'69 Camaro ProMod (1/12 scale)

[stump]

Hey guys,
Taking a leaf from SB here...Another big scale, though not 1/8, it will be mostly scratchbuilt.

Started life as a run'o the mill, 1/12 Monogram 69 Camaro Z/28.
It has sat for many years, quite tatty, after being a "finished" model. then stripped down for what was to be, a failed attempt to make a race car...

Fast forward to about 3 weeks ago....I happened to find a great guy selling 1/16 drag related parts, bodies, motors...heaps of really kool stuff. But that's another tale to tell...soon.
Anyway, I dug out the old 1/12 Camaro body, parts of the rear fenders missing, cracked roof.....sheesh, should I even bother....
Before...


A few deep breaths later, out come the razor saw and Dremel.
Result of first stage.....


Now.....


Low view from behind....


So far.....
The roof was chopped, narrowed and shortened
The nose has been lengthened to a scale 45inch from front wheel centre forward
The nose was narrowed 12mm on both sides
Complete new sides below the belt line
"NEW" front and rear wheel openings
The rear has now been lengthened to 58(?) scale inches behind the rear wheel centre
A "new" trunk area has been added (not a regular trunk)
And probably a bit more, which I can't think of now......

The rear wheel openings need to be finished (shaped) then a bucket load of bog (putty) will be going onto all 4 guards to smooth it all.....
The new rear deck/trunk only went on tonight, so with 5 days off coming up, I hope to get most of the body ready...

Chassis will be a full tube, 4-rail design, a mix of brass (main chassis rails and roll hoop) with plastic rod used for the remainder of the cage work.

More soon, and thanks for stopping by.
cheers
Greg

[MerlinPro]

Stump,
You rock and this will be worth watching-BUT. I have a 'complaint'.
I know this is a much bigger challenge and a juicy project, but I still wish you had put the big GT40 on the bench ahead of this.
You liked mine but I was waiting to see your take on that somewhat challenged kit. Especially since so few are building it to completion on the boards.
Oh well, I live in hope. I'm just a Ford crybaby...

[ScratchBuilt]

Hi Greg,

I'm liking this already - if the shell's been sitting gathering dust for a few years, you might as well get creative with it and put it to good use. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing the chassis and running gear take shape...mmm! Hope you have a productive few days over Easter - I've got plenty of modelling jobs lined up myself, too.

The back of your workbench looks strangely familiar...if you transferred that lot onto the floor, it would be a carbon-copy of my work area!

All the best,

SB

[quadzero]

If this is going to be even half as good as your Datsun project, we are in for a real treat. I am already looking forward to more updates, especially the chassis and engine work. But some nitpicking here, more pics needed between what you started with and what you ended up doing with the body. It's quite the dramatic change and clearly a lot of body work was done at this stage. Keep up the great work.

[vassa]

If this is going to be like your other wip's then this will be great.

Regards Wayne

[countach79]

hell yeah! can't wait for more!

[stump]

Hey, thanks guys.
Merlin....I know.....the GT40 should've made the bench way before anything else....
But I'm a Chevy guy at heart. It's day will come mate, if I can clear a Datsun out of the way, no reason why I can't work on the '40 as well...

Simon, that means a whole lot coming from you mate, you are my favourite tutor man.
LOL It's a funny thing about work areas, hey....must mean we're being productive.

Thanks Les. I hope to surpass the Datsun effort, in as much as, nearly 99% of this will be scratch-built.
Some engine work below.....plus some extra body shots. My bad for scimping there...should have known better.

Ok, a quick rap up of the last few days...not sure what my movements will be tomorrow, so may not get to the bench...
First, a recap of the body mods, through to where it now sits.....
The roof, showing the cut'n'shut performed to shorten and narrow it.


The body was sectioned along the entire side. New side panels added, these were later shaped as the work continued.


The hood was lengthened and widened to the tops of the guards. Glued in place, the hood and fenders will lift off as one unit.
A new longer hood scoop was incorporated, it was later widened.


Early stages of "filling" and smoothing.....


As it sits....All that has been added, is a copious amount of putty.
HINT: Do NOT, let your Tamiya putty get too old.
I've had mine so long, it was almost hard in the tube....consequently, from my constant squeezing and massaging, the tube split.
I had to use as much as I dared to use it up, the rest is in the garbage....... Buy more while I'm out tomorrow.

NEW rear fender skins on. New putty required to finish blending...




Overall shot, roof just resting in place at the moment.


And...........some head worx. Well, complete motor worx.
I've started to re-do the front AND back of the engine block.
It was started so long ago, when my reference was really quite abysmal....
Recent finding showed me there was much room for improvement, so that's what I'm planning.
Also started on the heads and rocker covers. They will be BAE "style" as will the complete motor.


Quick mock up......


