1/18 custom 3rd Generation Camaro Trans Am racer

I bit the bullet, and cut off the plastic stalks on the GMP chassis, which helped, but then that just removes the first obstacle.

Much more clearance had to be created at the base of the A-pillars as the body slips down over the rollcage door bars, and then once we cleared that hurdle, then we had one last challenge.

Notice how the exhaust exits the GMP Camaro body.


Well, the good news is that it has to exit the SunStar body in the same place (meaning that the chassis and donor body at least match up favorably), but this required another hole and some clearance on each side, but I think I have reached a plateau.



Here are a couple more progress shots.







The doors don't fit, as the molded in diecast frames for the inner liners interfere with the cage, so another night of grinding and we'll have a look at the entire package.

So, several hours, battery recharges, and cutting blades later, here's where we are, and I was afraid of this.

Sides have been clearanced.



Areas below the A-pillars have been cleaned up after the piece connecting the A-pillars was removed.



Area around the nose has been cleaned up, and lots of detail of the GMP chassis are visible.



But Houston, we have a problem.



I was hoping to not have to make any significant changes to the GMP chassis, however these stalks are keeping the body from dropping into place.

My goal is to retain the integrity of the GMP chassis. They are nicely detailed and becoming more difficult to acquire at a reasonable price. My donor was actually a previously displayed, no box model, that also had some issues with the paint.



The first issue to deal with on the body will be these "ledges" which stick inward from the skin of the Camaro body, and interfere with the rollcage of the chassis. They don't really serve any purpose.



Next, I will probably totally remove the section between the two A-pillars of the body. There is good detail in this area on the GMP chassis, which I want to have exposed. Plus the windshield of the SunStar Camaro should blend nicely and close any gaps.




Finally, all the detail at the nose of the donor body is not necessary, as with our fibreglass replica bodies, these were simply an aerodynamic skin over the functional parts of the racer. Additionally, the GMP chassis is also well detailed in this area, and any gaps, as we did on the real racer, can be filled with aluminum (styrene) sheet.

 
Going fire up the Dremel tool and see what we get. (got five batteries for the bigger one, two for the smaller).

This will be interesting. I look forward to watching your build.  Welcome to the forums.