Novacaine

[maverick]

I know not original but, it works. Been a while, I needed to zero out the brain after the GT 40. Did some stuff around the house that needed to be done before the snow flies here. Pickled the Maverick for the winter and got the regular rides ready for the snow... Fiddled with a few languishing projects a bit but nothing spectacular. I did get my Mad Max Falcon XB Four door over the finish line, that's been laying around for a while though. Now for The Nova, don't know what color I am going to paint it but it will be different. Haven't decided on an engine yet either. It may get a twin turbo Big block or an LS engine we shall see. Heck I may just put a cross ram weber carbed small block in it!!! Either way the body needs some mods for the C-1 trans kit flares to locate properly. Gotta hack a bit out of the wheel arches on the body. That's first on the agenda. I am also going to be using an L-88 style hood from Drag city casting in case I need hood clearance...Wont be using the trans kit bumpers though. The kit stuff is just better... Have a set of Plastic performance Firestone nascar tires and rims for this build too. the pick on the box...Yeah, it just looks right with these rims/tires. Soo, follow along. Comment, ask questions or just shake your heads and wonder what the heck is he doing now!?

LoL. Heres a few pics to start the ball rolling.


I know! Those cuts don't look centered, They are not but...It all lines up and makes sense once the flares are in place...
Till next time!!!

[keavdog]

This should be fun to watch. Interested as I have that kit in the stash.

[406 Silverado]

Ohhhhhhhh BOY!!!!

[kyledehart5]

OH yeah, I am pulling up a stump for this one. Going to be a super fun build here. I like the direction you're taking this.

[handiabled]

Bookmarked this! Those fender flares will make this look great!

[maverick]

Ok gang. Didn't accomplish much at this point but have a few pics for ya. Still sorting out exactly what this beast is going to be when done...
Got the flares permanently mounted. They really fit well. The C-1 stuff is great to work with. Just have to get the hood looking right and thinned out some.. It is really THICK...Then gotta decide on the wheels and tires...One screams Ford...The other, as much as I like em...The tires are too big for the front wheel openings and I cant find anything to match em that smaller. Then theres the other choice...Hmm, think I know which way I'm going to go... Till next time folks! Enjoy!!!

[handiabled]

The flares really added to the custom look of this, it looks like they fit perfectly

[406 Silverado]

Now this is already starting off good Pete!! Pulling up a chair for this one just watching you give this one the good ol' "one-two" brother. 

[dupes]

I reaaaaaally like the look of that with the flares. Do they not fit without the carving/sanding of the wheel wells (name?)? I'm so bad with having to make kit alterations like that.

[brandonk]

Wide body second gen Nova with an L88 hood. That is sick. Very cool build.

[kyledehart5]

Oh those flairs look truly excellent. Great stuff so far.

[maverick]

Thanks fellas! Yes the flares really do change the look.
To answer your question dupes. Yes. In order to get the tires to fit in the opening after installing them...You have to cut a portion of the original wheel opening out. It looks drastic in the pics but, careful placement of the flares. Marking what and where to cut and then sneaking up on the final shape once the flares are permanently mounted...Its not as difficult as it looks. (It helps that the flares fairly positively mount in the right spot too) That in and of itself makes the cutting a no brainer. The C-1 stuff really is well thought out.
My only dilemmas now are...Power plant/trans and...This is a big one...Do I mold the flares into the body to make it truly look like a wide body as brandonk stated or leave em as separate components. Either choice will greatly affect the overall appearance and feel of the finished model. Not to mention what choices will have to be made as far as color/colors are concerned...
Till next time gang!

[406 Silverado]

Dec 8, 2023 9:52:00 GMT -5 dupes said:

I reaaaaaally like the look of that with the flares. Do they not fit without the carving/sanding of the wheel wells (name?)? I'm so bad with having to make kit alterations like that.

We can change that!!

[dupes]

Dec 9, 2023 17:56:56 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Dec 8, 2023 9:52:00 GMT -5 dupes said:

I reaaaaaally like the look of that with the flares. Do they not fit without the carving/sanding of the wheel wells (name?)? I'm so bad with having to make kit alterations like that.

We can change that!!

Please do! I'm SO reluctant to make kit mods that require irreversible alterations to kit parts.

[406 Silverado]

Dec 9, 2023 19:29:24 GMT -5 dupes said:

Dec 9, 2023 17:56:56 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

We can change that!!

Please do! I'm SO reluctant to make kit mods that require irreversible alterations to kit parts.

I'll get back to ya on that later Marc.

[maverick]

We can get you up to speed Marc! Too bad you didn't live in my neck of the woods. A couple fellow modellers and my self have a build day once a month. We all get together...Hmm, I think the next month is at my place?? We each host a saturday once a month...Host buys lunch, we bring projects to work on or things we have an issue with. Be it paint, parts, fab or assembly or what not. Its a good time and everyone learns something if their not careful LOL... Couple guys we know in the model building/show circuit around here have started calling us the MOB.

[keavdog]

The slotted mags look awesome!

[maverick]

Ok Gang! Next up.. Suspension mods to accommodate the wide/low stance. I lucked out and scrounged up a pair of Upper control arms out of the parts box. Score!!! Cut the kit arms off the top of the frame rails. Mounted a pair of pins in the lowers to locate and mock up spindles. I will replace the pins with brass rod for permanent assembly. Made the spindles from plastic tube. This suspension can be posable when done. Got ride height sorted as well as spacing of the wheel/tire in the opening up front too. As for the rear, some aluminum tubing. A little measuring and mock up and I have the rear tire spacing sorted as well. Will still have to sort rear ride height but its a leaf spring suspension. Ride height will be easy... Since all that went smoothly ( I just cursed myself didn't I?) I went ahead and modded the kit chassis a bit. This is afterall going to represent a 1000 + HP Pro touring beast! In that vein, I fabbed up some subframe connectors to tie the chassis together. I also built a simple mount for a Panhard bar (Track bar). Seriously thought about fabbing a three link coil over rear with a torque arm for this thing but... I want to keep this one simple. That's all for now folks but... There will be more to come...Much more...

[maverick]

I reeeally like the slots myself but..The front tires are too big for the wheel opening and the Minilites. Well, I love the Minilites and they just scream TransAm!!

[handiabled]

Great suspension mods!

[TJ]

 yup you've got another one watching this

[406 Silverado]

Oh man......here he goes!!! Time to get this party good and started!!!

[maverick]

Ok folks. Managed to make a little progress this week. Ordered an engine from Iceman. Got rid of the heater box on the kit firewall. Got some Primer and paint on a few things. The color is House of color Cinnamon basecoat. This is just going to be for a stripe down the sides. Two other colors will follow...

[kyledehart5]

Very cool. I really like that color.

[70 STING]

Very crafty!

[handiabled]

That color absolutely rocks!

[maverick]

Thanks fellas! Perhaps after Christmas Ill have a few more colors on it!

[406 Silverado]

[maverick]

OK, its after Christmas. Hope everyone had a very good one! Here's an update for you. Got the Black Sunfire metallic down (Its a Mopar color) over the Cinnamon. did a thing with some fine line masking tape. Final clear coat is on as well. Will cut/buff then it will be time for the TS 100 Flat gunmetal down the sides. Got paint on the chassis too...Enjoy the rest of the holiday folks!!!

[kyledehart5]

Man that is a gorgeous black and it looks wonderful with the cinnamon.