customline

Hello long-roof lovers! This long-roof is finally on its way to completion after a long furlough. You may recall I expressed my opinion that the Dodge Magnum should have been available as a two door. After removing the unwanted doors I got a little frisky and added some side trim to break up the slab-like sheet metal. And then I played around with a different grille treatment, which may or may not been a good idea (you decide.) Well, I got it painted, using Testor's Extreme lacquer followed by some clear gloss enamel, both from the can, and polished it out and here's a quick mock-up. Thanks for tuning in! ? Now I gotta slap some BMF on it and figure out how to put it together

I, personally, would not use the white glue thing based on a video I watched. I think the salt method works quite well. The salt is just acting as a making device. And you can do it over and over till you are happy with it. Layering different colors and using real rust (Sophisticated Finishes) gets you a pretty convincing patina. This is real fun, James. These attempts of mine below are not the greatest but I was experimenting. OK, they're a bit over the top but your first one is an experiment and a learning experience. Watch some videos! Have fun with it!

....cake! ?..... a nap.....yes ? ....thank you!...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....

I kinda like the "I just escaped from the crusher" look. The car looks solid enough so you don't need to do a lot of dremel work on the inside of the bottom sheet metal. But that's a lot of fun, though ?. Not much foiling either. That's a plus ?. The "thousand mile stare" is a nice touch.

Oooo....I gotta get my sorry back-side to Ollie's ? I built one of these Monogram kits and it's not the greatest but it's worth the price at the very least. "My" Ollie's had the '57 Nomad kits a couple of months ago so I grabbed one. That one has the fuelly small block. It's gonna make a nice El Nomado. ?. If you're going "patina", get a few different colors of primer down first. Just sanding through different colors makes a nice effect. I've never tried white glue, but I've used salt. Will there be rust ?? This can be great fun. Your engine looks nice,, Jim...could be a 265?

Thanks, Greg. It was more fun than I can handle ?. Yeah, Wifey usually gets her way. The chrome, except for the gravel shields and rocker moldings, is "New Improved" variety and quite old and it handled very well and I don't have much left. I used the "aluminum" variety on the rockers and gravel shields. I got the 2 door MAGNUM painted yesterday and the '58 Belvedere was painted again last week too. Neither will get attention until the '41 Plymouth is wrapped up. Then the two T'Birds, the '65 Impala, the '56 Del Rey, Boss 302, 300 B, ......I dunno, Len.....I'd love to start on the full custom fleetline.....or......or maybe....naaah.... Thanks, Kit! But I dunno, Kit, most of these guys are a heck of a lot better at it than I am. But I appreciate the kind words ?

Interior looks terrific, John. I'm a total sucker for a white interior anyway and yours looks great.

Done and done. Funny thing, though. Wifey indicated her preference for the gray rims, so that's how I'm gonna roll ? ( this is how you stay married for 39 years ? ) As you may recall the thing I wanted to correct was not only the shape of the windshield and the backlight but getting the "glass" out where it looks more like it should. I think I was able to get a long way toward that end with this build thanks for sticking with me on this and I appreciate everything y'all contributed, especially rsschris for providing the grille. Thanks again, Chris! I plan to do some sanding or filing on those outer wheels to get them in closer to the tires and the battery needs to be dealt with but basically, I'm happy with it. The weather here has been PERFECT!. I was able to get some painting done on other projects. See you soon!

Nap time is my new favorite time these days. I didn't appreciate it when I was a 4 yr. old. I sure do now ?.

Sorry, Greg, I lost track of where we were ? . Old men get confused easily ?

Oh, if only I could. I don't even have pictures of that car. I think my ex-wife destroyed them.

I don't think that was the case, Len. I took the grille trim off a 4 doorparts car that I bought for $25.00. It was an original car. Pretty sure there weren't any aftermarket stuff for a 33 year old Plymouth at that time. I doubt if there's much out there now.

You can certainly be proud of this baby 'Bird, Greg. All the elements blend perfectly. Very impressive ?

Foiling looks terrific, John. That's what I've been doing all day on a light gray body. I know exactly what you're talking about. It's hard to photograph when there's very little contrast. But I can see it fine and, when zoomed in, I can tell it's top shelf. I'm a pretty decent foiler myself, I actually enjoy it. Not everyone does. It's painting I hate. ?. BTW, that paint looks super slick too.

OUTSTANDING! Congrats, Greg! Edit: And it's the concept. The way the wheels and the interior and choice of color works.... the whole deal. Awesome ?!

It looks pretty smooth, Dave. Is it from the can or airbrush?

I found yet another difficulty designed into this kit- the hood ornament. You must not paint your hood until you have made peace with your hood ornament. I had not. Neither the hood nor the ornament have any form of locating devices. In fact, the hood seems to be made without any interest in an ornament whatsoever. I decided to pin it, not an easy thing for my arthritis-plagued fingers. It would have been a snap before paint. Too late now. I only mucked up the finished hood in two places. No biggie. Thanks for not giggling.

Is that a '58 hood I see?

I'm sure it must be dead by now, Bob. Maybe it's time to breathe new life into it. (see what I did there?) Find out what parts are missing. Help is just one post away ?. My kit was an Ebay find and showed up here without a grille. I reached out and a kind member laid one on me. Maybe it's time, Bob. ?

If you plan to build this kit, there's a couple of things to check before you paint in addition to what has been discussed already. The tail lights are a poor fit so do whatever with that. Also the bumpers mount to the splash pans on locating pins that may be too long, (not a big deal.) The hood is not a good fit and I wish I had paid more attention to it early on. I don't think the grille is a great fit either but it's probably okay unless you are a hard-core perfectionist (which I am but I'm also kind of lazy). I swapped the wheels and would appreciate any comments about the color. See below. Oh, and check the rear bumper ?

It's a jewel, Paul. Totally amazing.

OK, let's get the chrome on it awreddy! Beautiful work, Greg. ?

Yup. I like 'em too. But the idea of the build was a more accurate model. Let's wait till we can see it with the gray rims. Thanks for your interest, Rich. Thanks, Dennis. I was a bit worried about sanding through with the 2000 that I used. If that happened, it was going "barn find" ?. Below the Tamiya was a very dark gray primer. It could have worked out ?. maybe next time. Thanks Paul! Happy to help! ?

OK, so.....this is a phantom? From what I can tell, Ford didn't make a convertible T'Bird that year....what a great idea ?

Yeah, the contrast is nice but after all the extra work....I'm undecided. The Deluxe angle that you mention makes a good argument for the body color rims. By the way, Dave, it's not white, but light gray Tamiya fine surface primer with clear over it and I just finished polishing it and I'm ecsatic ?!