Marc @ MPC Motorsports

Similar but the ones in the Willys are taller and narrower. I'll post comparison pics later in the weekend.

These tires are not the same as the ones that come in the AMT Super Bee pro street kit. They are nearly as wide but much shorter. They scale out at 28-29" tall. Sorry Bruno. I edited the original post to include the link.

First think I thought of when I saw the article in the April '10 Scale Auto on Clay Kemp's dirt track push truck was the tires. With American Satco out of business, the Mickey Thompson tires that Clay Kemp used are almost impossible to find. Well, I happened to have a set in my collection and I contacted Al Raab of Ma's Resin to see if he would be interested in casting them. He was and he did. Here's a pic of the tires I received yesterday. They are some of the nicest castings I've ever seen and I cannot tell them from the originals. The rubber Al uses is nothing like the Micro-Mark TCR-40 tire casting rubber I've used in the past. This stuff is truly like rubber! Click on the link below to see Ma's Resin Fotki site. These tires aren't posted yet but you can email Al at cnaind@ptd.net for info. Great job, Al! Ma's Resin Fotki

Old kits??? Most of my collection consists of vintage kits, builders, resin copies of vintage kits. I have one large tub and two smaller tubs of bagged builders and another shelf full of resin kits and boxed builders. The first four pics you can't see everything as the kits are two deep on the shelves. Enjoy!!!

Chrome Tech does chrome plating on 1:1 plastic parts too.

Nick, If it is the Missing Link hood, the description says "It came from the Revell kit, it maybe a tiny bit long for the AMT/MPC kits but it should fit otherwise! Make a 77-81 Pontiac Firebird Formula!" Is this the hood you found? Missing Link resin 1977-81 Firebird Formula hood Here's the kit that this hood comes from. You can clearly see that it is 1:25 scale.

Actually, the hood came from a 1:25 scale Revell 1979-81 Firebird convertible snap kit that has NOTHING in common with the Revell Monogram 1:24 scale kits. With MINOR trimming or filing, it fits the MPC Firebirds. It will not fit the Revell Monogram 1:24 scale Firbird kits. In fact, I mastered the Formula hood that Reliable Resin sells and it fits the 1977-81 MPC Firebird annuals perfectly. It does need narrowed slightly to fit the recent issues of the Smokey and the Bandit Firebirds. The hood as it comes from Missing Link is "square" in the front. The front of the hoods in the MPC Firebird annuals angles slightly from the center to the ends. It is an easy to modify hood to fit the MPC Firebirds. Nick, later in the week when I am where I can take some pictures of the Missing Link hood on an MPC Firebird, I would be happy to post them here. I am probably as big of a Second Gen Firebird nut as you are, as well as Gen 2 Camaros and love talking about them. I also like sharing my knowledge on the AMT and MPC kits of the same.

Not trying to start an arguement, but I strongly belive that all 1977-1981 Pontiac Firebird hoods are interchangable between the years. I was in high school and college back when these cars were new and had many friends that drove them. I came THIS close to buying a brand new 1979 Formula in the fall of 1978. All 1970-76 hoods interchange, but the 1976 Formula hood was a one-year only item. Here's more information from www.tachrev.com regarding the Formula Firebird. "Pontiac produced the Formula model from 1970 through 1981 and again from 1987 through the present. The Formula has always been available with the Trans Am hardware as optional equipment, though with a different, but aggressive look of its own. From 1970 through 1975 the Formula package included a fiberglass hood with two long scoops extending toward the nose. In 1976 the scoops were scaled back in a one year only design. Also for ‘76, an optional Formula appearance package became available with a contrasting paint scheme. This package was offered as an option through 1981. In 1977 the scooped hood was again redesigned to a more subtle look which was also carried through 1981." Therefore, the Missing Link and Reliable Resin 1977-81 Formula hood IS correct.

Are you thinking about the 1976 Formula hood, Nick? Reliable Resin and Missing Link Resin both offer the one-year only 1976 hood and the 1977-81 hood.

Missing Link Resin Casters also does the '77-81 Formula hood. I'm not sure if Keith Mark's Formula Firbird decals are correct for a '77-78. I believe they are listed as 1975-76. Any Firebird experts out there that can confirm?

