Duel movie Plymouth Valiant

[dragmodels44]

Hey Guys, I wanted to share a new project that I’m starting. I’ve collected most of what I need to start. This is really a continuation of what I started when I did the evil truck from the movie “ Duel “ starring Dennis Weaver, who drove the red Valiant as he was chased by the truck. From what I’ve learned they were several Valiants used. One of which having the 318 V8, but the one he is supposed to be using is the slant 6 Valiant, explaining why its such a pooch. There’s a scene where he’s at the gas station and the attendant is checking under the hood and tells him his radiator hose is bad. I cant recall if they show the engine, but I don’t think so.  I know this one’s been done before, but I just felt I needed it to complete the movie set. Plus, I saw it as another challenge to make a 4dr from the 2dr kits. 

At least I got the plate! Here’s some pics from the starting point. The Dodge 330 will provide the drivetrain. My plan is to use the front clip from the 71 340 and mate that to the 68 Dart. Here’s a pic of the truck. 

  

Edited January 6, 2019 by dragmodels44
Misspelling

[NYLIBUD]

Great movie.A cult classic if you ask me.Duel was Spielberg's very first movie..I'll definitely be watching this build. Love the truck too.

[Slotto]

Great movie. Cant wait to see your build

[dragmodels44]

Thanks!. I’ve got so many builds started, but this one I want to get done first! It’s the initial start getting that body going. But...one step at a time.

[dragmodels44]

Well, here’s the first steps of progress... The clips are separated and the 340 F/E is up against the 68 Dart body. I did some pencil markings... Not to bad

[NYLIBUD]

Looking good.To me,It kind of looks like the car in the movie was always a Hemi Orange.

[Tom Geiger]

There was someone on this board that was pretty far along in the Valiant conversion.  Someone should be able to pull up that thread.

Also, there is an Australian resin caster that has done an Aussie Valiant 4 door sedan. 

 

[Oldcarfan27]

Here's some side profile and rear shots for the window backlight area. I've wanted to make this same car, but these areas seem very daunting to me.

Hope they help you with proportions. Best of luck.

BTW - I read that the height of the sedan roof is taller and more vertical than the 2 dr hardtop.

Also note that the rear backlight has a complex, compound and concave shape to it.

 

Edited January 7, 2019 by Oldcarfan27

[MyBradKeselowski]

They used 2 Plymouth Valiant's in the movie one had the slant 6 and the other one had the 318.   The gas station scene with the attendant does not show the engine when he opens the hood, but the actual Valiant that Dennis Weaver drove was with a slant 6.  But there is one scene where they show the dash and it has factory A/C so I'm guessing in this scene they used the Valiant with the 318.

 

[dragmodels44]

Thanks for the pics! They will help out a lot. I wish I could’ve found a resin of it, but I’ll give it a shot. I can see I’ve got a lot of work to do on it! The hubcaps are going to be a project in themselves! At first, I thought it was red, but the pics do look like Hemi Orange now. I’m not sure how to scribe the rear doors...in the plastic or put a skin coat of bondo and scribe that? Thanks for the help, it’s greatly appreciated.

[1972coronet]

The Valiants (yes , plural) used in the movie were FE5 red .

[MrObsessive]

Just a thought, but with the '64 Dodge kit you have there, its roofline will get you part of the way. The rear window will be tricky. That might need to be vacuformed if you want the shape to be close.

And yes, the sedan's roofline was about a ½" -1 " taller than the hardtops.

BTW, here's the thread where someone was doing a Valiant conversion. He was doing pretty much the same thing you're doing now.

 

[MrObsessive]

I just ran across the thread where he focused on the Valiant solely....................

 

[dragmodels44]

Thanks for all the additional info! I made a little progress today in that I sanded the vinyl top and the top moldings off. More to come...

[Superbird McMonte]

 Looks good so far. Just double check the trailing edge of the front door. I think it should be curved opposite the way you pencilled it on.

Edited January 7, 2019 by Superbird McMonte

[dragmodels44]

You’re absolutely right, thanks! I’m thinking about what Bill said bout using the roof from the Dodge 330...

[dragmodels44]

I started reshaping the rear wheelwells and I cut the roof off of the 330. This is definitely a project! Again, thanks for all the help & info. Any comments welcome!

[dragmodels44]

Well, I made a little more progress. I opened up the area for the rear windows and removed material from the back of the roof. I then flattened out the area at the bottom of the roof by the trunk and made a filler piece. I’m not unhappy but I keep thinking the height of the roof is not tall enough for a sedan... anyway here’s more pics. Thanks for looking!

[dragmodels44]

Here’s the filler panel in and smoothed in with glaring putty. I also filled in the gap by the top of the doors. I feel like its starting to look better. Thanks for looking.

[dragmodels44]

Here’s an after shot of the roofline opened up. It looks better I think. I wanted to try this before completely separating the roof.

[Sledsel]

I think you are going in the right direction. Love it

[dragmodels44]

Thanks! I trying to avoid removing the top!

[dragmodels44]

Here’s some updates on the body and a test coat of the color.

[ATHU]

Cool project, always liked that movie. Keep up the great work!!

[dragmodels44]

Well, I’ve been working on this all weekend. Here’s the update on the bodywork for today. It’s progressing along well, there’s still a lot of sanding to do, but so far I’m happy with it. Just wanted to share a pic. Thanks!