GoodbuildNY

Agreed the headers in the tbolt kit look woefully undersized. These pics are a big help. I’m still trying to find decent ( or any at this point) front suspension pics on the internet. I’ve got a pretty good old magazine library that I still need to search through but if anyone knows of a specific mag let me know. I noticed the last pic the car is running in B/FX , is it possible the car was run with a small block at one point?

This topic just keeps getting more interesting. It’s one of the reasons I love modeling is the research and learning history of these cars. Thank you guys for the input it’s been an eye opener. I think I’m going to hold off on the front suspension build until I see where this conversation ends up.

I’m right there with you on the memory thing. I’m glad you’ve chimed in here because I’m learning alot about these cars. If I were to go the proper route with the front suspension what do you think would be the best source for parts? By chance do you have any pics of the quarter elip setup? I’d love to get the ride height up in the front and that setup might do it.

I just read the order sheet more thoroughly that Ragtop posted above and wow ! Quite the modification to front suspension… no coil springs or shock towers, 2 quarter elliptical springs instead , fabbed upper and lower arms and so on. I’m now deciding how deep I want to go down the rabbit hole with this build.

Before I saw your post I was on the Slixx website again and noticed the Butch Leal Tbolt set and ordered them since they had pretty much what I was looking for. I swear I’m not ripping your idea off lol . I did just check out your build and it’s definitely sharp. I especially love the stance!

Yes those are the decals I’m looking for. I don’t really want to spend $40+ on that kit though just for the 2 thunderbolt decals. I’m really surprised that Slixx didn’t have a set for this car . They don’t really have many at all for the thunderbolt kit. If anyone has a set they’re willing to part with or trade away that’d be great.

Does anyone know if someone makes a decal set for the tasca ford thunderbolt, more specifically I’m looking for the small gold “ thunderbolt “ that was on the upper rear quarter panel above the trim. I’ve looked around but not finding anything

It took me a long time and patience to score a lot of the vintage kits I have but every once in a while you get lucky. I’m trying my best to do this one justice. When I’m done with this build I will see what I’ve got left from the kit and maybe I can help you out with some parts you might need for yours, but it might be a little while ,I don’t build at the pace I once did. Lol

No need to remove the pic. Your 64 looks sharp and I used to feel the same way about the 65’s but they’ve really grown on me over the years. I feel it’ll lend itself well to the thunderbolt treatment.

Snake ( god rest his soul) would’ve loved this save. Nice job

I’m not sure you completely understand what I’m saying and I did say prices will likely go up ( and they have been for many years now regardless of tariffs) . So to explain it simply using non exact numbers , if a model kit costs ( lets say Round 2 ) $20 per kit produced and shipped than the tariff is on that $20 expensive/product which would be $29. Yes that will likely be passed on down the chain but the total( cost + tariff ) would be $49 to retail mark up which would likely be another $10 putting it around $59. Yes it still stings but the point is that tariffs ( 145%) in this case aren’t based/applied on msrp. That’d put pricing well into the $80 range.

I was aware of the wonder pony car ( albeit limited information) so all the additional information is a big help so thank you for that!

Tariffs are based on suppliers cost NOT retail pricing so yes unfortunately we will likely see a increase in prices but not 145% of retail price

Here’s a few good pics of the red interior

I wasn’t going to do a build thread for this project but decided why not. It’s based on a 1965 annual that was unbuilt but the body was painted. The paint stripped off well and that’s the starting point. A previously built 64 thunderbolt is used for all the mockups and fabrication figuring. A new unbuilt thunderbolt will be used for final assembly. The premise is what if ford did decide to continue on with the Thunderbolt package ( either Ford/deerborn tubing or over the parts counter). So this is my rendition. It will be Vintage burgundy with a tan interior with all the Thunderbolt goodies. I couldn’t decide on which hood/air cleaner set up to run so I will be doing both. Chrome steelies in back and keystones up front. I found my original notes on this kit which I picked up for $60 which at the time seemed like a lot lol. So far nipped the lower rockers ahead of rear wheels,thinned the edges, added engine compartment from 64, clearanced a bunch of things ( all minor) and built out the 2 hoods and induction systems.

Can confirm they’re showing up as well as the porsche tractor. Went there today although I didn’t see any of the raptor truck .

Here’s 2 that are currently in the rotation. The 74 cutlass is a replica of a car my uncle had when I was a kid and the 65 fairlane is a rebuilder I picked up some years ago that I’ve wanted to build for some time now. I’m using a previously built thunderbolt ( that I built when it first came out which has slowly been parted out over time) for mockups and fitting. Eventually I’ll transfer all of that to a new chassis etc. The cutlass will be metallic maroon with a dark red interior. The fairlane likely maroon with a tan interior.

I always thought something was off on the looks of this kit but couldn’t put my finger on it but now that someone has pointed it out I can’t unsee it

Big media has slowly been eradicating automotive shows for years. I’m convinced they hate car culture

It’s raising and lowering normally, all outward appearances it seems normal. I haven’t changed any settings either. I’m new to this 3D printing thing so I’m still in the learning stage but I watched a bunch of videos on YouTube and a lot of them suggested running at 80% uv power. I’ve run 10+ prints so far with no issues, that’s why I’m baffled. I’m starting to wonder if it’s a software glitch or lcd screen issue.

Ok guys I need some help. I’ve got a Anycubic photon mono x that I’m using with their grey uv resin. Trouble free until today when I ran a print with anycubic white resin. I don’t think the resin is the culprit but definitely not sure. The print is just a big rectangle although on my screen it shows the layers correctly. I haven’t changed any settings since first setup. I run my prints at 80% uv setting. Any suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated . I’ve included a pic of what I’m getting and a pic of what the screen says during a layer.

Wow I had no idea he had passed. Very sad news. I always appreciated his perspective and insight. He will be missed .

Thank you everyone for the kind comments

This project is done and in the under glass section

Finished this up today. I took different trends from different decades that I liked and threw in some other details as a nod to famous Willys of the past to come up with this final product. The front radius on both front and rear wheel opening were opened slightly, the hood hole filled and a peak carried entire length of hood. Grill from Big John kit. Kit supplied motor with parts box supplied blower scoop & accessory belt. Chassis was narrowed more and parts box supplied the strange rear. Lowered the front approximately 1.5 scale inches. Motor was lowered significantly to clear hood. Wheels from Texas 3d with parts box tires. Reworked kit exhaust. Interior consists of KS Pittman door panels, roll bar and dash. 3d printed shifter. Arm rests from parts box. Duplicolor light blue exterior with 1K clear. Mopar burnt orange interior paint from Herb’s parts for interior. There are more pics in the W.I.P section. Any questions or comments always welcome