rsxse240 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 So I saw the post Custom Mike made in my 57 Fairlane paint test thread which shows his custom 1975 Matador. I didn't know what kind of car it was, so I asked. He replied and sent a few extra pics to show me the whole car. Fan-dang-tastic build! He took a hideous car (sorry if that offends you Mopar guys, but the Matador is ugly) and built a gorgeous custom. I have a theory about cars...there really is no truely ugly car, just cars that don't have the right wheels, tires, stance and paint. Ok, the 70's yielded some rather atrocious specimens, but most if not all of them could have befitted from wheels, stance and removing the park bench bumpers. After seeing Mike's matador, I was inspired to grab an ugly car and make it outstanding. So I found what I considered to be one of the ugliest cars in my stash. AMT's 1977 Mustang II, which is the ugliest MUSTANG ever produced....ever! (ok the Mach III takes the ugliest mustang ever award, but it was never produced.) What is the most popular mustang ever? here's a hint It's in a film with all the earmarks of a classic Nick Cage film: yelling, explosions, speed, a hot chick, plus a certain Shelby GT500....You know her as Elenore. You've all seen the many renderings of people's takes on her from clones to convertibles to late model look-a-likes, but one I have never seen is the Mustang II. So I started drawing. This is just a sketch which incorperates the side scoops, the Shelby style rear spoiler, molded bumpers, the GT500 styled front end and the trademark Power Bubble on the hood. I added and left out only a few other Elenore characteristics to try and make it flow a little nicer. I never really cared for the little spider eye looking lights that were on the original so I left them out. The GT500 bumper mounted off-road lights had to be there because they're just awesome. The rear is going to be created using Shelby parts from probably the 69 or 70 model, which ever one that was that Monogram made with the chrome insert with the mesh and Shelby letters. Side pipes are either going to be stolen from a viper or fabbed from win and awesome. The wheels were drawn as just a simple 5 spoke design, but looking through the parts box, I found some old wheels from an AMT 64 mustang. I only found 2 so I may be hitting someone up for a kit or just some parts They were obviously not going to work to give it a very tough, modern look, so I grabbed some Pegasus 17" sleeves and re-hooped them. I have a vision of the car sitting on a tube chassis or something like that because the kit is just awful. I haven't even a clue where to begin looking for a chassis to go under this to make it even remotely close to original, so I think since it's a take on a shelby, why not a chassis based on the AC Cobra? I hope you all understand, this will probably never get done, but I really hope it inspires someone else to take on the ugly ducklings and turn them into the swans they deserve to be. Thank you for tuning in. -Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Mike Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Ken I'm glad to have inspired someone with that old Matador, this looks like it's gonna be awesome if it comes out even close to that drawing! I'll check my parts stash and see if I have a set of those rims too, I've got tons of spare rims! And once you start this, it has to be finished! If you can't finish it, I'll take over where you stall out, I wanna see this one completed! Oh, have you considered the Shelby Series 1 for the chassis? It's a beauty, and might actually fit with a little massaging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I hadn't even thought of the Series 1. I have one in the closet. I will have to take a look. I'm sure the engine will need to be moved considerably forward to accommodate the layout of the pinto-stang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Mike Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 If you can make it work, that modern suspension and frame would be perfect! Hell, use the Aurora engine in it if you can, it's a tough engine, otherwise Shelby wouldn't have used it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 (edited) Looking for some reference I found a REAL Elenore II. They called it LIL LNR So now I have some MORE inspiration and something to look at to draw from. I'm pretty motivated. Guess I'm going to have to duplicate some T-Tops too. Edited September 28, 2014 by rsxse240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkypeanutbutter Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I love Mustang IIs. They're so ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. Battista Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 .....When I think of Eleanor... she's the '71 modified Mustang with a '73 grill and custom paint work. From the original movie made in 1974 by HB Halickie. His wife sold rights to Disney... and in 2000 they made the movie with the modified '67 Fastback. The Lil Eleanor looks cool for a Mustang ll.... I'm not a fan of them ... but I think your idea is cool and ..yes crazy.