SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Fiberfab Avenger GT-12 [FINISHED]

7367 views
39 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2020
Fiberfab Avenger GT-12 [FINISHED]
Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 7:43 PM
This is an IMC kit from almost 50 years ago (1976?).  It builds a 1970 and later version of the Avenger, (not the original version that started in 1966).  I bought this when it was a fairly new kit.  My intent is to build it essentially out of the box but with some minor upgrades like new decals.
The body has some serious sink marks especially on the left side and rear deck.  (I marked most of them with a Sharpie prior to the first round of sanding.) Way too deep to just sand out, they will have to be filled too.
There were also two chunks taken out on the right door from the fill points.  They have been filled and rough sanded to shape.  There are some serious ejector marks inside being addressed as well.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, January 4, 2024 2:51 PM
The front valance does not fit well nor does it have enough material to reach the wheel wells.  I centered the front openings with the headlight buckets on the body and filled the short areas with .040 sheet styrene sanded to match the contours on the body and wheel openings.  The left side needed more material as the openings are not centered to the valance.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Thursday, January 4, 2024 5:05 PM

Interesting subject.  A car kit of a kit car ;)

this is a fun ad!

 

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, January 5, 2024 9:39 AM
The rear body panel was missing in my kit so I started fabricating a new from .040 sheet plastic.  I'll keep the look of the original part.  There was a bit of a warp to the body too so this was used to shore up and straighten out that issue after using a hairdryer on the body.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, January 5, 2024 6:58 PM
I cut out the rear panel to accept the kit access door.  I haven't decided if I will make open, but I started tinkering with hinges.  The fissure in the deck lid has been filled and smoothed.
The basic interior needed to be built up to get an idea of how it was all going to fit and to determine the shape of the lower edge of the rear panel.  To further shore up the warp, since I cut the door out of the back, I added a strip of sheet plastic cemented in place while it was twisted to opposite direction of the warp.  Tabs were added to the interior tub and I used magnets to make sure it always fits into the body the same.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, January 6, 2024 10:53 AM
The kit access door was recontoured (and thinned out) to match the shape of the fabricated rear panel.  A lip was added to the top of the opening so it has a hard stop to close.
It has new hinges, but now I'm still not sure if there is really anything to see in there as the engine is very simplistic.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, January 8, 2024 11:12 AM
The taillight bezels are brass.  They will be body colored.
More dry fitting.  The kit taillights will be used, but since they are not molded an even shade of transparent red they will need to be painted.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Monday, January 8, 2024 1:05 PM

WOW! Does this bring back some memories! I owned a Fiberfab Avenger in the late 70's through the early 80's. I did not build it, instead bought it pre-built. It started life as a simple body on a VW beetle tub but later was transformed to a rectangular box chassis using an early 70's Porsche 911 suspension and engine for power and handling. It was blindingly fast. The previous owner had the upgrade done and indicated the engine was from a naturally asiprated 911 RS or RSR. I never had it on the dyno, was told it was from a rare race version, and would guess it was producing around 310 HP. The builder was smart enough to add a roll bar at the rear firewall and front bulkhead frame along with other chassis stiffiners throughout. The car was also modified with a vent behind the rear window to pull air in for cooling and two black scoops added behind that to feed the carborators. Weighing under 1400 lbs, did I say it was fast? (smile)

Sitting in the car or rather laying in the "coffin" like seats is only for the young and agile. Even then you sort of fell into it and learned to tuck your head to avoid it hitting the top of the door frame. Then you would simultaneously bend and swing your legs into the narrow footwells.To say it was impractle is an understatement. To say it was scary fast and provided smiles and enjoyment is also an understatement. Even though it was a little bias to the rear of the car, it would still handle like its on rails, as long as you knew how to enter the corner. The light weight in the front did on rare occasion want to plow or push on loose stone or sand until weight was added and the suspension adjusted in. For a kit car, the builder did it right as it had disc's on all four corners and there was not one rattle at all. 

In 1979 I drove it from Colorado Springs to central Ohio while on military leave for the holidays (around 1,250 miles). During the trip I tried to average 90-95 mph. I got it done in less than 17 hours only stopping for food and bathroom breaks. Back then I had one of the early "Fuzz Buster" radar detectors, the size of a small brick, attached to the front window  with a big red light on the back to warn me. I sold the car to a collector in Denver once I got married and we were expecting our first child

Definately one of the most memorable cars I've ever owned.

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, January 8, 2024 4:54 PM

What a great story!  Beautiful car too!  Thanks for sharing.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 10:10 AM
The tires that had been feasting on both sides of the windshield turned out to be only one at this point.  There must have been four, but there's only one left at this point. 

 

For a step by step tutorial on how to salvage windows with this type on damage check this out:

 

 

 

 

Also in the box there were two AMT tires and two inner walls of the IMC slicks.  (I vaguely recall throwing the AMT tires in when I considered building it back in the 90's.) The correct tires for the kit are represented by the one in the upper right.

 

 

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 2:38 PM

I have two of these kits myself. Let me know if you need any parts as I'm sure I could part one out if I had too.

