WIP: 2003 Pirates of the Carribean Pontiac LONG 1st Post!!

[David Thibodeau]

This is something I have been working on and off for a year on. Its Stacy Comptons 2003 Pirates of the carribean sponsored pontiac that was run at the Daytona Pepsi 400 under the lights. I am aiming to have this done for the 2007 NNL's in Atlanta. Thought you all might like to see it.

The 1:1 car

Since no Nascar model kit exists for the late model pontiac, I decided to make my own from a 2003-2005 Monte Carlo revell kit.I was on a mission to get the car as accurate as I could and still be able to do a superdetailer at the same time. I started with the front grill. I literally grabbed a fine point sharpie and marked the front monte grill up and grabbed the dremel and grinding bit and went at it. I figured hey, either I do it or I mess it up. Things started to fall into place. I was able to do the twin nostrils, add .015 sheet plastic to the hood to produce the slight hood bulge and it was looking like the pic below.

After a little sanding,2 part tamiya putty, and test primer.... it started looking like this:

For the rear clip I hacked the rear end off a 2001 DOdge kit and replaced the rear monte carlo tail with it. I decided to not attempt the talight bullett bulges on this build. Once the tailites are in place I think it will look cleaner without them.

Finally I did all the superdetail additions and mods Roof flaps cut out, I modified the c pillar windows to look like Poncho pieces, and sanded off the sideskirts flush and added a piece to the jack cutouts to lower the sides of the car. Then I added exhaust ports!

I drilled the fuel filler hole and overflow tube hole as well.

The rear trunk is a piece I scratch built from .020 sheet styrene. The reason for this was when I added the rear intrepid clip, it widened the rear of the monte slightly so the kit trunk was not long enough. I made a new one along with a nice "whale tail spoiler" Then I added under trunk detailing and hinges.

The front hood was als otreated to underside detailing and hinges.

Lastly a chin spoiler was addedto the front end.

Overall I got the look I was after on the body and once in paint decal and clear I hope to produce a fine example of this car. I have a soft spot for this car because it is my 6 year old daughters favorite movie and she is quite excited I am doing this car.

Moving on to the chassis....Actually I used the pro finish chassis I built and modified for the miller lite charger build (look in my fotki for detail on it). The chassis in the dodge and chevy are identical. All I had to do is rework the front end!! It is in basecoat chassis grey and 2 coats of omni.... Now its ready to be detailed...

I have the body painted, large swatches added to the sides and large hood decal. I used Clay's side swatches of an extra alps sheet he sent me a long time ago. I think they look better in color and blend better than the ones on the JWTBM sheet. The skull on the hood is from the JWTBM sheet. The entire car was cleared with 3 coats of omni. Once the paint has cured I will polish it out and add the rest of the decals.

On to some chassis detailing. I had these real working ball joints from RB motion for quite some time..... I will not make them work, but I thought they would really dress up the pro finish a arms.....

As you can see below, I drilled out the a arm ends and literally pressed the working brass ball joints in place. I think they really add to the realism of the front suspension. PRO TECH .32 hex nuts and hard line were used for the A Arm hardware as well. The steering shaft is made from #4 DM hardline. Model railroad Hex screws were used for the Front suspension wedge bolts.

I detailed out the molded in power steering box with various silvers, black wash and clear orange. I plumbed it with PRO TECH .32 Hex fittings and hard line. I atatched rubber tubing painted light blue to represent the neoprene blue P/S line on the real cars.

PRO TECH P/E Nut and bolt detail was used to represent the P/S pump bolts going through the frame..... if none of you have used them... get them, they are great for TONS of applications!! Especially rear spoiler bolts!!! Also note a good closeup of the RB motion ball joints pressed in the a arms...

The body has beem polished, cleaned, and decaling is complete.

I did a little more detail to the chassis. Thermal blanket was made for the drivers door from embossing metal and painted flat black. Also all roll bar padding has been installed. I also added small metal tubing to the pass floor painted red to represent the fuel line.

