Greenlight 1/18 Panoz 2003 Indy 500 Winner Conversion

[indytreads]

This might be a dumb question but before I pry on anything. Do you leave these components in the body or pop them out? Not sure if they’re glued or pressed in. I know the mirrors are gonna come out because I’m changing them out. I’d like to get the headrests out so I don’t have to repaint then? Thanks for any tips. Joe

[sam198]

I think they're glued in, but not to excess. If my memory serves, the way that worked for me was to put the body right side up and use a metal punch (or any such object with a wide tip) and hit it with a ball peen hammer. Hope it works out, looking forward to seeing how it goes.

[harveythedog2]

I drill out the rivets and they usually pop right out. Normally they are not glued in. If you don't remove them, they will melt when you strip the body. I either super glue or two part epoxy them back in when going back together.

[indytreads]

Feb 8, 2023 9:11:22 GMT -5 harveythedog2 said:

I drill out the rivets and they usually pop right out. Normally they are not glued in. If you don't remove them, they will melt when you strip the body. I either super glue or two part epoxy them back in when going back together.

I got them popped out the side headrest where a pain but body is now ready to be stripped.

[indytreads]

Plus I’m reshaping the top of the air box. Greenlight was way off.

[GrandPrecision]

Feb 8, 2023 10:13:07 GMT -5 indytreads said:

Plus I’m reshaping the top of the air box. Greenlight was way off.

The Greenlight is based on the 2004 car, which is accurate for that. Besides the camera pod, the rear cowl shape is completely different as well unfortunately.

[sam198]

Obviously my memory on the headrests was well off, glad it's working out. Kudos for taking on such a tough task. Those diecasts were (IMO) aimed more for the kiddies as I don't recall them being terribly accurate. Looking forward to this.

[GrandPrecision]

For the headrests, I usually drag an xacto around the edges incase there is any glue, then try to use a screw driver between the headrest and the cockpit wall to just to force the tab out.

[indytreads]

Feb 8, 2023 10:24:23 GMT -5 GrandPrecision said:

Feb 8, 2023 10:13:07 GMT -5 indytreads said:

Plus I’m reshaping the top of the air box. Greenlight was way off.

The Greenlight is based on the 2004 car, which is accurate for that. Besides the camera pod, the rear cowl shape is completely different as well unfortunately.

yeah I noticed that. Has a major hump compared to Gil’s ‘03. Not sure if I’m up for reshaping it. Grinding and bondo. I’ll ponder it and see what my “OCD” tells me lol

[sam198]

Feb 8, 2023 10:51:39 GMT -5 indytreads said:

Feb 8, 2023 10:24:23 GMT -5 GrandPrecision said:

The Greenlight is based on the 2004 car, which is accurate for that. Besides the camera pod, the rear cowl shape is completely different as well unfortunately.

yeah I noticed that. Has a major hump compared to Gil’s ‘03. Not sure if I’m up for reshaping it. Grinding and bondo. I’ll ponder it and see what my “OCD” tells me lol

This is a total shot in the dark, but would an airbox from a 1/18 dallara be a better starting point? GL didn't update that mold from the first year after the engines were downsized, so that part might be a "closer" match.

[indytreads]

She’s naked! OCD got the best of me…I do think I’m gonna remove the whole center wicker down the front and back of the car. Plus reshape the engine cowl to look more like the ‘03 Panoz

[indytreads]

Removed the wicker and reshaped the engine cowl to a much closer version of the ‘03 Indy winner. Just need to fill in the hole I made and shape it.

[indytreads]

I just changed the title of this thread from “question” to “conversion” just because it seemed to be going in that direction.

[Gary Davis]

You're doing some mighty fine work there, Joe!!

[indytreads]

Feb 8, 2023 21:31:13 GMT -5 Gary Davis said:

You're doing some mighty fine work there, Joe!!

Thanks Gary! I didn’t really plan to take this conversion that far. I was just thinking of doing a repaint. But it’s all the great work I’ve seen on this forum from you guys that pushed me to take bigger and more detailed modifications to make this is car more accurate.

[indytreads]

I need to lose the rear little side fins on this. I’d like to then add some tire ramps.

[indytreads]

Rear fins gone…..much better.

[indytreads]

Etch primed and now ready for a light sand, then white Tamiya primer.

[Gary Davis]

That looks nice and smooth!

[kyledehart5]

Off to a spiffy looking start. Looks nice even in primer. Always a good feeling.

[indy]

Nice work on the modifications looking stock. Keep it up.

Jordan

[indytreads]

All dressed up in Tamiya white primer with added tire ramps courtesy of Chris at Grand Precision…Thanks

[indytreads]

Finally getting around to painting white today. Warmer weather helps. Now I think I’ll let this cure for a couple weeks before I even think about taping off my stripes and painting the dayglo.

[Gary Davis]

That's looking good Joe. GREAT collection in the back ground.

[indytreads]

Well stripes are done…didn’t turn out to bad. I’ll just let it cure for a week or so and start the process of putting it back together with decals. Thankfully the Tamiya TS-36 looks vibrant, I was worried about that.

[Gary Davis]

Looks GREAT! Nice and clean.

[Calvin]

Apr 23, 2023 13:35:07 GMT -5 indytreads said:

Thankfully the Tamiya TS-36 looks vibrant, I was worried about that.

It looks like it's keeping its brightness.

But unfortunately it can be a bit of a delayed reaction with Tamiya TS36.
It will seem good at first, but as it dries it will go dull.

The only way you know it's the correct brightness is if it almost hurts your eyes.

[indytreads]

Well here it is. Not perfect but at this point it’s acceptable. Now onto the Helio 2001-02 cars.

[Gary Davis]

Man...that really looks good Joe. Paint turned out GREAT!

[kyledehart5]

Very nice!!