Well, I finally managed to get my paws on one of the new Polar Lights GTO's, on the weekend..Thanks Andy (scaleautomobilia.com)

I know Fusionrr is currently working on one, but I'm going a slightly different route of attack on this one....

Seeing how they (P/L) did a great job of molding the front and rear as seperate pieces, I decided to make my own from scratch... :smile:

I've opted for the not so often seen, Monaro GTO, enhanced by HSV.
I started with flat sheet stock, and made the slots, so it would slide on in the same manner in which the kit pieces do.... :grinyes:
Then, I started adding layers, above and below this point...

http://images10.fotki.com/v191/photos/6/63306/2306100/GTOfront2-vi.jpg?800600
http://images9.fotki.com/v172/photos/6/63306/2306100/GTOfront8-vi.jpg?800600

The rear was constructed the same way as the front....

http://images9.fotki.com/v176/photos/6/63306/2306100/GTOrear-vi.jpg?800600
http://images9.fotki.com/v182/photos/6/63306/2306100/GTOunder-vi.jpg?800600

I'm hoping, if all goes to plan....That I may be able to get them cast...
Let me know what you think....

Monaro GTO (http://public.fotki.com/Greg5000/2004_holden_monaro_gto/)

cheers stump :aus:

Hey, that looks really good!!!
Are you gonna paint the bumpers black or strip it all and respray?

WOOO!!! A race is on I reckon...Go Holden builders! You gonna cast the parts you convert so we can all have a Holden? Good luck! When I get another GTO kit to mess with, I'm gonna try my hand at a UTE. Keep up the great work!

Frank X.

Nice start! I 'll be following this one.

Looking great stump....

Hey, thanks guys. :smile:

Fusionrr..
I'm hoping to get away with just painting the bumpers....The factory black paint is really not too bad. At least there's no seam marks....

blubaja.
All going well, I hope to get them cast for me.. :smile:
I've dabbled in resin casting on a very small scale, don't know if I'd be confident enough to tackle this.....I have a Mate looking into it as we speak, with one of our local (Australian) casters....
And yes, a ute would be very kool.... :smokin:

cheers stump :aus:

Wowww.. cool project!!!

Looks sweet! Awesome work dude. But you must do something about those lights later on. Keep it up!

maybe i should join the crowd an make the UK version, the Vauxhall Monaro. can you blame me ? everyone else is doing one !

Nice start - be watching this thread

Holden <3

looks great dood, can't wait to see the finished product!

Front bumper looks nice so far.

Great work so far Greg.
How much did the kit cost from AndyD?

Cheers
Nenad

Thanks guys, interest is growing...... :smile:

GvEman,
Yeah, I plan to fix up the headlights, along the lines of what Bob ( ZoomZoomMX5 ) did on his, looks much better...

2.2 StraightSix,
Could be time to have a word to Chris (SAS)....?
I haven't found many pics of the Vauxhall...Does it differ much from our Monaro or the Pontiac...?

Hey Nehad,
Andy has them at presant for $33.50 plus postage....
Here's a link for you.
Scaleautomobilia.com News page (http://www.scaleautomobilia.com.au/news.htm)

I have the front almost done (no pic yet..) Hope to get some primer on by the weekend, all going well...... :smile:

cheers stump :aus:

Thanks Greg.
I will get a couple next pay day!

BTW, I have been plodding away with a BA Falcon.
Here's the link to my WIP, although I have been in a slump for a few months.
http://www.scaleracecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395

I did make osme progress since then, although I must admit I am struggling to get out of it!

Cheers
Nenad

Thanks Greg.
I will get a couple next pay day!

BTW, I have been plodding away with a BA Falcon.
Here's the link to my WIP, although I have been in a slump for a few months.
http://www.scaleracecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=395

I did make osme progress since then, although I must admit I am struggling to get out of it!

Cheers
Nenad

No worries Nenad, starting to wish I'd got more than 1 myself...Doh !!!
Hey, sorry bout mis-spelling your name earlier too.. :uhoh:

Mate, that Falcon's looking mighty fine too, I want to see that when you get her done.. :) Great work so far..
I know what you mean about a slump though.....I'm just coming out of one....Finally got two finished, just in time for Andy's Show last weekend.
Been working on one for nearly 10 months and 2 years for the other...
Though being out of work nearly two months has helped my modelling time.......Should be out looking for work,....... but this is too much fun....... :evillol:

cheers Nenad
Greg :aus:

Small update....
Talked to a local resin caster today, and he's suggested doing a two part mold, inner and outer....Sooooo, I've spent the best part of the day cleaning up the mess I had inside the front panel, I wasn't too concerned when it was all going together......but its looking much neater now, and will make it a straight forward fitment on the car, just like the kit peice..... :smile:
I'll most likely get him to cast it in two pieces as well, as shown below.
Though this is still in its unfinished state.....

http://images9.fotki.com/v174/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro2-vi.jpg?800600
http://images10.fotki.com/v191/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro5-vi.jpg?800600

Changed plans for the rear after the talk, figured it would be easier and better to modify the kit piece instead, so I got into that as well...

http://images10.fotki.com/v191/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro3-vi.jpg?800600

The dash is being converted by at least two other casters that I know of, but thought I'd start on mine.. Wasn't as complicated as I'd thought, still need to do some putty work and sanding, but it's taking shape...

