cobraman Posted October 3, 2012 Posted October 3, 2012 (edited) I bought this kit off of ebay and it was delivered today. I plan to build it as a replica of the Vette I bought several years ago. The box art is pretty much just as my Vette looked. The difference from my photos will be the rear louvers. I will not try and copy them because I didn't like them and removed them from my car. I will say that they did help keep the car cooler in the summer. Edited October 19, 2012 by cobraman
Monty Posted October 4, 2012 Posted October 4, 2012 Having owned a nicely modified '80 for 20 years, you know I'll be watching this build. I happened to luck out a few years ago when I found this same Monogram kit as well as an MPC 1/20 '80 'Vette dirt cheap. The Monogram kit seems to have a slight edge on parts accuracy, but I still plan to use the MPC kit's poseable steering, just because I like it as a feature. If you think yours was hot inside, try driving one with mirrored t-tops in Texas. Apparently Chevy wasn't aware that the Scandanavians had already invented the sauna.
cobraman Posted October 4, 2012 Author Posted October 4, 2012 Nice looking Vette Monty. Those huge rear windows were sure a good greenhouse. I was in California at the time and bought mine in 1984 with 19,000 miles on it. It was in almost new condition. Since it was a California configuration it was equiped with the 305 engine. Because of the California emissions it only produced 180 hp. The 350 in other states pumped out only 10 more hp at 190 hp. That at least was the info I got. True ? Not sure. I did hear of some 350's in California but I was happy with the 305 version. Was it fast ? No, it was not. Only mod was a shift kit for the California mandatory automatic. Those were dark times indeed. Still I really liked the car and it was fun to own.
Monty Posted October 4, 2012 Posted October 4, 2012 Yeah, the rest of the country could choose between the L-48 with 190 hp/280 lb ft or the L-82 with 230 hp/270 lb ft. I found out it's very difficult to find an L-82 with a factory 4 speed, and the gov't-mandated 85-mph speedometer was a bit of a shock. My 1/20 Corvette kits are stuck clear at the back of my storage cabinets. What do you think of the Monogram kit as far as accuracy is concerned?
cobraman Posted October 4, 2012 Author Posted October 4, 2012 I really only gave it a quick look but it appears to be good but a bit simple. I do wish it had some nice decals for the dash and also the Corvette on the rear bumper and the emblem on the front. I will try the cover with BMF before painting trick. Wheels look good but are too shiney. My wheels were not chrome so I will tone the kit ones down with a coat of dullcote. I will drill out the dash if I can locate some dial faces that will work. I hope to start it this weekend.
bryan_m Posted October 5, 2012 Posted October 5, 2012 wheres all the progress Ray? do i have to send you a tankard of iced tea? LOL cheers bryan
cobraman Posted October 5, 2012 Author Posted October 5, 2012 Ha -ha Bryan. I guess I deserve that. Can I use Mtn. Dew instead ? I am just finishing a couple of custom Camaro Hot Wheels and then I can start this project. I am not the type to have 47 unfinished projects laying around. : )
cobraman Posted October 13, 2012 Author Posted October 13, 2012 I finally found some time to work on the Vette. This is a pretty simple kit but considering when it was issued it is pretty much what you would expect. The detail isn't too bad but as I said simple. The engine for example is a 13 piece item with the starter and oil filter molded into the block. I remember mine having some weird color plug wires but has I have no engine photos of mine I just used some odd colored wire which may or may not match the ones on my car. Body in primer and almost ready for paint. Some sub assemblies done but still much to go.
bryan_m Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 oooh, lookin good ray! i can remember a weird vette kit from the 70`s.......it was streched out and had 4 rear tires, it was a dually (kinda).....you remember that one? i just have a vauge and hazy memory of it, but i remember i had it.......of course i was like 10 years old at the time, and that was over 35 years ago....... cheers bryan
Monty Posted October 13, 2012 Posted October 13, 2012 Get those tires lettered up, ya slacker. Nice progress so far, Ray. I noticed this Monogram kit had some details the 1/20 MPC kit didn't, such as far more accurate seats (with the correct carpeted section on the back), and an actual "batwing" (aluminum brace that bolts to the back of the differential). To the best of my knowledge, none of the 1/25 '80-'82 models have that. Any particular reason you didn't do your t-tops in primer when you did the rest of the body? This is going to look sharp when you get it finished!
