F-body Swap: Welly 1:24 2001 Pontiac Firebird convertible and 2002 Chevrolet Camaro

Ever get that notion that you want a specific model, but can't have  it?  Yes, many of us would agree when we see a particular model made in diecast and it goes another way, whether a different trim package or worse a tuner look (or from a company who just made a crude casting of your favorite vehicle).  Then there's the option that a relative has that package that the other does not, and if it's from the same diecast manufacturer that's a plus.  That's where I began with this project as I like the 2001 Pontiac Firebird that Welly made, I was disappointed to find out that this is a rental-grade vehicle: V6 motor, automatic transmission, heck it even has crank windows!  Welly also produces the 2002 Camaro coupe with proper SS package that has V8 power and six-speed manual transmission.  Time for a body swap!  ***See Special Offer below***

The Pontiac Firebird is a 2001 model in red that has the droptop look and there are a few replica's out there.  Being 1:24 scale doesn't help to notify that this is a lower-end model, so it would be a no-brainer to get the 2002 Camaro SS coupe in black (which was next to the red Firebird at the same store) and switch components, right.  Not so much.  For starters they do look the same but in the end both have some slight differences in dimensions where the Camaro is a smidge wider than the Firebird.  This required some trimming and fussing to get the parts from the Camaro in the Firebird.  After some trial and error fittings and adjustments the Firebird was complete, but as a result there are a few crude cut areas below the tonneau cover and in the engine compartment, but nothing detracts from the visual enhancement of the Firebird.  Also the double 5-spoke wheels from the Camaro look great on the Firebird even if they do stick out a bit and are so large they rub against the fenders.

On the firebird the front has dual intake scoops, FIREBIRD on the left headlight, and lower bumper with gill and signal lights and foglights; the difference between base and top-end Firebirds are minor.  The sides feature FIREBIRD on the front doors, front fender scoops, and aero exterior mirrirs.  The rear has taillights with honeycomb pattern, reverse lamps next to the Firebird logo, and dual exhaust tips.  The trunklid has a rear spoiler and is plastic instead of metal.  The base underneath shows off the engine and transmission, drivetrain, suspension, and exhaust system where I added silver to enhance a few areas.  Now you can open the hood and breath a sigh of relief as the 5.7L LS1 V8 from the Camaro fits in there nicely (if a bit snug) with all the detailed hoses and resovoirs visivle, and yes the engine does sit far back than normal.  The interior was a piece of cake with one exception (more on that in a bit) as the dashboard is still in the Pontiac featuring 4-spoke steering wheel, detailed center radio and HVAC controls, and round AC vents all done in black trim to contrast from the gray.  Door panels are also stock and feature detailed door handles in black and yes the crank windows remain rather oddly far forward on the door panel.  The rest of the interior, aside from the tonneau cover, is from the Camaro so that the six-speed manual transmission with silver shift knob can sprout up proudly from the center console.  The front and rear seats have a nice two-tone look from the Camaro that looks great in this Firebird.  The consequence is the rear tray that has the open pit from the coupe's hatch where the converible does not have one.  This also affects the rear suspension support posts so this was an area that had a great amount of problems in the project getting it right.

So the Firebird looks way cooler now with the proper V8/stick layout and cool wheels, so what happens to the Camaro?  The donor car now becomes the base model vehicle.  The front has detailed flush headlights with signal lights and foglights below next to the center grille section.  The Camaro badge at the front disappeared before this project started for some reason.  On the sides the Camaro profile sill remains though the SS badges were eliminated since it lost its V8 motor, though the hood scoop still remains.  At the rear is a rear spoiler, tri-taillights, CAMARO in the center, dual exhaust, and the SS badge blacked out.  Underneath the base has the same details as the Firebird and I added some silver to specific areas, including converting the manual to an automatic with a transmission pan.  The hood now opens to show the 3.8L V6 motor from the Firebird with detailed hoses, alternator, intake, and such.  Even the drabby 5-spoke wheels from the Firebird now make their home here.  The interior now has the Firebird seats and center console with automatic shifter knob, with the console gaining black to match the dashboard.  The dashboard is stock Camaro with 4-spoke steering wheel, detailed gauges, and center stack controls.

Now for the cool part: Want to own these two?  You can!  Starting tomorrow on January 28 I will put up the auction for this car to bid on and that also includes a few others featured on this blog.  So if you like F-body GM cars and like these two (or more than likely the Firebird) you can now so go ahead and put your bid in.