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Post by arcticwolf on Mar 10, 2020 18:00:50 GMT -8
Since Joel got me on to this closed body car kick......... ...........and in keeping with my Ron Fellows tribute collection, I decided to build one of his Trans Am cars. The kit is the Revell Hot Wheels car. As most of you know, Revell kits are, to put it politely, a reasonable approximation of what it should maybe look like. Sort of. The kit is a Roush Mustang with some added parts to make it kinda work with a Camaro body. So I started with this, ignoring the instructions completely and just happening to have a Mustang chassis for referance:
Revell ignored the fact that this is a Roush chassis, the Camaro has a Pratt & Millar. I won't, I'll try to make one look like the other.
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Post by tatocorvette on Mar 10, 2020 18:16:27 GMT -8
I will follow closely as I'd like to do something similar; either a Ron Fellows AER or a Jack Baldwin Hot Wheels Camaro. But I'm not very familiar with the differences so this will be a class I don't want to miss.
Thanks,
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Post by arcticwolf on Mar 10, 2020 18:58:26 GMT -8
I'm sure this has been done before here, but I never turn down an opportunity to bore someone to death. Step one was to make a new transmission tunnel:
And the engine is practically buried when complete, so I used a generic Chevy small block that I had cast out of resin a while ago (I want to save the somewhat better detailed Revell motor for later):
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Post by arcticwolf on Mar 10, 2020 19:02:54 GMT -8
I will follow closely as I'd like to do something similar; either a Ron Fellows AER or a Jack Baldwin Hot Wheels Camaro. But I'm not very familiar with the differences so this will be a class I don't want to miss. Thanks, Very happy you're interested. Mike's has a set of decals for the Highway Masters version if you're looking for another option.
I'll try to show a little more detail.
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Post by arcticwolf on Mar 10, 2020 19:23:15 GMT -8
I made a flat cover for the space between the fuel tank and the firewall, relocated the oil tanks, made some oil pressure lines, and recycled the brake ducts to fit the new locations - I just cut them and reglued them to a different shape. I also sanded off the molded in lines on the back of the firewall and I relocated the fire extinguisher:
The exhausts are a bit tricky to line up correctly.
The frame needed some extra braces not included, so I made them from some solid rod stock. The ignition boxes I moved to the top of the dash, they vary between Camaros but generally they are all in more or less this location:
I don't know how much detail to put in this build, but I can always add more later if I get the urge. It's not a Pratt and Millar, but it's closer than it was. That's how this part sits at the moment.
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Post by arcticwolf on Mar 10, 2020 19:42:14 GMT -8
The body. Oh Gawd, why do I do this. The front clip is designed to be removable. Well, there's no way this is ever going to sit right, it's not even close. So I made an executive decision. My Corvette kit came as a one piece body that removes as a unit to view the chassis. So I taped the body parts together and test fitted it, yes it removes as a unit. Camaro is now, after some dremel work, a one piece removable body with a somewhat acceptable fit between the pieces. Lots of finishing to do as you can see, but 2 coats of primer to cover a blue plastic car so I can paint it white and then blue again. That makes sense, doesn't it? Here she is:
Also this kit had been loose in the box for years, out of its baggies, and it got quite scuffed and scratched. I bought it from Scottharv, no blame to him, he was very upfront about its condition, he's a good guy. But some extra work needed for sure. All of this has taken 2 months so far, because I used Testors paint on it. A, because I had it, and B, because I couldn't find a Tamiya blue that matched the real car or the blue in the decals. Testors enamels take 3 weeks to cure, at least. I'll shoot some progress pics soon and post them.
Thanks for tuning in.
Paul
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Post by Art on Mar 10, 2020 20:30:03 GMT -8
I've always had an interest in building this kit and I have a couple of these Revell Trans AM kits that I hope to get to some day. So, I'm enjoying you're thread. Keep it up!
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Post by 2whl on Mar 12, 2020 8:47:23 GMT -8
I'm following along also. I built the Hot Wheels Camaro around 30 years ago for a friend, but I can't remember how the fit was. I did leave the hood removable.
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Post by Joel_W on Mar 12, 2020 13:06:56 GMT -8
Paul, I'm following your build very, very closely as I intent to "Borrow" many of the things you've accomplished so far. Converting the two piece body to one pc for starters. The JPS Mustang is a 2 pc build and more then enough to show off the engine details. As for the interior corrections starting with the firewall, I'm sure that besides being a lot more protypical, the 2 pc dash/instrument panel now fits and can be installed with out fits of frustration.
Looking forward to your next up.
Joel
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Post by Chris K. Hale on Mar 13, 2020 3:42:47 GMT -8
I have a set of Slixx AER decals for this, make you a great deal if needed. I have a couple others too.PM me . Chris
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Post by arcticwolf on May 29, 2020 19:10:39 GMT -8
Well its been a while. Its two tone Testors enamel and you know how long that takes to cure. Its got two coats of Testors lacquer clear, then the decals, then two more coats of Testors clear lacquer. That's right, lacquer over enamel, it can be done, if you're careful and wait for the colour coats to completely gas off. I won't do it too often, I don't have the patience. Funny thing, back 50 years ago, I did it all the time! You can see quite a bit through the windows.
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Post by arcticwolf on May 29, 2020 19:25:13 GMT -8
I have a problem with my neuropathy flaring up at the moment, so some of the detail painting will have to wait, like the exhaust ports and window frames. I just can't do it at the moment. Ron Fellows won 9 out of 25 races with this car over 2 seasons, but missed the title somehow. I always liked that Camaro style.
So she can keep the rest of my Ron Fellows cars company for a while!
Thanks for tuning in
Paul
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Post by 2whl on May 29, 2020 19:29:45 GMT -8
Looking great. I'm really surprised you were able to pull off spraying lacquer over enamel.
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Post by tatocorvette on May 29, 2020 20:43:21 GMT -8
Very cool build! Another Ron Fellows fan here.
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Post by Ben_B on May 30, 2020 1:13:47 GMT -8
Nice! I'm not brave enough to try lacquer over enamel.
Ben
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