An Oldsmobile TransAm car

[arcticwolf]

Yep, seriously. They really did race these things. They were not quite the way I'm building this, it's pure fantasy. But it could have been built.

I started out intending to convert a Pro Stock drag body into a TransAm car, just use a Revell generic as a template and scratch build a  chassis. This is the body I have:

It needs to be widened out, and the wheelbase is longer than a Riley and Scott chassis, but no big deal.

Just cut it apart:

Add some material:

And glue it back together:

At that point, it would have fit the R&S chassis.

[arcticwolf]

I had started a Zakspeed Mustang build, got the chassis built, had problems with the body, decided I hated the Monogram kit and wasn't fond of the 1:1 car to begin with..........

and the brain started going off on a tangent, lol:

With some surgery, yes, it does work. Hmm....

So, I'm building a totally off the wall full ground effects Olds TransAm car that the SCCA would have had a cow if they ever saw it. Just for fun.

[arcticwolf]

I've been at this one for a while so these posts are a bit of a catch up.

Fit the dash panel so that the windshield will work down the road:

Modify the Zakspeed chassis

Widen the hood so it fits the body:

Continual test fitting as all this is going on.

[arcticwolf]

Squeeze an Olds V8 into a space for a Cosworth 4 banger:

It really does fit:

Engine is slightly offset to one side, doesn't bother me any.

Make a hood bump to cover it

Some epoxy to fill in the contours

[arcticwolf]

Squeezed in an exhaust system, beefed up the crash protection, and, well, it's obvious the roll cage isn't going to fly.

The chassis is surprisingly close otherwise

So I took the roll cage from the drag car and fitted it over the Zakspeed

Some styrene tubing for the rest, then cut out the Zakspeed roll cage upper bits

Now it fits.

[arcticwolf]

Back to bodywork

The Revellogram tires never fit the rims and besides I wanted different wheels anyway so I cast my own resin ones

Body is fill, sand, prime and repeat

Now we're caught up to date. I'm hoping to prime everything tonight.

cheers

Paul

[deafpanzer]

The interior really looks great and I look forward to see your next update!

[handiabled]

Some seriously great scratch work! Takes me back to being in Bruce Jenner's pit for an SCCA event. I almost accidently walked straight into Paul Newman around the paddock area

[lyle]

That is incredible work!

[Leon]

WOW.... That is some awesome scratch work!

[406 Silverado]

Man you are packing a WHALLOP into this build Paul. It's enjoyable to see a kit modified to take a completely different car body to sit over the chassis. Love what you're doing here.

[arcticwolf]

Thanks, it's been an interesting experiment.

Primer coat plus some satin black. I think a light sanding it should work. Now for some masking and painting.

[kyledehart5]

Very, very cool Paul!! Awesome job making all these bits and pieces for all together. Looking forward to what’s next.

[buddho]

Thats some fantastic work, on both the interior and body!

[406 Silverado]

Apr 11, 2024 12:24:54 GMT -5 arcticwolf said:

Thanks, it's been an interesting experiment.

Primer coat plus some satin black. I think a light sanding it should work. Now for some masking and painting.

  I'll definitely be down for seeing the outcome on the paint work Paul. 

[arcticwolf]

Thanks. The paint is a bit different. Hopefully it will make more sense with the decals on.

Coral blue first, then the purple.

[arcticwolf]

My tires aren't any better fit than the originals, but at least they're easily machinable. So I made a few more sets, I'll use them up eventually.

[kyledehart5]

I like the paint. Unique colors. Look forward to seeing it decaled up.

[arcticwolf]

Home printed decals (except the white ones). I figured I have a Secret Mustang, why not a Sure Oldsmobile.

[sharp]

WOW!! That is some serious scratch building! Incredible work on that body!

[kyledehart5]

Nice!! I really like that. Looks great with decals

[handiabled]

Now the color scheme makes sense, looks great with the markings on the body!

[arcticwolf]

I've been busy. The body went on the chassis, with some words of encouragement and lots of rubber bands.

Some touch ups to do and I'll post some glamour shots.

[kyledehart5]

Great tease of the ending. Can’t wait to see it.

[handiabled]

From the pictures it looks like the chassis and body mated together great!

[arcticwolf]

Eventually, but it was a bit of a forced marriage, lol.

[arcticwolf]

So, it's done. The wheels could have turned out better but they at least look the part. I realized after I looked at the pics that I forgot the windshield wiper. Hope it's a dry race.

Yep, full ground effects TransAm race car, just for fun.

cheers    Paul

[handiabled]

Seriously great scratch work making this happen! Great looking result sir! Don't worry about the missing wiper, Sure is supposed to keep you dry all day.

[kyledehart5]

That sure turned out awesome. Super fun project and some great work as always.

[joelw]

Paul,
Simply an amazing piece of engineering. Love the paint work and the sure decals, as I remember your Secrete Mustang. I've still got my Revell kit and Folgers decals that some day I hope to actually build.

joel