Messages

16

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: April 14, 2021, 02:18:11 PM »

Thanks for the kind words of support and lasting interest...

Witnessed is the result of working up a new urethane two-piece mold to create copies of a seat project formerly done for my late-season Mark Donohue '70 Penske Javelin - namely a proper Racemark design.  The AMT 'frogeye' Penske Matador plastic kit of old includes the rudiments of such, although various things were overlooked when they mastered it.  Everything seen here is either 1:24th or 1:25th scale, while the Jo-Han Javelins are authoritatively said to be 1:24th scale even as box art and period promotional material telegraphs that they are rendered smaller than this. 

I sourced a second seat, cut off the furthermost section of the base and reversed it before gluing and blending material to fill out the area that would otherwise support the legs from the hips to the knees, while the headrest area integrated into the seat back is new material substantially beefier than what was delivered.  An effort was made to carve out excess material from the center back of the headrest to suggest the edges were thicker and in essence, load bearing, while the prominent lip around the perimeter of the seating surfaces was added with discreetly integrated elements of sheet plastic cut to suit. 

I wasn't sure all of the bits would stay in place or be thick enough to survive being replicated in a urethane mold, although if everything could survive then the combined bits would form a unified structure that could be substantially stronger and certainly less delicate than before.  Besides, the '71 Penske Javelin and '72 Roy Woods Racing Javelins required such, while the thought of gathering parts and fabricating two more seats did not appeal.  Seen below is one of my first clean casting efforts, with what I'll likely use in my early '70 season example poised just to the right of it.  Thanks...



Mike K./Swede70

17

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Firebird and the Trans-Am series

« on: April 06, 2021, 02:31:33 AM »

Greetings...

No narration, but some contemplative footage of the T G Racing Firebird team late season in '70 with John Cordts and David Hobbs.  Maybe it's Kent, WA., while the labor intensive work required to swap out a differential/rear axle assembly entire consumes much time and attention.  Certainly a neat discovery...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MWZ0G5a3Jc

Mike K./Swede70

18

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: March 11, 2021, 12:52:30 PM »

Greetings and thanks again to those who've taken a moment to express their interest in what I've tried and shared here...

This would be a quick review of my attempt to put a trio of Jo-Han '70-'72 Javelin Trans-Am topics up on wheels.  Sustained interest upon one project or topic has never been a strong suit of mine, although if the mock ups look good and discreet progress is registered, on some level happiness is registered. 

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Seen below would be my '70 Penske Donohue Javelin in early-season form, the second, my newly worked up '71 Penske Donohue Javelin with attention paid to the wheel arch opening contours that have been altered versus the sober stock rendering of such.  The '70 features a rudimentary six-point roll cage that will be duplicated (quickly I hope) across two or three other Javelin builds while the dimensions of such can be readily referenced.



...descending the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca '70.  Image unattributed.



...the exhaust dumps and jacking points are preliminary, not being tucked in as discreetly as they might be. They'll be better sited in time, and hang down less for some further application.





Concerning the '71 and '72 RWR efforts, all identifying trim has been scrubbed off each shell, while the raised trim usually seen along the rockers panels of these topics too has been removed for delicate sanding stick work.  Tires on the front are ancient Jo-Han/AMT NASCAR Goodyears at present, while the rears employed on the '70 are Southern Motorsport 1960's Goodyear Blue Streak Stock Car Specials with discreet blue line decals (to come), with equally old AMT Penske Matador Winston Cup Goodyear tires fitted to the rear of the later cars.  The Minilites are Jo-Han based, although they do have outer lips featuring a taper otherwise absent and sourced from the MPC Chrysler Kit Car plastic kits intended to replicate stamped steel five-slot Clement racing wheels.



Dave Friedman image as captured at Lime Rock, CT in 1971.  Notice how the rear arch opening is slightly squared off as the profile of such is lifted to the top border formed by the body shell character line, while the front arch opening terminates just above this same line. 



