Author Topic: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.  (Read 326185 times)

BULLITT65

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #315 on: February 21, 2017, 07:05:30 AM »
is it me or do the seats look like they are positioned to close to the tunnel?
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Swede70

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #316 on: February 26, 2017, 07:10:32 PM »
Greetings and thanks for the ongoing interest,

Although I haven't fabricated them yet, I hope to add the offset shifter platform/transmission linkage indentation to the tunnel, whereas seen just below is a build up shot of one of the cars revealing what might be judged offset seat mount rails.  I may well have to refabricate the 'Cuda main roll hoop given that the headrest is likely sited too far in, whereas everything added later will reflect errors committed earlier during the build process.  At least my labor rate is cheap!  See:



...as for the seats, at present they are copies of the GMP '67-'69 Trans Am Camaro fitment produced for my creation of a two-piece urethane mold to suite the purpose.  I haven't much to choose from here given most period 1:18th scale seats road racing seats are sourced from Shelby GT 350R's and the like, whereas I vaguely hope that the new ACME Trans Am 'Cudas and Challengers might offer up something more accurate.  Surely I need to work on the seat mounts and come up with the AAR 'Cuda seat support structure extending back to the roll hoop cross bar, etc. above and beyond what I've done to date. 

Concerning the new ACME releases expected in the second and third quarter of 2017, most have judged them a mixed bag given the limited 'tribute car' nature of the products to come.  ACME Trading Co./Greenlight Collectibles purchased the old Hwy. 61 tooling a short time ago and have opted to invest only so much in new tooling consistent with overhauling otherwise standard production versions of these cars. Some might come away satisfied with what's on offer, although most will judge the effort a cynical one reflecting a lack of will to afford the potential purchaser better.  Given ACME didn't want to exceed a price point of $129.95 or so for any of these offerings and inflationary pressures upon what and where the models are produced, all that can be delivered by them is a compromise of sorts.  Perhaps TSM will revisit the topics at some point in sealed resin?  See the following link to examine what will be afforded by ACME in 2017:

http://www.auto-und-modell.de/pages/aktuell/2026/Spielwarenmesse-2017-ACME-118/

...as to the models in question, it doesn't quite appear that they've reduced the ride height at all, the tires appear very toy-like, while for employing the stock body shells no flare work has been reproduced.  I could go on, but what photos are afforded convey much that needn't strictly be articulated.  In sum, at least I have reason to continue with my particular efforts!  Kind thanks for your reviewing this post...

Mike K.

Oldtimer

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #317 on: February 27, 2017, 03:08:10 AM »
Mike - I couldn't agree with you more on the offerings coming from ACME/Greenlight.  They carry on the tradition of the "tribute" '67 Mustangs, which , with very little work, could have replicated the Shelby Trans Am Mustangs.  The lack of simplistic details such as roll cages, fuel cells, and other racing details renders the Greenlight models no more than door stops.  I am afraid that the forthcoming Barracuda and Challenger "clones" will be equally disappointing.

However, the unknowing and misinformed will buy them, place them on shelves, and be very proud of owning nothing more than a mockery.

You, however, My Friend, continue your commitment to an accurate, yet labor-intensive, replication of these iconic racers, and I applaud your efforts.

cuda48

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #318 on: February 28, 2017, 04:11:35 PM »
Wow... those are really poor.  I especially like how they have the exhaust systems switched from car to car.  No front spoilers?
Mike Camicia

Jon Mello

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #319 on: March 07, 2017, 04:02:17 AM »
Here are some photos I took of the Challenger seat mount a number of years ago.
Jon Mello
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Jon Mello

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #320 on: March 07, 2017, 04:05:35 AM »
A few more, plus one of my daughter sitting in the car.
Jon Mello
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group/7

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #321 on: March 15, 2017, 06:38:43 PM »
Mike (Swede70), you are doing fantastic work on all your models, takes infinite talent, patience, and a lot of time to do the work you do, and correct !
Question for you, I found this photo, taken at NNL West in 2016, on the net, Bob Tullius '66 Dodge Dart. is this 1/8th ? or another scale. I don't recall this model in period, Maybe AMT did it ? has it been done by any Resin casters ?.
significant car ! Tullius and Adamowicz  won the first Trans-Am race with it at Sebring in 1966.


Mike, in Canada

cuda48

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #322 on: March 16, 2017, 03:08:32 PM »
I go to that show every year.   These were all 1/25th scale.  This is a resin body offered by a vendor.  Their theme for that year was Trans Am.

Camicia

Swede70

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #323 on: March 18, 2017, 06:31:51 PM »
Thanks everyone for the very kind and informed input and feedback...