No, it is a primer "sealer". You apply it over primer. I would take it back to Advance and exchange it for sandable primer.

Are you looking for a "stock height" cowl hood? Almost all aftermarket resin cowl induction hoods are taller than stock. If "stock" is what you are looking for, making your own is your best bet. Trash your hood and I bet someone here has one or two in the parts box to trade.

Probably because a spoon, a muffler, or any other broad smooth surface is easy. Anything else is probably a challenge and the results are less than steller. I wish Mr. Simonr would post some pics of some parts other than a spoon that he has rubbed with the "magic chrome powder". That will be the real test. How about a bumper, a valve cover, a wheel?

I looked on the Resin Realm site at Star Models R&R kit listing. They have a 1967 four door sedan but no 1968.

IMHO, this stuff may be great for certain application and not so good for others. I use Alclad on occasion as well as Spaz Stix chrome, but for bumpers and large parts like them, vacuum plating is still the best solution. If you take the time to prep and rack some parts, it is not that costly and you know what the results are. I would love to try this Kosutte Gin San, but unless one of the "mainstream" Asian hobby sources like HLJ or HW Japan carry it, I'm not likely to get it anytime soon. I am waiting on Simon and others to try it on something other than a spoon. Then, I'll pass judgement on just how good it is.

Yes, but those parts will not work with this body, since it is mastered from the 1969 El Camino annual. The new tool 1968 is closer to 1:24 scale in some respects. The body is wider and a hair longer, which renders the bumpers useless. The 1969 body is made for the promo style chassis plate. Not worth the hassle.

That is why I suggested the full JF kit that includes the chassis plate and interior tub. Many modelers don't have the skill set to make these type of conversions. Good luck with your project. Do you have an AMT 1971 Chevelle body to make the conversion or a Dencon resin 1971 Chevelle transkit? These would be required to build you 1971 El Camino.

Prime and paint that sucker as you would any model and you should be just fine.

+1 Did they come with tires?

Mike, I'm not trying to hijack your thread but here'a a pic of my AMT Talladega. I haven't touched it in probably six years. I molded in the front clip and added an airdam from a Revell Acura Integra kit. The wheels shown here are the ones I used on my 1966 Cyclone. I've had the bumpers rechromed by Chrome Tech USA. It's a real PITA to get the front clip to fit properly. Lots of sanding and filing needed. I have a 427 SOHC ready to drop in this one too. Thanks for posting yours as I really need to finish this one!!! Another 'dega project that I plan to do someday is a phantom coupe based on Motor City Resin's '69 Torino coupe body with the 'dega nose job.

MPC Motorsports approved!!! I started an AMT Talladega years ago that I need to get back to. Perhaps this will give me the inspiration to bring it back to the bench.

Good find with extreme tire melt!!! Get you an AMT 1976 Caprice kit and use parts from it to restore yours. Probably the interior tub and part of the front fender. You have to remove all traces of the melted styrene or the plasticizors from the tires will continue to wreak havoc. Good luck and have fun!!!

Phil, The Elco has a longer wheelbase than the Chevelle. Unless you have two Chevelle chassis to operate with, get the full JF resin kit with the resin chassis. Here's a comparison of the two chassis. Look closely in the front part of the chassis to see where AMT added the length for the El Camino. The resin chassis is a resin copy of AMT's 1969 El Camino chassis. A rare kit indeed!

Jimmy Flintstone 1972 El Camino kit on ebay. Phil, Click on the above link to purchase one. It will take a little work to get it ready for paint, but it is the only game in town. I started one a few years ago that I need to finish someday. You can use the front bumper from the 1972 Chevelle and if you want a chrome rear bumper, Alclad the resin part or get a 1969 El Camino rear bumper and taillights from Modelhaus. Marc

I had a couple of hours to myself Friday evening and I was feeling good, so I found the workbench and did some BMF work on the Mustang. I still lack the door handles and the passenger side door and window trim. Here's how it looks today. I keep plugging away an hour of so here and there when I feel like it. I've been so busy with work that I've been too tired to do much. Enjoy!!!