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 I have to agree with Monty.....letter those tires ya slacker! ROFLMAO! :D cheers bryan p.s. check out my tutorial on white letters, its super easy to do!
cobraman Posted October 14, 2012 Author Posted October 14, 2012 Oh man you are a couple of ball busters : ). First off on the primer, I was trying a different brand. Before paint the primer will be all the same so the paint will match. Now the tires......... here is my problem. They are not solid letters. That are a raised outline type and so far I ave not been able to get them right. I have tried with a small brush and even a toothpick. I also tried a white fine line paint pen that also did not work. Can't I just say the white rubbed off the real car and leave it at that ?
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 check out my tutorial Ray......its for outline letters buddy. it works great cheers bryan
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 here it is ray, try this out. its not hard at all.....hey, if i can do it, im sure you can too. heres a link: http://bryansmodelingcorner.synthasite.com/tip-section-3.php give it a whirl..... cheers bryan
Monty Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 Oh man you are a couple of ball busters : ) Now the tires......... here is my problem. Can't I just say the white rubbed off the real car and leave it at that ? I saw someone do a '76 Corvette that way once. They used some abrasives and a very light gray acrylic to make it look like someone had scrubbed the sidewall against the curb for about 10 feet. They also made the passenger side headlight lid ride up about 2 scale inches to show some of the vacuum problems they had back then. I remember thinking "If they get the t-tops to leak in the rain, they'll win hands down." PS Those are 1/20 scale tires.you're working on. You should be able to throw handfuls of white paint across the room and hit those letters. I'm guessing you're going to say you're not up to trying that, so do what Bryan says and get 'em done, Slacker!
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 OH MAN! thats right, they are 1/20th!! go slacker, go!! LOL if we didnt torture you ray, who would? cheers bryan
cobraman Posted October 14, 2012 Author Posted October 14, 2012 I will check out your post Bryan. You should cut me some slack guys I am doing this with 61 year old eyes !
cobraman Posted October 14, 2012 Author Posted October 14, 2012 Hey Guys. I get enough of that from my wife. I come here for support. I don't feel the love ! : )
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 ray, we cant cut you any slack, if we did then everyone would want us to cut them some slack! sorry bud, no can do! LOL yea ray, try that tutorial of mine, its really easy bud, even on 1/25th its hard to mess them up.........you can do it. and if it doesnt work, wipe it off with some thinner and leave them black..... cheers bryan Hey Guys. I get enough of that from my wife. I come here for support. I don't feel the love ! : ) LOL! bryandont worry ray, youre not the only guy im givin a hard time tonight! jsut ask corey! ive been yellin at him all night! LOL bryan
cobraman Posted October 14, 2012 Author Posted October 14, 2012 OK Bryan, that is a very cool tip. I will have to get that paint as I don't have any in the house. Failing that I am sending you 2 tires and Monte 2 tires to do ! : )
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 ok man, send them over, and ill send them back in a year or so! yea you have to use acrylics, enamel wont dry on rubber. the stuff i use is only 89 cents at wally-world cheers bryan
cobraman Posted October 14, 2012 Author Posted October 14, 2012 I found that I did have the right paint so I gave it a try. This was 3 rd. attempt. Not too good. Perhaps I could touch it up and make it look presentable. I am going to try and put something in the tire to make it more flat on the sidewall. I think I am having trouble due to the curve of the tire. I won't give up yet !
bryan_m Posted October 14, 2012 Posted October 14, 2012 jsut touch it to the cd on an angle ray, the reverse the angle for the other half of the lettering..... bryan
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