I fabricated a thermal mat for the floor from sheet plastic and painted it flat black and installed it.

I added thermal foil to the chassis pan where the exhaust will hang. The NASA BOEING decals were printed on decal paper and applied to the foil. Masking tape was cut installed and painted flat black in the upper trans tunnel as well. PRO TECH bolts were used all over....

Moving on to the body, I polished and installed the windshield with testors clear glue.

Side speedway glass was detailed and installed. I used the detail bracing off the JWTBM sheet. I also created NACA ducts based on ref photos.

Rear glass was polished and detailed as well. I added some bracing detailed out with PRO TECH bolts to represent rivets. I also added a rear aero foil larger than stock since this was a daytona car.

It is starting to take on a cool look!!

Moving on to the modern cup seat these cars have....I scratch built the leg extensions and painted it all TS-30 silver leaf. Then I painted all the padding semi and flat black and flocked the center and inside head rest. PRO TECH belts and bolts finish it off.....

Here you see the beginnings of the engine. This is the engine directly from the kit. I hacked off the trans that will be replaced with a MCG Resin piece. The front crank damper was hacked off and holes were drilled to accomodate the pulleys which were made for me by MACHINE WORKS INDY, Clay K the sole proprietor

All the lines and hex fittings are from PRO TECH. The sump pump was made out of aluminum tubing. Valve cover decals are from a JWTBM goodie sheet. By the way, in 2003 MMM team made engines in house. Thanks to Clay emailing them directly.......

Engine with exception to the carb and fuel detail is done..... I made headers from solder, simulated weld lines and painted them with various alclads.

The trans is a MCG piece with RB Motion rod ends. Again the pulleys were made by Clay...... Thanks again buddy. Your lathe work really dresses these things up!!!!

Rear trunk detailing is complete for now...I completed the fuel cell area. I decided to go with a red fuel cell to dress up the trunk area. I measured the opening, cut out the cell top and painted it with TS-49. Then I made the frame from square plastic. Painted it semi gloss black and installed it all!

Then I added PRO TECH bolts. The fuel filter is made from 2 sizes of aluminum tubing painted clear red. All lines and hardware are from PRO TECH along with crimp bead tubes and #4 hardline.

Seat is installed permanantly. I decided to put the fire bottle on the bars on the pass side of the car so there was nothing stopping me from installing the seat.

made a new gearshifter utilizing the kit ball and base. The shaft is made from 2 pieces of window bracing cut and glued together. Its something I think Clay and I were thinking about subliminally!!

I drilled holes in the ball, painted it silver and coated it with clear red to set it off.....

Finally, wheels and tires were detailed out.

More to come soon... this should keep everyone busy for now!!!

[ismaelg]

ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY IMPRESSIVE work!!!

WOW!

[Steve H.]

What Ismael said... I second that! :shock:

Thats some world class model building! Each and every assembly is beautiful!

[Jairus]

Very impressive!

This is a great example of a too long post. Next time, please break it up into 3 postings... We still have a few friends here that use dial-up.

As for the heat shield blanket on the bottom of the car, what is the material please? 8)

[crispy]

ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY IMPRESSIVE work!!!

WOW!

I concur

Nothing more I could say. WOW :shock:

[David Thibodeau]

Very impressive!

This is a great example of a too long post. Next time, please break it up into 3 postings... We still have a few friends here that use dial-up.

As for the heat shield blanket on the bottom of the car, what is the material please? 8)

Sorry Jarius... from now on they will be shorter!!

The material I purchased from the now defunct Detail Design & Scale. It is identical to the cigarette foil found in the packs.

Thanks alot guys!!

DaveT

[James Flowers]

As DW says" Boogied,boogied,boogied lets go racin". Fantastic build you have their.

[David Thibodeau]

Thanks guys..

I did a little more work over the past few days....

The rear axle and diff is hollow on the top side of the unit. This is not an issue with a boxstock build. But when adding the appropriate lines and detail you have to have a solid surface for the oil lines that cool the diff to attatch to!! Tamiya 2 part putty did the trick........

