Gizmo Corvette from Gremlims

[pilonieta]

I always wanted to have a Gizmo Corvette replica of the movie Gremlins but researching I couldn't find more than one picture of the real prop. So I decided to create my own. I apologize for my writing in English is not great I hope to be able to explain my self. I'm smarter in Spanish.

Only Known "to me" picture of the prop used in Gremlins

 

[Peter H]

It's very similar to this:

Vintage BARBIE DREAMVETTE CORVETTE 80's Mattel Original - Google Search

 

[pilonieta]

I started gathering all the elements need it to make my own prop. I need it a Barbie Corvette, a Gizmo of any kind, Wheels and luggage. By luck Trick or Treat release a Gismo Gremlin at a really affordable price and by the pictures, it looked really good so I got one big surprise when arrived.

I also bought on eBay a yellow 1978 Barbie Corvette. When I bought the Barbie yellow Corvette my train of thought was I will paint the car pink and 3d model and print the rack for the luggage. once the piece arrived I realized it will be a lot of work and I won't get what I was expecting so I continue my search for another Barbie Corvette.

 

[pilonieta]

I searched for Gremlins the movie screen capture images of the Gizmo Vette.

 

[pilonieta]

Searching for more images of what parts I need it I came to find the replica prop made by LARS10 great info about the luggage and sticker on them.
Gremlins HERO Gizmo screen used replica prop in pink corvette by Lars10 replica movie prop

 

[pilonieta]

I was still looking for the exact match for the pink corvette but there was none on eBay so I bought a similar pink Barbie Corvette but when arrived I notice clearly it was a much darker pink and the accents were almost brown. At least it had the right luggage rack.

 

[pilonieta]

I'm not sure how I figure out the wheels and tires but I did. Chris Walas only used the body of the 1979 Barbie Dreamvette. For the remote control undercarriage, they used a modified 1/10 Tamiya Subaru Brat. These go for a pretty penny these days so I wasn't going to pay for one of this I need it another solution. I found they still selling new Tamiya Brat tires and wheels not to bad in price so I got a set of these. I also for coincidence found the exact Barbie Dreamvette on eBay and I bought it.
Tamiya 1/10 RC No.384 Subaru Brat 58384 | eBay

The Tamiya 1/10 Brat tires and wheels

 

[pilonieta]

Thanks to this eBay post other pictures I found on eBay the VINTAGE BARBIE Mattel Suitcase Luggage Travel Pink and Blue 1977 Hard Plastic they where the right model but one of these had a different color than the one used in the movie.
Rare 1984 Gremlins Gizmo Movie Prop with Barbie Dream-Vette & Accessories. | eBay

 

[pilonieta]

Time for me to start dissecting Gizmo.
I cut gizmo bottom part to make fit in the Barbie car.

Also, cut out his eyes

I also got a Donor Cheap Rc car that I bought from eBay

I remove all the top of the RC and left only the base of the car

Using lighter fluid I started removing all the stickers from the Barbie car trying my best not to destroy these 40-year-old pieces of paper.
I figure out how to remove stickers without damaging thanks to this Toypolloi video

Manage to reconstruct most of the stickers in two pieces of paper

Scanned the images and start digitizing

Some dry fitting test with the new 3d model steering weel you can also see how yellow and dirty the car was. The first one was too big I reduce the size to 80% and now is perfect.

I cleaned the whole body with goo-gone and washed with dish soap. The yellowish tone is given by the years of play and abandon where really obvious. Time to figure out how to fix this problem, I found in youtube a video on how to de-yellow plastics.

I made a tub of mixed water and a whole bottle of hydrogen peroxide and submerged the body. put the uv light and left it there overnight. when I took the car out the next day I didn't notice a big difference now looking at the pictures it did help. "I think my uv light wasn't the right one".

 

[shotts63]

Great start! Looking forward to seeing it finished.

 

[Borjis]

Looks like you found a workaround for the R/C car.
I used to be into those and that Tamiya Subaru under chassis was
used a number of times for different Tamiya kits.

There was a recent re-issue of the 1/10 Tamiya "Frog" which used the same chassis and suspension.
They're around $ 275.

I only know this because my neighbor across the street had one.

 

[pilonieta]

Looks like you found a workaround for the R/C car.
I used to be into those and that Tamiya Subaru under chassis was
used a number of times for different Tamiya kits.

There was a recent re-issue of the 1/10 Tamiya "Frog" which used the same chassis and suspension.
They're around $ 275.

I only know this because my neighbor across the street had one.

Thanks still too expensive for me. I already modify the body and the cheap chassis for what I want. I will post more pictures later.

Great start! Looking forward to seeing it finished.

I'm almost done I will post more pictures later.

 

[pilonieta]

Creating the eyes. I found the eyes were some type of acrylic spheres with paint on top. I decided to go a different route.
Following this tutorial I made my own eyes.

Test of different size eyes

The result not too bad

I print out the Corvette graphics in sticker paper and cut them in a cameo machine

 

[pilonieta]

The wheels on the Rc Chasis were replaced with the Tamiya Brad I also added with Milliput a guide to keep the body from moving. Not the nicest but it does the work.

I created an internal armature using 12 Gauge wire to be able to have control of the arms and head. Not aesthetic but it does the work

Also with the left fur from the bottom of Gizmo I create templates of the of the forearms and extended to make it look more like in the movie.

All is coming around. Testing position of Gizmo in the car

Cut wheel arches, clean the interior of the car body and stickers applied. Also, cut the end of the Barbie car chassis and screw back to the body. also added some guides in Milliput to keep the carbody from moving.

Added stickers.

I started playing with the position of the luggage. I still have to change the color of the pink suitcase.

 

[ultraman]

super cool to see this coming together!

thanks for adding the videos you found as well! learning new tricks is always a good thing!

 

[LTsmash1200]

This looks great so far! Awesome job.

 

[OlivierC]

I love the idea, the kind that make you think "how come no one has done that before"

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

That's awesome! Love it!

 

[pilonieta]

My Barbie Dreamvette was missing the front tiny bumper but lucky for me after buying two more cars I had the right parts in the wrong color. Not a big deal a coat of primer and a white coat and done nice white bumper to go in my car.

 

[EmmaInCandyland]

This is so cool !! Makes me want to have one now!