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Restoring/customizing a Hot Wheels for the fun of it


ismaelg

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Hello,

It's been about 6 years and counting since I last worked on a model car. I'm not back yet, but in the meantime, I started fooling around with this about a year ago.
But first some history behind it: As many others, I grew up playing with Hot Wheels. I'm not ashamed to admit that to this day, I still buy them as I have been for almost 40 years :)
Back in December 1979, while in fourth grade, we had a Christmas secret friend gift exchange at school: The teacher had our names in a bag and you pulled one. You had to buy a gift for that person but it was a surprise until the last day. I think there was a budget cap of $3 or so.... Anyway, I received 2 Hot Wheels that for some reason became my all time favorites to this day: a Tricar X8 and a Jet Threat II. I played with them a lot. After wearing them down, they were painted (more than once) with brushed nail polish among other abusive things. I still have them both and they are part of my history!
When eBay came along in the late 90's, it became a source of older Hot Wheels. Long story made short I now have dozens of Jet Threats and Tricars among many others.
Last year I found this little puppy on eBay. It was almost left for dead so I had to rescue it. It has seen better days so I thought, why not taking it apart and rebuild it?

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Took it apart and seems it did a lot of off road in the past. The raw metal turbine and chassis were a bit pitted.

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The body was stripped. The chassis and the turbine are in the process of polishing. They are not getting back to mint condition, but I'll try to get them as good as I can.

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The body was sanded smooth and primer was applied. Then sanded again and applied more primer and re-sanded until the body was as smooth as it could. Keep in mind this is 1/64.....

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Took a year between disassembly and primer.....

Stay tuned as a color scheme has been planned and is in the process. will post more as it progresses.....

Thanks!

Edited by ismaelg
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A base coat of Corvette Arctic white lacquer was applied. After dry, careful masking was done with Tamiya tape and Corvette Admiral blue lacquer was airbrushed.

Yes my friends, this will be GRAND SPORT JET THREAT II :)

The raw metal engine and chassis were polished and polished and polished...... and polished......

and I continue to polish them.......

Red hash marks and ultra thin white stripes will be attempted with decals. That is next.....

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Thanks!

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It is FINISHED!

First workbench activity in 6 years!!! WOOHOO!!!

Presenting the Jet Threat II Grand Sport

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Couldn't help it and scratchbuilt a card stock parachute for it....

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What do you think?

Edited by ismaelg
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