[MPC '79 Trans Am]

Hadn't been doing much but did manage to do some work to the firewall- certainly far from perfect but should be an improvement

Used some scraps, an A/C "box" from a Monogram '65 Chevy that was being hot rodded, removed a molded in wiper motor from a parts box and a brake booster

[black lacquer paint ...]

Duplicolor rattle can and plenty of polishing

[MPC '79 Trans Am]

Sure- now the pressure's really on

Thought of the 70 1/2 Camaro for parts but I've got a lot more 77-80 MPC F-bodies than the AMT and eventually hope to build them all

[What did you get today? (Model Car Related Items)]

Found a vintage All-American Models 64 1/2 Mustang convertible trans kit including an AMT '66 coupe donor kit for an $8.00 ebay bid (plus $5.70 shipping)

[MPC '79 Trans Am]

Decided to give one of these "unbuildable" kits a try (if the results are bad I can always blame the kit, right?

I had decided on a 10th Anniversary package as far as the color, the automatic shifter in the interior bucket gave me the idea of doing something different for the powertrain. In '79 there were a few Pontiac 400s available but they were generally reserved for 4-speed cars, the majority had a Turbo 350 automatic trans coupled to a 403 Oldsmobile.

The trans came from an MPC 78-82 Vette with the bellhousing changed from the Chevy to the BOP pattern by blending in the top of the manual trans bellhousing from the AMT '69 442 kit that was supplying the engine. It seemed the big block from the 442 kit could be a convincing small block if buried under a shaker scoop and miles of hoses like the original. All small block Oldsmobiles from '72 and up use the "single exhaust" manifolds- the passenger side has two flanges, one for a small diameter crossover pipe, the other hooked to the exhaust system (cars with real factory duals had the "extra" outlet blocked off). Liked the A/C compressor clutch detail of the MPC Vette belts so robbed some and used them with an R6 style compressor that was made up "quick and dirty" from some scraps, used the other sections to "rearrange" the engine accessories to more proper locations

Next step is to make a convincing firewall by making a decent "case" for the AC evaporator and heater, in this case the lack of detail in the original parts may actually be a plus. Need to search the parts box for a decent brake booster and master cylinder, extend the wheelwells to to the fenders, build up the fender flanges and hood hinge area as well as "fill" the core support and I think the horrible underhood area of the kit can be improved greatly

Even the horrible wheels and tires seem decent with a slight thinning of the rim and tire swap

['70 Monte]

AMT Monte pretty much straight out of the box with a couple extra details added. Paint was some 70's vintage Dupli Color. Finally finished this one, it was painted about the time the kit was first released and had some work done to it a couple times in between

['71 Duster Twister slant six]

['71 Duster Twister slant six]

AMT '71 Duster with a Lindberg slant 6/ 3 speed from the '64 Plymouth kit, trim rings "removed" from the wheels and vintage "Twister" quarter decals from the Last Detail