Kmb0319 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Well, this was a P-R-O-J-E-C-T. I was talking cars with one of my best friends in the summer of 2016, when he told me his favorite car of all time was the 70-72 GTO. I knew there was a model of one, but I was also aware that it is easily in the debate about the worst model ever made. Still, I went and bought it and figured I’d take some time and try to make something out of this hunk of junk. Since this kit lacks any detail, I also bought the AMT 69 Hurst Olds to get a better chassis/suspension. Let’s just say that wasn’t enough... in the end, there are parts from at least 7 other kits in this thing, plus aftermarket stuff.... hence the name. I did have some grand plans initially to get more detail parts than I did, but I didn’t want to have $150 invested in one build. As this kit is severely lacking, each part of the build was its own project: Chassis- I used the chassis from the the Hurst Olds, exhaust tips from the AMT 69 Chevelle, 2-piece Pontiac rally wheels from Model Roundup and BF Goodrich tires from Fireball Modelworks. Interior- I did a lot here that I won’t post photos of on this thread, but I have a large WIP if you want to look it up. I originally planned to purchase some photo-etched window cranks and other pieces, but in interest of costs, just detailed the faintly scribed trim As best as I could. I found some good decals for the gauge faces, found a better looking shifter, tried making a headliner out of a dried baby wipe, made a turn signal stalk out of a shirt pin, flocked the carpet, and cut small pieces of screen to make speaker covers and the center dash vent. It’s not perfect by any means, but certainly is a more realistic representation: Engine: Well, this took a LOT of work. From the box art, this is what under the hood looks like: This is a photo of what an actual engine from a 72 GTO looks like: Just a little different... ? I started by taking some advice from my WIP readers and bought the Revell Pontiac 421 engine. That didn’t give me much more than a block. Valve covers came from the 69 Chevelle kit, belts from another kit, heater box and a/c from the Revell 65 Impala. I raided my parts box, cut lots of hose and wire, and even sawed the front radiator shroud out of the 69 Cutlass body. I got a little closer to the proper look: Then, all I needed was my decals to arrive: Body- And here lies the biggest problem with this kit... the rear bumper that’s far too wide for the body. I was too afraid to cut the bumper, and wasn’t confident I could get it straight if I did. I thought about trying to insert some sheet styrene to widen the trunk, but decided to go a simpler if less convincing way. I cut both sides of the trunk and spread the rear fenders to better reach the ends of the bumper. The gaps are way too large, but it will have to suffice. The paint is Testors Fiery Orange with Mr. Hobby clear. Unfortunately, I had a really flawless finish until I was trying to get the bumper on, when some Krazy Glue ran through the large trunk cracks and settled into the paint. Outside of that, the antenna and rear view mirrors are from the parts box, and I got the Judge decals from Keith Marks. I wasn’t working on this continually, as it sat for long periods waiting until I could purchase the next pile of stuff I needed to make this thing worthwhile. It was a fun project, but one I’m glad to have finished. I’m putting it in a case and taking it to my buddy. I think he will like it, so that’s all that matters. There are a few things I wish had come out better, but a lot of work and extra detail, including a few things I had never tried before went into this, so it was a good learning experience. All in all, not too bad for a really bad kit. Hope you like it and thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o-man Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Looks pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hmann68 Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Macleod Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I would be proud to display this one at my house. You have done a fabulous job with this one. A round of applause for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevetbird Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Very nice,good work on the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 Nice clean model. I really like that colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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.