...while this would be a good view of the front arch work even if I was a touch aggressive.  No '71 and on Jo-Han Trans-Am Javelin kit comes through with anything other than a '70 interior, hence the stock kit late dashboard transplant in evidence, times two if one looks further down the post.



...whereas this image affords a good view of what was performed on the rear wheel arch opening in particular.



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Found here would be a quick take on my '72 Roy Woods Racing Trans-Am Javelin.  Barely distinguishable from the '71 Penske Donohue Javelin witnessed above, although with differently shaped wheel arch opening contours simply to start matters.  Happily I was able to scrounge up another late dashboard here.  Thanks for your review of this hobby project post.



Mike K./Swede70

19

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Websites that might be of interest to us

« on: February 26, 2021, 11:59:08 PM »

Greetings,

A scattering of '68-'69 Lime Rock Trans-Am images are accessible via the link, while of particular interest are '69 event images that depict some of the replacement drivers employed given that the front line regulars were otherwise occupied at the 1969 Indianapolis 500.  A hitherto unseen (for me anyways) image of Bob Johnson features, as do images of Swede Savage and Canadian John Cannon behind the wheel of the Bud Moore Engineering BOSS 302's.  Sam Posey, trying to settle into an uncomfortable Holman & Moody NASCAR seat fitted to his Shelby Racing Co. prepared BOSS 302 is also spied, the eventual race winner that year. 

https://www.barcboys.com/lime-rock-6869-ta

Mike K./Swede70

20

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: February 22, 2021, 01:55:50 AM »

Thanks for the kind interest expressed; i.e. the notice of knowledgeable is always reassuring and most appreciated...

Seen below would be some light work, namely the removal of interior panels from my '68 Penske Camaro so that some trim might be painted, whereas the color was altered from the as-delivered black to red for use of some 1:1 vinyl interior restoration/refinish aerosol paint some time ago.  In a perfect world I'd have 3D-print '68-specific interior trim panels, although here I've just redone the slightly fudged GMP original issue stuff. 



...presumably leaving a pit area at speed, thankfully the interior trim color isn't that far off from what I sprayed even allowing for period color process reproduction funkiness.  Ron Lathrop photo.



...mostly '69 standard trim level panels here, although some things are now painted silver.  The arm rest fill panels are removable, with this feature helping to facilitate light work such as this...

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While here a pair of small things have been performed on my '69 Penske Camaro.  What I presume to be an aluminum scuff plate situated along the top middle edge of the rear spoiler has been reproduced with silver decal stock softened in a pool of water with decal set solution lest it splinter, while an angled fuel cell housing formerly done with individual plastic panels was cast in resin given I wasn't satisfied with how the surfaces cleaned up previously - or rather failed to. 



...witnessed being worked during the '69 Riverside race weekend.  Note the tucked-in fuel cell housing, almost serving as a partial belly pan along the back.  Photo credit H.P. Thomas.



...perhaps a touch wide, here may be made out the small length of decal film suggesting the scuff guard along the top of the rear spoiler edge.  Sears/Die-Hard batteries came on as a sponsor at this race, while the C-pillar decal telegraphing this association was added given the GMP '69 release doesn't feature such.  Barely noticeable would be the painted out tab disguising what extends from the silver-painted insert around the fuel inlet on the trunk lid.  Usually seen along the edge facing the base of the rear glass, here it's less obvious than before.



...done slightly on the cheap, here I've just overlaid a chunk of resin atop the cast-in fuel tank/fuel cell structure coming off the GMP chassis base.   

Thanks for your review of this project post update.

Mike K./Swede70

21

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: February 15, 2021, 04:56:55 AM »

Thanks for the continuing interest...

Seen (or rather not seen at all) would be the painted cage installed in the model.  The IndyCals waterslide decals were ordered again consistent with double layering the roundels in particular.  The hope was to brighten them up a bit.



