1964 GTO Convertible Mild Custom

This is the Polar Lights kit. Unfortunately it has many ill fitting parts. I made minor mods to the body including removing the rocker panel molding and character lines on the hood and trunk. The scratch built parts include: throttle linkage; carburetor air filters; fuel filter; alternator pulley; rear axle; upper and lower shock brackets; ladder bar brackets... The paint is duplicolor brilliant silver, duplicolor red, and a custom mix of Kustom Kolor. It's taken a long time to get it to this point partially because I'm a novice who barely knows what he's doing and I've long breaks (months at a time) without touching it. All comments are welcome.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0331.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0297.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0211.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0371.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0370.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0565.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/Painted64GTO038.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0580.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0588.jpg

It's taken a long time to get it to this point partially because I'm a novice who barely knows what he's doing and I've long breaks (months at a time) without touching it.

Pretty good for a novice. If I was doing that when I was a novice I would be really good now!

Thanks Drift F.C. This is my second build as an adult. I built glue bombs when I was a kid and quit around age 14 because I could never make the paint look like the box art. I didn't know anything about light coats or color sanding. This build is basically one big experiment. I've learned a tremendous amount of information by correcting my mistakes and reading information on this and other forums.

you surely cant be a novice with paint work looking like that!!!

you surely cant be a novice with paint work looking like that!!!

Thanks Brady. This was my first attempt to airbrush a body. I practiced on spoons :tongue:

Thanks Brady. This was my first attempt to airbrush a body. I practiced on spoons :tongue:

ahah the old spoon trick!!!:evillol::evillol::evillol:

You know, it's my opinion that building models is NOT that difficult, if you take your time and just follow directions for the materials being used like glue, paint, etc.

This GTO is turning out to be quite the stunning car.

So let me get this straight...you scratchbuilt the rear AXLE, diff, springs, ladder bars, and shocks? If so...You sir, are no beginner. You may not have been doing model cars, or models at all for that matter, but you do definitely have fabrication skills and an eye for this kind of thing. Outstanding workmanship!

You know, it's my opinion that building models is NOT that difficult, if you take your time and just follow directions for the materials being used like glue, paint, etc.

This GTO is turning out to be quite the stunning car.

So let me get this straight...you scratchbuilt the rear AXLE, diff, springs, ladder bars, and shocks? If so...You sir, are no beginner. You may not have been doing model cars, or models at all for that matter, but you do definitely have fabrication skills and an eye for this kind of thing. Outstanding workmanship!

Thanks. I really appreciate the kind words. The ladder bar was modified from the kit. It was molded onto the kit axle. I cut if off and slightly modified it. I should have scratch built it because it's not accurate. The ladder bar on the 1:1 looks like an I-beam. I made the ladder bar mounting brackets on the frame and the axle. I'm thinking about scratching a differential just to see if I can. I didn't show you guys all of my screw ups with this car. I can't tell you the number of times I've had to correct mistakes. But, I've learned a lot from my mistakes and I'm patient enough to keep doing it until it's right for me :iceslolan

I'm not very happy with the scratch rotors and will probably attempt to make them again. Here are a few shots of the axle with the ladder bar brackets on it.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0599.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0597.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0595.jpg

very, very nice.

We've ALL been through the build/re-build/re-build-again, usually 3 or 4 times does the trick for me. haha

Very cool GTO Phar!!!

I love you color choice!!!

Cesar Bossolani

Thanks Cesar. I'm a big fan of your work. I can't tell you the number of times I've looked at your building techniques.

Brother I'm really apreciate that!!! If you need anything, please email me cbossolani@hotmail.com !!!

Do you have a lathe??

Cesar Bossolani

Cesar, I do not have a lathe. I'm very interested in learning how to operate one. I've tried to turn some simple plastic pulleys with my Dremel and a No. 11 blade. But, I was not pleased with the results.

I've got a Sherline 4530 (metric), I bought in february and I'm still learning to use. If you could, buy it!!! It is the best and very precise. I'm machined Mustang dash instruments, coil over shocks, Hilborn air intakes.. when I will finish that, I´ll show on thread.

Cesar Bossolani

I've got a Sherline 4530 (metric), I bought in february and I'm still learning to use. If you could, buy it!!! It is the best and very precise. I'm machined Mustang dash instruments, coil over shocks, Hilborn air intakes.. when I will finish that, I´ll show on thread.

Cesar Bossolani

I've looked some used lathes online and found some decent prices. But, I don't really know what to look for in terms of the quality of the used machine, what parts are likely to be worn... I would love to learn how to machine my own parts. I asked a friend who is a retired machinist to show me the basics but we never got around to it.

I scratchbuilt some seats. The second attempt turned out ok and I think they will look pretty good after some clean up. But, they look a little big to me. What do you guys think?

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0609.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0610.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0611.jpg

I think the seats look fine, if not, IMO, a little small, but don't listen to my opinnion!

I modified the kit front seats and made them the back seats. Here is how I did it.

Here is shot of the stock front and back seats.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0615.jpg

I removed the back bench seat and filled in the gap in the floor with sheet plastic. The package shelf was cut off the original seat and reattached to the new sheet plastic.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0620.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0622.jpg

The front/rear seats were modified by removing material from the middle to reduce the width. I cut the center out of the old back bench seat and shaped it to fit between the front/rear seats so it, hopefully looks like one continuous unit.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0627.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0630.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0632.jpg

The headrests were made out of aluminum wrapped around two pieces of sprue.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0633.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0634.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x130/pharr7226/1964%20GTO%20Convertible%20Model/DSCN0636.jpg

It still needs some adjustment and cleanup. But, I think it turned out OK.

very ingenious with the back seat. I'm going to borrow this idea for my Pontiac Ventura.

rsxe240 thanks for the compliment. Feel free to use this idea. That's what this forum is all about... sharing ideas and gaining inspiration.

Very nice work