1/12 57 Chevy

[5spdstang]

I figured...instead of lurking and commenting..I should do some posting

I've been a modeller since the age of 5(38 now)but I stepped back from it about 3 years ago for personal reasons.
Anyways...the time was right to jump back in...and boy, have I ever!! Im doing a whole bunch of things with this kit that I either have tried a few times..or never done before...Like painting flames and custom fabbing floors and frames!

I've posted all my progress so far in a thread on my mustang club site, so I figure is easiest if I just copy/paste everything from there

Let me know what Ya think..'m always open to ideas, I cant get too heavy into the custom stuff though, as I dont have any lathes/etc.

For color I'm using nail polish(yes, you read correctly)as its fast drying, sets rock hard, polishes like glass and the range of colors is mind boggling! Main color is going to be a black cherry and I'm thinking of intense blue, or mystic flames on the front.

The stock slicks for the street/race versions are skinny cheater style and crappy...so Ive ordered some super fat tires from japan that are from a Lola t70 can-am car. Using these means Ive got some major custom work coming...I will have to back halve the chassis and build wheel tubs and new frame rails and suspension to make it all work!!

Here is where I'm at so far....

[5spdstang]

Update.....

Finished laying down the base color...a few shades lighter than I wanted, but that would be my fault for using grey primer instead of black primer..oh well...should still look titz when done
I did a quick coat of clear on the underside of the hood...just to get an idea of what im working with...main body still needs a wet sand, and then comes the hard part....we might be into some flames

[5spdstang]

Anyone who thinks flames are easy.....hasnt tried to do em in 1/12 scale

Its taken me 2 1/2 hours so far just to draw and cut out, then try and carefully place the friskit(masking sheet)into place on the doors!! I still have the hood to do and the tops of the fenders.....I have never ever tried something this involved before, and trying to make sure it works...cuz, there is no 2nd chance.

[5spdstang]

Update time......

Tires arrived from Japan, was hoping the rears would be wider, but now I probably wont have to back halve and tub the chassis. They are way better then the stock kit crap...more detail, better tread and better rubber...Firestones for the rear, Bridgestones on the front....same Mickey Thompson(ish)tread on both.

[5spdstang]

Layed down a coat of orange, but its hard to see as the color is very thin. One more color to go



Just outlined the flames with pearl blue/teal nail polish....hope its not a mess when the mask is removed tomorrow

This is the 1st time in 34 years of modeling that Ive ever tried something like this..I'm so nervous!!

[5spdstang]

MASK IS OFF!!!

Turned out pretty good...few spots where paint went underneath, the biggest issue I think is top of the fenders...too damn square!!
Not sure how im going to fix that problem, but I will probably outline the flames with a thin line of the blue...over(under?)spray I will have to try and touch up by hand.

Not bad for a 1st effort I guess?

[5spdstang]

Just fixed the flames, A few tiny spots to touch up by hand....next up is figuring how to outline the flames..then fix the damaged clear coat.

Before:

After:

[5spdstang]

Small update. Haven't had much time or oomph lately, but last few nights ive worked on the small(very small )block 327 and M22 trans....in a few days when they've cured, I'll get more done.

Next up was the issue of rear tires and axle....tires ive picked are a tad too wide for the stock wells, so...to tub or not? BUGGER IT!!! Ive come up with a plan. Im going to save the stock frame and move the leaf springs inboard, narrow the axle right down and probably go with a set of old school(70-80's) F-1 slicks. Ive cut the rear floor/fuel tank/spare tire well, out and will replace with sheet plastic and a custom fabbed cell. This will give me the room I need to bring the springs in and then the final problem will be fabbing wheel tubs and reworking some of the rear frame.

As far as the motor...It comes with iron exh manifolds....that aint gonna work with a blown engine! So.......may have to try and fab some headers from aluminum tube or plastic.

[5spdstang]

Small update....

Was going to use super wide formula 1 tires, but the frame work involved is just gonna be too much this time around...back to using the can am lola tires.
I made a new trunk floor, removed part of a floor cross member and made 2 new sections there too. The rear end is too wide even for the skinnier tires, so I had to razor saw the spring perches off the axle and move them inboard....also needed to saw off the end of the shafts and rejoin them to the shortened axle.
Tons more work to follow....

[5spdstang]

More progress today....

Using plastic strip I made new spring boxes and a cross member, then applied filler....waiting a few hours for it to dry now.

[5spdstang]

And this is where I am at as of today!

What Y'all think?

[5spdstang]

Wow......tough crowd.....63 views and not one comment

[corvettekid_7684]

That color looks incredible! I think the flames will look nice once they are outlined somehow. Not sure about the straight edge across the top of the fenders tho...
You didn't happen to sell the unused tires on eBay, did you? I bought some there but could use a couple more of what I think are the rear street tires for this kit...
Don't feel too bad about few comments. Sometimes it can be slow here...

[5spdstang]

Originally Posted by corvettekid_7684

That color looks incredible! I think the flames will look nice once they are outlined somehow. Not sure about the straight edge across the top of the fenders tho...
You didn't happen to sell the unused tires on eBay, did you? I bought some there but could use a couple more of what I think are the rear street tires for this kit...
Don't feel too bad about few comments. Sometimes it can be slow here...

Thankyou

The straight edge is fixed...I was going to outline the flames with blue or silver, but....I think I'm going to leave it(I dont want to chance messing it up again)the way it is.
As for the tires...I still have them. I may have to use 2 of the 'street' tires for the front, but I dont know yet as I'm a fair ways off getting to that stage. If I dont use em...You are more than welcome to them

[corvettekid_7684]

Sweet looking forward to seeing this one come together