...inserts for the front wheel bearing dust caps as well as rear axle ends have here been pressed into place.  The valve stems for the wheels need paint.



,,,while here rear quarter windows plus the leading edge border for the same have been added.  Some 'L' shaped plastic stock was painted flat black (hoping to suggest weather stripping forward), while the chrome strip was done with cut up party favor/table centerpiece material given it was fairly resilient. 



...the roundel on the decklid in particular appeared gray and more than a bit translucent around the stripes previously, hence a second layer helps matters here.  It may all be redone given the cut out of the trunk lid isn't accurate for the Kent, WA race, nor are the fairly short exhaust dumps I've fitted for that matter - ugh!  Thanks for your review of this post.

Mike K./Swede70

22

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: February 06, 2021, 08:59:03 PM »

Greetings...

This was the roll cage fabricated for the 1:18th GMP Penske Donohue '67 model, although I did fail to splay out the side bars near the midpoint of the roll hoop as originally intended.  For referring to the Craig Fisher interior photos of the second car and extrapolating a bit from the few ill-lit and all-black interior period images of the first car, this is what I came up with.  The assembly lives happily with the new '67-'68 dashboard I've fit to my body shell.  Kind thanks...





Mike K./Swede70

23

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: January 17, 2021, 06:11:52 AM »

Thanks for the kind words and notice...

A COVID-19 project pursued indoors in recent times was a better thought out effort to fabricate the enormous rear flares seen on the T/G Racing '70 Firebird Trans Am/Trans-Am Jerry Titus model I'd been working upon.  Building up sufficient mass that was close fitting and readily shaped wasn't a problem to be solved overnight, but for reasoned success doing the '70 Chaparral flares, I tried the technique employed on the former to secure results on the latter.

In essence and very much like my '70 Camaro, a spare shell was used to essentially copy the surface profile of the panel work onto the back of casting resin poured into carefully segmented and sealed pockets created for the purpose.  Mold release was applied in excess to the spare shell (this time a '70 Firebird modified to remove the rear wheel arch aerodynamic 'spats' forward of each opening), whereupon each ungainly chunk 'o resin was tediously popped off prior to shaping.  If this sounds like a gruesome amount of labor, it's only because it was...



...the subject seen at '70 Mid-Ohio, with the shape of the flares as they terminate forward of the rear wheel arch openings being a bit more pronounced for mass versus what may have been the other car or for reflecting later repairs to such.  Last year on eBay a seller listed a substantial collection of individual slides left behind by someone who hadn't paid on a storage unit.  All were in color and constitute some of the best images captured at that event, while the period enthusiast/photographer who captured them is fated never to be identified...



...while this D. Friedman image captures the T/G entry at '70 Laguna Seca season opener sans most of the as-yet unhomologated Trans Am model-specific aero aids.  The shape of the flares down low as they blend into the rocker panels is trim and clean by comparison, while appreciate that I like clean!



...and here one witnesses what I've worked up.  The slight dip in the surface contour of each flare isn't easily made out across other photos, although such can be discerned here.  Notice I've opted for the '70 Mid-Ohio wheel treatment (exposed machined lip with engine enamel painted wheel spider and spokes), although I really ought to have tried to master the same-event rear flare shape along the front bottom as suggested earlier.  Getty Images has many event images that can be consulted, while every time I review that which they have, the more I want to add material to what is seen here consistent with correcting things...



...rear three-quarter view.  Otherwise unremarked upon, notice no side pipes are fitted.  The exhaust will be atypically directed out the back and to one side.



...front three-quarter view evidencing carefully grafted in front wheel arch lip flares after first filing out the white metal fenders to permit such.



...and finally, the side profile again viewed for taking a step back.  Depending on the vantage point of the observer, the rear arch openings can appear matched to the standard opening profile, or strangely offset or oblong given the sheer size of the flares employed. 

This was one of the most daunting aspects of my 1:18th ERTL-based '70 T/G Firebird project, while happily it's most contained.  Thanks for your review of this scale project post.

