*FINISHED* C2 custom Corvette Showrod from 1/43 junkers

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  It seems this will be the year of 1/43 for me.  For a while I've been looking at the AMT 'Vette Showrod custom Corvette on ebay, waiting on a bargain. I know, I'm cheap. 

Picture from my friend Rob:


It seems the model was released back in the 60's as the Mini Trophy Series, then reissued in 1974 as the 'Vette Showrod and then in the late 70's early 80's as the Street Magic.

Anyways, I got my bargain in the form of 3 junkers:




All 3 are missing the rear bumpers. But been a custom, no big deal.

First order of business was to disassemble all 3:



One thing led to another and all of a sudden I was hacking the worst chassis (glue bombed) and combining with the best body.






Glued in place to work the bodywork blending. The square holes were plugged with styrene and will eventually be smoothed out.  I have an idea for the rear.



This was never intended to be a serious model. More like a toy in the 60's. So fit is not expected to be spectacular. That's where blending and bodywork will come in.


Stay tuned as I'm suffering from a Severe Project Hopping Syndrome attack.


Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  Don't you hate it  love it when something pops out of nowhere and gets center stage for a while? 














Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  You have no idea how many times I have drilled, plugged and re-drilled every one of these holes...  Even "moving them around": plugging a side and re-drilling sideways.
Since this is a custom anyways, a popular custom touch in mid year Corvettes, adding a third tail light to each side.  
I have found that precision drilling by hand in 1/43 is quite challenging no matter how much and how careful you measure.
















Still more work ahead but slowly getting there.

Thanks,
Ismael

[406 Silverado]

Dang it Ismael!! You've got more "stones" than I've got with all the drilling, re-drilling and then plugging and more re-drilling. It looks as though you may have gotten the outcome you wanted in regard to getting all the holes lined up just right. 1/43rd scale is one area of modeling that I've never given any love to but really like what you're doing here.

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  This is just the very first single coat of Jetstream blue.  I like where this is going. 






Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  WHAT?  Do you want to do a body fade paint job in 1/43 toy-ish model?  Are you insane? Are you out of your mind?

YEP!














 

Scalefinishes Corvette Jetstream Blue with a Badger 150, Cobra Colors Ferrari Argento Nurburgring silver (leftover from a 2004 model project) with a GFX airbrush.

Thanks,
Ismael

[kyledehart5]

Absolutely brilliant! What an awesome start to this tiny 1/43 scale gem. And I love the mako shark vibes with the paint fade and the 6 tail lights.

[70 STING]

What kyle said! 8^)

[tcoat]

This is gonna' rock!

These kits were very popular back in the sixties for slot car bodies. Probably threw away more unused chassis' and interiors than than survive today!

[406 Silverado]

That paint job is looking quite well Ismael. Fantastic work in this smaller scale.

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  I started with this:


did this...


and ended up with this:












Thanks,
Ismael

[brandonk]

Wow! This look incredible. That is a great color choice for this style vette. My brain tells me I've seen this combo before, but I can't remember where. I was thinking of the original Stingray concept, but that was all silver. Cool build and great work.

[406 Silverado]

That's a pretty snazzy looking interior with LOTS of impressive detailing Isamel. Those seat backs look a little thick but this is a pretty dated kit. Looking forward to more bud.

[tcoat]

Jan 19, 2024 10:42:50 GMT -5 tatocorvette said:

Hello,

  




Thanks,
Ismael

[Leon]

You're a fine job on this Isamel! Don't think i would have the kahunas to do drilling on that scale

[tatocorvette]

Thank you all!

BrandonK: You are right. The inspiration for this is the original Mako Shark show car, which was very dark blue fade to white with exposed exhaust. The silver car you are referring to is the Sting Ray racer which was red initially.


Joe, that's the beauty of a custom: "I thickened the seat backs for even more comfort!" 

Thanks,
Ismael

[brandonk]

Ya, the Maco Shark. I knew it was a Vette. Super cool.

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  This week's slower progress as I have been very busy at work.

Body has been cleared. Let it rest for a few days before attempting polishing.





The smaller the scale the more toy-ish heavy chrome looks.  Compare the grille with an untouched one. Stripped the chrome, deepened  the slots. Painted aluminum and added those vertical bars to hint the presence of hidden headlights. A black wash gets it home.


As I said, the smaller the scale, the more toy-ish chrome looks.  stripped, sanded and painted aluminum. More work on this later on.


Detailed the one piece hacked chassis


Lots of work on the shoes. Yes, they have valve stems. Stripped untouched wheel to the left.





Thanks,
Ismael

[kyledehart5]

Absolutely astonishing, as always Ismael!! You are packing the details in. Beautiful.

[70 STING]

You must be working with an optivisor or magnifying desk lamp. Or maybe you’re just a neurosurgeon. 8^o

[handiabled]

This post of projects ROCKS!! These little Vettes are loaded to the gills with amazing detail you are adding to them

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  Polished the roof just as a test.






Looking good but I'll wait a few more days before continuing with the rest of the car.


Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  That's weird. I've never had much success painting the raised details on 1/24 tires. But these are 1/43, almost half the scale. I was about to give up on this one but after many tries...






Thanks,
Ismael

[lyle]

Wowser, that is some amazing work. Looks great.

[406 Silverado]

Jan 22, 2024 10:22:39 GMT -5 tatocorvette said:

Hello,

  That's weird. I've never had much success painting the raised details on 1/24 tires. But these are 1/43, almost half the scale. I was about to give up on this one but after many tries...






Thanks,
Ismael

PERFECT!!!! 

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  BMF in 1/43 can be a pain.  I think we are close to final assembly.
Crappy cell phone quick video.




Thanks,
Ismael

[kyledehart5]

Gorgeous work!!

[handiabled]

Completely unreal fine detailed brightwork!

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  If you don't find the exact part you need, make it!

Start with appropriate size tubing.  If you don't have metal (preferred), plastic will do.
Cut a piece.


Carefully ream from the inside and then sand to the desired angle.



Go to town with your choice of paint. Aluminum in my case.

 

Test for a snug fit:



Repeat:




Get appropriate size craft beads, paint them clear red, install and...
TA-DAAHHH!!!!


Thanks,
Ismael

[70 STING]

Crafty scratch building. Well done!