Ben

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 3:52 PM

Thanks, but no need to sacrifice another kit.  I'll just fabricate what I need.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 9:27 AM
The wipers are nicely molded, but I don't like the look of molded in wipers…  I'll probably either machine some posts and leave the wipers off or maybe source a set from the leftovers bin.
The window frames were scribed in too.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, January 12, 2024 9:30 AM
I found a pair of wipers in the Tamiya Renault Re5 Turbo that looked about right.  (Being a VW based car I checked the Tamiya Beetle wipers, but they are way too small.  The windshields on the real cars were sourced from Corvairs but the wipers are molded into the body on the AMT kit I have so they weren't an option either.)  I made resin copies and dyed them black when I cast them.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Friday, January 12, 2024 2:52 PM

Funny in that I had a Corvair spider before the Avenger. I can tell you that the slope of the front window was severe on the Avenger compared to the Corvair. The low roof height was the main factor for the narrow vision out the front and mostly non-existent vision out the back (very little). That also contributed to the near lay down seats. 

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, January 13, 2024 1:17 PM
I found a set of Pirelli tires in my stash from some Tamiya kit that looked like a good fit and upgrade.  The mags from the kit fit OK in them too.  But the plating on the wheels was spotty and splotchy.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, January 14, 2024 12:20 PM
It turned out the spotty chrome on the wheels was deeper than just the plating after I stripped them.  I made a mold and cast new copies of the best one after I machined it to work with the 7075 aluminum outer rims I milled to fit the tires.
These are the new wheels and tires. 

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, January 15, 2024 10:48 AM
After I built up the engine I realized there really was no reason to make the rear hatch operational.
But now I can finish the forming the rear panel.  I added material to the bottom of the rear end while I blended the brass taillight bezels into the rear panel.  I thought it would look better if the lenses were set in deeper so I cut out the openings.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 9:40 AM
Turns out the taillights were not molded in clear red but factory painted by IMC and the paint was coming off.    This is actually a good thing.  A little 91% alcohol did a nice job of removing the paint (from both sides).

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 9:38 AM
While I was making the decals for the dash I also made Cragar S/S decals for the center caps too.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 9:58 PM

Looking real good so far. Your resourcefulness and modeling skills are bringing this old kit up to a very nice standard. I have no doubt that this will be even better than the manufacturer dreamed of...

 

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, January 19, 2024 9:42 AM

Thank you Drums01!

 

The interior is actually pretty nice in this kit especially considering its age.  The seats are well done as is the engraving on the door panels and the floor.  But the steering wheels included are on the weak side.  One is a stock 60's VW wheel and the other is a cheesy "dragster" wheel.  Since the real cars use a little bit of Mustang, I swapped in a 1970 Mach I wheel.  I made an adaptor to fit it to the stock steering shaft.
I added aluminum tips to the exhaust, but left the engine as it builds.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    June 2018
  • From: Ohio (USA)
Posted by DRUMS01 on Friday, January 19, 2024 10:05 AM

Looking great. The dash does look authentic. My car had round defroster ports on the top of the dash. The seats in the kit differ from my car too as mine had lay down seats similar to those in a GT40, Lola, or Manta. Are you planning on adding PE seat belts?

Also curious, what color will the body be painted?

I like what your doing, keep it up!

"Everyones the normal until you get to know them" (Unknown)

LAST COMPLETED:

1/35 Churchill Mk IV AVRE with bridge - DONE

NEXT PROJECT:

1/35 CH-54A Tarhe Helicopter

 

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, January 21, 2024 10:40 AM

I'm not adding seat belts, keeping it pretty simple. 

The green seems like a period appropriate choice.

 

 

The suspension sits very high if built as it fits together.  I lowered the front end almost ¼ of an inch and lowered the rear about 1/8 of an inch.  I think I got the camber right on the rear.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 10:27 AM
The headlights are supposed to be cemented to the body, but that makes them stand too proud and the outer ones would have to be moved more inward to compensate for the thickness of the headlight covers.  I drilled out buckets/openings and tried to make the angled stagger the real cars have as much as possible to capture one aspect of the personality of the car.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    August 2021
Posted by lurch on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 10:22 AM

As usual you are doing a fantastic job.Your attention to detail is great.

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 12:15 PM

Thanks Lurch!

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 12:16 PM
The rear window was missing from my kit so I made a new one from a leftover Monte Carlo stock car back window.  (The real car used a '66 Mustang window, but I didn't want to sacrifice one from another kit even if it would fit.) 
Here's how I did it:
 
 

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, January 25, 2024 1:50 PM
I found an equally vintage bottle of never opened Testors enamel paint (1121 Green) that looks pretty close to Fiberfab Green.  It had been sitting for decades and was clearly separated (green/white/carrier) so to really shake it up I put it in my sock for my morning run each day and mixed it for 30 miles.  These older Testors paints still work very well.  I used the same techniques on this as I used back in the '70s when I was building box art for the model companies with it; reduced with lacquer thinner (I don't claim to have "invented" that) and was pleased to see/smell/feel how well it dried in the first 24 hours.  Now to let it cure for a while…

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

  • Member since
    October 2020
Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, January 27, 2024 11:24 AM
I reworked the mounting pylons on the side mirrors from the same '70 Mustang that provided the steering wheel to fit the Avenger body.  The chrome mirror faces were not with them so I made new ones out of Mylar.  I used Mylar for the interior VW mirror that came in the kit.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.