mrmike

OK Mark...here we go! I started on the GTO this afternoon by doing general cleanup of mould lines and flash which were minimal. Since Dwight's GTO is a hardtop and the kit is a coupe, I removed the door and window frames. And now, the part that I am not too fond off...hiding all that red plastic! This is several light coats of Kilz Sealer/Primer. This stuff is thick so wet sanding is in order when this stuff is dry. Not only did I do the body, but all the parts from the kit minus the chrome plated parts. More to come...

Before I start on the interior, I wanted to get the wheels modified and out of the way. I started by removing the ribs from around the wheel. A mockup with one of the Pegasus tires to check the fit...perfect! A good coat of Model Master Aluminium Metalizer paint. More to come...

The engine and radiator have been installed into the chassis. The front and rear suspensions have been detailed painted and installed. I have not installed the rotors yet as I modify them to lower the ride height after the chassis has been mated with the interior and the body. I will show that process when I get to that stage of the build. I'll start on the interior next. More to come...

Yes, I did. Thanks!

Mark, I was a bit disappointed when I found out that the show was filmed in New Orleans instead of Memphis. I felt the same when I started watching Rizzoli And Isles, which takes place in Boston, but is actually filmed in Hollywood. So far though, they seem to be getting names of portions of Boston correct. It would be better if they actually filmed in Boston, but I guess that would be too expensive. Spenser For Hire was cancelled in 1988 because ABC said it was too expensive to to shoot the series in Boston.

Thanks Carl! And, welcome to MCM! George, as far as I am concerned, if you are going to nick-pick a kit, you are not enjoying the hobby. I have built a few kits that were not completely accurate looking and I enjoyed building each one of them. One kit that I enjoyed building very much was the re-issued '70 AAR 'Cuda. I saw all the things that were wrong with it and I still built a good looking model. I use to be a scale bigot, but if there is a subject that I want to build...I'll build it and build it to my satisfaction.

I am currently building an '07 Shelby GT500 and I am considering joining this CBP. How long is CBP running for if you start it? BTW, Jada makes a Shelby GT500 kit if you want to include those.

And, it works very well. I just place the panel into the doorway, close the slider against it and insert the vent hose. When I am done painting, I remove the hose and the panel, then I can close the door. It's a lot better than cutting a hole into the wall for the vent.

It's amazing what you can learn from doing a little research. Unfortunately, some of the information out there is incorrect so you have to be careful and try to determine what is correct and what is faulty.

Always vent the fumes outside! Here's my setup.

Thanks Jonathan!

I thought that the GT350H were all black with gold stripes until I started researching it. As soon as I saw that they were available in other colors, I knew I had to be different and chose Wimbelton White. Sort of a polar opposite of Raven Black!

Ken, I have settled on the wheels from the Torino Cobra kit as the appear to be the correct type of wheel for this build. Thanks for letting me know about the wheels in the '66 Nova though. Paul, I read through your thread and there are some nice GTOs posted. And, I'm sure everyone has their favorite kit for their build for whatever reason that they have. When I found this kit, the price was right, all the pieces were there, and I knew that it looked like a GTO and if there are an differences in the body shape compared to other kits, I just don't care. To me it looks like a GTO and that is all that matters. I am not a "rivet counter" like other would be. If it's close, I'm happy!

Jonathan, the tires will fit perfectly under the fenders and in the wheel wells. I have used these tires on all my other '06 and up Mustangs and Shelbys without any issues at all. Even after I have lowered the suspension, no issues with the tires. But, if you use the 245/45/18 tires, you will run into clearance problems.

The original ads show a Chevelle SS instead of the GTO due to the GTO not being available for the photoshoot at the time. By the end of filming the pilot episode, the GTO, which is Jason Lee's personal car, was pretty trashed by the production crew. A second GTO was found for use during the rest of the production. AS far as the AMT/Polar Lights vs. Monogram debate goes, there is no room for it here and I have no interest in it. I have my Monogram kit and that does it for me!

This is great project you have going, Jeff! If I may make a suggestion...remove the bumper guards and fill the holes in the front valance panel. Where the holes are in the rear valance panel, drill out the hole to fit an exhaust tip. Apply a strip of foil around the opening for the chrome bezel. Keep up the good work, Jeff!

Thanks guys! Dominik, the last 200 GT350H's built were broken into lots of 50 in red, dark blue, Ivy Green, and Wimbeldon White. The first 80,1 including the prototypes, were painted Raven Black.

I am by no means...a god...of any type. I'm just another model builder trying to build a decent looking model. While I may have been building models for many years, I still have issues with painting and I try my best to correct those issues as I go along. Nothing is perfect...like me!

I thought that Memphis Beat was a pretty good show. Something that wasn't too heavy to watch on a summer's evening. I just read online that Memphis Beat was cancelled by TNT, due to low ratings. At least I'll have something to remember the show by.

Jonathan, I got the tires from Scale Dreams. Here's the link to their site. http://stores.scaledreams.com/StoreFront.bok

Thank you Jim! A little bit got done today on the GT500. The wheels are fresh from its bath in the purple pond. When dry, they will be painted with Model Master Aluminium Metalizer. I painted the chassis gold as the first step at detailing it. The body and hood received another coat of Tamiya Bright Red. More to come...

I discovered this TV show last year on TNT called Memphis Beatand the lead character is Det. Dwight Hendricks played by actor Jason Lee, formerly of My Name Is Earl. Det. Hendricks mode of transportation is a '64 GTO. After much research, I found that the GTO used in the pilot episode was actor Jason Lee's personal car and after the pilot was completed, the car was pretty much trashed and required 5 months to repair. It is a 1964 GTO with a 389 CI 4-bbl. and an automatic trans. Mine will be tri-powered with a 4-speed since I would have to rework the console, change the intake to a 4-barrel carb and find an auto trans and I can't be bothered at this time. The Producers found another GTO, though some chatter says it is either a Tempest or a Lemans. Some have noticed the lack of emblems or badging and therefore questioned the authenticity of the car. To me, it is a copy of Jason Lee's GTO and IIRC, that one had no badging either. I got the Monogram '64 GTO from a fellow Classic Plastic Model Club member. The downside to this kit is the red plastic it is molded in. The wheels are from the AMT '69 Torino Cobra and the tires are from my parts box. My paint will be Model Master Silver Blue Metallic Lacquer. More to come...

Thank you guys! I started with Model Master Wood and when dry, I coated the rim with Tamiya Clear Orange and then I picked out the rim screws with a sewing pin and Model Master Chrome Silver.

Harry, are you telling me that I am running out of time?!! I'd better get building!!

Thanks Mike! My condolences on the passing of Axle. I had to put down my beloved Golden Retriever Dakota on June 21, 2011. It is like losing a family member. May they both rest in peace. Thanks Liam!