1/12 `69 Camaro Z28 - In Progress

I started on the first one this week. So far this is what I have done, which is not much, but I want this one to be perfect. Over the past couple months, as I was planning for the re-release of this kit, I`ve collected almost 400 pics of real 1:1 Z-28`s, and I am going to try to include every engine, drivetrain, and chassis detail to make this as accurate as possible. I am also ordering the Model Car Garage detail kit for it.
Here it is in Fathom Green Metallic with white painted-on stripes. I have not added clear coat yet, and that is why it is so dull.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/69camaroprogress.jpg

The engine block is almost ready to be painted. I filled in a slight sink mark in the oil pan, and removed the seam in the tranny with heavy sanding and putty.
I didnt like the detail on the transmission shift linkages, so I scratch built some with styrene and the kit part.
I also included a speedo cable.

http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/69camaroprogress2.jpg

I also scratch built a bracket for the throttle return spring, and wound some wire around a drill bit for the spring. There is a scratchbuilt fuel block which will connect to the two carbs and the fuel pump. I will include all fuel lines, linkages, and vacuum tubes/lines eventually. I am bending the fuel lines out of styrene.


http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/69camaroprogress1.jpg

That looks awesome. You said you painted on the stripes? Were you planning on adding the pin stripe around the rally stripes? Looks amazing!

That looks awesome. You said you painted on the stripes? Were you planning on adding the pin stripe around the rally stripes? Looks amazing!

Thanks! Yeah, I am going to add the pin stripes. I am going to do this one like I did the `vette, since that turned out well. I will actually cut the pin stripes on the kit decals away from the "large" stripe, and just place the decal pin stripe around my painted on stripe. Take a look at the `vette in my signature to see how it looks doing it this way. I think it looks 100% better than using the kit decal.
I actually had to "sacrifice" a set of decals to do this, as they were cut and used as templates when masking.

Looks great! how much did you pay?

awesome. this will be inspiration for me. I got mine yesterday...and let me tell you....it is VERY intimidating. simply because things are different, especially with paint when they get bigger. lol. what did you use for paint? I was informed about variprime at the NNL and have yet to look into that.

cost: i paid 33 for mine..plus shipping

Thanks guys!

Looks great! how much did you pay?

I bought 3 at one time, so I got a package deal. It came out to just under $100 for all three including shipping.

what did you use for paint?

For the body, I used Plastikote Primer, Testors Custom Laquer Fathom Green Metallic (great stuff!!!), and Duplicolor Arctic white for the stripes. I`ll use Duplicolor for clear, but will probably wait a few days to make sure the color coats are fully cured.
Not sure if you noticed, but the engine parts are from the old kits with the old plastic. I will probably use Krylon, Tamiya, and Testor`s Metallizers sprays for the engine. Don`t know what I will do with the new kits. :(

I'm sure that if the plastikote primer was good on the body, it will work just fine on the engine of the new kits as a sealer/primer for the top kotes. I dont think I have plastikote readily available here in my area....I'll have to check the auto zone

I'm sure that if the plastikote primer was good on the body, it will work just fine on the engine of the new kits as a sealer/primer for the top kotes. I dont think I have plastikote readily available here in my area....I'll have to check the auto zone

Where are you located? I went on Plastikote`s website, went to the automotive section, and if you click on the description for the body shp paint, they have a "where to buy" link. That`s how I found that a Walmart on the way home from work is one of very few places that still has Plastikote.

Great progress...I definitely want to buy this kit.

awesome. thanks for the heads up on the where to buy. found a couple of local places that I had not thought of.

