1/8 IROC

[Plastic_Passion]

Way back when I was 15ish... this was the only thing I wanted for Christmas. I've always loved the iroc. When I asked for it for Christmas I didn't know they made an iroc kit. I knew about the '85 Z28 kit because my mother had done one. I thought I was going to have a heart attack when I saw this thing! It was my pride and joy. But.... I was young and dumb. I left it in the back of my 1:1 firebird and it melted in the sun. I've never forgiven myself for that. However... I didnt build it the way I wanted mine either. TAKE TWO. After buying one of eBay and waiting a week and a half it showed up at my house. The body was cracked in a couple places but i glued it back together. All parts are present. Time to build the iroc id have ordered. While this is my all time favorite kit and the attention to detail is extravegant, there are many shortcomings. I will post as i go. Im doing a lot of conceptualizing while remembering things from the first time around. Again theres a lot of conceptualizing right now. Love how it makes that 1/25 mustang look like a matchbox car lol  

 

P.S. if you can't see the pics please give me a shout. Thanks for looking. 

[Plastic_Passion]

Some of the shortcomings... the starter kills me. Along with the brakes. So much detail in certain places.... but such halfsie does it in others. Another shortcoming are the spindles. I understand why they did it but at the same time.... the 4th gen firebird/camaro amt model even used a better spindle design. Better subjectively speaking. It was more true to form than the iroc model. I have plans to remedy that later. I've already drilled and reamed one of the front spindles. I remember the wheels do not have retainers. Again... so much attention to detail but so much overlooked. The steering shift is another atrocity but it could be a blessing in disguise. We'll see later. I don't have a pic of that right yet either. But I will.

[1972coronet]

I, too, had that kit, also in 1985 (I was 15 as well). 1987 Whittier Earthquake destroyed the body completely; I salvaged what I could (engine, tyres/rims) and ditched the rest of it.

IIRC, that kit was around 50$ - 60$ back then, which was a metric tonne of money! 

I'd like to have another copy - unbuilt - some day, but I don't have a Swiss bank account in order to buy one. 

[1972coronet]

The 'split' oil pan and trans pan are artifacts of the kit's origins (1982 Zed, IIRC). Crummy back then, and unacceptable today (should Monogram et al. reissue this kit, they'd hopefully create a new runner with a separate oil and trans pan as de facto replacements for the moulded-on poop).

[Plastic_Passion]

1 minute ago, 1972coronet said:

I, too, had that kit, also in 1985 (I was 15 as well). 1987 Whittier Earthquake destroyed the body completely; I salvaged what I could (engine, tyres/rims) and ditched the rest of it.

IIRC, that kit was around 50$ - 60$ back then, which was a metric tonne of money! 

I'd like to have another copy - unbuilt - some day, but I don't have a Swiss bank account in order to buy one. 

So I was born in '85 ? it may sound corny but that's another reason I have always loved the iroc. Other than the fact I'm materialistic and like the finer things in life. But I digress. I'll tell you I've always stalked ebay for another kit. And I've seen them go for like 130 on occasion but rarely. I paid $270 for this kit, all said and told with shipping. I want to find one I'm plastic still. And dream of finding an 84 Z28 that's not "take out a mortgage" price..

[Plastic_Passion]

1 minute ago, 1972coronet said:

The 'split' oil pan and trans pan are artifacts of the kit's origins (1982 Zed, IIRC). Crummy back then, and unacceptable today (should Monogram et al. reissue this kit, they'd hopefully create a new runner with a separate oil and trans pan as de facto replacements for the moulded-on poop).

I wouldn't even be able to handle myself if they re-released this kit. The fun I could have kitbashing that to make an RS. even tho I really don't like the RS 3rd gen. But.. I've thought about buying moulding and casting these parts. I work in aerospace manufacturing and we use this product called repro-rubber. Stuff is incredible.  I've thought about molding the front half, letting that set. Molding the back half with the front half still attached and putting a toothpick in for injecting heated resin. Just a thought to try...

[1972coronet]

My paternal grandmum bought the 1/8 scale 1985 Corvette for me for Christmas 1984. NOT and inexpensive kit by any means -- she'd purchased it at a department store which catered to Upper-Middle and Upper Class clients; items were priced accordingly. 

I know how much she paid for it, because I'd already had my eyes and heart fixated on it. It was priced at 80$, which was astronomical back then.

It, too, was a victim of the aforementioned 1987 earthquake.  

[kelson]

I'm looking forward to this build!,i have a built up and a unbuilt one in my stash,i would love if Rays Kits Decals offered the lower striping in different colors so you have more options for colors to paint the exterior.

