1973 Vega Kammback

Another model of one of my real cars, in this case my first car. I started with the body from an older AMT funny car kit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04684_zps5ngzq9ft.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04684_zps5ngzq9ft.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04685_zpsvtubiecs.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04685_zpsvtubiecs.jpg.html)

Never seen one of these before, looking forward to seeing your progress.

Emil

They are pretty close to being extinct now...

Ken Hart (khart) generously gave me some Minilite wheels from a Revell Corvette to work with. I cast a resin copy and machined it from a 15 inch five lug into a 13 inch four lug Western Superlite master.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04702_zpsn3mfcsk7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04702_zpsn3mfcsk7.jpg.html)

I gave the wheel a sand cast texture and added machined lugs/washers and the center cap.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04749_zpshhhabn68.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04749_zpshhhabn68.jpg.html)

Here are the copies I cast of the modified wheel.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04784_zpskblgsktu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04784_zpskblgsktu.jpg.html)

When you make the molds are using just a typical RTV silicon and say liquid plastic for the cast piece?

Yes, I use RTV for the molds and I use a two part resin to cast the parts.

I installed a Harwood Corvette styled scoop on my Vega. I made a resin copy of a 427 scoop/hood to start with.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04705_zpsosem46bw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04705_zpsosem46bw.jpg.html)
Cut the scoop from the hood copy.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04713_zpsuudmikj7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04713_zpsuudmikj7.jpg.html)
And since it was a smaller than the factory Corvette sized scoop, I narrowed and shortened it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04768_zps1bmho2nx.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04768_zps1bmho2nx.jpg.html)

The hood that was engraved into the body was the wrong size and shape, even for the body being a bit stubby. I filled in the missing cowl and hood area then rescribed the rear edge of the hood (with an arc instead of a straight line) as well as adding the fender lines and scribing the windshield frame.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04716_zps1fv9majs.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04716_zps1fv9majs.jpg.html)

I continued to scribe out the hood until I removed it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04717_zpstbkfntpc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04717_zpstbkfntpc.jpg.html)

Nice!

Thanks!

I cut a hole to match the one I cut into the hood of the real car.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04767_zpsdjpdrkki.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04767_zpsdjpdrkki.jpg.html)
And cemented and faired the scoop into the hood.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04794_zpsdpvqzhun.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04794_zpsdpvqzhun.jpg.html)

Beautiful craftsmanship Mark!!

Thanks!

I also installed a sunroof to my Vega, so I cut out a hole in the roof…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04795_zpsz5urbzd4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04795_zpsz5urbzd4.jpg.html)

While casting some other parts I was using dye to color the resin and came up with a near exact match to the color of the spoke section of the wheel straight from the mold.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04917_zps1hxyxmek.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04917_zps1hxyxmek.jpg.html)

Finding tires proved to be more of a challenge. I settled on this two piece injection molded tire from a MPC Volare Road Runner with Parts Pack.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04774_zpssruytps3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale- [URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04774_zpssruytps3.jpg.html)
I filled the tire with polyester filler and turned it down and reshaped on the lathe.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04775_zpsfhu7oclp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04775_zpsfhu7oclp.jpg.html)
Then I cut a little tread pattern into it and removed the axle post. For a curbside it should be fine especially after the side wall details are added.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04791_zpsqkapicdu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04791_zpsqkapicdu.jpg.html)
These are the resin parts I will detail and finish.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04815_zpsyon1adzs.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04815_zpsyon1adzs.jpg.html)

Very impressive scratchbuilding!

I find the shape of this car very special. To me it looks like an "americanized" version of the Volvo P1800 estate.

http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/1973_Volvo_P1800ES_Wagon_Rear_1.jpg

Emil

I like those Volvo P1800s too. Both body styles.

Digging around last night I found a piece of aluminum pipe in my metal stockpile, it had a slightly larger O.D. and a smaller I.D. that what would work for the outer rim for the wheels. So I machined up a set and also modified the wheels I cast to accept it. The aluminum is something from the plumbing supply section of a hardware store. Not too soft, but also not heat treated and very gummy to cut, but it was so close to the size I needed it was worth it to use.
This is the first one I test made before doing the set of four I’ll actually use.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04941_zpsz8bdo9rz.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04941_zpsz8bdo9rz.jpg.html)

as always inspirational work!!

I made decals for the sidewalls to match the tires I had on my car.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04980_zpsrxo8d7x0.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04980_zpsrxo8d7x0.jpg.html)

Wheels and tires.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04988_zpswrmpwz5f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC04988_zpswrmpwz5f.jpg.html)

Those look really awesome.

I agree! Awesome!

Emil

nice! and what did you use to make the decals?

