Messages

226

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

« on: September 11, 2011, 05:42:08 PM »

Thank you Jon for this 'new'(!) article,

Motorcade had some terrific SCCA Trans Am features, and the online auction prices for select issues I believe reflects the acclaim for which this content is held.  I've never seen it, and indeed very much appreciate your labors here again.  Thanks...

Mike K.

227

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Recommended Reading

« on: September 10, 2011, 04:09:22 PM »

Hi,

A very inexpensive library addition to make, this being an unexpected thirty page Mark Donohue biography combined if you will with three other driver biographies neatly segregated into their own separate chapters/elements.  An interview with his family was staged to investigate his early childhood, and the voices heard are those of his siblings.  For his experience with polio and his setting flame to the family barn/garage, better than what is found within the recent Michael Argetsinger biography.  It is rather like being in the presence of those who knew and loved him most, and this is something.  Try to find it via abebooks.com or some such, and expect to pay not much more than $8.  



Great racing drivers (Tempo books) (ISBN: 0448057301 / 0-448-05730-1)
Larry Bortstein

M.K.

228

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Recommended Reading

« on: September 10, 2011, 03:56:00 PM »

Hello,

Dated 1980's cover design and titles notwithstanding, the Alex Gabbard-penned series of historical retrospectives feature multi-page interviews with important personnel of the period and hence contain insights that are atypical.  The standard written chapter content contains nothing so very profound, whereas let me emphasize that the interviews are quite good.  There exists a 'Hot Fords' title as well as a 'Hot Muscle' title out there as well - do not let the silly titles or presentation dissuade you! 



Fast Chevys (ISBN: 0962260800 / 0-9622608-0-0)
Gabbard, Alex

M.K.

229

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Recommended Reading

« on: September 10, 2011, 03:45:55 PM »

Greetings,

Mostly a compilation of articles and photographs from the Peterson Publishing family of automotive magazines, the earliest edition of The Complete Chevrolet Book seen in the foreground has material of interest to those here with diminishing interest and content witnessed across later editions.  No ISBN, but common enough online or via swap meet vendors who reliably stock such titles.  



M.K.

230

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Recommended Reading

« on: September 10, 2011, 03:40:28 PM »

Greetings,

If you have both The Unfair Advantage (1975) as well as Chevrolet = Racing? (1972) in your possession, consider collecting a copy of Paul Van Valkenburgh's Race Car Engineering and Mechanics which was first published in 1976.  Topic focus overlaps and elaborates upon all discussed across the first two books, whereas light photography scattered within includes images of the '70 Penske Javelin, the '73 and later Penske Matador, the earliest IROC Camaro effort as well as modest Champ Car focus.  Pre-carbon composites-era construction and brakes, hence a thoroughgoing old school introduction to racing vehicle design and dynamics.  Given that it was republished and revised with different photographs, try if you might to secure for yourself an early edition.



Race Car Engineering and Mechanics (ISBN: 0396072011 / 0-396-07201-1)
Van Valkenburgh, Paul  

231

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

« on: September 08, 2011, 03:30:16 PM »

Greetings Jon,

Seen across both the Hwy. 61 Chrysler Corp. E-bodies as well as the first gen. Camaros they've thus far done, one notices that certain liberties are taken with the dimensions of chassis members to allow for a better scale appearance topside.  Given that thick white metal/Zamac castings are used for the body, and relatively inexpensive plastics used for the chassis, etc., the dimensions of some aspects of these models (and others surely) are 'pushed around' given that nothing is thin stamping.  My photo image disguised the problem of the entire trunk area topside detail design spec. effectively shoving the rear subframe rails forward into the bodyshell proper.  

In short, if the buyer wants a trunk that looks like a proper sized and shaped trunk, chassis details will be moved around for the detail seen there isn't the mirror image of a stamping.  Viewed from the side, matters appear very strange for axle travel isn't allowed for, whereas the Yat Ming wheel arches are being introduced only to allow the fitting of the larger tires meshed to my need to reduce ride height in the back.  I very much appreciate the help with the research and cherish the comradeship.  The HW range also includes a '70 season Parnelli Jones Mustang BOSS 302 as well as a Geo. Follmer '70 Mustang BOSS 302 with white wheels suggesting a fleeting '71 season spec. model. Thanks, and more to come across threads...