Oh my - where to start?  Thank you very much Jon for the definitive sweep of Challenger seat installation photographs which will help my efforts immensely.  I've poured a few extra seats to afford patch material to reposition the seat belt pass through holes, while I'm contemplating just how to better capture the upholstery detail stretching around the seat shell proper.  Plastic coated wire will likely be employed for the structural seat lattice work, whereas your photos again will certainly be employed to better master the mounting hardware that has been fabricated up until now.  I hope the Munchkin Mrk. I. seen seated inside the 1:1 #77 is doing well! 
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Indeed, with the 50th Anniversary of the old Can Am as well as the Trans Am arriving on the calendar a good many regional contest were so-themed or so sub-themed.  Although there has always been a solid flow of high quality work done by various individuals across scales that is '66-'72 SCCA Trans Am themed, the increasing visibility of the old Trans Am combined with the arrival of new tools and occasional resin releases of note has seen more enthusiasts create such replicas.  The Group 44 Dart seen in the above post looks quite nice - thanks for bringing our collective attention to it.  Perhaps in time I will be able to find the same resin Dart.
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...and a mild update of sorts.  Given that I haven't the equivalent of a stack of low-cost, unassembled 1:18th plastic kits to draw spares from, I must instead search intently for parts from damaged models or those on hand for items that might be copied, modified and copied, or in some instances scratch built to suit my needs and to push my projects ahead.  What is seen in the photograph is a series of open face molds as well as two-part urethane molds I've worked up consistent with creating needed supplies.   Employing such, GMP Trans Am Camaro Hurst shifter assemblies can be reproduced (to later be vacuum plated unlike the standard GMP issue), a Hurst reverse lock out lever is seen (employed on the AAR 'Cuda's then), while further seen is a Shelby Collectibles GT 350R shift boot that will overlay vacuum plated resin plates with small divots ground into the corners to vaguely represent set screws.  Positioned in the middle is a new one-piece mold for a GMP Trans Am Camaro seat mount that I hadn't done up until now. 

Also noticed will be the happy result of efforts to reproduce the signal light lenses specific to the race AAR 'Cudas and positioned on the roll cage main hoop positioned approximately two-thirds of the way up on either side.  Tail lights from a 1:25th scale AMT 1968 Corvette which feature faint radial ribs across the surface and likewise come to a soft point as such were carefully cut out and isolated, whereupon the four I had were used to create the urethane mold seen on the far right.  The mold was passed to a fellow scale enthusiast known for his quality 1:32nd scale period slot car windshield reproductions, who very kindly employed his methods to yield me extremely serviceable examples in clear resin. 

In particular, clear resin mixed and poured at room temperature typically clouds for very small bubbles remaining visible in the mix, while drawing the material into any mold often proves problematic.  For much trial and error effort, heating both the resin as well as placing the mold or molds employed in a toaster over across hours can ameliorate the problem, and thankful I am to be able to lean upon those who've done the arduous work necessary to perfect the problem at a cottage industry-level.  Though difficult to make out, the results are fine indeed and happy I am for his evident knowledge and skill - kind thanks to Brad in SE Michigan.  Again, thank you each for looking in and contributing in a personally valued way. 

Mike K.

cuda48

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #324 on: March 20, 2017, 08:03:18 PM »
Mike,
Those pit "signal" lights were front turn signals off 67-68 Mustang on the real car.

Camicia

Jon Mello

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #325 on: March 25, 2017, 05:55:51 PM »
Mike,

I'm glad I was able to help with the Challenger seat pics and that they will help you make a better, more accurate model.

I'm very impressed with the molds you are creating to make needed parts and the resin "glass" as well.  Great job and thank you for keeping us informed.
Jon Mello
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BULLITT65

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #326 on: March 25, 2017, 06:11:53 PM »
With how accurate your models are, I could see some reverse engineering a trans am car based on the pics of your models!
(the pics of the castings are great)
WTG
1969 garnet red Z/28 46k mile unrestored X77
-Looking for 3192477 (front) spiral shocks 3192851 (rear)
-Looking for an original LOF soft ray windshield
-Looking for original Delco side post negative battery cable part # 6297651AV

Swede70

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #327 on: March 28, 2017, 11:30:20 PM »
Greetings,