The rear valance is molded in one piece with no provision for the license plate. On the real car the rear valance is a two piece affair. The bumper is too tall and is also missing the detail where the plate should be. (Note how far the bumper fits to the right.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05397_zpswja2toab.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05397_zpswja2toab.jpg.html)
Additionally, the mounting points molded to the bumper are not centered. They fit the holes in the valance, but that doesn’t put the bumper in the middle either. I hogged out the holes and made new ones sleeved with brass.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05398_zpsc6zzo83z.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05398_zpsc6zzo83z.jpg.html)
Then I cut out the areas on the bumper and valance to more closely resemble the real car.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05399_zpsk7rbdev8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05399_zpsk7rbdev8.jpg.html)

I decided to go for a slammer instead of full detail on this model, at least for now… I scratched up this chassis with the thought that I might change my mind and go curbside later.
Mostly made of sheet styrene, I repurposed some short-shot resin rims I cast for a 1/12 scale model for the inner wheel wells.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05401_zpshrdacmz9.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05401_zpshrdacmz9.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05400_zpsukojyfyj.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05400_zpsukojyfyj.jpg.html)

I made the Ansa exhaust tip out of brass and aluminum.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05402_zpsymvohkxs.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05402_zpsymvohkxs.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05407_zpsjogcagxq.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05407_zpsjogcagxq.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05406_zpsgal7uxvw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05406_zpsgal7uxvw.jpg.html)

Mocking up the “suspension” and the stance.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05408_zpsmztlvcf2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05408_zpsmztlvcf2.jpg.html)

I started making the sunroof. I shaped and scored a piece of sheet styrene to make the outer frame. Since it will be a slammer, the glass area doesn’t have to be clear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05411_zpsdnjbcqb2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05411_zpsdnjbcqb2.jpg.html)
I reused the “blank” I cut out of the body earlier and shimmed it on each of the four sides for a snug positive fit.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05412_zpshgsglwci.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05412_zpshgsglwci.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05413_zpszc5wnehb.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05413_zpszc5wnehb.jpg.html)

The front bumper was not uniform on the ends so I reshaped it. The sprues fed into the top edge as well so I sanded all the chrome off when I cleaned it up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05414_zpsfcsjiz3d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05414_zpsfcsjiz3d.jpg.html)
The ’73 Vega was unique from the ’71 & ‘72s in that the front bumper was moved three inches forward (to meet the 5mph impact laws) and a filler panel was added behind the bumper. I made the filler piece from sheet styrene and rechromed the bumper with BMF.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05425_zps3abxtozm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05425_zps3abxtozm.jpg.html)

After making some test swatches with the color I mixed for the body, I decided a tan undercoat was the way to go.
The mounting points for the wipers and mirrors have been drilled into the body.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05428_zpsiakjojfa.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05428_zpsiakjojfa.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05427_zpsqmiwbxmp.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05427_zpsqmiwbxmp.jpg.html)

Mark,
What was used for the tan undercoat, and primer?

Thanks,
Trevor

I was using Krylon gray primer for the bodywork. The Tan is Tamiya AS-15 Tan. The coat in the photos was sanded smooth with 1200 before a second thin uniform base coat was applied.

I mixed the Starburst Bronze Metallic from a handful of Testors enamels. Predominantly Pearl Orange, Stoplight Red, Sable Brown and some leftover bronze I mixed for the Revell Olds 442 Convertible (box art model). In reality the color was just a variant of Rust. What better color to paint a Vega?
It will get a clear coat so I was only concerned with uniform coverage.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05437_zpsl2jmjtfm.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05437_zpsl2jmjtfm.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05438_zpsqleps7yg.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05438_zpsqleps7yg.jpg.html)

Like the color.

Trevor

The glass area of the sunroof was made from chrome Mylar and painted Tamiya Smoke. The button fasteners are steel pins.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05448_zps1gczch6f.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05448_zps1gczch6f.jpg.html)

Since there were no windshield or door windows in the kit, and the rear windows were pretty thick, I made all the windows from sheet Lexan that I tinted with Tamiya Smoke.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05460_zpsq5yvlgmt.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05460_zpsq5yvlgmt.jpg.html)

I made mirrors from parts box leftovers I reshaped and added stems and bases to.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05461_zps7zvz6onx.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05461_zps7zvz6onx.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05462_zpsqnaranmg.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05462_zpsqnaranmg.jpg.html)

I rechromed the rear bumper with foil.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05473_zpslttlgajn.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05473_zpslttlgajn.jpg.html)

I foiled the window trim too. On my real car I removed the plastic chrome trim from the drip rails and finished them before I repainted it and then left them body color.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05469_zpsbhhky4wv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05469_zpsbhhky4wv.jpg.html)

I shot the final clear, added the side marker lights and emblems/badging. The flake looks a bit heavy now and the real car was pretty glittery too.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05503_zps7fkq7ycj.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05503_zps7fkq7ycj.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05502_zpsul36uqa4.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05502_zpsul36uqa4.jpg.html)

Cut, waxed and ready for glass…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05550_zpsafmygzeu.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05550_zpsafmygzeu.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05551_zpskrdloarv.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05551_zpskrdloarv.jpg.html)

Very nice work. The color reminds me of my Monza 2+2 I had when I was younger.

The glass is in…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05569_zpspc6eqube.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05569_zpspc6eqube.jpg.html)
And I made decals for the rear window.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05570_zps4vcdnwcw.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05570_zps4vcdnwcw.jpg.html)

License plate and bumper stickers, just as it was back then…
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05574_zpsa62xb2rr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05574_zpsa62xb2rr.jpg.html)

I made smoke plexiglass covers for the headlights and parking lights on the real car. (The headlight covers were held on by Velcro for easy removal for night driving.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05587_zps7o3catye.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Vega%20Kammback/DSC05587_zps7o3catye.jpg.html)

I had a pair of driving lights for a Mercedes 450 on this car; I cast copies of the lights from the Monogram model.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Scale-Master/1973%20Camaro/DSC04706_zpswzkjyzcr.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Scale-Master/media/1973%20Camaro/DSC04706_zpswzkjyzcr.jpg.html)