Building a stock body 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix From NASCAR

[Bob Ellis]

I used to own a 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix. The only kit available are NASCAR varieties of this 1981-1987 Pontiac G body car. Several people have done this conversion; many times using the 1/24 Monogram Monte Carlo as a basis.

I decided to stay with 1/25. The MPC Grand Prix NASCAR kits had nice bumpers. The also had huge wheel opening bumps. This is a big job to eradicate.

The MPC '80 Class Action Monte Carlo provided the glass, interior tub, chassis and 305 Chevy V8 engine I needed. With very little filing, it all fits

I originally omitted the photo of the best available MPC Monte Carlo kit. I got one at a local store relatively inexpensive. It was re-issued by Round2 in 2008.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Bob Ellis

[Bob Ellis]

I ground off the huge NASCAR wheel openings with 60 grit mounted on a flat plate. Once the wheel bump is ground off flat to the side, you find that there is very little plastic material remaining in critical areas. A lot of patching is necessary with Evergreen Styrene. At least 2-3 layers inside to keep the body intact.

Everywhere you see red magic marker is new patch material.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Bob Ellis

[Pim]

Sounds like a cool project

[Bob Ellis]

I don't like to fill with putty early in the job. I stuff holes using solvent welded plastic.

[Bob Ellis]

Grand Prix wheel wheels are round. I marked the circle with a wheel and a magic marker on the patched material. To get a perfect round circle. I wrapped 60 grit paper around a 1/25 tire. Rotating the tire and 60 grit eventually gave a decent circular shape.

At this point, you can see the '80 Monte Carlo frame with wheels fits very nicely into the NASCAR body.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Bob Ellis

[Bob Ellis]

It looks sort of done here, but it is far from done. Now it has the look of a stock Grand Prix.

[Bob Ellis]

I like to plan details with a magic marker based on photos. I rough it in. Evergreen is used for body shape and chrome.

[Bob Ellis]

This is the first attempt to the side chrome. You can fix mistakes using an Xacto to chisel it off if it doesn't go well.

[Bob Ellis]

Primer is a good way to find defects. Still needs a lot more work.

[Bob Ellis]

I wasn't that happy with the side. The Grand Prix has a unique crease along the side. I made a new one using a thin strip of Evergreen and putty above and below the strip.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work. Cool project.

[Bob Ellis]

I re-did the side chrome after redoing the side crease. It's looking pretty good now. This will be a Lowrider. This gives me a little artistic license to stray from absolute bone stock.

The bumpers had to be cut, in some cases stripped of chrome, and then re-glued to the body. There is not a lot of true chrome on a '84 Grand Prix. A fair bit of the NASCAR bumpers, though look stock, should be painted body color.

At this point, you can see that the '80 Monte Carlo chassis and interior fits very well. While not in place in this photo, the glass also fits in place too.

The NASCAR roof A posts were all wrong. I sliced off the Monte Carlo A posts and attached then to the Grand Prix.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Bob Ellis

[Bob Ellis]

If you are looking for stock 1/25 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix tail lights, you won't find them. I went threw my leftover kit parts and found some '76 Caprice red tail light material. I cut, filed and fitted new ones out of material. The right side is about done.

[am73grand]

Nice project man!!! I started one of those myself because I've got this sitting in the driveway!

I'll be watching with great interest!

[Bob Ellis]

am73grand,

Thanks, my 1:1 '84 Grand Prix was a Brougham. The seats were fantastic. You are lucky to have one. Last time I saw my GP was in May 1988. I am sure it is junked by now. Funny, I can't find any photos of it.

[charlie8575]

Nice work, Bob!

If you can spare the time, run that WIP down to a MassCar meeting, I think it would generate quite a bit of interest.

If nothing else, do bring it to the show in March. I think it'll be well-received. I always liked the GP and Cutlass the best of the G-Body coupes.

What will the colors be?

Charlie Larkin

[Bob Ellis]

Charlie, thanks.

I think it will be a two tone of maroon as my real Grand Prix was. The sides were a different color.

Sure, I can bring it to a meeting.

[slusher]

Very impressive work. I really like this project...

[mnwildpunk]

Like the 55 56 & 57 olds pon and buicks I also thought the buick olds and ponchos looked better in the 80s too this is a cool project

[am73grand]

I also love the seats in my Brougham. This is the only car I have ever owned without bucket seats and a floor shift. I'll never convert it as it's like driving down the highway sitting on my couch!

[mnwildpunk]

The 98 buick we own is the same way a bench seat or at least a 60/40 seat is the only way to fly my 63 Chrysler with the full bench is like driving a queen size mattress

Edited July 4, 2014 by mnwildpunk

[om617]

Great start. They imported a bunch of g-body diesel wagons to Norway in the 80s. As most are aware of those engines where bad,so most of them where converted to 305/350 gasoline. There is an great channel on Youtube for

these cars if you arent already aware.

Edited July 5, 2014 by om617

[gearhedjon]

Are you going to make a Grand Prix dash or stick with the Monte? Looks good keep up the good work

[hjracing]

This is a really nice project, I'll keep an eye on this "denascarised" project!

[Bob Ellis]

gearhedjon, I have two possible routes; darken the windows (and add side windows) so nobody notices it's a Monte Carlo interior or attempt a GP interior.

The dash is the big problem. It is really different. I can work with the rest of the interior.

I thought about printing a dash and gluing it in? For a one car deal, etchings would be expensive.

Any thoughts from others more experienced with this problem?