[Plastic_Passion]

Here is the "goal" or inspiration 

30 WA 8587 Bright Blue exterior

Tri-tone gray/black interior.

[Plastic_Passion]

1 minute ago, kelson said:

I'm looking forward to this build!,i have a built up and a unbuilt one in my stash,i would love if Rays Kits Decals offered the lower striping in different colors so you have more options for colors to paint the exterior.

Truly THE worst part of this kit. Other than the fact that it doesn't have the 140mph speedometer. That one kind of irks me more than it should.

[Plastic_Passion]

2 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

My paternal grandmum bought the 1/8 scale 1985 Corvette for me for Christmas 1984. NOT and inexpensive kit by any means -- she'd purchased it at a department store which catered to Upper-Middle and Upper Class clients; items were priced accordingly. 

I know how much she paid for it, because I'd already had my eyes and heart fixated on it. It was priced at 80$, which was astronomical back then.

It, too, was a victim of the aforementioned 1987 earthquake.  

I've been eyeballing them on ebay as well. They can be had for roughly $130 shipped some still in plastic.  Same with the 82 vette.

[Plastic_Passion]

4 minutes ago, kelson said:

I'm looking forward to this build!,i have a built up and a unbuilt one in my stash,i would love if Rays Kits Decals offered the lower striping in different colors so you have more options for colors to paint the exterior.

I've only seen one built 8th scale on here and it's enviable ???? do you have a pic of yours?

[86chicken]

As the owner of an 87 Z28 and 86 Firebird im looking forward to this build

[kelson]

5 minutes ago, Plastic_Passion said:

I've only seen one built 8th scale on here and it's enviable ???? do you have a pic of yours?

I will post a pic tomorrow,it's a builtup i bought 20+ years ago.

[Plastic_Passion]

13 minutes ago, kelson said:

I'm looking forward to this build!,i have a built up and a unbuilt one in my stash,i would love if Rays Kits Decals offered the lower striping in different colors so you have more options for colors to paint the exterior.

???? Bahahahahaha I went back thru my activity to find that iroc I always drool over! ITS YOURS!!!!! I LOVE your car man!!!! One of the cleanest builds! And it's literally the Ying to my yang. Check this out lol this is my kitbashed 85 Z28 made into in iroc although not appropriate. But seeing your car I was like YES!!!!! That maroon and the bright blue metallic are my favorite. I wanted to paint my firebird one of the two colors but we just couldn't get along. 

[Plastic_Passion]

Wish I still had the mirrors to my 1/25... ?

[Fantom]

I see the pics now!! Wonderful kit and on my list. I worked for Chevy in the mid to late 80s and that blue was my favorite color of IROCS. I’ll be watching this for sure!!!

[Plastic_Passion]

1 hour ago, 86chicken said:

As the owner of an 87 Z28 and 86 Firebird im looking forward to this build

I've had a few F-body cars. An 84 Berlinetta, an 85 firebird base model with a 305 and a 5sp, an 85 iroc, and an 87 formula. I miss my formula. It was literally tied in the toxic relationship department with one of my exes. But I loved that car. This is how my formula looked new. It was a fully loaded (except the 350. Mine was a 305 TPI)ws6 car.

[Plastic_Passion]

Took some measurements while I'm at work. Sorry for the thumbs and busy background. But you get the idea where I'm going with this.... its gonna be a hackathon. Just realized while posting this I forgot to get the control arm thickness. 

[Plastic_Passion]

Control arm thickness (top to bottom) .29025 call it .290

[Plastic_Passion]

Tail light housings. Going to have to make something to keep the interior tub in place...

[dino246gt]

I have a junker if you or anyone else needs a part.

I also can't wait to see you build this and make it right, which I know you will!

Cheers!

 

[Plastic_Passion]

10 minutes ago, dino246gt said:

I have a junker if you or anyone else needs a part.

I also can't wait to see you build this and make it right, which I know you will!

Cheers!

 

What are we talking? I'd definitely be interested in taking that off your hands in case something goes awry. There's going to be my most technical work yet on this car. 

I'm planning on a pinnacle moment with this build. So far I think my gt500 holds that case and there are a few nagging flaws with that. Things that won't be with this. 

[Plastic_Passion]

I'll be opening the hood vents like the DSE-Z camaro. Love that Detroit Speed car.

[dino246gt]

Just now, Plastic_Passion said:

What are we talking? I'd definitely be interested in taking that off your hands in case something goes awry. There's going to be my most technical work yet on this car. 

I'm planning on a pinnacle moment with this build. So far I think my gt500 holds that case and there are a few nagging flaws with that. Things that won't be with this. 

I'm not sure we can deal here on this site, can we? You can message me? Mine is an old built up with broken body parts, I haven't looked at it in over a decade!