AMT/ERTL '70 Chevrolet Chevelle SS454

Hello again!

Well here's my new "project". I always loved the chevelle SS. I know I once bought this kit like 10 years ago and made a huge mess out of it (like painting the body with a brush :screwy::icon16:). I didn't even finish it. Not long ago I saw the same model on hobbylink for like less than 10 bucks and decided to get it so I could do it again :-)!

The model will be mostly OOtB. I'll only use some other wheels cuz the default one look kinda crappy (I won't throw them away though).

For the color I chose orange!

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/503/dscn1204zr8.jpg
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/9809/dscn1208yg5.jpg

Please note that there is no clear coat yet on the body because I wanted to put black stripes on it, but I'm not sure I should...what do you guys think? With or without stripes?

Now I need your help for the engine wiring : thing is, my knowledge about engines is quite low and I don't know where, on this model, I should drill the tiny holes for the wires :uhoh:. Could anyone of you be so kind as to show me (on one of the pics with "paint" software for ex.) where? Thanks! I found a few tutorials, but the engines weren't the same at all...

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/9509/dscn1211ri6.jpg
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/52/dscn1213me2.jpg
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/126/dscn1214ri7.jpg

cheers!

Man I love the ´70 Chevelle...great car IMO.
For the wiring, well I´m not sure what kind of detail level you´re after but many modelers just drill holes for ignition cables.

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/6280/dscn1213me2copyjpgfgfrgeg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Then you´ll have to connect the coolant hose from the radiator to the intake manifold, but that´s all explained in the instructions sheet.
You also could mount fuel lines to the carburator and so on, but what are your plans for the engine, all stock?

Good luck

Hello Dukeman and thanks for helping me out with the wiring. I think I'll leave the engine stock and just build it like shown on the sheets. I was thinking of only doing the basic wiring (ignition) just to add that little "realistic" touch to it. I won't go too much into details since I'm still a novice ;-)

BTW just checked out your '69 Camaro : looks fantastic with that red!

Cool!! Bad Ass!!

Nice Project! I love the rims!

Just one thing : I just realized the kit comes with 2 engine versions, the stock one : 454 cu. in. LS6 (i don't pretend to know what that all means ^^) and the custom one : 454 V8

Of course I'll give it the custom one :-D

hey hellman, thanks for the remark on my camaro:)
Glad I could help you out, adding ignition cables will make a huge difference in the end.
Well the engine is the same, the chevy big block 454, but the intake, injection system and the valvecovers are custom, "tuning" parts.
I think you should go with the custom version aswell:grinyes:
As for giving the engine a realistic touch there are many quick and easy things you could do to make it stand out, adding ignition cables is one thing.
Kit engines are usually badly engineered IMO, the fitment is many times horrible but many modelers don´t seem to care.
Sand down and dry-fit all the parts to make sure it all fits together and final assembly will be a lot easier.
Btw DONT USE TOO GLOSSY PAINTS!!! I hate when a engine looks like a big lump of dried paint, the engine may have a certain gloss in 1:1 scale but on a model it will just look cheap IMO. Use some good metalizers/metallic or gray paints to give the engine a realistic touch, you could also add a "wash" to highlight the details.

Well concerning the engine colors I do agree with you. I'll use some aluminium/silver/grey/bronze and flat colors (if needed) to make it look as nice as possible.

Concerning fitment, I often heard that AMT models are a pain in the ass when it comes to precision with the parts (there's always something to cut or to sand down). I actually already had to sand and cut tiny parts of plastic on the front of the body to fit the bumper in :rolleyes:

Anyway, thanks for your advices, I'll try to make the best out of it :wink:

Good to hear my model was´nt the only one with a dysfunctional front bumper:P And yea, AMT and Revell kits always have fitment issues, some worse than others. Good luck with the build, lemme know if you need any help:)

Nice car, bad rims.
I'm a traditionalist, and can't stand
those wheels, they ruin the car.

I kinda hear you ;-)

Thing is, those given with the kit ain't great either IMO and I don't really have any other rims but these bling ones...

Those rims look retarded on that car IMO.... the build seems to be going well though. I like the orange.

Well last time I checked I wasn't retarded :icon16:...I'll build the thing up and once it comes to the rims, I'll see if it looks okay to me or not :wink:

Sooooooooooo, long time no see!

Kinda lost motivation after finishing the honda civic a few month ago. Even though modeling is a lot of fun, and can also get on your nerves...:banghead:

Whatever, exams are over, now I have something like 2 weeks of free time, so I thought I'd get back on track with the chevelle :)

Just finished wiring and building the engine, tell me what you think! I feel like it misses some colors...don't know 'bout you...?

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2743/dscn0014xf7.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/6200/dscn0015ee5.jpg

Good detail on the engine. I would have painted the engine block orange though....gives alittle more colour to it!

Yeah I thought about it too, but couldn't be bothered to repaint tat :icon16:

okay! Wel here's the progress until now. I should be able to finish it tonight or tomorrow :)

I know that traditionalists won't like the wheels I chose, but as already stated, I don't have any others and the stock ones are really crappy...I think it looks nice with those wheels though, check the pictrure!

2 things though:
-The pipes runing ftom the engine should be connected to the 2 exhaust pipes on the chassis (first pic), but that it's impossible to make it happen...so I'll leave it like that (I won't really see it anyway). i also have to add a few touches of color on the chassis.
-I kept the interior really simple! Flat black and some aluminium color here and there, I don't think much more is needed. This amt/ertl based chevelle isn't really detailed anyway, 'specialy in the interior, there aren't even any decals for it in the kit!

PS : on the pic where that car is somewhat assembled, nothings glued, it was just for the pic!

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4708/dscn00131um4.jpg
http://img9.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=28595_DSCN0014_122_458lo.jpg
http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1663/dscn0014ch7.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/3906/dscn0021ui9.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3600/dscn0022ro5.jpg
http://img22.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=28615_DSCN0021_122_537lo.jpg
http://img153.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=28620_DSCN0022_122_535lo.jpg
http://img9.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=28595_DSCN0014_122_458lo.jpg

Nice Work! I love the rims and the paint!

black interior really suits the orange... nice looking ride mate

The interior looks good. That pretty much how they came stock anyhow. Shame about the exhaust. Sometimes what I do is glue the manifolds on and set the engine in the chassis while the glue is stillwet and position the manifolds to meet up with the rest of the exhaust. Keep up the good work!:grinyes:

Thanks for the comments people!

Gotta say, those amt/ertl kits are really kind of a disappointment...things aren't well done, you gotta do a lot of fitting yourself and all, and when you're still not that experienced like I am, it's kinda tricky to put the whole kit together without messing it up at the end LOL

Well, i finished the car, ain't perfect, but I'm kinda satisfied, it looks better than I expected :)

I'll post some pics tomorrow, it's getting late and I gotta wake up early ^^

++

I am in the middle of and AMT/ERTL kit right now and can fully sypathize with your gripe about fit. Looks great though, keep up the good work!

I like the colour!