American Muscle Project: 1966 Old's 442 W-30

[Kaze]

Before I start, I just want to post a few notices for consideration. First, I would like to say that I would like to be able to finish this in time for the June COTM, with there being such a short amount of time left I can only hope that things will go my way. Second, This project is my first Model to Xmod, or for that matter, anything to Xmod conversion. I claim this project to be about 64% complete at the time of the post. Finally, for my other fans awaiting news on my 350Z project, fear not, this has not detered me from my progress, when the next update comes all of you will be amazed where it's headed.

With that being said, I would like to introduce you to my pick for the American Muscle Competition, and just overall classic, a 1966 Oldsmobile 442 W-30. When I started this project, I wanted to pic a Muscle Car that was rare to see, but known as a classic. With that being said, the Xmod should also be a rare sight, thus I'm putty as much attention to detail as well as small inoventions to get the most out of this model kit, and of my abilities...

Well enough talk for now, the pics show some progress, though some stuff was missed by the camera.

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30834333_8639.jpg

This is how I started, using the wheel wells, the front suspension arm fit perfectly under and accross the engine bay. Also Using the side panel's rear arm rest I leveled off the rear of the car upto the height i want.

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v263/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30837582_6425.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v263/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30837583_6734.jpgHere's some preliminary paint along with stance i'm aiming for.

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v263/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30837584_7007.jpg see what i was talking about with the suspension arm and the wheelwells/engine bay. which btw seems a lil spacious don't you think so?

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844296_9257.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844297_9564.jpg
How about we drop this baby in there sometime eh? what do you guys say? (this was all hand painted btw, it was such a pain in the butt.... ugh...)

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844484_9026.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844485_9325.jpg
Front Bumper/Airdam Mockup and Car Stance (notice I started doing a lil with the paint).

Now a little bit about the innovation stuff. Well I wanted to include as much of the interior in this car. So the rear bench seat was missbehaving, going against my wishes. So what I started to do was give the motor and gearbox clearance, and in the process creating what might jsut be a center armrest for the rear seats... tell me what you think (btw, the bench will be attached to the body as a mounting location for the rear clip)

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844909_1426.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844910_1726.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30844911_2015.jpg

[jabari]

Looks like a great project.

[TheXmodifyer]

Great project! Amazing start too! What the hells with the tape?

[Kaze]

Great project! Amazing start too! What the hells with the tape?


i knew someone was gonna ask me, well you know with model kits you're not supposed to glue and assemble till completely painted and ready? Same thing, the tape is holding up the sidepanels to make adjustments and measurements to the interior based upon chasis/car height.

[TheXmodifyer]

What'd you mean the "side" panels?

[Kaze]

the interior, then inside of the door, you know where your armrest is in your real car and in old cars the thing you wind to scroll the window up and down. I guess upholstery? lol I guess side-panels is more for the outside eh?

[TheXmodifyer]

Oh the door panels! Well you definitely shouldnt be using tape, that's a great way to yank your paint straight off the body.

[Kaze]

acutally the tamiya paint i'm using cured up rediculously fast, and that was prior to all this work.. I am gonna respray a few areas over cause of overspraying, but yea, its kinda weird how well tamiya paint dries and cures... anyother apint and you're right, it woulda be screwed up. I'm almost done the interiour mock up though, after that its some final body work and mounting.

P.s> I started about a week and a half ago, so I'd also given the paint necessary time to cure, i just hadnt taken the time to post the build thread.

[texan_idiot25]

That's awesome that you got wheel wells in there. I was gonna try that with mine but it didn't work out. Engine too... to get the stance I had no engine room lol.

I dig the idea of the rear arm rest as the motor cover.

[Kaze]

That's awesome that you got wheel wells in there. I was gonna try that with mine but it didn't work out. Engine too... to get the stance I had no engine room lol.

I dig the idea of the rear arm rest as the motor cover.

It honestly creates a great mounting point and reference spot for the rear clip, honestly whenever i go to mount the body i just have to make sure that i land the rear seat in correctly lol

[fordman239]

thats a nice car dude! loving the red paint.

[xmodkidd33]

Smexy paint. I like the grille details. Any chassis mods planned?

[Kaze]

Here's an update.... Man that deadline is killing me, I have to be up early for work so we'll see if I can even finish this by tomorrow night. The odds are against me though as I have Summer Night class... well wish me luck if you wanna see it in by 9pm.

Here are the pieces left to be installed:
http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852492_8006.jpg

Here's the car, how it sits and what's needed to complete listed below.

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852493_8317.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852494_8607.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852495_8915.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852496_9225.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852497_9522.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30852498_9822.jpg

In order to qualify for the COTM, i jsut have to hook up to motor and finish mounting the front and rear clips.

Realistically to be done, I have to install the front seats, the motor, final details like the shifter I lost, sideview mirror, the Modeled engine, etc. All those pieces in the first pic must be in it. That would be my deffination of completed.

[KITT222]

i was looking at the last pic of the first post, and when you put the motor in, you are going to have some issues with the rear seat. Just trying to forewarn you. Your car looks so awsome! i love it!

[Kaze]

i was looking at the last pic of the first post, and when you put the motor in, you are going to have some issues with the rear seat. Just trying to forewarn you. Your car looks so awsome! i love it!

Actually... in the pics, the rear bench is further back than where it ended up, i know exactly what you're saying about the motor, but I'd made the adjustments while cutting, so it all fit fine....

Sadly enough, i finished the mount and added the motor right when Donziikid closed the entry.... so i rushed and works hard for nothing sadness :cry: .... here's pics

All Pics Can be seen here (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028530&l=57112&id=54901767)

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854122_9182.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854125_615.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854123_46.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854127_1201.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854129_1805.jpg

http://photos-767.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v290/113/68/54901767/n54901767_30854131_2421.jpg

[KITT222]

theres always July! that looks awsome!

[Kaze]

Thanks, we'll see about july

[texan_idiot25]

That looks awesome so far, your interior is schhhhweeet.

[crawlin duckies]

yea it turned out pretty kool and i like the detail you put into it