2012 Corvette C6R ZR1 Le Mans #73

[AJM]

Will try to replicate, in 1/25 scale, the Corvette C6R as raced at Le Mans in 2012(#73 Car). There are many changes to this version of the car --it's based on the ZR1 version, rocker panels /exhaust ports were changed, side mirrors were redesigned, the rear wing was placed higher up on the car and the fenders were widened. A unique 'American Flag' decal was added to the rear quarter fender as shown in the pictures below. 

[AJM]

Motivation for this build was from the excellent body that was cast by Jay Saverse, which he used to build an earlier version of this car. Jay used the 1/25 scale Revell ZR1 kit as a base body, which he modified and had cast. I used the Scale Motorsports C6R for the chassis, interior, wheels and numerous other PE details. Used the Revell C7R kit for the outside rear view mirrors and the rear spoiler/struts. The Revell ZR1 kit donated the front/rear glass marker lights and headlight covers. the main 'Jake' livery decals were from Patto's Place and were printed in 1/25 scale. Many other decals were from various sources.

[AJM]

The cast body took a lot of prep work to ensure that the body/ fender proportions were correct and the body was smooth. 3M auto body filler was used to do this and many cycles of sand/fill were needed to get this ready for primer. Along the way many other body/hood mods were needed to ensure that everything fit properly --most of these steps were not documented.

 

[AJM]

Rocker panel skirts were made from sheet plastic and attached -- I deviated from the real car in that I did not angle the rocker panels -but I think they look OK. Also, test fitted the C7R mirrors to see the 'look' of these on the body!

 

 

[Pierre Rivard]

Good start sir! A complex but beautiful shape. Lots go work (and fun) with all the changes you are planning 

[AJM]

Next up was to do mockup of the cast body, C6R chassis and interior, and the C6R tires and wheels (which will be replaced with the SMS machined wheels) -- this was done to get a sense of the ride height and wheel fitment to the wheel wells. Also to check the fit of both the front and the rear glass, which needs to come from the ZR1 kit.

[AJM]

Painted/ assembled the interior(semi-gloss black), roll cage (gun metal) and engine from the SMS C6R kit. Carbon fiber decals were added to the engine cover and detail painting of the cooolent lines and hydraulics was done. Als added scratch built 'paddle shifters' to the steering column and modified the steering wheel for the race cockpit. Applied seat belt decals to the racing seat, many PE parts from the SMS kit were added as well as a rear camera screen from the C7R kit --many of these details will not be visible when the car is 'buttoned up'!

 

 

[AJM]

Test fitting of the body/hood and rear glass to ensure that the assemblies would fit together. The air-scoop needed much modification to sit properly on the body , when the engine/chassis assembly were mated --- Len Woodward thx for the heads up on this!!

 

 

[AJM]

With the body prep completed it is almost ready for paint --but one last test fitting. Not that I added the Pattos decals to the front and rear glass from the ZR1 kit and also mocked up the rear wing and struts from the C7R kit. The model has the aggressive 'look' that I was hoping for --but many more steps to go!

 

[AJM]

The body and hood and outside mirrors were AB'd with Scale Finishes 'Velocity Yellow' and was then cleared with Mr. Color 'Superclear' --this provided a very smooth surface for the decals to come. I ordered a set of the 2012 LeMans 'Jake' livery for the #73 car, in 1/25 scale, form Pattos Place. This was a very challenging part of the build, since the mastered body with the wider fenders needed a lot of planning since the decal sheet was not specifically designed for this proportioned body. What I tried to do was to cut the decal sheet apart and then strategically place the decals where black paint could be used to fill-in the gaps. So I made a photocopy of the decal sheet and started the process --fortunately  Vallajo Black was almost a perfect match for the black on the decal sheet.

 

[AJM]

Continuing on with the decaling, got both sides completed with the 'Jake' logo and sponsor decals. Also note that a separate American flag decal was cut to shape and added to the rear fenders - I think this made the car look unique!

 

[AJM]

On this front view you can see that the headlight buckets were painted Vallejo 'Gunmetal' and you will note on the lower grill that the left and right ports were covered with PE from the SMS kit --I think this was done for aerodynamic reason when the car is run on the longer Lemans track. Decaling and painting were completed on the front hood.

 

[Gramps46]

This is a super build thread.  Corvette at Le Mans is really special.

[AJM]

Thx for the comments, they are much appreciated! The decaling is almost complete -- you can see on the rear fender wells, the 'black' Vallejo paint blended in well with the 'black' on the decals.

 

 

[AJM]

More details for the trying to replicate the 'hold down' release for the front hood -- I used the PE from the SMS kit then drilled a small hole in the middle of the PE and then inserted a pin (with a flat head), cut to about 2mm, the pin was painted black.

 

[Belugawrx]

Very crisp paint and decals Albert, this is coming along nicely !

Cheers

[AJM]

For the rear cooling fan, I cut out the Pattos decal from the sheet, and applied it to a thin piece of sheet plastic -- this was then glued to the inside of the rear facia.

 

[AJM]

After decaling the body and hood were AB'd with Tamiya acrylic clear to protect the decals, also completed the black detail painting of the front splitter and windshield 'A' pillars. The PE front grill was attached along with the front and rear tow hooks. The chrome headlight lenses were painted 'clear yellow'.

 

 

 

[Gramps46]

Looking real good.

[AJM]

Thx for the compliments, much appreciated! Exhaust ports were opened up to accept triangular aluminum tubing exhaust pipes. Polished aluminum foil was used to simulate the heat shielding on the rocker panels -- these will be slightly weathered later in the build. SMS PE 'quick release' body panel fasteners were added on various places on the body.

 

[AJM]

Machined wheels from the SMS C6R kit were AB'd semi-gloss black, wheel locks were painted gunmetal. disk brakes and rotors were detail painted and 'AP Racing' decals were added to the calipers. The tires were coated with 'Pledge', decaled and then over coated with Tamiya flat clear --the other lettering was free hand painted with Vallejo acrylic white. Big thx to Ismael for his advice on the tires!!

 

 

[AJM]

Ride Height -- This was a very challenging part of the build, since the 'stance' is a an important (I think) part of the look of the 1:1 race car. It started with cutting axle locators in the front of the chassis to adjust the position of the front wheels in the wheel wells. I then used plastic rod for the axles and cut each one after the wheel was attached, so that I could place each wheel separately. The axle holes were reamed out so I could adjust each wheel to the wheel well and then I used 5 min epoxy to attach.

 

[Smilesperhour]

That's a great looking vette!

[AJM]

SMS carbon fiber decals were used to simulate the fuel filler ports on each side of the rear window/upper rear fender, you can also see the rear diffuser, which was made form sheet plastic, was attached to the lower rear of the car -- 

 

[AJM]

Rear Spoiler/Wing --- Attached the rear wing/spoiler from the C7R kit to the rear deck of the car --getting  very close to the finish line --only a few more items to add!