Jumping ahead here, the differential was primed and painted TS-29 and the diff was painted with a rust color from the acryl line of model master paints to simulate the red oxide the 1:1 diff covers are painted with. Since Cup cars have quick change rear ends, PRO TECH bolts were used to simulate the bolts on the diff.

The entire unit was plumbed with Pro Tech .045 braided line and fittings. The gold collars are Crimp tubes from the craft section at Michaels. The pulleys were made by Clay Kemp. The brake rotors are from Model car Garage. The hubs were scratch built and Guitar string was used for the lug studs.

[Randy]

This is why I don't biuld NASCARS. What Izzy said. Nice!!!

[cruz]

I have never been into nascar but must admit that when these type of models are built with all the little and correct details there is no beating them in competitions, very impressive.......................You are quickly becoming an Idol of mine :wink: :roll:

[Dave Toups]

From one "Dave T" to another, That looks great!

I'm not usually into modern stockers, but I like yours.

Great car choice too.

[Zoom Zoom]

Amazing 8)

Can't wait to see that in November!

[Modelmartin]

AAAARRRRRRRRR! Very impressive and interesting model. I like seeing all of the nuts and bolts of it. Thanks for sharing. 8)

[BIGTRUCK]

THATS TOTALLY OFF THE EDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW

[Hot_Rod_Bob]

All I can say is.....STUNNING!!! I love your technique!

[Ken]

THATS TOTALLY OFF THE EDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WOW

Heck with the edge, this is more like roadrunner standing 6 feet from the edge sticking his tongue out at Wiley E Coyote!!!!!! Wicked Good!!!!

[David Thibodeau]

Thanks guys...

Got the dash completed over the weekend. It was made from making a template of the kit piece. I narrowed it a bit because of the new upper a pillar bars. I also unfortunately had to cut a notch in the dash face to accept the middle bar running into it. But it still looks super clean! I used JWTBM decals for the gauges. The bezels were made by machinworks indy..... All other details were added from various photo etch hardware...

[Harold]

Ohmygod!!! This is stunning work. In the words of Frank Barone, 'Holy ######!' Absolutely, jaw dropping impressive.

[Mike]

:shock: :shock: :shock: Absolutely superb!!!!

[David Thibodeau]

Well, with the NOv NNL's in Atlanta around the corner I have decided to put away all projects and focus on getting this done.... here is a small update:

Fire suppression system is installed, I used a detailmaster Fire bottle kit and hardware. The T fitting is from protech with craft wire for the hardline. Nozzles are DM #1 Combo fittings painted clear yellow.

Here is the beggining of the ignition plate. Made from square evergreen rod with PE covers from the Dale Earnhardt Superdetail set. This piece wil be very detailed.

DaveT

[BFassassin]

Wow that is amazing work. Keep it up

[David Thibodeau]

Thanks!!!

More updates.... ignition plate is detailed and installed complete with an ignition switch in the roll bar nook to the right.

overhead shot. Its getting pretty busy in there.... I will get the interior finished up soon and move on to the engine installation...

[jamie]

Thanks!!!

More updates.... ignition plate is detailed and installed complete with an ignition switch in the roll bar nook to the right.

overhead shot. Its getting pretty busy in there.... I will get the interior finished up soon and move on to the engine installation...

Well well well, look who's been a busy beaver!!!!!!!!!!!! The ignition plate looks awesome Dave! I'm glad to see you back on this puppy! You're a BEAST!

Jamie

[Peter Lombardo]

David, this build is INSANE!! I have no idea how you NASCAR modelers do it! The level of detail in just this chassis is just incredible. Beautiful job, this is sure to make some guys sick when they see this on the closed wheel competition table next to their entry. I know I am glad I don't do NASCAR models and have to share a table with that bomb. Beautiful build so far.

[Mike]

This thing is off the hook! It's sick! I think this one should be a cover story. Hint Hint....