Mike K./Swede70

24

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: January 16, 2021, 06:48:41 AM »

Greetings...

Another project hitherto out of sight, this would be a small sampling of images outlining what is intended to be a Ronnie Kaplan Engineering/Javelin Racing Team 1969 SCCA Trans-Am Javelin based largely upon 1:25th Jo-Han tooling.  The chassis is from a Jo-Han '70 Mark Donohue Trans-Am release, the body shell is a backdated '70 Jimmy Flintstone Penske Javelin item with select Jo-Han annual kit parts employed, while the rear flares and specific hood bubble are scratch built.  Earlier tonight I used a new urethane mold created to produce duplicates of the hood seen, hence a review of the total effort seemed appropriate.  Thanks...



...a Jim Brady image depicting Lothar Motschenbacher at St. Jovite '69.  Note the '69-specific offset target grille, the three cut outs seen where a front license plate might otherwise be fitted, the rather rough front spoiler/radiator + brake duct system, etc. 



...the resin shell was employed mostly to make use of the Jimmy Flintstone front flares.  The fender extensions/trim end caps, grille and front bumper are all annual kit items, the front spoiler is scratch built.  The special RKE hood is based on a twin coved '68 promotional model part cut from a shell with the integrated hood bubble structure created for blending five or six structural elements together that were subsequently blended onto the promo-sourced part.  As this post was written, I can produce clones of the hood - so if you should need an example, consider contacting me...

The roll cage was scratch built, while the rear flares too were scratch built for stacking plastic sheet, creating pucks that were hollowed out and integrated into the aforementioned J. Flintstone product.  Wheels are modified Jo-Han Minilites with MPC Chrysler Kit Car Clement five slot stamped steel wheels outer rims substituted onto the featureless Jo-Han renderings.  Aluminum rod as well as same-sized tube was employed for the hub/wheel centers. 



...even without paint it's an eyeful!  A Wink multiple element interior rear view mirror is coming, while here the hood bubble appears well integrated with the standard hood stamping sourced from a '68 release given the Jo-Han '69 Javelins all have the twin faux scoop hood.  Interior side trim is from the '69 annual kit, although it appears Jo-Han didn't update the '68 tool to reflect the '69 stylistic updates.  Note the roll cage gusset detail (minor this) as well as the tabs that tie the structure into the A-pillars.



...rocker panel inserts in the form of plastic 'L' shaped stock will help flesh out things further down.  Note the cutback front wheel arch openings in particular.  Front tires are Jo-Han kit items, the rears are thought to be Scale Model Speedway NASCAR fitment picked up at an area hobby show.



...the dashboard pads have here been ground down, while it seems RKE/JRT either employed a wrapped stock wheel or a Grant rubber rimmed steering wheel.  Here a stock steering wheel has been mated to a Jo-Han taped wheel rim.  The seat is standard Jo-Han stuff in this instance, while the trunk panel was cut out of the Jimmy Flintstone '70 Penske Javelin shell largely to rid it of the cast-in Donohue rear spoiler.  The fuel inlet is a 1:18th GMP Camaro Trans-Am piece that doesn't appear out of scale happily enough. 



...as seen under the hood with the abbreviated tunnel ram in view complete with 3D printed Holley 4500's, later formally christened Dominators.  An AMT Pro Stock Gremlin gave it's life to afford the rudiments of the tunnel ram that was cut down and combined with new mounting flanges to begin matters.  The tiny carburetor air horns are actually Jo-Han '69 S/C Rambler exhaust tips reproduced in resin, trimmed and fit with great care.  The expected and very large fresh air feed box hasn't been fabricated yet, while fear exists that clearance just won't be availed under the hood bubble. 

The cylinder heads are from the Jo-Han '69 SC/Rambler release, while the new Revell '70 Hemi 'Cuda afforded a wiper motor to the firewall that has also had the heater blower motor removed and plugged.  Hidden below is an Aviaid wet sump oil pan based on period photos.