And I got as far as almost finishing one cover up today....
Aluminium tubes have been "set" in the cover to accommodate the plug leads.






More soon guys, and thanks for stopping by.
Greg

[quadzero]

All that body work is amazing, you can hardly even tell there's a stock Camaro in there somewhere. What are you using for references for all those modifcations? It looks like a very daunting task. As far as your engine goes, I can clearly see why I was so into the Datsun project. You dont just scratchbuild, you're making reality. Fantastic work.

[white97ex]

REALLY makes me want to dig out my 1/12th pro touring camaro and mustang and get to work! If only I had the time. Looking GREAT! You may try contacting Chris at Top End Miniatures, he may be able to supply you with some reference material. I did a master for him a few years ago, great guy. Tell him Russell sent you!

[stump]

Thanks Les and Russell.
Les, yes...reference was not that easy to find, though there are literally 100's of pics when I searched...not a lot give you good angles to judge sizes for the mods..
Then I just stumbled onto a website (Cynergy Composites), who make the 1:1 race bodies.
On their site they had down loadable PDF of their body with ALL the dimensions. Unbelievable....I was set.
The cage/chassis should be easy (?) as I have many photos for reference. Making it may not be easy.....
The engine....well, that's a bit different. Reference for sizes is non existent, and a highly guarded secret... I had a mate tell me that ALL the new (late model motors, like BAE) are still based on the Hemi.
So what I have made is a combination of two sources....I have a Revell T/Fueller motor and a resin BAE motor, both 1/16. I've scaled my 1/12 up from those two references.

Russell, yes..I put a few feelers out asking for help with this, but did not think of Chris....DOH !
A lot of my chassis ref. I got off Wayne, he does a lot of work for Chris too I think...?? He has some great photos.


Last night I just about finished the second head, enough to allow me to start fabbing up the inlet manifold.
I probably wont get a chance to upload many pics the next day or two, but I promise to keep taking plenty Les.

More soon guys
Greg

[Martbee]

Amazing stuff !!

[stump]

Originally Posted by Martbee

Amazing stuff !!

Thanks Mart.

Phew, what a hectic couple of weeks.......yes, actually got a decent update again.

BODY
Well, the body has progressed, or smoothed may be a better way to describe it.
Not a lot will appear different, but I have extended the rear sails ("C" pillars) on the roof line.
They were stretched about 12mm. It gives a much better blend line into the new raised rear fenders, and makes the loooong tail, well...look not so long.
Into this new rear, I laid in a new rear window opening. It has some "L" channel around the perimeter, so that the rear glass can be mounted flush.


Another layer of putty has since been applied, re-sanded and had more thrown at it....
Several more coated are going to be needed, as I'm trying to avoid getting impatient and over applying it...steady as she goes.......


As you can see, the nice flowing contour is finally starting to re-appear.




MOTOR
Ok, well I deviated from my plan here just a tad.....The PSI blower I was going to make, well...didn't happen.....
Instead I chose to modify a kit item, it come from the big Monogram 67 Corvette.
It's a bit small, based on a 6/71 size "street blower".
So, I cut it length wise, added a piece of 1.5mm styrene sheet to widen it.
It was also too short, so a new boxed up section was added to the rear of it.
I'm working towards a Kobelco Superman 14/71, which is what a lot of the top Teams use.
Manifold.




Superman blower




NEW front cover/snout.....




"Test run"......


CHASSIS
Well, it was time to bite the bullet and give this a go as well....
Work commenced over the weekend on what will be a fully up-to-date, 2011 spec ProMod chassis.
A very good friend in the U.S. was ever so kind to send me a bucket load of fantastic chassis photos, of his good mates real 1:1 race car.
It's still being assembled as we speak, and is loaded with all the latest technology....

I only hope I can do his hard work justice......I will try my best.
Pics...






Tonight I've added the front "double rails" and started the front down bars. (top shock/strut mounts)
The body is going to need some more cutting too....will be easier to handle when getting every thing lined up and fitted.
I'll remove the front clip and doors, then see how it all looks.

More soon, and thanks for watching guys.
cheers
Greg

[malscar]

Gee Greg, how did I miss this thread. Looks like you have nearly bitten off more than you can chew.

Love the engine coming together and that cage is starting to be a work of art.

[quadzero]

Again, very ambitious interesting work. When following a project not knowing the final result, every update is very interesting compared to a car that is more familiar and well known. As you can tell, I have very limited knowledge of modern promods. Great score in finding that friend with all the important information, we all need friends like that. Are you modeling an actual car or will your livery be an original? It's clear that engine is going to be in that special class where it doesnt even need a car around it to be on display.

[ScratchBuilt]

Excellent: the body's coming along, the engine is looking great...and then the chassis suddenly appears from stage-left! At this point it all comes together for a trial run and that's the moment when you think - 'this is going to work!' Good stuff.

SB