Since
the top on the Maisto hardtop GTO models looks so bad, it's only
natural to vinyl it and improve the look. That's not the only
modification this one has received to address Maisto shortcomings.
Keep reading!Since
the top on the Maisto hardtop GTO models looks so bad, it's only
natural to vinyl it and improve the look. That's not the only
modification this one has received to address Maisto shortcomings.
Keep reading!
The
tail panels are fairly well made, but they are not detailed correctly.
I still want to improve on my technique to make less of the red
lenses show but for now a little additional black worked into
the background areas will have to suffice. It is an improvement
as is the vinyl top.
Even
though the top of the car is pretty flimsy the vinyl goes down
nicely. Getting the vinyl to lay down nicely on the c-pillars
with this roof shape is harder than it would seem it should be.
This one didn't turn out as good as I would have liked, but it
was my first attempt on a 65 GTO roof. I'll do better next time.
While
the engine compartments aren't Maisto's long suit, they can be
detailed a bit to improve on them. Here I've added paint to the
carbs, battery caps radiator cap, master cylinder and underside
of the hood.
Here
is where Maisto did do a good job. The whole interior is nicely
done with lots of color, chrome and details. I see here I should
have painted the pedals black. Oh well, I'll get back to that.
The console got a little bit of black paint to the background
areas. Maisto did paint the shift knob and even painted on the
shift pattern! I suppose I could also chrome the seat back trim
for a more authentic look. Geez! What else did I miss?!
Well,
at least it HAS a trunk! That spare is so huge! I painted the
trunk bucket gray to simulate the trunk spatter paint. I see I
could have also painted the 'weatherstrip' around the trunk opening.
There's just not much else to do in here.
I
did manage to greatly improve the under carriage. I removed the
molded in drive shaft and created a completely new one from small
diameter tubing. The exhaust has been cut free of those silly
excess hold-down tabs, separated them from the transmission and
painted all the parts silver to cover over all that chrome. The
splitters were left chrome of course. The gas tank got some silver
paint as well. Even though the steering link is in the wrong place
(should be in front of the suspension) I painted it a cast iron
color. That rear axle is such a clunky mess! I can't do much with
that....yet!