04 GTO/Monaro WIP

My plans are to modify the front bar to resemble a holden monaro as sold here in australia.

After I've drilled/cut/puttied/sanded etc -what do you think the chances are of being able to match the paint on the body?

Perhaps I should strip entire body?

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4326-med.JPG

Hey,

Isn't there suposed to be a bare plastic version coming out? But I'd go and strip it to be safer. Good luck on the conversion! I hope it turns out great,so then you can cast the parts and make us happy:-D

Frank X.

guess i'll strip it...
like the choice of rims?

Cool :smokin: . Soon w/the '05 kit coming, you can make an HSVZ series GTO, w/the twin-scoop hood. I'm half tempted to do that, and paint it the bright blue as the HSV website shows. Anyone wanna try the HSV Coupe4? I'd like to see that car w/the HSV GTO front end.

I have no clue what color would match that yellow. You may be better off stripping the whole car in 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and starting that way. It's molded in yellow too.

i considered the coupe4, the guards would be straight forward enough. i've also though about making the twin scoops.. i'll keep thinking about it.

The rims look ok. Are they from the AMT rides series? I would like to see a Ute too:-D mmm....

Frank X.

lots a 04 gtos popping up

Rims : aoshima 19" fabulous profound
(they're supposed to be on my 350z)
ute - that would be cool!

Nice car!! The rims are perfect!

I'm waiting for someone to make an SS wagon but I know it won't happen, even an SS Ute would make me happy.

Cool :smokin: . Soon w/the '05 kit coming, you can make an HSVZ series GTO, w/the twin-scoop hood. I'm half tempted to do that, and paint it the bright blue as the HSV website shows. Anyone wanna try the HSV Coupe4? I'd like to see that car w/the HSV GTO front end.

I have no clue what color would match that yellow. You may be better off stripping the whole car in 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and starting that way. It's molded in yellow too.

is there a new 05' kit coming out?

I'm waiting for someone to make an SS wagon but I know it won't happen, even an SS Ute would make me happy.

there a Resin VP Holden Commodore body for sale on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1190&item=5975945422&rd=1

i might get 1 and customize it to be a wagon :smokin:

GEEZUS.
This dude has several Aussie cars in his store.....Hmmm I can smell a CC fest coming on.

Rumours are that their is an '05 slated to be produced.
CHris

Rumours are that their is an '05 slated to be produced.
CHris

Art told me yesterday in an email that the '05's were coming, and probably before the drift version. Not sure if the '04's will disappear completely after that, he didn't answer that question.

Thanks Bob! I haven't talked with Art in awhile. I should hit chat more often.
I look forward to the '05. Especially after your great headlight tutorial.
Chris

Stripped front bar - still needs to be stripped back more I think.
Used brake fluid. worked quicker than isopropyl.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4330-med.JPG

cant wait to start hacking into it!!

I might go for the VZ styling. bonnet scoops included!
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703vzmonaro2-med.jpg

Do it, do it!!

yea, should be interesting...

I've made a bit of progress on the front bar.
Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the new grill I cut out yesterday. U'll have to wait until tomorrow.

I added a strip of styrene to the bottom as holden bar is bigger and protrudes lower than the pontiac version. I will make it meet the sideskirts though.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4331-med.JPG

Added putty to grill, strip and indicators
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4332-med.JPG

Bit of sanding..
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4336-med.JPG

I then cut from the bottom and top of the existing airdam.
I am following a 1900 x 1200 pic of monaro. Its quite easy to see the difference and is good for making visual references to proportions etc..

The airdam on the monaro comes up higher than pontiac.
I forgot to take a pic before this step.

Added styrene sheet to airdam for a cleaner finish (rather than file the shape out)
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4338-med.JPG

Puttied, sanded and filed. needs more putty.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4339-med.JPG

As I said before I've actually cut out the grill as well and it really is looking more and more like a monaro!

Next part is the hardest i think- the side ducts with the driving lights.
and then i need to lower the side bits near the guards.

Cant wait to see this one finished!!

Cant wait to see this one finished!!

I agree, what putty are you using?

Tamiya putty - basic type..

I think I might file down the bottom strip from underneath. It looks a bit too thick.

i was thinking I might get another 1 and make a HSV.

Keep it commin'! :bigthumb:

Wow, coming along nicely :D Keep up this good work!

Thanks for the comments :grinyes:

Heres the grill shape cut out.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703vz_front_bar-med.jpg
you can really see the commodore/monaro shape now!

I puttied and sanded a bit last night, no new pics yet.

lookin good :smokin: can't wait to see this finished. keep up the good work.

Freakin' sweet

What rims are on there now? Keep up the awsome progress man!

Frank X.

Looks great. My mate is in love with the build (he has a VZ munro).
Great work changeing it to the monaro look.
Cheers, WIDE.

good old aoshima 19" luxy type 3 ....

those bonnet ducts are gonna be so hard :eek:

Hey.............that's lookin excellent Mate, sweet conversion.
Be a nice change to see a Munro, instead of a goat..........LOL :smokin:

I hope to pick mine up in a couple of weeks....I hope you don't mind if I follow your lead, I will be "Manaroising" it as well.... :evillol:

Keep up the great work Mate
cheers stump :aus:

Hey,

You know man, you should wait a few months for the '05 hood. Polar lights can help you out there. :wink:

Frank X.

i can't wait for 05 version, (i dont wanna wait!) - wont be too hard, just build up the shape with styrene, putty sand,shape, make it pretty, then drill out the holes, clean it up. done.

now i just gotta do it.

if I'd gone the series 1 monaro (saw a few today) I would have finished the conversion by now, all you need to do for that is cut out grill, slightly reshape air dam and fill in driving lights and side indicators...etc

where did you get the info that a 05' version is coming out

PM ZoomZoomMX-5 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=40569) for info. He told me.