Nice lookin car. keep up the good work. Im sure it will be another bright and shiney masterpiece

Made some progress. Here we go:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/9302inprogress2-1-med.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/9302inprogress2-2-med.JPG

With and without flash.
The engine is just about done. I have to detail the hoses with lettering, put the headers on, and wire the distributor. I added all the fuel system components, made out of styrene sheet and tubing, and different guage wires. For the carbs, I drilled out the centers of the jets, and wired the linkages. I used wire for the throttle return spring, formed around a drill bit. I didn`t like the alternator bracket, so I cut one out of sheet styrene, and used tube styrene for the nuts and bolts. The small bracket for the spring was cut from styrene strip. The valve covers were sprayed duplicolor chrome.
On the trans, I painted the shift levers. The speedo cable was installed, and i drilled a hole in the top of the tranny to place the other end of the cable. I figured noone would see it up there anyway.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/9302inprogress2-3.JPG

The battery detail was sanded away. I cut the connectors from styrene and added the wiring. I also cut away the washer bottle and removed the cap that was molded into it. I am going to make a cap to make it look more realistic. After painting the washer bottle, i`ll reattach it to the chassis. I tihnk this will look much more realistic than molded directly to the chassis.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/9302inprogress2-4.JPG

I clear coated the body (I stopped counting after 10 coats of clear :icon16: ). I started rubbing out the roof. But, I am really concerned about the size of the "flakes" in the paint. This was Testors Custom Laquer paint, and it surprises me that the flakes are so big. I am worried it is going to look out of scale. What does everyone think?

Very nice going. I used Tamiya Silver Leaf for my primer and have seen nothing wrong happen. I guess I got one of the good plastics.

i think the flakes look good!

Ok, I finally made some progress.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/greenprogress1.jpg

The engine is just about done. I think I am going to install it before adding lettering to the spark plug wires and hoses. I made a bracket for the coil out of styrene.

http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/greenprogress2.jpg

The detailed firewall. As you can see, I am trying to include the part number lettering on all the parts. I also have the brake system just about ready, including all the line detail made from guitar string (use the E string).

http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/greenprogress3.jpg

The chassis. Sorry about the bad pic quality. It is body color overspray on the edges, and gray primer on the inside like they were form the factory. I picked out the bolts, fuel lines, and brake lines in silver, and the subframe in black.

http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/greenprogress4.jpg
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/greenprogress5.jpg

I finally finished rubbing out the body. I probably spent about 10 hours just on that. I really wanted it to shine. I went over it about 4-5 times with Tamiya fine, followed by 3 or 4 times with Tamiya "finish". I have yet to apply Zaino, then it should really shine!

I am trying to include every possible detail on this model from the nearly 400 pics I have of the real car. Let me know if you see anything I should be adding.

Wow , what a shine!! I think the flakes are ok . Good progress going on!

Superb job on the details Hawk! That looks unbelievable!

Chris

Wow that shine is great. the engine looks so very real. I cant wait to see it done, this is one great looking build

Good Lord, that shine is awesome!!:eek:

holy catfish! what incredible detail and workmanship. im really enjoying these buildups in this scale, now im really considering trying it myself. its hard to beleave im looking at a 1/12 engine and not the real thing! beautiful shine on that body. cant wait to see more magic from you, Hawk.

Ok, I am making some real progress here...

Here she is, almost all put together. Since last update, I have built the chassis, and tried to include every detail I could from my reference pictures. (Sorry for the darkness of the pic...it is a dreary day in the northeast) The emergency brake system is made from guitar string (the E and A string), wire, and styrene and includes accurate hooks and braces. In my reference pics, the leaf springs had those yellow labels on them, so I used masking tape painted yellow and tried to paint the small letters as best I can. I also tried to replicate the chalk markings on the tie rod and crossmembers. I did the same thing again with the tires, cutting up 2 complete sets (8 tires altogether) and gluing them back together to make them wider. This time, though, I used a 2/3 part with a 1/2 part, so they are just a little narrower this time.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5c.JPG


Here she is, almost all put together. I used guitar strings again for the detail around the brake booster. This time, I printed several labels that I thought would be a nice touch. The yellow arrow points to the orange and black "caution" label for the fan shroud. The red arrow points to an accurate Pennsylvania inspection sticker which is a print of an actual sticker from the time. It expires in April of 1970, which means this car (if it were 1:1) was bought in April of 1969....just in time for spring cruising. :) I also have a print of a matching Pennsylvania license plate from 1969 with a matching April registration tag.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5b.JPG


This detail I thought was a nice touch. I printed this from an actual window sticker from a 1969 Camaro that I found online. I used clear styrene for the side window (what a pain that was!!!) and strip styrene and metal foil for the metal "strip".
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5a.JPG

Things left to do:
* Add the MCG detail scripts.
* Mask, paint, clear, rub and polish, and decal the rear spoiler.
* Add the chrome detail items.
* Add the lower rear bumper.
* Zaino!