Mike K.

232

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

« on: September 06, 2011, 11:39:53 PM »

Greetings,

Looking towards the chassis, work underway.  Rear wheelarches removed, subframe rails resurfaced in anticipation of introducing Yat Ming arches as required by the need for clearance and ride height.  Fuel cell housing added, this a cast GMP Camaro Trans Am item (the top half then) clayed up and cast without visible refueling detail - I may add mounting straps.  Machine screw attachment points plugged with round plastic stock, semicircular for the reshaped front mounts reflecting clearance requirements of the new front valence, and simple solid plugs headed back across the chassis.  Hwy. 61 identification sanded off each respective rocker panel, each now smooth.  GMP Camaro Trans Am rear sway bar rests in position, although this may be redone from scratch.  Front sway bar and associated mounts seen, but an early attempt and surely not thick enough.  'Stamped steel' valve covers (sans fins) cast and seen, as are dual Holley Dominators as run at Mid-Ohio, while a GMP cross ram with carbs. is also being prepared.  It is my practice to mock up everything so that I might afford myself build options right to the end.  The 10 bolt differential from the Lane Firebird is in position, and bears an extended sump welded to the back of the actual stamped diff. cover.  Lastly, a plug is fitted beneath the front crossmember, with the standard sway bar removed in lieu of fashioning an upgrade.  Thanks for inspecting this post.

Mike K.



...modest but necessary work then.


...for those who might evidence interest, the Hot Wheels (1:64th scale) '71 Penske Donohue Javelin surfaced.  There is said to be a '69 Penske Donohue Camaro out there too judging from the back of the package, but I've not seen it and am not sure if it was released.  A few motorsports titles from the hallowed home library are seen as well. Thanks...

M.K.

233

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

« on: September 06, 2011, 03:57:06 PM »

Greetings Jon,

I hope I can wrap matters up sooner, but noticing that the Autodynamics Challenger has/had consumed about a year sans rollcage and anything substantial to the chassis - this all less paint and finish work prompts me to reflect.  I purchased a copy of model car magazine wherein a fellow scratchbuilt a 1:12 sprint car in brass, aluminum, and plastic resin.  His project took five years, and this with complete research at his disposal (access to the car, blueprints in all likelihood, etc.), a larger scale to work upon, far more experience with scratchbuilding methods, etc.  Given that I'm learning as I go, haven't the store of techniques to draw upon, and move at a proverbial snails pace, perhaps the long view is the necessary one to take.  The lifestyle equivalent of blunt force trauma in the form of MA/terminal Ph.D. academic study will cut into time that might be dedicated to the project(s) as well, and yet little updates confirm to myself that very involved projects can indeed be seen to completion, and this is something.

Though this post is sans a photo image, a small burst of activity across the weekend.  Thank you very much for finding and posting the July '69 Motor Trend buildup article - your efforts are much appreciated.  Somehow I had traded away the bulk of my period Motor Trend collection (perhaps frustrated for what seemed multiple 'press kit' road tests of preproduction cars situated on manufacture proving grounds, the seeming absence of criticism woven through the same, etc.), and yet lost track of a few good things found across those issues.  The 'New Zealand connection' was contacted concerning the vaguely remembered article, and some short time ago he scanned and sent it across to me.  It could so easily have been otherwise, hence great thanks for your care and attention.  I'll try to create a small bibliography of research found across sources to add to the Firebird thread to help all who visit it.  Again, my great thanks...  

Mike K.

234

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

« on: September 03, 2011, 04:45:39 PM »

Greetings Jon,

Thanks for your kind attention.  Indeed, imperfect shapes to work with, but something of a start.  Both unassembled plastic and preassembled and prefinished diecast evidence no end of engineering 'cheats' to allow for ease of production and/or the inclusion of working features not always sympathetic to the calm and accurate reproduction of other detail.  Worse sins are hidden underneath, for the subframe rails in the back of the model are not quite where they should be relative to the travel of the axle up and down.  

Back to the matter at hand, the blunted shape/recesses witnessed to the rear of the wheel arch liners I believe are there to allow the stowage of oversized scissor hinges.  Golly gee - scissor hinges! - or so says the typical buyer.  The liners have already been hacked down a bit, whereas I'll endeavor to restore the shape now missing towards the back of each.  No, I'm not sure about which hood hinge design to employ here across a range of manufacture options.  As implied by the photo reference, further work is needed to hack out the upper control arm recesses, whereas I doubt the rubber weather guards were bothered with by T-G.  The exact pattern of strengthening ribs can be played with too - sanding off some, extending others, and filling in what requires disguise.  

It will be nice to add the underhood roll cage extensions, with the same seen across period photos and not terribly hard to fabricate given their simple shape.  The control arms are being cleaned up in anticipation of casting copies, whereas the mounting platforms for the same extending off the top of the subframe will be better controlled for shape versus the combined 'cast as a piece' GMP effort.  Perhaps some threaded shock absorber top mount detail with a nut will be added for good measure.  Sway bar mounts/links/bar seem akin to what Penske employed, whereas strange to report that while all GMP Trans Am Camaros have rear bars, none feature a front!  

Scary in total for I can see the project extending out three years simply for proceeding ahead and facing new challenges/problems as they arise and/or come into view.  Still, it's intriguing and at least I have a talent for it.  Kind regards...

Mike K.

235

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

« on: September 02, 2011, 03:15:57 PM »

Greetings,

Seemingly modest stuff, but labor-intensive and hence reportable.  '69 Yat Ming shell filed out to allow use of '68 Lane cowl, channels used to positively situate hood in place for both bottom surface and side to side placement of the panel, and reuse of Lane underhood fender detail stretching atop each wheel arch liner.  Chassis '69 Hwy. 61 Camaro, as are the aforementioned wheel arch liner (or whatever these things are called!) which feature strengthening ribs that I judged worth saving. The Lane firewall is held in place with a machine screw that holds it fast to the bottom of the cowl, and this too can be seen.  Heater core assembly has been cut out, the resultant hole is awaiting a plug.

Work to come to play with final shape, rib configuration, and rollcage extensions stretching in and across from interior.  Pockets for upper control arms (likely GMP Trans Am Camaro) to come - gee, a model with visible caster so far as how the aforementioned will be sited!  


...the general direction I wish to go then.


...the cowl, hood mount 'channels', and radiator support in place.  Note plugs for side view mirror on door castings, plugs in holes for standard Yat Ming exterior door latch assemblies.  The later will be drilled again, facilitating the use of far better Lane '68 Firebird items.


...top view, no glue yet, likely JB Weld used to fix in place with brass pins or rods to positively site. Will have to pull back cowl a bit, shorten hood at the front a bit as well to disguise modest dimensional difference seen here.  Generally encouraged for this constitutes the nastiest aspect of the bodywork filing, and now slightly nearer to completion it is.  So easy it is to stack parts, but so difficult to DO something with those parts!  Bare of radiator, braces to each fender and other bits, hard it is to fully assess what detail has been 'fought for' here. The Lane underhood parts for their rendition of the '68 Firebird are fine, whereas the core items seen here aren't particularly glamorous to contemplate.  

Thanks for examining this post.

Mike K.

236

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Sunoco fueling rig

« on: August 25, 2011, 03:56:03 PM »

Kind thanks Jon for the link documenting the assembly of the replica fuel rig,

Again, I really appreciate the consistent and informed support.  With regards to the scale model work that I do and attempt, it can be hard for many to grasp that I'm not building a kit, that I'm not final finishing a wholly engineered piece that requires the concerted effort of a single weekend to see to completion. Indeed, to chart even modest progress and have it registered as progress does much to keep me going.  That enthusiasts visiting and contributing to the forum are reliably capable of making this distinction matters a great deal to me, hence I feel quite comfortable within the space of this virtual destination.