Frank X.

small update, no pics, :disappoin

Drilled out the side ducts/driving light housing...

Will either fill in the back of the front bar with putty and file to shape or cut out a hole and insert styrene for shape.

Didn't get much done - too busy renovating, going out.

This is a great project, the Holden version is much cooler than the Pontiac version. Are you also going to make it RHD?

(I have 1:18 diecast GTO and Monaro side by side on my shelf...)

yeah, i will make it rhd. not that i've even looked at the rest of the kit yet..

looks great! cant wait to see it finished!

Thanks for comments!
Tiny amount of progress.
I cut out a hole for the side lights on one side.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4379-med.jpg
I had intended to file most of it to shape but it was too fiddly.
It'll have styrene inserted to get the contours right

I've got someone interested in making a mastermold of this when i'm finished for a yet to be determined amount.

I had considered taking a cast myself....

I've just finished tiling my kitchen and meals area so maybe i'll have some more time before the next project comes along... :)

I would love to get a conversion. Please do the dash too then you are in buisness. Keep up the great work man!

Frank X.

Yes I will do the dash, I promise!

I've cut out the left side driving light section today. Theres not much left of the original front bar.

Thats about it. I need to wait until Saturday to obtain some more materials... :crying:

I really want to get stuck into that hood.

looking nice.. do u live in melbourne?

Yes i live in melbourne.

I cut out the right side now so now the front bar looks a bit "holey"! :rofl:

i live in melbourne too.. where did u buy this kit? and what model shop do u go to, to get all your suplies?

Wow looking very nice man. May i ask who is doing the body mold for you? The front kit looks very nice on this so far, and the hood should look very nice with that front kit. Good luck

Hustle 187 -
I go to a shop in dandenong just cause they are the closest, only for paint, glue, styrene. I used to make trips into the city..

Otherwise I order from overseas - way cheaper plus way newer stuff.
Prices here can be just stupid! $75 for the latest model, which isnt really the latest stuff anyway!

Sidewayzs15 - i am still finalising the deal so I wont name names yet.

Will update progress mon/tues with pics. The hood is currently being stripped.

when u do the molds ^ could u sell 1 to me?

Hustle_187 - Yes i can do that.

Small update
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703latest.JPG
I know it doesn't look symmetrical, but it will when finished.

I've also started marking out the hood ducts.

Great start on the front bumper. This should be interesting.

Thanks for everyones support.

Started on the bonnet ducts..
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4414-med.jpg

The ducts actually start further than the styrene does.. I just wasn't going to put the styrene there so i can then take it away. I'll just build up the most detailed part (the front "nostrils")with putty and shape by hand(sandpaper).

I have already puttied it up, no pics though. It looks much better with the putty. Im yet to decide if they are too high or not. If they are at least I can sand them down easily.

I have also rearranged the dash to be RHD, and also changed the side GTO symbol into an indicator. The dash should be finished soon.

I might finish the front bumper which has started to annoy me!!! The back bumper will be far easier to do - that will happen soon too.

I have found that this model is much skinnier in width than the 1:1 version. This makes it a tiny bit harder to acurrately reproduce. But I'll do my best.

Thanks for reading. :bigthumb:

amazing job...keep it up, there's very few who can accurately do a conversion like this and you are definately one of them!

looks real nice.. keep up the good work

Update...
Applied a couple of layers of putty.. cut some holes out. Need to check my ref. pics before I finish the nostrils. I think they start even closer to the grill than this. Plus they need a lot of work to get a nice smooth shape.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4419.jpg
I need a 3/4 shot to show the real shape of the ducts.

Nice side shot showing the profile of the bonnet ducts. :smile:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4420-med.jpg


Started on the rear bumper also. I better strip it before I get too far. :banghead:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/274703IMGP4429-med.jpg

I've test fitted the driving lights and the front bumper should be finished soon.

Wow this is coming along very nicely!

Wowza...Looking great now!

Yup, great work; although the true detail and work will only show through with a little coat of grey primer applied to it...

just a little tip before you proceed, eh. With the primer you can just see perfectly well which areas need more sanding.

Also what I found useful on doing my bodywork, is to take a really high res shot of the front and compare it to the real car's pic, the bigger you make your own pics, the easier it is to spot which areas aren't fully like the real thing.

Olivier

Thanks.
I've been resisting priming it (which is really hard!!) because I didn't want to put too much paint on it and lose any small details. I've got rather large pics of my model plus 1900x1200 shots of the real car so I can really see the differences/mistakes and correct them, plus i'm waiting for some real photographs to be sent to me.

This reminds me my rear bumper is still sitting in brake fluid.. I meant to take it out this morning.. oops.

Go to a Holden dealership with your camera and snap away!

I did that at the Local Ford Dealership and two months later I had a new BA Falcon!...:grinno:

Big Kahuna - have you finished it yet? I think I've seen pics with the mustang front, AU back. Are you doing the bonnet bulge or is it an xr6?

Front bumper is almost finished. Have completed the right side , just gotta do the left. Sorry no pics.. i'm at my mums house...

Got a much more detailed reference pic of the bonnet scoops, so hopefully the bonnet will be finished by sunday night.

Possibly ready for casting midweek unless i decide to change something else.