Some brace work stands to be added, although here the promotional model rounded inner wheel housings have been cut out, with modified Jo-Han SC/Rambler structure added including parts that suggest a twin ball joint front suspension RKE successfully homologated and run a year before such mechanical revisions debuted on the '70 model Javelin.  SC/Rambler rear shocks here have been inverted and poke out the top of each suspension turret.  Headers are to come, as well as other smaller details.  Another exhaustive project then!  Thanks for your review of this longish post...

Mike K./Swede70

25

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Websites that might be of interest to us

« on: January 09, 2021, 10:47:17 PM »

Greetings,

Very recently uploaded (at the time this was written), seen would be early laps from the '70 Road America Trans-Am race presumably captured on Super 8 mm film.  Short, but neat to view...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXKQy-5Euvk&fbclid=IwAR01NSDDyOmbuEFuWahR5a8TAGKRmeA5kA9m3yi-3dB9pRn0dh12pxyMDDY

Mike K./Swede70

26

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Websites that might be of interest to us

« on: December 22, 2020, 12:37:54 AM »

Greetings,

Something of likely interest, follow the link to examine a multi-part biography complete w/period photos outlining the life and influence of one Bill Howell.  Yunick, Penske Racing as well as Chaparral Camaro effort technical insights are to be gleaned, while the photos seem unique too.  Do consider exploring...

https://howellefi.com/bill-howell-history-part-1/

P.S.  If trouble is encountered accessing other parts of the tale, try to click on the posting date near the top of the body of the installment before scanning down to possibly reveal recycled additional link options such as 'Part 2' or 'Part 3'.  Apparently the reportage stretches across at least seven parts.  Good luck!

Mike K./Swede70

27

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: October 21, 2020, 01:01:22 AM »

Neat insight, neat photos of 'Steve's Neat Seat' surely - thanks Oldtimer!

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Greetings...

Seen below would be some scant photo research to support the fabrication of the enlarged filler neck fit in combination with the inlet flap for my particular '69 Penske Trans-Am Camaro.  The 1:18th scale GMP '69 release is accurate for an early-season entry (at M.I.S. most certainly), although the earlier system was soon replaced with an evolving iteration of the much more pronounced for volume filler neck said to possess two to three gallons capacity in it's own right. 



...image from the January '70 Car Life article 'Professionals at Work', photo credit presumably to David Bean.  It would seem to be a fairly early season image judging by the content of other photos accompanying the feature story. 



...a glance down into the trunk area of the restored topic.



...and this a late-season photo likely captured by Paul Van Valkenburgh for his '72 title Chevrolet = Racing?  Ten Years of Raucous Silence!  Notice how the design evolved consistent with affording still greater capacity...



...my effort thus far, with the top surface a compromise given the GMP trunk lid casting is rather thick for being a diecast metal part.  Further, necessity dictates that the inlet rests at a particular angle and height relative to the surrounding panel work.  In essence, this is an effort guided by the first Car Life photo...



...and just one last image.  The small pair of supports afforded by GMP that attach to the filler neck can be reused, while the vent system plus hoses still stands to be added.  The fuel pump setup has been cut off this spare assembly and is slated to return. 

If anyone might have better period images to flesh out what is needed here, I'd be most appreciative if such were shared.  Although not reproduced or attached here, I do have the Sears DieHard 'It all started with DieHard' print ad. revealing the battery installation in what would likely have been the '69 Riverside Mission Bell 250 entries with an oblique view of other items in the trunk area including the filler flap door and seal.  Kind thanks in advance.

Mike K./Swede70

28

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: September 01, 2020, 01:00:35 AM »

Greetings and thanks for the insights shared...

This would be the CRG Trans-Am racing seat thread, which contains much of interest as well as reference to 'Steve's Neat Seat'. 

