims you should paint them so that the corvette logo isnt there. looking forward to further progres

[wraith]

Lots of amazing work here! I see lots of ideas for when I someday finally finish one I started years ago and to do to a second one.

[stewart]

I noticed that the wheel looks a little too far forward in the pic. Not sure if its just the pic or not. Thanks for mentioning it. I think it may just be the shadows.

Stewart

[david_isa_ninja]

wheres the turbo from, it looks like a good one.

[stewart]

Actually, not really. It took quite a bit of work to get it to look like that. It is from the Revell Peterbilt 359 kit, the cheap one. Lots of sanding and filling.

Interior is completed just needs a few details.

Working on the exhaust system. I am building an air box for the air filter as well. Plumbing for the exhaust and intake almost done.

STewart

[Greg Wann]

Nice job. Buicks are BAD ASS!!

[stewart]

I have been working on this but most of the progress is in small increments. However, I finished my last final for the term today so I should be able to make more progress. I painted the body today. Painting is my weak point and the finish needs to be polished. The hood is the worst. For some reason, the primer and my semi-gloss black didn't go together well. I installed the engine, fuel line, fuel pump, brake line and brakes. I also put the spark plug wires in.

Interior is pretty much done. I put the seat belts in today.

Next project coming up: Magnum Panel wagon

STewart

[DANB]

this things sick dude

[Assa9]

Are you bringing the buick to model car fest? Hopefully you are as i woululd love to see it in persn. Nicebuild

[stewart]

I will be at the show but did not plan on entering it in the contest. If you want to see it in person, I could bring it and we could meet up at the show.

STewart

[stewart]

Well, I got a resin hood for the kit off ebay and it has been nothing but trouble. First, it was warped so I had to soften and straighten it. Then, after washing it thoroughly, a whole bunch of air bubbles showed up after priming and I had to seal it with super glue. After primering it and getting the coat of semi-gloss black on, a few places are refusing to dry. So I sprayed some Easy Off on it and I'm going to start over on the hood.

STewart

[Assa9]

That would be very cool if not much of a problem for you

[stewart]

Paint jobs are definitely not my strong point and this one was decent but last night as I was working on it some more, I spilled CA accelerator on it and ruined the roof and part of the side. I tried repainting it but I had to mix up a new batch of paint which didn't quite match. It was too glossy. I sanded it down and now it looks ok but still a very mediocre paint job. I also tried tackling the carbon fiber decals. This is the first time I have tried cutting my own decals for a complex surface and the wheel flares did not turn out as well as I had hoped but pretty good for a first time. I still have the front two to do. I was just getting too frustrated with them to try any more. Have to do those another day.

Last thing that went wrong was the resin hood would not let my black paint dry. I primered it first so maybe the primer and paint didn't like each other. Shouldn't be though cause I used an automotive primer and lacquer paints. Oh well, I guess I'll just use the original hood.

I finished up the exhaust system which was almost the last thing except for painting the hood and gluing on the front clip.

STewart