As the title states im doing a Cadillac STS-V in VIP style. I bought this kit when it was brandie new bout a year ago planning to write a kit review for it but have been busy :uhoh:, when i get around to it i will soon. A brief bit about the kit- the kit is done pretty similar to the "LARGE" series diecasts from revell has the same rim types with two rim options but unless you want to ride "Donk" they are a little big for it so im using them on slammed trucks.
It features a one piece underchassis and metal axles that screws to the underbody :thumbsdow
But has pre-tinted windows, chrome and non chrome options, a realistic looking sound system, opening hood, doors, and rear deck lid. and different grills. :thumbsup:

Nehoo-on to the build
For the body no major modifications, the door handles came preshaved Ill put a light VIP body kit on it new mufflers and different rims. Interior mainly "stock" meaning kit stock since it has a sound system.

On with the Pics-
-coming later tonight have to edit them :(

The unexpectedly long awaited update...
through complications with computer/ camera error, school and a list of other things i wasnt able to get the pics up. but i have most of them for now...

on with the progress pics!
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/chassiscut.jpg
here i started workin on the chassis, i had to cut out the wheel wells to tuck the big rims up.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/chassiscut2.jpg
Heres both front and rear cut out, i also had to relocate the metal axle holes up by drilling some new ones. i also filled some mounting holes from the stock exhaust mufflers.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/Underengine.jpg
this pic isnt that great but its the underside of the "engine plate" that attaches to the fenders. i ground down the thickness of the edges that overlap the engine plate so i could tuck the rims as high up on the fenders as i could.


Now on the the stretchwall tires..
i was able to semi cheat and make some stretchwalls. Because the tires are so thin i was able to raise the centers a little bit as you can see
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/Rim2.jpg
I ground some of the chrome off around the center of the rim so i could glue a .040 x .040 strip around the center. when you put the tire over the rim it is raised slightly in the middle so it kinda gives it a stretched look.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/Stretchwheel.jpg
heres a regular tire on the rim and one with the strip under it. it does the job and pretty low-tech too.


Now for the VIP kit itself
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/skirtlips.jpg
i started to build out the side skirts by first putting a .040 strip along the inside edge of the rocker, this was to build some width so the bottom plate had more glueing surface. Then i put a wide piece of .040 on the bottom to match the front bumper height. On the front i just used the .020 so it would match the side skirt height.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/sideskirts.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/frontlip.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/FRlipfill.jpg
here i put a piece of plastic tubing as a filler on the front lip before the putty and to help push the lip down some. I started putting the sideplates on too, simply .020 sheet.

Heres some teasers
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/demoshot1.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/demolip.jpg
heres the front filled with tmiya 2 part epoxy putty.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/demolip2.jpg
delicious so far..:naughty:

Its currently in first primer stages now but Thats it for this update i have to post more tomorow night as i have a architectural diorama model :uhoh:

Wheels look nice on it, seem a little too big in scale for me. To me they fit it well if you leave em chrome. The door gaps look aligned good too. Keep us posted.

looks sweet. i think im gonna have to stop by wal mart soon.

Wheels look nice on it, seem a little too big in scale for me. To me they fit it well if you leave em chrome. The door gaps look aligned good too. Keep us posted.
they look great with aoshima VIP wheels im keeping my eye on this build

Question: (raises hand in the air) does that grill come with the kit?

Question: (raises hand in the air) does that grill come with the kit?

lol Yes, it comes with the stock STS-V grill the metal mesh w/floating badge, and this one wich is definately mercedes looking so that helps the styling big time

Wheels look nice on it, seem a little too big in scale for me. To me they fit it well if you leave em chrome.

yea they scale off a little big. they are the set that came with the fast and furious drift 350Z kit andthey were def. too big for a Z. But the 1:1 Caddy can actually take some big ones, but im like 85% happy with them, unless i can find something that would be a little better idk. ill keep you guys posted

Semi update
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/Exhaust3.jpg
Some exhaust progress shots, the main exhaust line is molded to the chassis and its a giant pain in the ass to remove those so im keeping it, just ditching the stock chrome monster muffler pans, in exchange for something a little more VIP. Dual tube resonator mufflers. The main body is tube styrene with an aluminum angled tip. since these pics they've been painted silver and the inside of the tips black.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/exhaust2.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/exhaust1.jpg

Progress shots of the interior
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/interiortaped.jpg
Most of the interior parts taped up for the frist color, the tan.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/decklidsystem.jpg
Heres the rear trunk system progress, some holes filled where a goofy badge was supposed to go.


Also Ive concluded that those rims are just to big, im going to keep them for trucks. Ive scoured the rims box and i think ive found something that will work a little better and will look less blingy.

Will update with pics soon of the new rims and the latest progress, questions and comments welcome. :grinyes:

great job so far waitting to see more

Update!
Heres some new rims i was toying with and i think i like them better let me know what you guys think.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/newrims.jpg

Heres some shots of them with the car, its in primer stages still a little filler and sanding to do in spots.
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/primerside.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/primer3quarter.jpg
The wheels look a little wonky sitting there its because they are sitting on their inner edge. Ive yet to make them stretchwalls.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e167/Jangofett787/STS-V/primer3quarter2.jpg

Let me know what you guys think also if i should paint any part of the rims aluminum or not.

Update or should i say lack thereof . Wont be making any progress for a couple weeks, first im in the middle of moving n secondly i got all my finals and final projects for the college semester. progress as soon as i can :uhoh:

The second set of wheels look a tad small :dunno:

Yea idk, partly because they are tipped cuz they are unmodified in the pic, they do scale off at 19's or 20's i believe, they are from Pegasus.
The STS has pretty big wheel wells too tho :icon16:

I'm lovin' the stretch look... i've got to give that a go!
what did you say you fitted in between the center of the wheel? .040 strip??

I'm lovin' the stretch look... i've got to give that a go!
what did you say you fitted in between the center of the wheel? .040 strip??

I glued a piece of .040x.040 styrene strip around the center of the rim (pic 4&5)