traditional Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 I can't believe so much time has passed, but I built this early '60s era drag racing B/A (25% engine setback) 32 years ago using a Revell 'Orange Crate' kit as starting material. The injected Olds engine became as reasonably detailed as I could manage back then with aluminum and plastic tubing etc. and the Moon disks were cut from the bottom of a pop can and touched with fine sandpaper while they were spinning on a power drill. You had to be relatively self- sufficient back then as there simply weren't the miriad of detail suppliers. I added the louvres (shaped from thin strips of tape) to the rear and underside of the body as well as hood sides and did all my own interior detail and fabricated the working drag-link to the steering. Paint was automotive lacquer and, thankfully, the model has stayed in fine shape due to being kept all this time in a display case.
Mike Kucaba Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 WOW! Thats a clean build,for 1980 or now! Can you elaborate on the louver/tape idea?
traditional Posted February 7, 2012 Author Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) WOW! Thats a clean build,for 1980 or now! Can you elaborate on the louver/tape idea? Mike, I typically use vinyl pin-striping tape layered two or three thick and slice it into thin strips using a straight edge and fresh exacto knife. I carefully lay down the long strips in the place I want the louvres and then cut away the spaces with the exacto, right on the model. If you have a steady hand and good eye, you can then cut off a small bevel (triangle) from the ends of each louver to give it the correct visual directionality. Lastly, spray a couple of coats of primer in the front area of the louvres so that it blends slightly giving the soft shape to the non-open face of the louvres. After the finish coat of paint is applied to the model and is really dry, I carefully mark the simulated open edge of the louvre with a drafting tech-pen in black ink. You can use a toothpic to carefully scrape away any ink errors before adding a protective clearcoat, if desired. Edited February 7, 2012 by traditional
Kustom Rodder Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 What a fantastic build i will have to agree after all these years it still looks great almost like it was built yesterday.Great job and by the way it took some creativity with the details in 1980 because there was very little aftermarket mfgs in 1980.
LAone Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 wow, thats amazing. those pipes look sweet and what little clearance on the last pipe near the starter.
Draggon Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Everthing Ive seen you do is so absolutely clean, you have some incredible skills. This kit as you know is notorious for being a bear to build, but this is fantastic. And thats a great idea for louvers. I love it!
Agent G Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Very, very, nice. Wow, I want to see what you do now. G
James2 Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 I like it! It's got all the right stuff. Nice to have a survivor in your collection.
Terry Sumner Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Anyone who can build a model as nice as that from that kit has my respect! Very nice!
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