Wow great job Hawk. Another excellent build by you.I picked up this kit for myself 3 weeks ago. I cant wait to see it all done

beautful engine!!! more pics please :)

friggin awsome ,beautiful work ,if possible some nice outside pics would be great

Thanks guys! You can expect new outside pics, probably in the next week or two. I plan to finish this up, and start a "completed" thread by then.

Absolutely incredible, so much detail, and it's everywhere!

I just love the little details you re adding to it to make it the utmost realistic model I ve ever seen!

Great job, I m all admiration!!!


Oli

this thing is looking GREAT. Can't wait to see those outside pics

Thanks again guys.
Something else I forgot to mention is that I am adding real push down/pull up door locks in the interior. The kit just has a basic "nub" where these are supposed to be. I drilled a hole in the center of these nubs, and placed wire down through it. I built up the old style "tube" type model cement at the top of the wire until it looked proportionate. I then tried to shape this as close as I could to the real thing. My parents used to have the same type door locks on their 72 Buick.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5e.JPG


Also, for this one, I am really concentrating on getting the best shine. I am using a slightly different method, which is basically just more and more rubbing. :D I used 3 different grades of compound, and have about 5 applications of the finest compound on the roof. This is probably the glossiest finish I`ve gotten so far. I tried to capture it for you in the pic below. Should look really good once I get some Zaino on it.
For those of you wondering, I start off with 3M fine cut or Mequires Scratch X, followed by Tamiya "fine" and then Tamiya "finish" compound.
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5d.JPG

Here`s another try. Unfortunately, my camera isn`t recording it correctly. :(
http://members.aol.com/anastasis2/progress5f.JPG

this thing is looking GREAT. Can't wait to see those outside pics

absolutly amazing, the level of detail is amazing and the paints shine is beutiful. will love to see this one outside.

Sweetnes!

Almost finished! Just need to add the spoiler. I just clear coated the spoiler today, and I am going to wait til next weekend to rub it out and decal.
I also added the MCG detail set.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost3.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost2.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost6.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost5.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c209/Hawk312/69almost9.jpg

Think i might put mine away for a few more months after checking out this fantasic build.
Stunning paint job!!

Think i might put mine away for a few more months after checking out this fantasic build.
Stunning paint job!!


If that`s the case, I am deleting above post! :D I am dying to see yours done!

Thanks!

Man, that is awesome looking. If my turns out half as good I'll be happy.

This is an awesome build. Nicely done. Makes me want to get to work on mine...

Murray

that last picture makes it look real!

OH MY GOD>>>>wow great shine on this one again Hawk. Pics are great. Quick question for you. with the MCG photo etch kit do you get side marker lights with it ????

Thanks everyone! Hopefully the spoiler will cure quickly enough so that I can put it on this week and have outside pics by the weekend.

OH MY GOD>>>>wow great shine on this one again Hawk. Pics are great. Quick question for you. with the MCG photo etch kit do you get side marker lights with it ????

Yep, and I am glad they do. It comes with all the Z/28 emblems, the "Camaro" scripts, hood emblems for the engine size (307, 327, 350, 396), license plate frames, key locks, keys, key rings, SS scripts, and Yenko emblems among other miscellaneous items. Strangely, the trim around the vents just in front of the rear wheels, and the "302" emblems are not included.

Well! This car is sooo pretty, i think!!

Thanks Hawk. I want to get the kit for my 1/12. just not sure where to get it from up here. Guess Ill go to my lhs and see if they can get it in for me.

Once a gain great build, the shine on your build is always impeccable. A true inspiration to all who see it.