Monogram 1969 Z to SS Camaro-MOVED TO COMPLETED-07/20

[mustang1989]

Thanks guys.

Bruce: I use a razor saw but make my cuts just a little bit away from the actual join area. After cutting I sand to the join area nice and flush and then glue the parts together.

That reminds me.....it's time for an update. I managed to get the master cylinder, brake lines and fittings completed a couple of days ago:



and I got the obnoxious rear license plate under way. I'll install a couple of license plate retaining screws at the top of the license plate to top it all off.



I've got most of the kinks knocked out of the grille after making some cuts and sanding back to the join areas. I've got the section all glued in and ready for paint. The headlight lenses are spare pieces and are being used for masking devices. See those stupid dots in the middle of the headlamp lenses? Yeah.............those! They'll be gone by the time I'm done with the grille.




Here's a quick mock up of the engine compartment. Still have to mark the heater hoses for the clamps I'll be installing on them at the firewall connection, radiator hose fabrication and install and I'll be adding a windshield washer bottle on the radiator core support. I'll also be lifting the heater hose that has a little too much sag to it so that both heater hoses are routing closer together.

[speedgraflex]

Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate the tip about leaving enough of an area when you cut to make a final adjustment, sincerely. The fit is amazing on the grill to grill connection; the amount of time it must take to make the join is testament to your commitment, Joe. This looks so good, so clean, fine work!

[Duke Maddog]

Beautiful job on that engine Joe; have you fired it up yet to see how she runs?

Way to go man!

[BlackSheep214]

Looking good! I know the feeling about those dots on the headlamps from my younger years. They always look unrealistic to me. Don't forget about the driving lamps on the bottom too!

[mustang1989]

Thanks Bruce!

Preciate that Mark! Haven't fired 'er up yet . lol

Blacksheep: Thanks to you too buddy and I've already got those turn signal/ park lamps covered.

[mustang1989]

Sneak peek shot. Still got a lot of work left to do. I've gotta figure out what's keeping the "real" car body sitting up in the front some and have to level things out a bit in the rear due to being a little high on the drivers side but we're getting there.........

[mustang1989]

and with the completed SS grille and lower air deflector( from the more accurate Revell release) glued in place. Keep in mind that the whole front end is NOT glued onto the body yet hence the large gaps between the facia and body in front of the wheel wells. Still working on correcting the stance at the front and still gotta bumper to go but that'll be one of the last things that gets installed.

[speedgraflex]

BEAUTIFUL.

You put the time and care into everything you do, and it shows, Joe. I just re-read Der Beetle Bus as well as this build, I was reading both just to see your spproach, and decision making process; something that does happen to me when I think it's "good enough" it never really is, I need to get the cojones to be as fearless and motivated as you, take that "good enough" and make it better like you, I know this is the world's longest sentence, but bear with me it was the world's longest week for me, and last night at midnight I read the update here and decided to man up to strip the paint off the figure, resculpt detail and get over "good enough."

I salute you, buddy.

I don't know how you will make the stance you want happen but I know you will make it happen; just like you do on all of your work. You are class, bud.

I did look at a lot of 1969 Camaros to see what custom stances look like....

[BlackSheep214]

Looking great so far. I couldn't help but notice the front view. The body does look a tiny bit warped - the right side higher then the left side. Maybe I'm seeing things wrong. Regardless, I have complete faith you will get this beast looking bad to the bone.

[mustang1989]

Thanks Bruce. I appreciate all the good comments and the photos. I do like that last pic with the Pro Street/ Touring look. Really aggressive.

Tom: Thanks for your encouragement as well. I noticed that about the body the other day as well. I'm going to see what I can get by with in the way of tweeking that nose section back into a straightened state. I was thinking to myself....."Hmmmph.....this is awful late in the game for that to show up!" . lol

I'm currently on my back up laptop thats around 11 years old and is still running on XP (and aint doing half bad actually) so my picture posting will be a little spotty till I get the newer computer back up and running.