Bbo1974

I'm finished with the Bill Elliott 1994 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird. Elliott only had one win in 1994 (Southern 500 at Darlington), so I used the pictures I found from that race as the basis for this car. The Powerslide decals matched up really close. I only was missing 1 decal to match up with the photos from the actual race car (I'll leave it to y'all to see if you can find it). I started with a Monogram #16 Family Channel Thunderbird that I picked up at a local car show for $10. Then used the excellent Powerslide decals that had all the extras to build either the 1992, 1993, or 1994 cars. Since I already had 1992 and there were no wins in 1993, I chose to build the 1994 car. I may circle back and build the 1993 car at some point, but for now I think I am going to move on to the 2000 McDonalds Silver Anniversary Taurus. I'm getting close to the end of my project to build all of Bill Elliott's cars from 1983 to 2003 I only have 1985, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2003 left to build.

Sounds like a fun build. I will be referring back to this when I get ready to start mine.

It must have been the lighting. I found a better place to take pictures of my models. The original photo had much more ambient light, which seemed to wash out the color. I did repaint the trunk and had to figure out which red I used from the 4 partial cans of different reds on my workbench. At some point I am going to pull out all my Bill Elliott models and take better pictures using the same set up.

Thanks for all the feedback. I used a little bit of all the posts.. tape at first, then soaked in some warm soapy water, used Micro Set on one of the stubborn decals then lightly sanded one of the others that did not want to come off. In the end I had to mask off and repaint a few areas due to the differences in the decals. That left some of the paint lines visible through the new decals. Overall I'm pretty happy with the end result. It will look fine sitting on the shelf, just don't look too close ?.

Perfect stance! I have a Dale Jr snap tite model that is going to be paired with a 2018 Camaro resin body. I would love to hear how you went about lowering the car.

Looks good! I see this model for sale all the time but rarely see it built. Your paint and detail work are excellent!

I used those same decals. They didn't give me too many problems. I painted my gold stripe and always felt like I got the 9 on the doors a little too far back toward the B pillar. Your chassis looks good. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Here is what I have so far. I took a little break to do the car hauler and semi, but Im ready to get back to work on the cars (Im not too familiar with semis). I have the 1987 car done but i wasnt really happy with the decals. Since then powerslide came put with 87 decals so i plan on removing the old ones and putting these new decals on. Id love to see your 87 model!

I got my new Powerslide Bill Elliott 1987 Coors decals today from Mike's. I am looking to remove the decals on the model pictured below and replace them with the new powerslide decals. I was happy with the paint and would like to just remove the old decals. Any advice? Note: I did not apply any clear coat after applying the original decals.

@TarheelRick yes I have been a Bill Elliott fan for long time. When I got back into building model cars a few years ago I realized that I could build all the cars from his first win in 1983 to his last win in 2003. I have enjoyed the research almost as much as building the models. I've got 6 left to build. I plan on doing the 1985 car last. I want to make sure that it is my best one (gotta get those wheels right).

I just finished Bill Elliott's 1989 Coors Ford. I didn't have a great deal of photos to reference for building this car, 1989 was a fairly uneventful year as far as wins go. The build of this kit went super smooth, I started with a Monogram Jimmy Spencer #27 McDonalds Ford mainly because I wanted some extra McDonalds decals and it was cheap at the hobby shop. I used Italian Red and Pure White for the body and Light Ghost Grey on the chassis I used Powerslide decals which were actually fun to apply. Honestly, the decal sheet was so good looking I almost hated to start cutting. In my overall project of Bill Elliott cars I now have 1983, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, & 2001. That leaves me with 1985, 1993 & 94, 2000, 2002 & 2003. I think I may take a quick break from the cars and work on the 1989 hauler that I just picked up on eBay. That will be a nice change of pace.

That is a good looking collection. I like the Earnhardt and Waltrip cars! Love seeing the progression of paint schemes through the years.

Great job on the metallic blue! I've been having trouble with old kit decals recently. The tire decals particularly have been troublesome. So I have purchased powerslide tire decals and am leaving the ones from the kit decals on the sheet.

