Andrew D the Jolly Roger

Fantastic advice I can definitely use on some of my stuff, thanks! Although for this one, I can get away with a close-approx mix, as the bottom will be road-dusted and mudded. Basically just enough of the color to be peeking out from the underside dust....

Perfect, thanks! Not worried about the top of the engine, as the hood will be "welded" shut for Sheriff Little's car here...that heavily-wired-and-detailed engine bay I did this summer for the General Lee was a one-time deal, believe me!

Great, thanks much! Well, all except my already-done Dodge Monaco which I did in orange....GRRRR....

Gonna create one of these (pic below). Can't seem to get a straight answer on whether to use orange or blue for the engine block. I'm leaning toward blue....?

Dang, but that's nice!!! Especially love the stunning interior!

Dang....I think you absolutely nailed it!!

Wow!! Definite standout even with the colors alone!

You said your first in a decade? Wouldn't know it; very well done! And yes, very authentic color! Brings back childhood memories.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the kind comments for such a cliche subject!

Nice build of one of my all-time favorite cars!!

Wow, that brings back memories!! Really like the work you've done so far. Always love these resto projects! Our family had a '71 4-door for several years; it was our first car with A/C. I don't suppose they make a 4-door model, do they?

Oh, wow, neat one! I remember the short craze of those things...along with "Le Car"....

Thanks! Truth be known, I almost didn't bother with the horn, but boy, am I glad I did....

Oh, by heck that's an impressive build! And authentic; I work in the Spanish barrios of South Tucson and believe me, this one would be much admired there!!

Oh, nicely executed!!

Thank you! Revell 1/25, heavily modified. Needed two kits for the grill since I needed sections without the "Charger" emblem.

Thank you! Completed photos now in a new thread in the Under Glass/Completed Builds forum: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/125697-my-ultimate-general-lee-in-125/

Cliche though it is, I wanted to make this build special. This represents a few years of on-and-off work. And, I have my own philosophy on building a GL which differs from so many other builds I've seen. Though I posted this in the build thread, I think it's appropriate to begin with it here as well: MY G.L. BUILD PHILOSOPHY My main criticism of most GL builds is that they are 'way too immaculate to be an in-use back-roads racing car driven by good-ol-boys on a farm. They always look...well, sterilized comes to mind. Absolutely gorgeous, like they're going for the trophy at a car show, with a car that's never driven except on and off a trailer. Not this one!! -Interior: Agree with many that the darker brown "saddle" color of the earlier series looks better, but a darker interior will hide most great detail. So, cliche though it is, I went with the light tan. HOWEVER I weathered it plenty, with very stained floor carpeting, and some wear on the seats. Scratchbuilt items are a CB radio and a detailed, padded-looking roll bar with tape around the padding. -Engine Bay: Despite most builds painting the engine bay interior orange, indicating a total engine-out restoration, the actual "Hero" Generals had their engine bays hastily painted black around the engine. This would also fit with the storyline of the original color being black. Additionally, I sanded out all the molded on wiring and scratchbuilt the entire engine wiring and detail. When you see these photos you may be shocked. I know I am....not eager to do this again, although it was worth it!! *Also note the scratch built "Dixie Horn" system mounted on the front of the radiator! -Underside: Dark primer gray with orange overspray indicating a home-done paint job. Lots wear and some general rusting, with a ton of dust and dirt oversprayed. So much more involved in this build, but those are some of the basic philosophies I followed on this. IN-PROGRESS/BUILD THREAD: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/125641-my-ultimate-general-lee-build/

Can't beat that kind of color! Nice!

Thanks everyone! Here's the chassis, suspension and exhaust, weathered with wear 'n' tear, and even some rust at appropriate places. Much of it will be covered/disguised by the road dust to be sprayed on last. Once installed, the edges received some orange overspray, indicating a home-done paint job. The wheel hubs are from the old MPC General Lee kit. Chrome removed with bleach, then heavily sanded on the rear until the five openings were actually opened as they should be. Then primed, sprayed flat black, and detailed with aluminum paint. Not chrome. Those bits are shiny, but not quite chrome, with the possible exception of the lug nuts.Tires sanded with fine sandpaper and fine steel wool to remove the shiny vinyl "toy" look. And, even the CB antenna; scratchbuilt styrene base, with a bit of High "E" metal guitar string.

And, you're gonna LOVE this one: totally scratchbuilt Dixie Horn! Not sure if anyone else has done this; if they have, I've never seen it. And here it is installed on the front of the radiator:

Thanks everyone! Next batch here. Soaked all the bumper/grill bits in bleach to remove the chrome. Cleaned up the imperfections on both, and removed the grill from its surround. Used the same passenger-side grill section from another kit to use on the left side since no Charger emblem should be there. Refinished with Alclad II on the bumpers and trim, flat aluminum on the grill tunnels, lots of drybrushing etc on the grill once sprayed flat black, and semigloss on the middle sections where the non-headlight sections are. Scratchbuilt narrow-style push bar.

1/25 Revell

Thanks everyone! Here, the windshield and other window glass has been tinted with future and food coloring: Scratchbuilt Roll Bar has been made to look like it's padded with tape holding on the padding: And, the interior, including Photoetched steering wheel spokes, scratchbult CB radio, heavily stained flocking for carpeting: