Right On! Replicas

Right On Replicas, LLC Project Review 20150323*
The VENOM Project – Pro Touring Ford Talladega Review

Review and Photos by Charles Cochran

Every once in a while something special comes along in the hobby that just makes people take notice.  The VENOM Project is one of those ‘special” moments where something significant was created from the mind of a master and placed in front of the community of builders who can’t take their eyes off of it.  What makes this two-year custom model special is the content of machined metal parts that form the working parts – and the judges have responded too!

This review covers VENOM Project by veteran builder Charles (Chas) Cochran. This project started out as an idea by Charles that he could make a model that looked and “WORKED” like Troy Trepanier’s GPT Special. The base body and chassis used as a donor kit was the Polar Lights Ford Talledega kit.  That kit is modeled after the Richard Petty Ford that he drove on the NASCAR circuit back in 1969.  It is a 1:25 scale kit and the VENOM Project was a concept that took the base body and turned into something like the real GTP conversion that Troy exhibited at the Detroit Motorama show in 2013.  After a few feasibility studies and some discussion with Troy – Charles was off and running against the clock to move the project from concept to show car in less than two years.  Charles is also the owner of IRC 3D Imaging, Inc., a company that specializes in 3D printing services which helped in the construction of some key components.

 

An Interview with Charles Cochran:

 

RoR – What gave you the idea to pursue such a detailed project? And who is Troy Trepanier and what influence or direction did he lend to your project?

Chas – Troy is the owner of Owner of Rad Rides by Troy and the builder of the GPT Special that Venom was inspired by.  I wanted to do something that would show the new age of Pro-Touring and that the parts could be made in scale.

 

 

RoR – I get the impression that many of the parts or component module are machined from metal s and  materials other than plastic.  Can you tell me about those pieces?  What were they made from and how do they work?

Chas – The wheel hubs and axles were made from brass. The rear end was made using my 3d printer and brass and aluminum parts. The pedals were made from brass, brake pads are rubber.  The  interior is full brass and the motor was 3D printed.

 

 

RoR – Were there any contributors that helped you produce it or major parts of it? If so, what information  or components were provided by the collaborators?

Chas – The model kit’s main frame and the body were the only parts used from that.  The following contributors provided the modules or advice.

 

Thomas Nungester Indy Model Supplies – Did the rims and spindles

• R&B Motion – Rivets,bolts and heim joints
• IRC 3D Imaging – Provided the motor, valve covers, bucks to forum the brass over for the interior, rear end.
• Ridetech- info on how to make the shocks work.
• Detroit Speed – Sway bars and rear shock angles for the land speed look. And technical expertise on how get the watts rear end to work.
• Quick Latch Produc – Hood latches that I made with their help of info on how they work and look.

 

RoR – You mentioned “working” parts.  What parts or components in the build are actual working parts?

Chas – The steering and wheels rotate on sleeve bearings.  The wheel knock-offs are threaded. It has working front and rear shocks. There is a functional watts sway bar in the rear and a working big sway bar in the front.

 

RoR – What parts of the building did you have the most trouble with and how did you overcome those obstacles?

Chas – The under the hood tin was difficult to fit, as it was brass. I took my time but had to  redo it four or five times over.

 

RoR – To get the under hood tin to fit, did you have to adjust mostly for size or shape?

Chas – Shape, so that the rivets could be put into place.

 

RoR – What part of the building did you find most satisfying?

Chas – Doing the interior and chassis working parts.

 

RoR – I could see when I first started seeing the Venom project photos that it was a long term project.  About how long did it take you to build the VENOM Project?

Chas – It took 2 years to the day when I talked to Troy Trepanier at Detroit Autorama about the idea.

 

RoR – If you had to guess how many hours did you put into the project?

Chas – It was an on and off, but would say about 3000 hours.

 

RoR – Was Venom always going to be a contest model?

Chas – Yes, as it was plan for 4 main shows, the Detroit Autorama, GSL 25, Heartland National, and the Goodguys National Contest.

 

 

RoR – How have you done at the contests you’ve entered VENOM into? Has it won any awards so far?

Chas – Detroit Autorama

• 1st in street machine
• Best motor
• Best interior
• Best detail
• Best in show 2015 Champion

2014 Circle city 1st in work in progress and Best Interior

2014 Heartland National 1st in Work in Progress

 

RoR – Would you have some advice for someone that wanted to build duplicate Venom?

Chas – Have fun and take your time, you will learn a lot.

 

RoR – Overall, how did you feel about the Venom project?

Chas – I’m happy that it’s over, but even more happy that Troy Trepanier was pleased and liked it.

 

 

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.

 

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150320*
Acura Integra Type R 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4311 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

The muscle cars of the sixties and seventies are great for the drag strip, but for a real road race you need something lighter, something more nimble. You need a corner taking, pulse raising, “Tuner” like the Acura Integra Type R. It might not look like much, but with a well-tuned, light, and powerful engine under the hood, the Type R is one of the most capable street racers out there. The design of Type R models was originally focused on race conditions, with an emphasis on minimizing weight, and maximizing performance. Thus, Type R models were first conceived for racetracks. However, due to Honda’s (Acura in USA) increased focus on their highly regarded VTEC engines, the Type R was eventually designed for a much wider market. The car features a DOHC VTEC 4 Cylinder engine, 4 wheel disc brakes, and a very low center of gravity for tight maneuvering. As built factory stock this is an under 14 second Quarter Mile “Rice-Rocket” with 6 seconds from 0 to 60 MPH!  With aftermarket spoilers, wings and aero-kits this car becomes a Street Legal race car.

 

For the modeler: This review covers the Revell kit #85-4311, a 1/25 scale Acura Integra Type R. The kit is Skill Level 2 for the Moderate builder and is a Re-Release (Re-Pop). It has 105 parts molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Vinyl tires with metal axles. The build is not overly difficult but the kit is highly detailed with much of the engine bay molded as one piece. The motor is well detailed and consists of 10 parts. Chassis assembly is simple but the detail is great on the parts. The interior is multiple parts making detailing easier. The body is crisp with few mold marks. It has both Stock and Custom front and rear fasciae and three spoiler options. Also you get four rim options but only one set of thin-wall tires. The decals have race style belts, Carbon Fiber and multiple exterior badges and stripes. This will create a nice “Fast and Furious” car. Overall dimensions are: Length: 6-7/8″, Width: 3″, Height: 2″.

 

Covered in this Review:  If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; mold seam identification and repair; using white glue for the window glass; detailing the turn signals; suspension construction; detailing the tires for realism; chassis detailing;  detailing the window surrounds; removing copyright script; exhaust color selection; engine construction and detailing; building and detailing the interior; contest model considerations; correcting instruction errors; detailing the dashboard; orienting directional tires properly; version considerations; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; are all fully examined in this 16 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

 

100% money back guarantee!

Click the Buy Now link below to purchase the full Step-by-Step review for $2.95 USD.

 

Important – You MUST click on the “Return to Right on Replicas, LLC” link after you’ve made your purchase to download your review!

 

 

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.

Right On Replicas, LLC SnapShot Review 20150318*
1956 Ford Victoria 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #31545 Review

Review and Photos by Larry Cleveland  

 For ’55 & ’56 Ford made some nice changes from the past. They introduced the Victoria, top of the line that featured tutone paint options separated down the side with a big chrome strip and the top-of-the-line Crown Victoria had a large chrome strip that went from one side behind the doors up over the roof down to the other side behind the door. The Crown Victoria also offered the glass front roof. They introduced the Y block V8 overhead valve engine with dual exhaust and a dual four barrel Thunderbird V-8 to power their family sedans.

 

This review features the AMT ’56 Ford Victoria model #31545. This 1:25 scale kit has a level 2 skill level designation for the intermediate modeler with two chrome trees and parts to build a stock, custom or drag version. It also has the glass for the front of the roof but you have to cut the roof out to install it. You can do the interior stock or custom with four bucket seats and a full length console. It has opening doors and hood.

The kit had some minor flash to remove but, as with all models, you’ll need to clean up the mold lines. It was molded in a light gray which makes it easy to paint without bleed through. It has stock wheels and tires and chrome reverse with slicks for the rear and chrome spoke wheels for the front.

This model has the exhaust molded-in which is a little tricky to paint. If you want white wall tires, you have to paint them or get them elsewhere. There is no side rear glass to do the Crown Victoria and you’ll have to make that. I had no fit issues. It is a well-tooled kit but not for the beginner.

Thank You – Larry Cleveland

 

Editor’s Note: Larry is a frequent contributor to model car forums and is always willing to lend a hand to his fellow hobbyists. He is the undisputed leader in model car building. I once saw him build and finish ten Willy’s models in a fortnight. It’s not uncommon to see him finish 140+ great looking models a year! Larry’s tag line “Willy’s & Chevrolet’s Forever” isn’t taken lightly. I was honored that he agreed to build this gorgeous Ford Victoria for RoR. The next time you get the “Builder’s Blues” remember the inspiration that Larry provides and get started on your masterpiece.

 

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2015 All rights reserved. *All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for any product mentioned here.