1972coronet

I've heard about that ! I typically only clear coat metallic and pearl colours (which is , by nature , necessary) , and rarely over solid colours (unless they dry dull or semi-gloss , and I don't want to burn-through while polishing) . I will take your expertise -- your expert advice -- to heart .

I haven't tried their Extreme Lacquer Clear . I certainly am referring to the ancient "regular" lacquer clear --- the stuff from the era of High Button Shoes and Sears catalogues . That stuff stinks on ice . I must recant ( ha ! ) my assertion that I avoid Testors lacquers , as I've recently used their One Coat Clear on a 1971 'Cuda hardtop that I built for my girlfriend . I painted it FM3 Moulin Rouge / Panther Pink , as she loves that colour . After the colour coat set-up , I laid down the One Coat ---- I was pleasantly surprised at its 'flash-off' time , and the resultant finish ( close to factory-level gloss ! ) . The 'Extreme Lacquer' is good ? I don't like wet sanding and polishing IF it can be avoided (arthritis is fun !) .

Model Roundup provides excellent service , from packaging to shipping --- flawless . If I don't wish to travel to the local Hobby Lobby or Hobbytown ( you can keep that traffic , Temecula ! I can't afford to lose more hair !) , then I'll peruse eBay . Oftentimes , the 'Free Shipping' is ostensibly factored-into the overall final price , and I'm okay with that within reason . In spite of my final statement ; I prefer supporting "brick & mortar" stores as much as I can ( Burbank's House of Hobbies : I'll see you tomorrow ! ) , but even then , unfortunately , their selection of styrene is usually thin . I did buy a copy of the excellent Revell 1968 Chevelle SS-396 at Hobbytown on-impulse --- my primary objective was purchasing Tamiya Panel Line Accent ( one light grey , one black ) --- but their selection was meager-at-best . So , yeah , eBay , Model Roundup are both great mail order options .

*AMENDMENT* The enamel glosscoat doesn't require tedious wet sanding , at least in my experiences . No orange-peel + high gloss = no need to tediously wet sand and polish .

I avoid Testors Lacquer clear coat --- in the old standby can as seen in your image --- like the plague . I've used their Enamel Glosscoat numerous times throughout the decades , and have recognised only excellent results (best results are when sprayed-atop Tamiya's 'TS' paints --- the glossiness looks wet when fully-"cured" , as though it's "sitting-on-top-of" the colour coats .) . Testors aerosol Lacquer Glosscoat always dried dull , no matter the colour coat . That stuff requires colour sanding and polishing .

Most outrageous GTX that I can recall seeing , Francis ! I can almost make out the V.I.N. (nice touch !) on the dashboard : RS23R0A !

While I've no evidence , anecdotal or otherwise , I can only imagine that if MPC created a new-body-tool for the 1969 GM F-bodies , that their 1968 predecessors would've been reissued countless times --modified or stock-- from about 1969-2020 . The "actual" 1969 F-bodies underwent a radial restylling as compared to their 1967-1968 counterparts , mostly the more "sculpted" sides (and squared wheel well openings) . With this in mind , one can only imagine that MPC effectively "butchered" the bodyside tooling inserts to represent the 1969 models' radical cosmetic changes... ...and failed at their attempts .

IIRC , Chevrolet switched to Chevy Engine Blue in '74 , at least the Mark IV ( big block ) series . I've seen a number of original light duty pickups with their original SBC , esp. the 1970-1980 models (e.g. , 1967-1972 & 1973-1987) , and I seem to recall them being Chevy Orange ( 327 , 350 ) and Chevy Red-Orange ( including the one-year-only 2Bbl 396 in the 1969 C-20 ) . The engines were Chevy Blue in 1974 - 1981 ; GM Corporate Blue starting around 1977 or so . Black engines were introduced for 1982 or so (excepting "build-out" supplies , though I don't seem to recall ever seeing one of those).

I love the DeSoto Firedome engine and its induction options , but am a bit "bored" with using it . I've built countless versions of this excellent kit , but haven't used any engine other than the two which it provides . Another option that I'm considering is an Olds V8 , either from the Revell 1949 coupe , or the AMT Cutlass . Thanks for your replies and suggestions ! Please , keep those ideas and opinions / suggestions coming !

