Ferrari 599 GTO - Open and Custom CAD Wheels

So I finished the California and missed the deadline with the Cobra when it would not fit together in the 11th hour. That is when I saw a picture of a 500GTB and just had to build it. Sounds like how I got on the California doesn't it!

After making the wheels for the California, the 599 GTO looked like it had so much potential. I have gotten over my fear of messing up thanks to the California and have said, I am going to mess up, but learn from it. The likes of Clay, DaveT, Jay S., Bob Downie, Veyron, make it all look too easy for us regular people.

My 599 GTO is going to be custom and fully opened, yes fuel door too. Something in my head wont let me build box stock. I have to add a body kit, open things and add detail. I like the fins on the race version and my plan is to have the car look something like this. A streetable race car. I am going to make some wheels for this that are like the stock 599 GTO wheels, they look great, but they will be concave and 21/22 set up.

http://images12.fotki.com/v20/photos/8/1044538/11308460/ferrari_599_gtowildspeed01-vi.jpg


The body is made of a harder plastic than I am used to. It almost seems a little bit brittle. I am not sure if this is because it is a Revell Germany kit or because it is red, or if that's just the way it is. I have cleaned it up quite a bit. Mold lines where bad at all. It did need a lot of leveling and sharpening the edges to make them crisp. It needed more leveling and block sanding than I expected. I did this all with 400 grit paper and my "sanding blocks" concept. The more aggressive grit helped level things out vs. smooth the body and still leaving it not level.

You can see I have recessed the areas behind the wheels to make room for the "fins" as I am going to call them in absence of their technical name.

http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02346-vi.jpg

http://images43.fotki.com/v679/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02347-vi.jpg

http://images18.fotki.com/v270/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02348-vi.jpg


I learned from the California that I cannot trust the manufacturer to make things fit as smoothly and tightly as those of us here on this forum would need. They do a great job for average joe, but not for us. This means, I am going to fill in the body and make it smooth/level and butt pieces against the body and pin them so they aren't unsightly gaps where the pieces fit together. I am also filling in the keyholes so I can make my own as well as the indentions where the mirrors are. The mirrors on the California are a mess.

http://images43.fotki.com/v680/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02355-vi.jpg


The diffuser will get a little more attention too. It will be all carbon fiber and will get thinner fins made of brass.

http://images57.fotki.com/v139/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02368-vi.jpg


All bolts, screws, rivets in under the hood have been drilled out so I can backfill them with styrene rod and use the appropriate photoetch detail. Varying shades and sheen of greys and blacks will be used to create depth and realism. Yes, I opened up the hood latch area for another one like on the California. Also, the hinges for the hood will be remade as they are gaudy and unrealistic.

http://images60.fotki.com/v778/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02372-vi.jpg


The hood was slightly warped and needed some help fitting flush so I epoxied this really strong magnet (I can't believe how strong it is) to the underside of the engine bay.

http://images51.fotki.com/v303/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02352-vi.jpg

I added this piece of steel inside the hood. It will be flushed in shortly.

http://images16.fotki.com/v363/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02353-vi.jpg

Together, they keep this hood tight and snug. It works really well. The same concept will be used on the doors. This was done on the Cobra that Bill Cunningham gave me and I have seen Clay Kemp do the same thing.

http://images12.fotki.com/v532/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02354-vi.jpg


Since the doors will open on this build, the appearance of the door skins is very important. All door skins will have to be rebuilt. I want door pockets open of course, there are some lines that are too deep that need to be more subtle, and there is a door handle that needs to be opened up, as well as what I believe to be an AC inlet.

http://images46.fotki.com/v284/photos/8/1044538/11335424/DSC02358-vi.jpg


Thank you in advance for the help and inspiration!
Andy

Thank you. Inspiring.

Excellent job so far -great ideas!!

Wow, that's some plans you have.
Why did you close the long holes on the rear end? Don't you want to use the c-pillars?

Why did you close the long holes on the rear end? Don't you want to use the c-pillars?I learned from the California that I cannot trust the manufacturer to make things fit as smoothly and tightly as those of us here on this forum would need. They do a great job for average joe, but not for us. This means, I am going to fill in the body and make it smooth/level and butt pieces against the body and pin them so they aren't unsightly gaps where the pieces fit together. I am also filling in the keyholes so I can make my own as well as the indentions where the mirrors are. The mirrors on the California are a mess!!!

Thanks for watching!
Andy

I always wanted to try the magnet trick, but didn't get a chance yet. Keep us posted. Should be another stunner!!

The comments are great, thank you guys.

The doors are all open and off. Fuel door too.

http://images57.fotki.com/v1613/photos/8/1044538/11335424/YDSC02379-vi.jpg



I drilled and filled the keyhole and mirror receptacles so I can add my own more precise versions. I just drill a hole that is the exact size of styrene rod I have so it is a perfect fit.

http://images28.fotki.com/v141/photos/8/1044538/11335424/YDSC02386-vi.jpg


I took the armrests off the doors so I can detail them appropriately and not be limited by the reach or tight space when they were on the doors. It will also make it easier to carbon fiber the doors in a more uniform manner. The armrests will be pinned back on with styrene rod.

You can see I also opened up the lower part of the door so it is accurate just like the real thing.

http://images60.fotki.com/v361/photos/8/1044538/11335424/YDSC02384-vi.jpg


All is in place and the armrest areas have been smoothed with some putty. I need to fill those gaudy seams some as they are too thick. That is really apparent when photographed but not to the naked eye.

http://images12.fotki.com/v540/photos/8/1044538/11335424/yDSC02427-vi.jpg


The trunk is fitting nice and tight. I learned from the California that I need to sand the glass to make it perfectly smooth. That is why the window looks frosty right now.

http://images16.fotki.com/v378/photos/8/1044538/11335424/YDSC02405-vi.jpg


The trunk is opened and filled with the proper scratch built support and details made from styrene.
This is going to be a carbon fiber trunk. Painted body color on the outside, but CF detail on the inside.

http://images107.fotki.com/v67/photos/8/1044538/11335424/yDSC02413-vi.jpg


Next it is on to the finishing the inside of the trunk and then making those doors work!
Thank you for following!
Andy

Awesome as usual! I envy your skills and patience!

Can't wait to see more!

Wow!!!

Ugh This is killing me!! Good work man

Very impressive work! I don't think you can lump yourself w us "average joes" your skills are on another level, I can't wait for any new update

Superb work so far!!! :)

loving the work Andy

Thank you guys! I have been working on getting the wheels from the Cali done for those who bought some copies and I will get back to the 599 this week.

In the meantime, I decided the 599 will be displayed with the wheels off on one side to show off some custom details. Those brakes are really unique looking and have some details to be captured. To do this, I been working on some CAD designs for the calipers and rotors for the 599. This will provide the opportunity for some super detailed brakes for the 599 and also get some great looking brake details on the market for guys like you.

I appreciate you following and will have some updates this week as I am ready to get some progress done on this thing!

Thank you!
Andy