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro9dash-vi.jpg?800600

Also toying with the idea of making GTS rims to suit... :smokin: The HSV Monaro has 19" rims as standard, so I modified some Aoshima 19's and they will look pretty close to Monaro rims when complete... :smile:

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro6wheels-vi.jpg?800600

Monaro progress (http://public.fotki.com/Greg5000/2004_holden_monaro_gto/)

Thanks for dropping by, as allways... :feedback:
cheers stump :aus:

awesome! this thread is a joy to watch! please don't stop showing us your great progress!

I love to see this kinda stuff!

Olivier

I gotta get me some of these PL kits!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice work Greg & great update!

All I can say is :aus: :ylsuper: !!!

Great detailing man! Love Holdens! :aus:

Hey Stump, the work so far looks fantastic! Engine???

Thanks heaps for taggin' along guys. :smile:

robrex,
Yeah Rob, though I have sourced a better detailed LS1 from a 2002 Camaro... :naughty: Should come up okay, I think...

More soon guys

cheers stump :aus:

gotta love Holdens.. cant wait to this is finished

Looks better and better! Keep it up dude! I am enjoying your thread.

Great progress mate!!

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaro9dash-vi.jpg?800600

That looks great!! You seem to be zooming right on past everyone else. lol Keep up the great work man!

Frank X.

Ahhhh, it's a joy to watch the aussie beast progress, your skills are awesome mate!
keep it up & keep us updated!! ;)

Excellent stuff mate - I'll be following this one closely

Wow, thanks guys. :)

Okay, so what do do when you don't sleep all night.....?
Been burning the night stick, thinking of what to attack next...Soooo I thought I'd start on the hood. The new 2005/drift car will probably have these added, but I couldn't wait for that.......LOL.......

I started by measureing even spaces as a guide, (I don't have any factory measurements, so its all guess work) cut out the two pieces, then lined the cut-outs with thin strips along each side and some angle at the back, to hold it just above the original hood height...Then the 2 pieces were glued back in....Some putty and reshaping, and it'll be starting to look right.....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monarohood-vi.jpg?800600
http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monarohood1-vi.jpg?800600

Also did some more on the side skirts... They are very simple in design, but work well...I added 2mm strips along the bottom of the sills, smoothed it with putty and added the fancy trim to the side...

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/monaroside1-vi.jpg?800600

I wont worry about casting the hood or the sides, as I'm sure the 2005 will have this hood, and the sides are an easy add-on in your own design I think.... :wink:

Monaro progress (http://public.fotki.com/Greg5000/2004_holden_monaro_gto/)

More soon....
cheers stump :aus:

Looks fantastic - keep up the good work

Your hood scoop look awesome!! much cleaner than my effort! I started on styrene "nostrils" last night and its starting to look better.

I think the scoop's outer edges follow the crease lines on the bonnet if you know what i mean.

Thanks guys.. :)

Fusionrr,
Yeah, I'm trying to reshape them a bit to get that effect...

Got some more done on the hood, both scoops are done, still need more putty and sanding to get the right shape.....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/mtest5hood-vi.jpg?800600

Also, had a think about the wipers.....Figured they'd look a bit dickie swinging the wrong way, for us Aussies, at least....So, I've modified the wiper panel and I'll put some wipers from the parts box on there....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/mtest4wipers-vi.jpg?800600

And here is a mock up of how I hope it will look...Think I've got the stance about right......I'm concidering these wheels too...The Aoshima 19's were going to be a tad large.....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/mtest-vi.jpg?800600

Monaro progress (http://public.fotki.com/Greg5000/2004_holden_monaro_gto/)

Thanks for lookin in, more soon....
cheers stump :aus:

Wicked! Never considered the wipers!

Coming along very nicely! Can't wait to see this one done!

man that looks very nice.. u gonna cast this?

man that looks very nice.. u gonna cast this?


Thanks Hustle, yes, I'm talking to a caster at the moment...
Looking at doing the front and rear bars, the dash and a set of wheels..
It'll be a trans-kit to give people the option of building a Monaro...

cheers stump :aus:

You're doing an amazing job!

WOWZA!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are the Boss Stump!.. :lol:

That looks fantastic. Keep up the great work.

