smellyfatdude

Thanks all, I'm glad you like it. I just had to add one more detail, so I carefully drilled a hole and added a parts box aerial.

This isn't the first model I ever built, 'cause that one was a gift. But it's the first kit I ever bought for myself, the AMT ' 57 Bird Modern Classics issue. You've done an outstanding job on this example, in a not often seen color.

Thanks again, everyone. Here's one more angle, again with that pesky grill peeping out. Lesson; don't ever go to bed and leave those modeling gremlins unattended.

Thanks for the feedback, it's appreciated. This kit was indeed a bit of a challenge, and I actually had to use voluminous amounts of adhesive (superglue and five minute epoxy) just to get that stupid grill to set in place. Even so, as it dried it managed to push itself out a little bit. All while I slept, of course. Oh well, it's done and that's what counts. Thanks to those who followed the wip thread, and yes, I really love that color on the car!

The build thread is here: Finally 100% done with this, and now it's ready to go in to the brand new display case I've had kicking around here all year. The one that's been waiting to have something in it. First build of 2018, this is. Can't say I'm a fan of these newer Moebius kits, but then I got spoiled doing the Hudson Hornets and Chrysler 300's. Still, I did the best I could with it. It was kind of a write off, weather wise for painting outdoors, this year. But if I bought only one model, and build only one model this year, I guess I've still broke even for the year, he. If you look close, you'll notice there's no Pontiac script on the grill. This is actually the grill/bumper from the ' 61 Ventura kit, and I couldn't begin to tell you why the script is missing. By the time I noticed, I had it all done, and since the paint job and the tires already make it look like a day two car . . . . well, we'll just say this a repaint after some accident damage, with a slight goof on the part of the body shop. We can make up any kind of stories we want, to go with our little toy cars, right?

Thanks, fellas. I still have to touch up some of the paint along the bottom, and try to wrestle the decals for the Pontiac emblems on the front and back, but other than that, it’s certainly nice to be done with it. Now, I can resume working on this, a ‘57 Bel Air fuelie convertible that’s been hanging around here way too long. Might get my usual two builds done this year, after all. 😉

It’s all done. First day of fall here, and of course we’re getting a nice rain/snow mixture. I’ll take some shots outside, once the weather smartens up. 🤨

Thanks folks. No hassles with the interior in. Gotta love it when the parts actually fit, a little massaging notwithstanding. And the glass fit looks okay. From here, anyway.

Thanks. Don't know about showstopper. . . . I think I'll settle for "looks nice". Got the engine bay and interior, all wrapped up. Strictly out of box, but there's nice detail in this kit, including the dash decals. For those curious about such things, those seats are epoxied in. Nothing more disconcerting than to be sliding the chassis in to the body during final assembly, get it just about there and be treated to the sound of one of the seats popping loose. Don't ask me how I know that, but that's what I do about it. Got some fresh foil here, so I guess that, and another test fit are coming up.

Thanks again, everyone. I did another test fit, after I finished detailing the firewall, and everything still lines up just as sweet as before. Hopefully the interior doesn't give me any grief, once it's in place. Also, got the grill washed. Time to pull it apart, finish off the engine bay, and get busy on the interior.

Thanks all for your interest in the Catalina. I added the foil to the hood, and stuck the pan in to the grill/bumper. You still see a slight gap in the picture, but when it's pressed firmly to where it's going to sit, everything lines up beautifully. The back edge of the hood, the trim, the gap between the pan and the hood are all a perfect fit. My goal now is to get that firewall done, then finish the interior. Going to have to hit the lhs tomorrow, for a few supplies. Yes, I will get this one done.

Lots of trimming there already, too. It looks slightly off in the photos, but when I press the grill firmly in place, it sinks in all the way. So, during installation I plan to press firmly, along with some superglue.

Duplicolor Bright Calypso and Bright Aqua metallic, and Rustoleum ocean mist. Here's the reference pic I spoke of.

Lots of test fitting with the glass, already. And more to come once everything's foiled. But I think I've got everything sanded and shaped for a good enough fit. Next will be detail the firewall and interior, then I'll start on the body.

Well, I probably shouldn't be starting any wip's, but I am commited to finishing this. Just 'cause I went out and bought this kit, simply to use the paint I found at Wal-Nuts. This is the only model I've purchased this year, and it was on the condition I get it done. Krylon satin Bright White over Rustoleum satin Seaside, and cleared with Tamiya TS-13. No factory color match, but I just knew when I saw this paint on the shelf that it belonged on this car. I was right. This is just a test fit to check the stance, and without the interior and firewall it's a perfect fit if you ask me. I removed the back bumper from the fin caps, so there'll be a natural looking seperation there, like on a 1:1. Also took off the mold lines on the front bumper, and used ultra bright bmf to recover the sides. I googled for pics of a factory stock interior, and managed to replicate it with a couple of Duplicolor and Rustoleum paints I already had in my stash. And as you can see, just your ordinary out-of-box Pontiac twin four under the hood. The full wheel covers and Firestone tires are from a ' 61 Bonneville kit.