It looks great, I didn't even notice the 5 hole wheels until I went back and read your description. I agree with Bob, that black paint job is beautiful!

I used the revell 1998 mcdonalds taurus. The decals were by madame but I was able to use some of the kit decals as well.

I am finished with Bill Elliott's 1999 McDonalds Ford Taurus. Building the model was simple enough. I lowered the front stance a little, added photo etched grilles from the Model Car Garage. I was actually pretty happy with the paint job, I have liked the gloss that I get from Krylon paints and have finally figured out the surface prep to keep it from pulling away from the edges. The decals were another story... even after applying a clear coat they still came apart on me, but it was a good exercise in patience. I came really close to purchasing two sets but I saw so many little discrepancies in the decals themselves that I came to the conclusion that it will look good sitting on the shelf and that I would call it done and move on to the next one. Speaking of the next one, I'm working on Bill Elliott's 1989 Coors Thunderbird now. I will be using the Powerslide decals on this one so I don't expect any issues.

@slusher - I'm not sure how far you are from Memphis but there is a club in Cordova (https://ipmsu28.wildapricot.org/Sys/PublicProfile/61160544/5598330). I moved away from that area about 9 years ago. I've just gotten back into modeling in the past few years so unfortunately I never attended a club meeting in Memphis. The crazy thing is one of my old neighbors is now into modeling and goes to this club. He got back into the hobby about the same time I did. I never knew we shared that same interest.

I'm all done with Bill Elliott's 1998 McDonalds Ford Taurus. All box stock with the exception of the photo etched grille and scratch built flat exhaust. I lowered the front and rear, and added a little plastic to the front air am to make it sit lower in the front. Also, this is the first making the rear spoiler support braces. I thought it would be really hard but it wasn't as difficult as I expected. This was my first NASCAR Taurus build and overall it was more fun than I was expecting. Up next for me is the 1999 Taurus. Its the same car as 1998 but with a new paint scheme. I see some decals by Madame on ebay and some other sites, but I'm not sure I want to use them. 3 Amigos has the 25th anniversary decals for the 2000 car (which I can't wait to build btw). I may try to use those decals on the 1999 car. If anyone knows of another source for the 1999 decals (first year with a black roof) please comment below. Also, I welcome any suggestions or tips, its always fun trying something new!

Super clean build. It looks like all the trouble it gave you was worth it for the final product. I'd love to see the show car hauler idea come to fruition!

Good looking build! I would leave it just as is. I have one from my first year of marriage. It was kinda sloppy... the car of course. But looking at that model reminds me of that first year and settling in to a new life. Good times. I wouldn't change anything... car or marriage.

Great looking build! I lost interest in Nascar during this time and with very few model kits available from that period these cars are still a bit of a mystery to me. This is an outstanding model!

Looks great! I like the blue that you used.

No laughing here, that is a very nice build (and not an easy car to build)! Its fun to look back and see your work from that long ago. I just shake my head at some of the things I did, but I wouldn't think of scrapping those cars and building new ones. Its almost like looking back at the cars you have owned.

1997 McDonalds Thunderbird - using the Stock Revell kit and decals. I lowered the stance, scratch built the exhaust and skirts, added photoetched grille and vents from Model Car Garage. Other than that all box stock. For some reason I had trouble with the decals silvering on this car (best practice comments welcome). Up next, the 1998 McDonalds Ford Taurus. If anyone has any tips or tricks with the Taurus model please share. It looks to me that it will need some lowering at least. I will be looking through the forum here for how others built this kit. On a separate note (kinda), I have been starting to think about what I will build after I am through with Bills cars from 1983-2003. I didn't realize until this weekend that there was a model of the Ford Mustang IMSA car that he ran with several other NASCAR drivers. That might be a fun build. Also, thinking about building some of the special paint schemes that were used in the McDonalds and Dodge years (Thunderbat, Mac Tonight, Viper Dodge). Its been really fun getting back into the hobby after 20+ years, doing research, and looking at models other people build!

Off subject... kinda, not really but still... I wonder if licensing for the new Mustang would also enable them to make a correct 1983-1986 Thunderbird. I think that would be a very popular kit.