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=7944.0;all

Maybe the Solar Automotive Products (why do I want to say Solar Plastics?) iteration seemed more of a  thin fiberglass shell when I looked at it, but something for me to reconsider all the same.  Some light research on the Meyers Manx might reveal a list of suppliers, etc., which could help too.  I did read a Collectible Automobile feature on Bruce Myers and was favorably impressed; i.e. an interesting  guy and a unique impact he made.  Kind regards...

Mike K./Swede70

29

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: August 31, 2020, 07:10:35 PM »

Greetings and thanks for the ongoing interest...

Small stuff, but here would be the multi-part accessory drive in paint, with the new scripted valve covers and breather setup also present.  My camera won't quite capture the old-school 'Chevrolet' scripts cast in to the valve covers as-tooled, although they do register and happily appear in scale. 

In '67 it seems the Dayco D7 outer mass 'checkered' fan belts weren't yet in use (or perhaps available) by Traco, hence this detail couldn't be added in full faith.  Most of what was worked up with be duplicated to go into my '68 Penske Camaro which at present is without an engine.  For recent diecast market trends, 1:18th engines can be purchased separately consistent with recovering matters. 



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Not being sure what was specific fit to the '70 Chaparral Camaro Trans-Am entries in terms of the seat design used, for review of what materials I could examine I thought maybe an early Corbeau, or possibly something done by Scheel-Mann. 


K. Ludvigsen image, as captured at '70 Bridgehampton.   

The Dave Friedman Lime Rock '70 photo set features many interior photographs that afford other angles, albeit nothing face-on to an unoccupied seat.  Further, it seems Scheel may have been better on the quality front as contrasted to Corbeau, while for review of the stitching and fabric, perhaps I discounted the former and opted for the latter. 

A 1:18th Solido Meyers Manx yielded up what would seem to be a Corbeau design, although the integrated headrest wasn't desired.  Seen below would be my effort to cut out said headrest, introduce a shortened pad in place of such, and finally, apply putty consistent with suggesting fabric covered foam as apposed to what might be termed vinyl tuck and roll.   



...I decided to just cut out the offending area on a resin clone, guiding my efforts based upon what might be construed as cut lines on the Solido rendition of the design.  I do have a 1:18th Minichamps '73 BMW 3.0 CSL with the Scheel seats, although the design isn't any closer to the reference image attached above...



...a bit overexposed, but what I've worked up to date.  Notice how the cast in seating surfaces have been puttied and sanded to suggest uniformly shaped foam pads.



...while all wrapped up even as things appear a bit pinched inside.  Thanks for your review of this multi-project update.

Mike K./Swede70

30

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.

« on: August 23, 2020, 12:28:13 AM »

Thanks for the kind interest expressed...

Seen will be a multi-part accessory drive taking shape, broken down as it is to facilitate paint work, but also to add a second set of pulleys to double up on the drives to the water pump in case of belt failure.  Notice that the pulleys w/belts second from the left is just a duplicate of the all of a piece alternator drive setup, although trimmed and featuring a small belt segment addition to square away matters.  Looking upon things, each pulley element needs to be thinned to appear more appropriate in total, although what's been worked up doesn't appear terrible for being lightly glued together as witnessed. 




...unseen from this angle is a small brass mesh debris screen added on the forward side of the radiator support.  It's been painted to match the support and wouldn't photograph well regardless.

Also noticed will be a new set of old-school scripted 'Chevrolet' valve covers sourced from a 1:18th Hwy. 61 '57 Chevy release, the stamped steel covers bearing scripts in use across '67 before being phased out by GM itself.  I'm creating a urethane mold to cast the covers, hoping too that the script remains legible.  The odd contrast for color seen is attributable to me matching up the new as-delivered valve covers to the GMP small block Chevy cylinder heads.  The fit is quite reasoned, hence no serious issues here.   



Again - thanks for your review of this most recent scale project update.

Mike K./Swede70