Karl LaFong Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 At the recent Philly NNL, I managed to pick up one of my holy grails - an AMT 1966 Falcon. It's rough, but it didn't cost me a mortgage payment. I managed to disassemble it and after a dunk in the purple pond, the body came out ok. But I don't think the rear will buff right out. I'm using the AMT '69 Falcon modified for parts that are too far gone. The chassis was fairly shot, so I combined the '66 rear wheel wells with the '69 chassis, along with Evergreen sheet styrene for filling in the trunk area and Evergreen I beam for a new front axle perch. The axle is from the AMT '55 Chevy, with parts box spring and tie rod. More later! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 Sweet score! Looks like you're off to a great start. I'll be watching. Drive on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I sure would like to see that kit back on the shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledsel Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 1 hour ago, Karl LaFong said: But I don't think the rear will buff right out. Sand it smooth, add a strip of thin styrene, and maybe make a decal from this.... Cool build, I too would like to see this kit again, but we all know it's fate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) I just picked up a '67. I'll be following Keith to see how your's turns out. Edited March 19, 2019 by afx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 NICE find..! I have the 66 or 67 and the 69 factory stock ones..maybe someday ill find what they need and restore them...I like these cars. Keep up the great work on her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I built this kit when it first came out. It was one of the old 3 in 1 AMT's. I also built it using the parts on the box as a Gasser. The original kit had the option of enlarged rear wheel opens including a glue in wheel opening flair. You are lucky in that the original builder didn't open up the rear fenders. The relief on the inside of the body is far bigger than need be and with yours still standard I think it looks much better. The work you have done so far on the body looks great. This might even look good with the famous Ford tear drop hood scoop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 21 hours ago, cobraman said: I sure would like to see that kit back on the shelves. me too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 22 hours ago, Sledsel said: Cool build, I too would like to see this kit again, but we all know it's fate. were the molds destroyed or lost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 25 minutes ago, Scott8950 said: were the molds destroyed or lost? They became the '67, then the '68, then the '69, then the modified stocker dirt tracker, which is what they are today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 bummer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 I'm trying to emulate the look of the box art on the original kit (and props to whoever loaded this online). I won't be able to duplicate it, but I always thought it was a cool look. Tires are the plastic ones from an AMT AWB funny car. They were painted Tamiya NATO Black; the paint was scrapped off the "Goodyear" lettering to reveal the white plastic (an old '60's modeling trick). Rear wheels are from the '66 Falcon, stripped of chrome, painted Testor's Magnesium, with chrome accents via a Molotow pen (which doesn't show up well in the pictures). Because I was going for the look of the original box art, the rear wheel openings were radiused. The front wheels are from the AMT Falcon AWB kit (I think). I'm using the front grill/bumper from the '69 Falcon Modified, 'cause I have one and I don't want to shell out more buck$ for a '66 grill... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 4 minutes ago, Karl LaFong said: I'm trying to emulate the look of the box art on the original kit (and props to whoever loaded this online). I won't be able to duplicate it, but I always thought it was a cool look. Tires are the plastic ones from an AMT AWB funny car. They were painted Tamiya NATO Black; the paint was scrapped off the "Goodyear" lettering to reveal the white plastic (an old '60's modeling trick). Rear wheels are from the '66 Falcon, stripped of chrome, painted Testor's Magnesium, with chrome accents via a Molotow pen (which doesn't show up well in the pictures). Because I was going for the look of the original box art, the rear wheel openings were radiused. The front wheels are from the AMT Falcon AWB kit (I think). I'm using the front grill/bumper from the '69 Falcon Modified, 'cause I have one and I don't want to shell out more buck$ for a '66 grill... that falcon is absolutely gorgeous!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 19 hours ago, Karl LaFong said: I'm trying to emulate the look of the box art on the original kit (and props to whoever loaded this online). I won't be able to duplicate it, but I always thought it was a cool look. Can you make decals? I have an unbuilt NIB kit and IF I can get my stupid scanner to work, I could scan the decals for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 You have done wonders restoring this. The front ride height seems a little high, but that all depends on what you're looking for there. The paint shouldn't be hard to replicate with only the decals being an issue. There are plenty of generic decal options out there if it doesn't have to be 100% like the box image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 1 hour ago, Snake45 said: Can you make decals? I have an unbuilt NIB kit and IF I can get my stupid scanner to work, I could scan the decals for you. Richard, that is a VERY generous offer, but I have some other ideas, decal-wise. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted March 20, 2019 Author Share Posted March 20, 2019 1 hour ago, espo said: You have done wonders restoring this. The front ride height seems a little high, but that all depends on what you're looking for there. The paint shouldn't be hard to replicate with only the decals being an issue. There are plenty of generic decal options out there if it doesn't have to be 100% like the box image. Yeah, it's high, but the kit front ride height is even higher. My impression of the original ride height was "What were they thinking?!?" The paint is going to be Testor's Pure Gold, without any white two-toning (like the box art). Thanks for the kudos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 i think it looks good sitting like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geemoney Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 im REALLY envious of the CRISP-lined body!!! I have the modified stocker body...... somewhere........ go go go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted March 22, 2019 Author Share Posted March 22, 2019 The engine was too far gone, so I grabbed one off of Ebay. It hasn't been shipped yet, so this may take some time. Meanwhile, I completed the interior. Because of glue and glue rash, I had considered buying a new one, but with plenty of sanding and putty, I got it to a presentable state (i.e. looks good from 3 feet away). The buckets are from the Revell Bantam parts pack, the steering wheel is from the AMT '37 Chevy, the instrument cluster is from the AMT '57 T-bird, and the shifter and gas pedal are from the AMT '33 Willys. I found a roll bar in the parts box that fit and added some Evergreen rod for the rear support. Gauge decals are Slixx and AMT '34 Ford truck. Colors are Tamiya Titanium Gold over Gold and semi-gloss black. It still needs a parachute release handle. Next step, body work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 its coming along nicely.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Posted March 27, 2019 Share Posted March 27, 2019 Sweet, I love those old Falcons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Got some body work done. The radiator support was more glue than plastic, so I fabricated one out of Evergreen sheet and channel stock. I'll be using the radiator/gas tank from the Ohio George 33 Willys, hence the gap in the support. I removed the windshield wipers, windshield washer bag, and all scripts (hey, it is a dragster) and filled the various holes with glazing putty. The engine arrived. So far it's been painted Tamiya Brilliant Blue, with Testor's Metalizer aluminum for the tranny. I'll be using the weber carb setup with the blower; the carb manifold was painted aluminum, the blower is Testor's magnesium. I don't know what was in the Michigan water in the 60's, but AMT had some pretty wild induction systems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott8950 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) man you got it coming along nicely. the engine looks good. can't wait to see this finished. Edited March 29, 2019 by Scott8950 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl LaFong Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 I finally completed the engine - basically straight out of the box (though it's the 1968 engine, not a '66). The pump/distributer is from the AMT 1953 Studebaker, with a Replicas and Miniatures distributer cap. Fuel line fittings were simulated with gold crimp tubes. I hope to get it up on all 4 wheels tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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