Cheers
Nenad

Thanks for all the encouragement guys, it's keeping me spurred on the get these bits ready for casting.... :)

Okay, the rear panel is taking shape nicely.....So far, the only chassis mods I've had to do, is trim off the piece just in front of the radiator, and about 3mm off the rear, fuel tank area....With my rear bar attatched, it gets covered up...Do you think this will be a concern to anyone wishing to build it...???? Some :feedback: on this issue would be appreciated, as I can probably trim some more off my piece if it's absolutely nessesary....Let me know....

Here'a a pic, to give you an idea....I've marked it in white, where it needs to be trimmed off.....

http://images9.fotki.com/v166/photos/6/63306/2306100/montest-vi.jpg?800600

Her it is, after the modification.....

http://images10.fotki.com/v191/photos/6/63306/2306100/montest1-vi.jpg?800600

This pic shows the lower part fitted to the rear bar...As you can see, the modified part gets hidden....

http://images9.fotki.com/v168/photos/6/63306/2306100/montest11-vi.jpg?800600

Just a rear shot, showing the lower bar in place...As you can see, there is a gap between the main bar and the lower piece (masking tape visible)
There will be a thin filler panel to go in there when molded.. On the real car, the filler panel is painted a contrasting colour...It will be easy to trim it out as well, to leave it "open" if you wish....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/montest5-vi.jpg?800600

Also did a bit more smoothing on the hood....

http://images10.fotki.com/v193/photos/6/63306/2306100/montesthood-vi.jpg?800600

Monaro progress (http://public.fotki.com/Greg5000/2004_holden_monaro_gto/)

Thanks again for all the kind word and encouragement guys....
It's getting closer to reality...

cheers stump :aus:

Man...You're makin this look so easy! Keep it up mate.

Frank X.

Wow, looking really really nice man. I lov the rims that are on it, they suit this car very well. As far as casting the skirts, i say have the piece that sits over te skirt its self casted too, it really adds to teh whole look of the car. Keep up the good work man!

I wish I had some of those cool sk8ter words that I could say about it....
:lol:

Greg, that looks simply fantastic the more we see.
I am definitely gonna have to get a couple of these kits!
Maybe even your transkit when it's ready.
Oh, the wheels look fantastic and the ride height looks just right on.

Cheers
Nenad

I agree with above statements wholeheartedly!

It looks very very well built, nice and reflected modifications, and shaping up to be a quite true-to life imitation of the real thing. The sideskirts look nice, the rear bumper is becoming as good as the front, you 're on a roll!

Oh, and I wouldn't bother too much about the chassis thingie, I think most transkit buyers realise it takes a certain amount of skillpoints to make one look good. And even more to make a transkit look good.


In my book you've earned about 500 up to now on this kit, keep on going!

oh another thing... it seems to me that Polar Lights did put a hell of a load of paint on that kit, doesn't it? Don't you think that might affect casting? you should look into it!

Olivier

PS, isn't scratchbuilding more fun then actually painting and glueing? I think so!

"Been burning the night stick, thinking of what to attack next...Soooo I thought I'd start on the hood. The new 2005/drift car will probably have these added, but I couldn't wait for that.......LOL......."

What u mean Reese Millen's drift car?
He already has the new hood on his GTO.

He means the model vanilla.

well.....im obviously confused. But thats how I am most of the time anyway.

That looks awesome! Looks mutch bether than the Pontiac GTO and your skills amaze me!

I wish I had some of those cool sk8ter words that I could say about it....
:lol:

Greg, that looks simply fantastic the more we see.
I am definitely gonna have to get a couple of these kits!
Maybe even your transkit when it's ready.
Oh, the wheels look fantastic and the ride height looks just right on.

Cheers
Nenad

Thanks Nenad, Mate, your kool words are enough. Thank you.. :biggrin:

cheers Mate
Greg

I agree with above statements wholeheartedly!

It looks very very well built, nice and reflected modifications, and shaping up to be a quite true-to life imitation of the real thing. The sideskirts look nice, the rear bumper is becoming as good as the front, you 're on a roll!

Oh, and I wouldn't bother too much about the chassis thingie, I think most transkit buyers realise it takes a certain amount of skillpoints to make one look good. And even more to make a transkit look good.


In my book you've earned about 500 up to now on this kit, keep on going!

oh another thing... it seems to me that Polar Lights did put a hell of a load of paint on that kit, doesn't it? Don't you think that might affect casting? you should look into it!

Olivier

PS, isn't scratchbuilding more fun then actually painting and glueing? I think so!

Thanks heaps Olivier,
Mate, yeah I think your assumption on the chassis mods is pretty accurate, as you say, most people that are going to concider resin stuff, know there is extra work involved...
And, yes, the paint is quite thick, though it'll only affect the rear bar, because I modified the kit piece....But its been sanded pretty well during the mods...... :evillol: :biggrin:
Scratchbuilding....?????.....Yes,.... much, much more fun than just assembling a model...... :evillol: :smokin:

cheers Olivier
Greg

Looks awesome!