| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| PeterW |
Posted - 10/01/2011 : 18:02:20
A new project has been mapped out over the past few days. I recently got together with a previous owner of 3527 GT [to have a chat about the GTO Prototype project I have underway]. We ended up discussing his old Graber modified GTO with great intensity.
The car is unique in that it was transformed by Graber to a road going version and this gentleman [Don Nelson] aquired the car in 1973 and kept it as it was until he sold it about 11 years later. During his ownership he was able to register the car in GB as "6 GTO". The car features a full leather interior and specially installed speedo.
We are going to offer a limited edition miniature of his car as it was during his ownership and will include an actual valve spring from the original motor included in each display along with Don's signature and certificate of authenticity. A limited run of 6 will be realized based on the Esprit43 kit with all of the modifications approved by the owner of the car during that time period. At the moment 5 are available for reservation. Contact Mike if interested.
This thread will also be continued as a build diary so all can see this to it's fruition. Enjoy!
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ferrarinut |
Posted - 01/19/2012 : 08:10:15
The first 4 of 6 are now sold, #5/6 will be available next! |
| PeterW |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 14:03:35
And the first three models are complete. The last 3 models of the series are now underway and will be available later this month.
Here are Mike's photographs. They are much better then mine and it really shows the model well. We only have two left at this time.
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| PeterW |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 12:14:41
Thanks Guys!
3 sold so the last 3 are now under way. |
| Blanchimont |
Posted - 01/03/2012 : 20:23:38
Fantastic Peter,
very well done.
A lot off work you did, a lot of respect you get.........
grtz from Belgium
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| dark star |
Posted - 01/03/2012 : 15:02:24
Bravo, Peter.
Very well done !!!
A truly masterpiece,with all little details, as the Volkswagen Transporter rear ligts !.
Cheers.
jerry |
| PeterW |
Posted - 01/03/2012 : 09:44:21
Each of the bumperettes is hand shaped out of white metal and polished with a Q tip.
And the final detail is a machined and polished fender mounted mirror.
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| PeterW |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 15:42:31
The model is now starting to come together. This is number 1 of 6. At this point I will mount the model to a small temporary base to add the final details. Then it will be transferred back to it's presentation base permanently.
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| 360driver |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 12:14:22
WOW! amazing job! really shiny! |
| PeterW |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 11:00:30
Wet sanding the model. Note the high spots that will need to be leveled by sanding. Care must be taken as I move over the body in only two perpendicular directions. Starting with a 1000 grit, followed by a 4000, 8000 and finally a 12000. This will remove most of the scratches left by the initial sanding.
Once the entire body is level and flat I move on to the buffing.
You can see the scratches left by the wet sanding and the direction.
I use a 3M automotive product that cuts and polishes removing all of the marks. Using a buffing wheel can be risky but using extreme care it yields the best possible results. This is similar to the way a full size car would be done using the same product.
After a good buffing the material not only removes all of the scratches but also leaves it with a nice polished gloss.
The finished product will receive a hand glaze to enhance the finish and protect it from fingerprints.
Interior just prior to joining up with the body. It was relatively simple in it's color scheme with tan leather and tan carpet. Note the speedo installed by the shifter...unique to this car. The headliner was also tan leather and it is featured on this model.
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| PeterW |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 12:07:54
quote:
Originally posted by 250GTE
What can I say? Amazing work. Perhaps I'll have to start saving and make purchasing one of these babies a newyears resolution.
Thanks! Contact Mike if you want one. Number 3 of 6 will be available later next week. |
| PeterW |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 12:04:09
quote:
Originally posted by 914joe
Nice!!! I like the window frame treament. It's more work but has a much better effect.
Thanks Joe. The window frames on these kits are polished and then as I go through each phase of paint I apply a very thin layer of leather honey to the frame so the paint won't stick. After I have finished the base paint I clear coat the whole body and this also protects the polished metal from tarnishing later on. |
| 914joe |
Posted - 12/30/2011 : 18:55:36
Nice!!! I like the window frame treament. It's more work but has a much better effect. |
| 250GTE |
Posted - 12/30/2011 : 14:21:01
What can I say? Amazing work. Perhaps I'll have to start saving and make purchasing one of these babies a newyears resolution. |
| Blanchimont |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 23:04:00
This is a real collectors item. Craftsmanship is the right word.
Well done Peter.
There is an empty space in my cabinet.............
Also thanks to Don for the co-operation. |
| PeterW |
Posted - 12/29/2011 : 13:33:16
Moving into the final stretch on the first 3 models. The presentation will allow the customer to display it with or without the valve spring, which is from the actual car after an engine service.
Test fit of the car on it's wheels and the clear coat applied to the body. Temperatures have dropped here in Florida so more time will be needed before attempting to polish the paint. Note the blue tint on the wheels and the polished edges...just as they appeared on the original. The front wheels will require some more adjustment to get them just right in the wheel well.
The interior is clad in tan leather. The windows were manual and had leather door cards with map pockets. The headliner and rear seat/deck were also tan leather. I have used very thin leather and dyed it tan for this model. Note the window frames. They are polished metal as opposed to paint. I find this much more elegant then paint.
More interior components are dry fitted. Note how realistic the steering wheel appears using the 3 piece photo etch provided in the kit.
The stock wheel knock offs are replaced with photo etched parts from the kit. Valve stems will be added at the very end of assembly. The paint tends to look slightly heavy at this stage. Final wet sanding and polishing will scale it back down and give the paint a more natural appearance.
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