Thanks Mike Camicia for the information and insight as to the 1:1 source of the light assemblies employed by AAR on the race 'Cuda roll hoops.  In 1:18th the Greenlight '67 - '68 Mustang assemblies aren't quite usable thus, whereas the '67 -'68 AUTOart Mustangs are perhaps too expensive to even contemplate employing in such a fashion!  On a longer-term 'to-do' list is to gather the full run of Popular Mechanics issues covering the 'Driving with Dan' column and question and answer forum published and found within select '67-'72 issues I do believe.  One answer afforded across a '71 installment addressed the use of these signaling lamps, though I regret I haven't a copy of the text to reproduce here. 
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In relation to the hoped-for accuracy of whatever one might undertake in scale, the promise exists that what results obtained might equal or even at times better what has been restored in 1:1 - trusting of course that the ride in question still exists.  In the back of my mind at least I know my particular scale Challenger will have a flat black top, while my earlier season 'Cuda will have the 'New Gurney Blue' finish looking a bit like a slightly creamier and violet-hued 'Sunoco Blue' if my meaning is understood.  Usually the scale efforts markedly trail behind what has been meticulously done in 1:1 - but not always!  The model enthusiast can also indulge in fantasy 'what if' topics with abandon; i.e. how about a phantom Group 44 '70 Dodge factory-backed effort, or a Panther Pink/Vic Elford-driven Autodynamics Challenger with a B&M-modified automatic transmission fitted?  Or, what about a pair of would have been ARA/Roy Woods '70 customer AAR 'Cudas in their traditional yellow and black livery?  It can be fun to ponder such...
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Now for a brief divergence, this being a recent promotional model rehabilitation done in 1:25th scale.  Here is seen a recent $8 antique store purchase originally painted in some goopy black enamel finish complete with lurid decals, Jo-Han Maverick promotional model wheels, plus scale rear slicks!  Happily the awful paint finish fell away for delicate efforts made to strip the same, whereas given this Big Bad Orange example remained far from perfect (i.e. both A-pillars are twinged if you will), I thought I'd make a mild effort to create an unofficial Mark Donohue edition of what remained (see the adjoining period advertising image).  A spare Jo-Han 1970 Mark Donohue Trans Am spoiler was added with white glue after painting the part with Tamiya aerosol - a fair match it seems.  Noticed too will be the very acceptable Fred Cady '70 Javelin SST stripe work rarely seen applied.

The rims are Jo-Han Magnum 500's with promo-style axle mounting points, while more appropriate tires perhaps might otherwise have taken the form of Goodyear Polyglas GT's with the tiny raised white letters.  A defense can be offered up to the extent that Javelin SST promotional models in '70 typically featured redlines. Given this, I opted to use a set of Stevens International vinyl tires from the early 1990's I had which seemed to employ the original Jo-Han tire molds, but substituting softer material and featuring much better quality control on the redline detail itself.  Obsolete kit glass replaces the damaged original fitment (not fitting too well in full truth), whereas the front and rear bumpers have been rechromed.  Thanks for examining this brief post...

Mike K.





M.K.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2017, 11:58:51 PM by Swede70 »

Jon Mello

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #328 on: April 01, 2017, 04:51:24 AM »
Mike, that Javelin turned out very nice for something you bought for $8 and had to strip. The stripes look great on it and the spoiler, wheels and tires look great too, although the Magnum 500 wheels could use some black to bring out the details. It's a shame you couldn't get the glass to fit better.

Your "what if" suggestions like a Group 44 '70 Challenger are intriguing to think about and a model of such a hypothetical machine is a great way to bring something like that to life. I can't see Tullius and Group 44 having any less luck than the other Mopars did in the '70 Trans-Am series.
Jon Mello
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Swede70

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Re: Ideas to share concerning 1:18 '67-'69 GMP Penske Donohue Camaros.
« Reply #329 on: June 20, 2017, 06:54:54 PM »
Greetings and thanks for reading this most recent posting...

Although marketed as a 'Tribute Car' with few Trans Am-specific parts, ACME recently released a 1:18th diecast '68 Shelby Racing Co. corporate blue #2 Dan Gurney/(Horst Kwech) entry that is being sold new as this is written.  The model isn't perfection for being less flares, etc., but all the same the exterior livery has been sensitively replicated and cleanly applied.  In particular, I doubt I'd find the correct font style for the #2 reproduced accurately anywhere.  Seen below is a wheel and tire conversion recently performed consistent with making things appear more accurate.  Very special thanks to 'Oldtimer' for his great generosity for which this project would not have been possible.



...the most recent release then.  To my knowledge the mid-season livery change to Corporate Blue was never combined with the Daytona and Sebring-specific 'TA' class identification or ever featured 'Shelby Racing Co.' fender top identification - so off it came!  Careful masking and acetone scrubbing accomplished with a fistful of cotton swabs made short work of these markings on the model seen below.



...Titus on the move in '68, perhaps at St. Jovite given the hilly terrain?



...oh, and why not a '68 Watkins Glen grid shot?  You can kinda/sorta see #2 just behind #1 Titus. 



Wheels are ACME 1:18th '65 Dodge altered wheelbase American Torque Thrust rears cast in resin and mated to 1:25th Pegasus turned aluminum 22 inch 'barrels' cut down for use here as exterior wheel lips.  Cast resin reproductions of the GMP 1:18th '67-'69 Penske Camaro wheels were used to mate the first two-thirds of each wheel assembly to the old GMP Trans Am tires seen employed here, whereas hub and mounting material was likewise recycled from the old GMP Trans Am wheel and tire set to attach each to the model chassis proper.  The resin GMP brake discs seen here were not used, but rather replaced with chromed washers picked up at a big box hardware store.



...although basic at this point, '68 specific headlamp fill panels have been fitted, ride height has been altered as well as track, a fuel cell housing has been fitted, whereas a modified GMP fuel cell inlet has been added to the deck lid.



...seen in profile then, with the chromed washers employed as brake discs showing to good effect.  More to come in the usual split and schizoid style that is my hallmark.  Thanks for examining this most recent posting...

Mike K.


 

anything