1/12 57 Chev - long term project

Hi guys, my first build log thread here so I hope I get it right !

I am embarking on a project with a pair of 1/12 Monogram 57 Chevys. One will be a "daily driver/tow car" and one will be a drag car sitting on a scratchbuilt tandem trailer. I picked up the kit to be used as the tow car from a swap meet, it was started and there are a couple of parts missing, but I will battle through. I began with the engine which was painted poorly with a horrible red colour, and the chrome parts were glued on over the paint.

I put the whole thing in a ziplock bag with Mr Muscle oven cleaner overnight


and with a toothbrush and some elbow grease it cleaned up ok

I had to fit some shims under the manifold plate to get a nice fit

and the parts that needed to be re-chromed got a primer coat of Tamiya semi-gloss black acrylic

Some of the parts got Alclad Airframe Aluminium

and others got Alclad Polished Chrome

And here's how it looks now . . . . . .




I'm hunting down some reference pics to add some more details, but please guys, any comments, suggestions or criticisms are most welcome. I'm here to learn from you guys and I don't take offence.

Cheers, Damian

That looks awesome so far mate keep the pics coming.

Amazing how a little time and attention to detail can make a world of difference. That is a smart looking motor. Never pick it for the original you started with. Cant wait to see what you do with the body !

Nice work so far. Very neat.

Thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated.
Bazooka, until now I've been working on aircraft kits, which means flat paint and lots of weathering. Gloss paint scares the #$%@& out of me ! I normally airbrush using Tamiya or Gunze flat acrylics, but for this I am planning to use Tamiya Pearl White from a rattle-can for the body colour. I am not sure whether to spray straight from the can, or maybe decant it and use the airbrush. For the interior I am thinking of white for the seats, with 2 tones of blue for the seat inserts and piping, the carpets and door inserts and dashboard. I have picked up a few tins of Humbrol enamel in various blue shades to test out before I dive right in.

Cheers, Damian

i've got both of these cars your working with, and i'm sure it will be project well worth seeing..keep up the great work

Whats bits are missing ?

Scummy, the whole clear sprue was missing. I will steal the clear parts from the second kit for this build, the second build will be a strip car under rebuild, in primer, and I will leave the clear parts off altogether. I'm hoping that my master plan will come out OK !

I have also emailed the sales department at Revell Monogram to see if it's possible to get a replacement clear sprue, but I have had no reply yet.

I dont think i got the clear bits .