Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

1977/78 Dodge Monaco


Recommended Posts

I'm starting with the Dukes of Hazzard Rosco police car kit from MPC.

527418629_tp.jpg

Over all not too bad of a kit, plus it comes with all sorts of neat extras.

I won't lie, I bought this kit for all the extras, like the light bar, CB radio, first aid kit, onboard computer, and guns....

But I also like the car.

Never watched Dukes, so I'm not a fan of the show- so I have no qualms using this kit for my own devious intentions.

The way I am going to build this Monaco is basically your run-of-the-mill junker. Different color hood, rusted out body, bad upholstery, old bumper stickers.

This car used to be somebody's everyday beater back in its prime!

I'm building it "stock", none of the add ons from the kit, just the basic car. Once I get some time tomorrow after work, I'll post some progress pics.

Edited by ZombieHunter26
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok, so Here's where the build stands.

I've done all the assembly, now I'm working on the paint job-

The body.

2012050221_42_11-vi.jpg

2012050221_42_44-vi.jpg

2012050221_42_59-vi.jpg

2012050221_43_15-vi.jpg

I primed in ultra flat black, gave a light coat of flat tan, then put a heavy coat of lacquer on. I intentionally did this, let it dry for an hour, then rolled the lacquer coat off of the body completely- leaving rough spots, "dirt spots" and other random details. I then sanded the body lightly to blend those details just a little bit, then laid down a thin sponge coat of citadel colours bestial brown over the resulting black and tan pattern- resulting in a multi-faceted, believably shaded rust pattern.

I let it dry, sponged on some skull white, black washed the details, and then wet a sponge with warm wet water to scrub the white coat down. this allowed for a more 'scaled down' paint wear.

The process is far from over- I still have to rust the hood, mismatch one of the door colors, rust the steelie rims, and rust the chassis in some parts. After that's all said and done, I still have to apply the proper decals and age/wear those down appropriately.

Edited by ZombieHunter26
Link to comment
Share on other sites

the Interior/chassis.

2012050221_44_27-vi.jpg

2012050221_44_50-vi.jpg

2012050221_45_13-vi.jpg

The Interior was given a moderate brushing of solvent/acrylic paint mixture to give the seats that run down, nasty look. a little bit of dry brushing later, and the detail pops out. I dry brushed the chassis and engine with citadel colours mithril silver/shadow gray. Lots of details left to paint, and add. I'm gonna give the interior some debris... magazines, papers, maybe a blanket being used as a seat cover.... I'll have to find a rearview mirror in my parts box to hang something tacky from :P

...til next time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the kind words! That's exactly what I'm going for- a car that's been DRIVEN.... well beyond its manufacturer's expectations. That's seen it all, from at least a few generations of drivers.

Lost some parts, gained some parts, and everything in between- I may end up making a dio for it in the end, named "From the junkyard and back again"... paying a slight homage(if only in the name) to mr. tolkien.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

More progress-

Back seat clutter and dirt has been added. We've got a navy blue woolie blanket covered in soot and rust, with an old wiper blade, brake disc, tow hook, copper plant hanger rod, plant watering bulb, tow chain, old hubcap, and dozens of old napkins, rags, and paper trash items... I think I see an old Champion spark plugs box top in there somewhere too!

The passenger seat has a rough lookin' old Hanes manual and a trunk emblem in it as well.

2012050318_10_05-vi.jpg

2012050318_10_43-vi.jpg

2012050318_11_05-vi.jpg

Still workin' on the body- got the FL license plate, Eelco bumper sticker, southern cross window sticker, hippie racing sticker... and of course a southern cross vanity plate. I might have added a pine tree air freshener in there somewhere....

2012050318_11_33-vi.jpg

2012050318_12_01-vi.jpg

2012050318_12_55-vi.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Darkside Customs

This is looking real nice...errr... I mean junky lol.... Good work... I'm not thrilled with the promo style chassis, but I still wanna get one of these kits....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have the TJ Hooker version of this kit. As well as the Force 440 2dr Police kit.

I still want this version though

Personally though, I wish MPC would have put their G70 or even F70 tires in this kit

instead of the Nascar ones.

The Generic MoPar chassis is not the best, but does fit & have correct wheelbase.

How many kits has this chassis been in lately????

MPC could have done a better job on the Aero Lightbar too. The actual one has seems

Top & Bottom Not straight through the viewing face!!

Tamiya did a beautiful Aerosonic bar. I have 2 of them.

That wreck is definitely looking the part!!

Not something I could do. My hat is off to your skills!

Edited by Edsel-Dan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the compliments guys!

And yes, i do agree that the chassis is pretty generic, but for all intents and purposes, it's serving its purpose :P

I haven't put the light bar together just yet- I'm saving the police car elements for a different build...

As I type this I'm sifting through my decal bag for some more visual interest to lay on the body. I've come to realize that I don't have many dodge-related decals! lol.

More progress as it comes!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know it's weird but I love these cars.

I like the Monaco grill better than the Fury's.

I remember as a kid my Dad had an unmarked 440 77 Fury for his assigned patrol car for several years.

It was my favorite of all of his Po-Po cars.

I actually picked up a 77 Monaco for $500 when I lived in California in 1989.

It was from Universal Studios and was used a alot on the old Simon & Simon show, it was used for the shots in front of the Police Station so every now and then when I find a rerun I get to see my old beasty.

440, no cats, loved it, wish I'd never sold it.

As far as the models go, I did a Monaco version of my Dad's car, a Pro-Street blown hemi version, bunch of others as different Sheriff's Offices, etc.

The frame on those things suck so I normalaly use a frame out of the AMT Road Runner/GTX models, and lengthen the frame slightly so the wheel base is correct.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks sweet! i like it alot! Still have to pick one of these up for my MOPAR collection! Yours gives me a lil different approach to take with it when I pick one up.

I -do- try to think outside the box, when applicable. I've done so many PA/ZH TZH builds this year I thought I'd just switch over to some "normal" beaters to season my creative spark. Thanks for the kind words!

The frame on those things suck so I normalaly use a frame out of the AMT Road Runner/GTX models, and lengthen the frame slightly so the wheel base is correct.

Yeah, the generic chassis kinda threw me off, but it worked for what I did with it. I prefer chassis assemblies where the frame and body are separate and have to be glued together.... but I haven't had many kits like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...