I just cracked-open the c.2015 reissue of the venerable AMT 1953 F-100 (the one whose box art is the "Retro" version) , and am ready to dig-in. I'm going for a mildly-customised look ; a work vehicle with some custom touches ( the grill which appears to emulate a 1960 Ford or Edsel [?] ; the "Swiss-Cheese" bumpers ; stock interior , with the 2-way radio & phone , and a custom floor shifter , and ; RWL or Redline tyres with plain , unembellished wheels ) . I'm at an impasse of sorts regarding the engine . While I'm not adverse to using the L-Head V8 , I'm trying for something period-correct (well , up-to c.1969) engine-wise . I've been toying with using one of the following : - Pontiac OHC Sprint-6 from the MPC 1969 Trans Am - FE engine from the 1960 Starliner - Buick Nailhead from the AMT 1962 225 (?) - Pontiac V8 / Hydra-Matic from the AMT Parts Pack So , to this end , I'm looking for the easiest conversion . I would love to see some of my fellow modellers' conversions , with an accompanying "How To" . Please , share your ideas --and photos-- with me . Thank You !

Thanks much !

Thanks much , Rodent and Rob . I'll have to peruse Drag City Casting page , and /or contact him via email . How much did it cost ?

Please , understand that I'm not bustin' your chops here . Here's a photo of a 1962 Max Wedge --- notice how its plug wires are routed . Keep the great work coming , Brian !

Ignition wire separators look great --- wires' gauge is a little thick , but they are on a Super Stock (et al.) engine , so... My only concern is the routing of the wires to the heads : that routing is not going to work with either stock manifolds or headers . Chrysler's B/RB engines' plug wires' approach is from underneath the exhaust . Keep on keepin' on !

BUMP

Is this awesome interior still available ? I didn't see it on the Drag City Casting site...

I've wanted to get that hardtop transkit in order to build the super rare 'Cuda 440 hardtop ( the majority were the fastback body style ) . Besides , I actually prefer the backlite and boot treatment of the hardtop '67-'69 Barracuda .

I just noticed how snarky my reply was , which was not my intent . Please accept my apologies . I haven't built one of those classic 1969 1/2 Super Bee kits in close to 30 years . If I remember correctly , the earlier iterations of this kit ( the c.1983 original issue ) didn't have the fitment issues . Like any kit that's been run virtually non-stop since its inception , warping , "core-shift" , flash , etc. , change the fitment of previously good-fitting parts . I agree with Brian's advice : shave the (under-detailed blob) carburetors until the huge air cleaner clears the hood's scoop "seat" . I can't help but wonder if Fireball's incredible , finitely-detailed carburetors , would help avert fitment issues ?

Bonnets were made of fibreglass and were lift-off design / function . There are no conventional hinges to be found !

Edelbrock made a 3x2 intake for the B-Series ( 350-361-383-400 ) at the same time as the 1969 Six Pack / Six Barrel 440 ; so my vote is obviously for a 383 Six Barrel "test model" . Likewise , a "test mule" 340+6 would be fitting as well . Another option ? Proposed / test mule 1969 "BO29" ---- if the 1968 models weren't such a financial-loss for Chrysler .

THAT is one gorgeous Merc ! You did a fantastic job on that build , Tim ! Does that Montego ever find its way to Kokomo ?

Fantastic and fitting tribute to one of the most-innovative , inventive engineers and pilots to exist ! No matter with which brand one's loyalty leans , no one can deny Smokey's contributions .

What an outstanding D-100 ! I especially admire your work on that blob-of-a-Chrysler B/RB engine --- a little work makes them presentable . I can't tell by the (excellent) photos : what transmission did you employ ? Keep up the great work !

I don't believe that the 340 ( nor the 383-HP and 440 Super Commando ) had the resonators ; maybe even the 440+6 was sans the resonators . Then there's the N97 Noise Reduction Package (turn-down exhaust tips , chiefly) . While all the info I've read alludes to that being exclusively a California-model requisite with the 440+6 / Torqueflite , I have seen other California-destined ( N95 ) engine / trans combos with the N97 . Nice build ! Keep up the great work !

I used an online translation "form" to translate English to Cyrillic . Since Yuri's a citizen of Russia , I wish to reply to him in Cyrillic ; I likewise translate to others' native languages in my replies as a sign of respect .