Brutalform

Or, if you should find Zap 5 minute epoxy...

Very nice and clean build on your Thunderbolt!! I wish my decals came out as nice as yours did. They really are fun cars to build. I’ve built about 16 so far. Now that I’m totally out of decals, I’m pretty sure I’m finished with building them. Can’t wait to see your others when they are done.

When the first Moebius Comet came out, I was looking forward to building the Dyno Don car. Before realizing an A/FX version would be coming out, I modded the fender wells, and added a cammer, engine to this one. Now I have several Beswick, and Nicholson Comets in my stash.

Thanks... every pic I take of an undercarriage makes those front wheels look way way off... gonna have to fire the alignment man...

I usually find out what the correct, (or closest to correct) the colors were on the real car. I seem to use a lot of semi gloss black on many of my builds. After the semi gloss has dried, I usually “dry brush” Testors Silver Chrome enamel, or similar over the details casted into the parts. It seems to give me the slightly used look I’m looking for. You can see the effect on the bolts, and springs, on these suspensions.

Just as Patrick suggested, adding strips inside greatly helps. I’ve built several of these tanker kits, and have found, using strips, or duct tape inside is the way to go. You will never see the tape through the plating, or through the paint in earlier releases of this tanker kit. Another thing you might want to consider is using 5 min epoxy instead of cement. I get a stronger bond, and quick dry time, without even scraping any of the plating off. I’ve read that many consider this a challenging build, but once you get the bugs worked out, like the tank to frame mounts, the build becomes very enjoyable, IMO.

Man... every time I see one of your builds, I think I’m looking at the 1:1 car. Excellent work my friend.

Congrats...I’m glad you won it. They are getting really high in price. When I bought mine I thought about hanging my head also... lol. Like I said earlier, I’d really like to find a less expensive Maverick kit, instead of hacking into the rare FC kit. Mine is still sealed inside. I’ll bet if that box was in nice shape, it would have went for more. So it’s a win for you.

So, did you end up winning that kit???

“Miss Dawson, my tummy hurts... hahaha” “I’ve got too much doo doo in my underpants.. haha”

There is one like it on the bay right now currently at $83, with 21 bids on it, and five more days to go. It’s box is beat up, but appears to be complete. If the box was in better shape, I can see it easily fetching $175 to $200.

Yes. That be the one... Sealed inside.

Nice build. Looks like it jumped off the box. You taught your friend well. Hope he stays with the hobby.

I’m not totally sure, but it is my understanding that the car now is raced by 422 Motorsports. You can do a search on it, and get to see the other cars those guys run as well. Also from what I’ve read, this car is an original Thunderbolt, that was raced in the 60s under Norristown also. It used to have similar decals except for the arrow feathers on the side trim. I built that one too a while back. (Pic). I just wish I had cut the holes out of the hood though. I’d like to build the 63 Norristown Galaxie in the future as well, as soon as get some of these stalled builds off the bench.

I always keep my eyes open for the clear plastic vacuum formed packages that many items come in today. You know....that stuff, that seems impossible to open unless you have very sharp pair of scissors, or knife. You can trace the widow opening on thin card board, and transfer it onto the clear plastic. I’ve tried the clear Evergreen sheets, but almost every one I ever tried to use, the plastic was very cloudy, and not as clear as the package material.

I usually do Hemis with the chrome covers so this time they got painted black. Went with Model Master buffing stainless steel for the headers, and topped it off with a pair of 9x2 Edelbrock style air cleaners from Pro Tech

Did some engine detailing today. Still never made it to the hobby shop to buy some red paint. I just didn’t feel like heading out in the snow. Some pics of the mighty Hemi...

Not a bad part, but with resin, you just never know. It came with the rear suspension and rear end, but I decided to use a rear from the parts drawer. Around the engine mounts is where it seemed it would need the most clean up. I’ve bought bodies and decals from SMH, and never had a problem. One time a piece arrived damaged, and they promptly replaced it.

Not totally sure Elvin. They are from the parts drawer. If I were to guess, maybe the AMT 67 Chevelle pro street.

Tamiya Desert Tan, then lightly add some fine brush strokes of Tamiya Bronze, then go over that with Tamiya Clear Orange.

Thanks for all the replies. I worked on the roll bar this morning, and painted all of the parts, except the body. Ran out of red paint. I have the engine assembled for the most part. Did some spark plug wiring, coil wiring, and alternator wiring. Also the brake booster hose for the master cylinder booster. I’ll post the engine pics when it’s totally together.

And a little work on the dash and interior. I wanted to add some aftermarket gauges, to monitor the big Hemi properly. Took the radio and heater off the dash as well. Also I removed the door GTS emblems, arm rests, and window cranks. After the interior is painted, I plan on adding the seat belt straps to the door panels to activate the door windows. All this as I fabricate a racing harness for the roll bar as well.

Removed all the GTS emblems, along with the front fender side marker lights. Deepened the panel lines, and added black accent color to them. Then a few coats of Tamiya primer.

The wheels and rear suspension parts. All these are from my parts bins except for the supplied ladder bars, which came with the resin floor pan.