Greetings...
Another project hitherto out of sight, this would be a small sampling of images outlining what is intended to be a Ronnie Kaplan Engineering/Javelin Racing Team 1969 SCCA Trans-Am Javelin based largely upon 1:25th Jo-Han tooling. The chassis is from a Jo-Han '70 Mark Donohue Trans-Am release, the body shell is a backdated '70 Jimmy Flintstone Penske Javelin item with select Jo-Han annual kit parts employed, while the rear flares and specific hood bubble are scratch built. Earlier tonight I used a new urethane mold created to produce duplicates of the hood seen, hence a review of the total effort seemed appropriate. Thanks...
...a Jim Brady image depicting Lothar Motschenbacher at St. Jovite '69. Note the '69-specific offset target grille, the three cut outs seen where a front license plate might otherwise be fitted, the rather rough front spoiler/radiator + brake duct system, etc.
...the resin shell was employed mostly to make use of the Jimmy Flintstone front flares. The fender extensions/trim end caps, grille and front bumper are all annual kit items, the front spoiler is scratch built. The special RKE hood is based on a twin coved '68 promotional model part cut from a shell with the integrated hood bubble structure created for blending five or six structural elements together that were subsequently blended onto the promo-sourced part. As this post was written, I can produce clones of the hood - so if you should need an example, consider contacting me...
The roll cage was scratch built, while the rear flares too were scratch built for stacking plastic sheet, creating pucks that were hollowed out and integrated into the aforementioned J. Flintstone product. Wheels are modified Jo-Han Minilites with MPC Chrysler Kit Car Clement five slot stamped steel wheels outer rims substituted onto the featureless Jo-Han renderings. Aluminum rod as well as same-sized tube was employed for the hub/wheel centers.
...even without paint it's an eyeful! A Wink multiple element interior rear view mirror is coming, while here the hood bubble appears well integrated with the standard hood stamping sourced from a '68 release given the Jo-Han '69 Javelins all have the twin faux scoop hood. Interior side trim is from the '69 annual kit, although it appears Jo-Han didn't update the '68 tool to reflect the '69 stylistic updates. Note the roll cage gusset detail (minor this) as well as the tabs that tie the structure into the A-pillars.
...rocker panel inserts in the form of plastic 'L' shaped stock will help flesh out things further down. Note the cutback front wheel arch openings in particular. Front tires are Jo-Han kit items, the rears are thought to be Scale Model Speedway NASCAR fitment picked up at an area hobby show.
...the dashboard pads have here been ground down, while it seems RKE/JRT either employed a wrapped stock wheel or a Grant rubber rimmed steering wheel. Here a stock steering wheel has been mated to a Jo-Han taped wheel rim. The seat is standard Jo-Han stuff in this instance, while the trunk panel was cut out of the Jimmy Flintstone '70 Penske Javelin shell largely to rid it of the cast-in Donohue rear spoiler. The fuel inlet is a 1:18th GMP Camaro Trans-Am piece that doesn't appear out of scale happily enough.
...as seen under the hood with the abbreviated tunnel ram in view complete with 3D printed Holley 4500's, later formally christened Dominators. An AMT Pro Stock Gremlin gave it's life to afford the rudiments of the tunnel ram that was cut down and combined with new mounting flanges to begin matters. The tiny carburetor air horns are actually Jo-Han '69 S/C Rambler exhaust tips reproduced in resin, trimmed and fit with great care. The expected and very large fresh air feed box hasn't been fabricated yet, while fear exists that clearance just won't be availed under the hood bubble.
The cylinder heads are from the Jo-Han '69 SC/Rambler release, while the new Revell '70 Hemi 'Cuda afforded a wiper motor to the firewall that has also had the heater blower motor removed and plugged. Hidden below is an Aviaid wet sump oil pan based on period photos.
Some brace work stands to be added, although here the promotional model rounded inner wheel housings have been cut out, with modified Jo-Han SC/Rambler structure added including parts that suggest a twin ball joint front suspension RKE successfully homologated and run a year before such mechanical revisions debuted on the '70 model Javelin. SC/Rambler rear shocks here have been inverted and poke out the top of each suspension turret. Headers are to come, as well as other smaller details. Another exhaustive project then! Thanks for your review of this longish post...
Mike K./Swede70
