’98 Corvette

This is another in a series of models of real cars I’ve owned. Currently it is my daily driver.
While it is pretty much bone stock, I do have C6 style rims on it. So the first step was to make a mold and cast resin copies of the rims in the Revell ’05 Corvette. The rims are engineered differently between the C5 and C6 kits so I had to machine off the outer part of the rim that goes inside the tires.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06663_zpstg2iqosp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06663_zpstg2iqosp.jpg.html)
They also mount to the two cars differently so I milled adapters from resin to allow the C6 wheels to press fit onto the C5 axle stubs with the proper spacing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06674_zpsymrnjlmz.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06674_zpsymrnjlmz.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06685_zpsjobfwpoe.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06685_zpsjobfwpoe.jpg.html)

Good idea.

The brakes were the next parts I worked on. I painted the calipers on the real one red so these were done to match including the silver Corvette lettering on the fronts.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06840_zps6n4nq2eh.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06840_zps6n4nq2eh.jpg.html)

Nice Work! any pics of the 1:1

Here's a not so good photo of the real car, but I had it handy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/DSC00550_zpsnfjh2clz.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/DSC00550_zpsnfjh2clz.jpg.html)

I took a bunch of pictures when I had it on the rack so getting the colors for the underside was easy. While the kit is a ’97 and mine is a ’98 there should not be much difference. But for whatever reason there are some discrepancies between the molded part and the real car. So I painted it to match the real car as much as I could and didn’t worry about the differences in the molding.
Instead of masking and spraying I freehand brush painted everything except the gray panels. It was easier than masking. I added a little dirt and grime as I went along too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06842_zpsdiwwlg4z.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06842_zpsdiwwlg4z.jpg.html)

Nice!!!

A little more “color” was added to the chassis as well as dirt.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06854_zpsti0s2cld.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06854_zpsti0s2cld.jpg.html)
The engine and front suspension were done with the same basic theme of “I don’t wash that part of my car”. But I do wipe off the top sides under the hood occasionally.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06855_zpsvitkne7x.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06855_zpsvitkne7x.jpg.html)

Mark,
Good looking car, like the IMSA sticker..don't see them too often.

Trevor

Thanks Trevor. It was kind of boring when I got it. And there was a small scrape the passenger side one covers...

I started working on the body. It is molded with a few seams and not difficult to clean up. But I went a little further and spent a few hours to scribe all the body and panel lines to more closely reflect the way the real cars are.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06857_zpsxgnchd89.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06857_zpsxgnchd89.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06858_zpsv7gqcjjc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06858_zpsv7gqcjjc.jpg.html)
I also reworked the rear license plate to look more like the style frame I have on my car by adding thin strips of styrene to the top and bottom edges.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06856_zpsphx1sniw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06856_zpsphx1sniw.jpg.html)

The rear suspension and exhaust were painted to match the photos…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06869_zps1ipamafs.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06869_zps1ipamafs.jpg.html)
and then installed into the chassis.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06871_zpsba2c96qh.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06871_zpsba2c96qh.jpg.html)

The rear sway bar does not physically match my car nor does the placement as called out in the instructions. “Torsion bar must slide under the exhaust and glue to the lower suspension system.”
Nope, the sway bar goes on top (when the car is upside down) of the exhaust.
I cut the two ends off outside the mounting brackets and installed the center section to match my car. Then I swapped the ends and cemented them in the proper place as well.
Actually an easy fix that is correct, and a lot less hassle than trying to jam it under the exhaust.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06870_zpsa6kmukm8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06870_zpsa6kmukm8.jpg.html)

After mating the chassis to the interior I added a couple custom made decals (from the original art I did for the kit) to the battery and master cylinder. And some more dust and road dirt…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06872_zpslika7gg4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06872_zpslika7gg4.jpg.html)
The grey for the interior color was trickier to match than I expected. It is a warm shade and I used acrylics to mix it from JN Light Gray, Flat Earth, Flat Aluminum and Black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06873_zps95vwihj0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06873_zps95vwihj0.jpg.html)
I made decals for the gear selector on the boot and the shift pattern knob. Yes, it is a four speed auto with a six speed manual pattern.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06874_zpsxdrtw8jc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06874_zpsxdrtw8jc.jpg.html)

The brakes are on and the chassis is done.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06875_zps134iyexm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06875_zps134iyexm.jpg.html)
Then engine bay is also complete.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06876_zpsr0nh0lbb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06876_zpsr0nh0lbb.jpg.html)

I pre-shaded the panel lines before shooting the Arctic White.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06877_zpsmx7b6ccv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06877_zpsmx7b6ccv.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06878_zpsmpifqfll.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06878_zpsmpifqfll.jpg.html)

The red & blue hood stripes (with LS 1 badging) have been applied…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06880_zpspt2ixxtu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06880_zpspt2ixxtu.jpg.html)

Hashing it out…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06882_zpsakmiaiqb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06882_zpsakmiaiqb.jpg.html)

The last of the decals were applied and then it was cleared.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06884_zpstzghgmu5.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06884_zpstzghgmu5.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06885_zpsnrgvqrof.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06885_zpsnrgvqrof.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06886_zpskcjchbny.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06886_zpskcjchbny.jpg.html)
Shot my Camaro replica at the same time…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06892_zpsncigiqgp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06892_zpsncigiqgp.jpg.html)

Amazing work! Your decals look great, how'd you make them metallic?

I used metallic inks.

this is looking great. I actually prefer the C5 over the C6 or C7

The interior is done…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06893_zpsuvqow1w0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06893_zpsuvqow1w0.jpg.html)

I painted most of the black trim, so far all by hand brushing. I’ll probably spray the A-pillars…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06898_zpsbywt7wi6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06898_zpsbywt7wi6.jpg.html)

The glass is in. The windshield fit fine, but the rear glass was apparently warped since it was too wide at the front edge to fit. I have built a few of these kits and this is the only one I had this issue with, and it was a sealed kit when I started it.
To make it fit I put it in a bar clamp to bring the edges in and hit it with a hair dryer, then let it set overnight. It fit just fine then.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06899_zpsh249bmfy.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06899_zpsh249bmfy.jpg.html)
The lights are also installed. The rear side marker lights protrude a bit, but the others fit well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06900_zpsxk9iyeph.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06900_zpsxk9iyeph.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06901_zps8br5bqej.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06901_zps8br5bqej.jpg.html)

I can't believe that you painted those window trims freehand! Nice job, it's going to turn out awesome.

I made the underhood light with a big drop of the unmixed part of the top of a bottle of white paint.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06902_zpsnvswafv6.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06902_zpsnvswafv6.jpg.html)
My car has fake C/F on the little triangular parts in front of the windows, so I used “real” C/F decals.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06903_zpswm4cshvw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06903_zpswm4cshvw.jpg.html)

I made valve stems for the wheels and painted the caps blue like the real car.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1998%20Corvette/DSC06904_zpsxofaeyxw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1998%20Corvette/DSC06904_zpsxofaeyxw.jpg.html)