Concerning the posts I clamor to read across the CRG/Trans Am messageboard function, I greatly admire the dedication you've shown.  You literally see to the care and feeding of every thread here, and how disciplined and neatly matters have unfolded across topics for your noteworthy effort.  The vitality, the enthusiasm and commitment on display with regards to your posts prompts me to dig deeper time and again with regards to my scale work.  With thanks and evidencing considerable respect...

Mike K.

237

Trans-Am Camaros / Re: Sunoco fueling rig

« on: August 23, 2011, 01:34:20 PM »

Exciting this,

I hope one day to build the same in scale.  Not very practical with regards to dust-free display space it would demand and hence consume, but fun at shows.  Thanks...

Mike K.

238

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

« on: August 23, 2011, 01:21:40 PM »

Greetings,

Heavy filing of front valence openings, shape of each now far better.  Thanks for the continued kind interest and informed feedback.

Mike K.


...before


...after


...some work to be done still to disguise a casting as a stamping; i.e. thinning visible thickness of the valence, determine utility of using use of exposed metal surfaces remaining to simulate radiator and oil cooler fresh air dams, etc.  The plastic grille surround here is wearing a coat of silver paint, whereas in the early '69 season photo seen below, it is painted black.  Envision the same painted semigloss black or late-season aqua and the final appearance of the total assembly is better conceptualized.


...a reference photo prior to later grille work undertaken.  The need for some material removal along the bottom of the valence is detected here, whereas the entire assembly still needs to be raised a bit.  Shape of openings need tweaking too!  Indicator overlays likely a weekend project.

Thanks...

M.K.

239

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

« on: August 22, 2011, 04:12:37 PM »

Nice progress Mike, The front is looking very close to the real thing, The indicator overlays did look crude on the real car, but they did the trick at minimal cost.

Bruce.

Hi Bruce,

Fears for the indicator overlays registered here for I can already envision what people will zero in on if the model should be displayed at a show.  They'll be oblivious to all the cleanly integrated work concerning the hood, cowl, rockers, flares, etc. for most of the tooling the model is based upon isn't anything they are familiar with.  What they will likely comment upon are '...those grotty indicator overlays where it seems he just gave up!'.  I has happened before; i.e. what a stack of reference I might compile is defeated by 'what they know'.  UGH!  Thanks and kind regards...

Mike K.

240

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

« on: August 20, 2011, 05:24:03 PM »

Greetings,

As spoken of across a previous post, the front valence of 1:18 Lane '68 Firebird is not a straight swap onto 1:18 Yat Ming '69 Firebird, hence another option had to be identified.  Seen is the 1:18 Ertl Authentics '67 Camaro Z/28 valence laboriously cut free of the mundane host shell and repurposed to suit.  Not quite done - surely a bit thick top to bottom, although dimensionally it isn't terrible.  Pleased that I still have ten digits to type with for very thick was the casting and great effort the cutting did require.  Panel lines that are undesired will vanish beneath a skim coat of putty, whereas when all is coated with paint no one will suspect the labor involved to achieve was is seen here.  Quaint faux front indicator overlays to come...

I expect to remove material from the top of the valence, pull it back, and trim material from the front wheelarch contour on either side of the casting.  I may also remove material from the bottom, and given how thick and robust this element is, more than a bit of latitude is afforded to get it right.  The last image shows the valence upside down and bearing ink marks illustrating further material slated to be filed away.  Thanks...

Mike K.  


...head on, hardly a thing of beauty, but about what is needed.



...a bit thick yet, ready to break pack ice with that prow.  Artic expedition anyone?


...valence again, this time upside down.  Note how valence openings require extension and open up fully to the top, this detail seen in the period photo, and marked in anticipation of further filing upon the still-painted casting.  The factory finish serves as a guide coat, hence no rush to strip same.  Thanks for inspecting this post...

M.K.