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

[Jon Mello]

Thank you Mike K for posting and keeping us up to date with your latest endeavor.  I think we all marvel at your skills and dedication to getting these scale replicas done in as accurate of a manner as is possible.  Looking very good so far!

[Swede70]

Greetings in the wake of a long absence...and with considerable relief for fear that the CRG might never return to function. Considerable thanks is expressed to Jon Mello for all you've done and continue to do.  I don't know all that goes into hosting a message board such as this, and fear I'd not be up to the challenge of maintaining and budgeting any such project by myself - hence much in your debt.  In addition, I wish to express thanks to all who actively contributed to this subforum both past and present, for many valued contacts have been made and sustained thus. 

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Seen would be yet another 1:18th scale project (they never end - and yes, are rarely seen to completion), and likely a one-off given 3D-printed 1:18th scale Ronnie Kaplan Engineering/Javelin Racing Team topics will likely be scarce given sellers were doubtlessly underwhelmed by demand for prints in this particular scale.  I've combined something first mastered by a Ukrainian fellow and subsequently printed by an American firm, whereas parts from various 1:18th ERTL '68-'69 AMX releases as well as the usual GMP '69 Penske Camaro tool copied in resin flesh out what's made out below.  Excuse the strange oversized 'glass' panels given they are basically material stolen from other tools and via a series of steps being very deliberately hand-fit to match the body which otherwise would have to make do with vacuum formed clear panels of which I'm no fan...



A fair amount of this project has been hashed out as witnessed above.  GMP wheels and tires live happily beneath the thick 3D-printed body shell which will additionally make do with GMP Penske Camaro brakes, while (as usual) parts from many other diecast tools are scattered across it consistent with working towards a certain spec.  ERTL '68 headlamp bezel trim and mounts for the headlights were introduced into recesses cut into the 3D shell - very tedious work in total. 

Additionally, the poorly-rendered flush exterior door latches characteristic of all the AMC-themed renderings thus far availed to the buying public have been drilled out entire and replaced with separate ERTL '68 AMX parts which come through chromed but without the magnesium paint wash I've afforded them. The raised and finned rocker panel trim has mostly been knocked down, although additional work stands to be done to render what remains less obvious.



Seen under the hood, the 3D suspension turret and inner fender/wing detail is far better than standard 1:25th Jo-Han plastic kit practice and counts as a plus.  ERTL '69 S/S AMX cross ram intake detail is complimented with a new scratch built top cover (actually rather old work here; i.e. note how discolored the resin is!), while ERTL '64 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt Holley carburetors seem the best thing to employ as witnessed.  New items sprout in the form of additions with each passing day...



The interior taking form, with the rear bulkhead constituting an implant from the aforementioned ERTL '68 AMX tool.  Additional work on the roll cage to come including the elevated seat rails, gussets on the cage to support and site such, the oil cooler clearance 'wedge' intruding into the interior forward of the passenger's side rear seating area floor pan, etc. 



And lastly, the rear of the model coming together, with the ERTL '68 AMX taillight cluster narrowed slightly and rebadged as a 'Javelin' for use of a scripts found on an older Fred Cady Design waterslide sheet.  Appreciate that the sans bumper profile insert isn't complete and subject to change.  All said though, the model is slowly shaping up and isn't a fright.  Kind thanks for your review of this post.

Mike K./Swede70 

[klvn8r]

Looks great, so far.  Beat guess for oil cooler....maybe they ran a rearend cooler at Sebring?  Not sure.

klvn8r

[MO]

Very cool and uncommon!! Always liked those cars!!