1988 AMT Lola / Chevrolet S.T. build up shots

[aowr1911]

May 23, 2014 22:17:58 GMT -5 Art Laski said:

I tend to like the AMT kits. I built this one a few years ago and was pretty happy with it, but you're doing some things on this one I wish I had done. Maybe on the next one... Nice work, keep it going!

Once again....thank you all for the kind remarks. I will have some more around Monday....I hope.

[alterrenner]

Trash the AMT Indy kits. Trash the Monogram Indy kits. Guys, any kit is just that: a kit. It represents the investment of a manufacturer of thousands of dollars in engineering and tooling costs and the compromises such expenses mandate! I can't remember ever building a kit from the major manufacturers that didn't require some re-engineering, correction, or some scratch building. A kit is just that: a kit. It's just the beginning. The end is up to you, the builder. The better the modeler, the better the model.
I've build dozens of conversions using those "trash" AMT and Monogram kits, and I, for one, was grateful to have them. Yes, some were dismal. Some were very much compromised. Few could be called treasures, but I'd never call them trash.
Anyone else need this soap box? I'm done with it now.

[aowr1911]

Building up a second popoff valve in addition to the fisrt where you can see the spring. I may use this one for the Penske.

[aowr1911]

Here we are starting to fab up the halfshafts and the CV joints. I am using aluminum rods and turned aluminum parts.

[aowr1911]

You can see here that most of the gear is in place but as yet not painted.

[aowr1911]

This was a piece of aluminum rod that has been turned and shaped to make the inlet side ducting.

[aowr1911]

Here is a look at the fitted parts in their place. With only a little massaging the opening was widened to accept the new part.

[aowr1911]

Alternate view of the same fitted parts.

[aowr1911]

One more view with the kit suspension in place. This will all be discarded and new suspension will be added.

[aowr1911]

In this shot we are working on making the turbo actually look like a turbo. I have separated the compressor from the turbine and will add a spacer to it to make the look of the turbo more authentic.

[aowr1911]

[aowr1911]

[aowr1911]

With a little bit of massaging this is now an acceptable looking unit. Oil lines and fittings will be added to complete the look.

[aowr1911]

Earlier in the thread I showed you all a pretty naked CV and an axle (half shaft) that will eventually become the drive axles for the model. I have added a small piece of heat shrink to make the boot for the joint. Here we see the nearly finished units and what they will look like . With just a small amount paint and some trim work these units are complete.

[aowr1911]

Both inboard CV's are now complete.

[aowr1911]

This  is a down angle on the new turbo and compressor side inlet.

[aowr1911]

Here I am working on the power distribution system ( plugs, wires and distributor) . The cam covers will be painted flat black and the white wire will denote  the number 1 cylinder.  This pic is just a test fitting.

[aowr1911]

A little bit closer .....

[aowr1911]

A bit closer to see how the turbo will look in the bell housing.

[aowr1911]

And one more look at the nearly completed assembly.

[aowr1911]

This is what the CV and half shaft looks like when it's plugged into the gearbox.

[indy]

Loving this one. Fantastic scratch building!!

Jordan

[aowr1911]

May 27, 2014 0:21:01 GMT -5 indy said:

Loving this one. Fantastic scratch building!!

Jordan

Of course I am honored at any any good words for the effort. Thank you Jordan.  Tonight I start on the engine, bell housing and gearbox painting. It will be a few days until I have more to show but it should be pretty nice stuff. I have a lot of scrath building to do on the gearbox and of course all of the suspension work as well. Be back in a few days y'all.

[Deleted]

Please post all the pics you want.....I'm eager to learn.

[aowr1911]

 I have fashioned the inlet opening on the engine cowl to accept a screen for debris and such. I think it turned out quite nicely.

[aowr1911]

Typically what my work area looks like.

[aowr1911]

After getting rid of the molded heat shielding on the back of the Lola gearbox I have fashioned a real heat shield out of some thin brass stock.
You can also see where I have removed the molded on plastic shocks  which will be replaced by real ones.

[aowr1911]

 Here we see the heat shield as it started out and after some heat treating and massaging what it became.

[aowr1911]

The very bad stock suspension broken down into it's component parts.  most of (if not all) this will be replaced and several parts that were left completely out of the kit will need to be made. the shock....the shock pivot.....the pushrod, all need to be hand made.

[aowr1911]

You can clearly see the difference between the two pieces here. After a little more clean up and a bit more putty and sanding , mine will look nothing like the supplied version.......even though it came from the kit.