Sixties Sam

How about a 4 door hardtop? Somewhat rare.

There are just six plus a coil wire. There's a fuel line in there. Maybe you're mistaking it for a plug wire. I used a prewired 6 cyl. distributor.

Thanks, Mike. I did get a used Mustang in 1971. It was a 67 convertible with a 289 automatic. Shoulda kept it! Sam

Hey, guys, I just finished this 1966 Mustang hardtop built from one of the many releases of the AMT kit. The kit went together well, but is very inaccurate. Based on photos from real 66’s, the front wheel wells are the wrong shape, and have no shock towers, and no diagonal braces. The exhaust system has a transverse muffler that no 66 ever had, and on and on. But it was still a fun build. I wanted to build a model of the first generation Mustangs when they were a neat, sporty little car, before they became the muscle cars we all know and love. I was a teenager when the Mustang came out, and like every other kid in America, I wanted one. But, of course there was no way most of us could own one until several years later when Mustangs began showing up in large numbers in the used car market. This model represents one of those used Mustangs that a kid might have bought in about 1970. It was at a bargain price because it was a basic hardtop with a 3 speed stick and a 200 c.i. 6 cylinder engine under the hood. Yes, it’s a six! I ditched the 289 V-8 that came with the kit and bought a resin kit of the 6 banger from Ken Kitchen of Kitchen Table Resins (great guy to deal with, BTW). I decided to add a bit more detail under the hood than I usually do, so this one is wired, has heater hoses, fuel line, brake line, and battery cables. I made some shock towers from balsa and plastic, and tubular braces from the towers to the firewall. The real braces were stamped rectangular shape, but I’ve seen photos of some with tubular ones. I Dremeled off most of the exhaust system and made it into a single pipe and muffler system. I weathered the chassis and engine just a little, since this is supposed to be a 4 year old used car. So there it is, not up to the standards of many models on this forum, but not too bad for an old man! Chrome trim on door panel is thin craft wire glued on. Just a little rust and dirt underneath - it's a used car! Here it sits at the Starlite Diner. The new owner took it there to show it off to his buddies. I hope you guys like it!

Looks good, Brandon! I have that same kit, built about 40 years ago with all the rigging done with black thread. It's falling apart, and I should fix it, but I hate to have to redo that rigging! It's a ton of work! Sam

Very nice! I like the color, and the decals do look good! Sam

I build and fly R/C planes (since 1972), ride motorcycles - have a 2001 Kawasaki Concours and a 1962 Honda 50, play trumpet in a community band, sing in a church choir, and occasionally write some music for the choir. I'm a Penn State grad, and I work there part time, so I follow Joe Paterno and Nittany Lions football this time of year. My wife and I do a little camping in a teardrop trailer I built. Too many interests - working gets in the way! Sam

That's cool! Great creativity - I never thought of making a pool service truck. Nice work! I want to know how the pool guy drove it up on that huge rock! Sam

Nice conversion! The tool box is cool! Here's a 1:1 Model A I saw at an antique machinery show last month. Sam

Love it! I agree with George - it's nicely done, not overdone with junk. Great job! Sam

AMT 51 Chevy convertible has one. I assume the coupe and fastback 51's do too.

Nice diorama! I like the metal roof on the lean-to - very realistic! The tarp on the car is a neat touch, too. How did you make it? Sam

It looks pretty good to me. I wish my failures looked that good! I didn't see any mistakes looking at the photos. Sam

Wow, That's nice! Great color! I vote for the moons. Can't wait to see it finished. Sam

That's cool! That would keep people from tailgating or cutting you off on the highway!! Sam

Great concept! You have created a piece of car culture history. How about a shot in front of a house with pink plastic flamingos in the yard?! Sam

"Extreme Makeover - T-Bird Version"! Very good rescue. I would never have thought it was a played-with promo model. Nice work! Sam

An excellent version of one of my favorite cars! Just beautiful! Great color scheme and interior! Sam

That truck is so crazy it's cool! Driver? Where is Super Dave Osborne? Sam

Whoa! That color really pops! Nice build! I like to see unusual subjects modeled. Good work! Sam

Very nice build! I like the color. Those outdoor photos look real! I think I would have used the hood, minus the side panels, if it was mine. Looks good either way, though! Sam

Wow! That is a beautiful model! Probably the best 53 I've seen. Great work! Regarding the warped chassis: I've straightened many parts using a heat gun. Clamp the chassis upside down on a table and shim up the middle with wood till it's level. Then, CAREFULLY AND GENTLY apply heat from the gun to the center of the chassis from about a foot away. Too much heat, and it WILL ruin it! Let it cool for a few minutes, then remove the clamps. It should stay straight. I've also used the heat gun to bend exhaust pipes that don't quite line up with their headers. Use little blips of heat while pushing on the pipe with a gloved hand (that air is HOT!). Sam

Well, John, I can't say I'm in live with the bodywork design, but your execution of the model is flawless, as always! Incredible workmanship! The blued pipes are a nice realistic touch. Sam

Thanks for the info, guys. Here's an update and a new question: I went ahead and ordered the kit from Jim Adkins (jimnohio), and he emailed me saying the kit he had was missing the entire interior! He let me pick another model and sent me the Ram 2500 minus its interior for FREE! What a great guy to deal with! Now my question is: Does anyone here have an interior that would fit this truck? I have old seats and a dashboard or two that I could probably cobble together, but it would be nice to have the real interior to use. Thanks in advance for any help you can give. Sam

That's thinking outside the box! Great work and creativity! Sam