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunkypeanutbutter Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 ^ Agree. Original Eleanor is much more special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blunc Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 minor point...I doubt you'll make the MOPAR guys upset with your opinion of Matador cars, you might piss off some AMC lovers though. This looks like a fun project. I'll be following this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Jon Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Interesting theme project, looking forward to seeing more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotarama Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 a not a matador, but what you can do with a javelin and obviously nothing to do with ealanor or mustangs, just thought i'd put the pics up cos someone mentioned AMC, hope no-one minds too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted September 29, 2014 Author Share Posted September 29, 2014 @ Custom Mike. Thanks for the offer for the wheels, but I happened to have a set in a pre-painted kit that has been in the closet for about 13 years. I really wish I could get an Elenore kit to take parts from like the front bumper, the side skirts and pipes, the hood bulge and wheels, but looks like I'll end up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcrazy19 Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I like where this is going. The concept is cool..I'll be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I like where this is going. The concept is cool..I'll be watching. Me too. Looking forward to some awesomeness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webestang Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 Very cool....! I myself prefer the first film and Eleanor. But I love Mustang II's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Mike Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 (edited) minor point...I doubt you'll make the MOPAR guys upset with your opinion of Matador cars, you might piss off some AMC lovers though. This looks like a fun project. I'll be following this. Mike, technically, you could be ticking off the MOPAR faithful, since they bought AMC, but I don't think they really care about AMC at all. AMC is the sad orphan that no one seems to want around. It's a shame, because they did have some cool cars, the Rebel Machine, SC/Rambler and all of the Javelins and AMXs were as good as anything the Big Three put out at that time, sometimes better! Edited September 30, 2014 by Custom Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZTony8 Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Mark from Australia-your model is an AMX,not a Javelin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am73grand Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 This is an awesome concept!! Looking forward to seeing more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotarama Posted September 30, 2014 Share Posted September 30, 2014 Mark from Australia-your model is an AMX,not a Javelin.the box lied to me !!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkman Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) So I saw the post Custom Mike made in my 57 Fairlane paint test thread which shows his custom 1975 Matador. I didn't know what kind of car it was, so I asked. He replied and sent a few extra pics to show me the whole car. Fan-dang-tastic build! He took a hideous car (sorry if that offends you Mopar guys, but the Matador is ugly) and built a gorgeous custom. [...] After seeing Mike's matador, I was inspired to grab an ugly car and make it outstanding. So I found what I considered to be one of the ugliest cars in my stash. AMT's 1977 Mustang II, which is the ugliest MUSTANG ever produced....ever! (ok the Mach III takes the ugliest mustang ever award, but it was never produced.) Firstly, a Matador is not a Mopar, secondly, I'm not sure whether all Mustang fans would agree with your opinion regarding the Mustang IIs and IIIs, but what you have in mind with that II looks ace! I think you're on to something there and you should proceed with it. Edited October 1, 2014 by Junkman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maindrian Pace Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Looking for some reference I found a REAL Elenore II. They called it LIL LNR Ha! now that's cool, and a lot of work, notice the re-sculptured header panel for deeper grille and headlights, the frenched bumpers, and the early style door handles, among other mods. Lots of time there. -MJS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Well, I made progress, but didn't get any pics yet. The flares for the rear are done. Elenore "power bump" hood mocked up, but still in the "maybe" stages. I'll have a nice write up on how I did the flares. I bet most of you will be amazed at how easy it is. You won't even need any putty to build them! For now I need some sleep and a GT500 front bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruleworld Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 .....When I think of Eleanor... she's the '71 modified Mustang with a '73 grill and custom paint work. From the original movie made in 1974 by HB Halickie. His wife sold rights to Disney... and in 2000 they made the movie with the modified '67 Fastback. --- I'm sure Halicki didn't realise it in 1974 that the shelby's would be the most valuable mustangs (although it would have been fairly obvious, since they were more expensive than stock mustangs). They mention something in the movie that the 73 would be the last mustang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsxse240 Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 But they only had a budget of like $3000 or something like that. Even back in the early to mid 70's a Shelby GT500 cost more than their entire budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IHSS Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 In the Halicki movie they refer to the 73 as the last big Mustang or the last real Mustang. It's been a while since I saw it. I think it was the 2 cops sitting outside the radio station waiting for it to come out. I have the DVD I might pop it in tonight and check it out. By far the best chase scene. Sorry bullit fans but it beats out McQueens chase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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