Lunajammer

I wasn't going for that, but even as I was shaving it down, it was unavoidable to make that connection. I decided I'm still okay with that though.

Thanks Eric, high praise from someone who gave us this.

I think that's a good instinct. I considered something like that but there seems to be no way around this being a roadster. Might be different if the 'bird's unaltered. The top would need some heavy alterations though.

Good point Tom and confirms what I was sort of afraid of, so I retitled the thread (while I still can). Thanks for your insights on the rear piece. That makes sense. I was hoping someone might help ID.

Ginchy.

On to the front. I want to flatten it to make it easier to customize any way I want so it's clipped. I also want to slope the nose so it's more sympathetic to the back of the car and try to soften the Thunderbird bones so I'm taking a wedge out of the fender tops. A couple hours of imagineering and a headache later, trying to figure out what I wanted to do to the front end, I finally just took the easy way and stuck on a custom piece from the '49 Ford. It's maybe a little clunky but it's not outside the style era. Saves me a few days work.

True dat! And an arsenal of sandpaper. I actually did buy more last night. Trying to go for a Starbird style 60's custom and really wanted a bubble top but it looks like it's not right for this project. Thanks for the good words everyone. I welcome all comments.

Which reminds me, I should post the voting link here as part of the build record for this thread. So. VOTE HERE.

I think so, though I'm not familiar with it either. Yet, there it was.

I've had this as a bagged kit for a few years (sample box from web). I also have a ton of part boxes handed down to me so I want to use some of those for a project. With the week off I have time to zone-in for hours on end. The first place to start is to remove the parts that identify it as a T-Bird, beginning with the fins. Same goes for the bug eye tail lights. It can stand to have some length cut too, especially if I'm going to rebuild it with something else. With the tail lights gone, we don't need character lines forming into them. With the body smoothed and basically slab sided, I can do anything I want and most things will still line up. One of the reasons I selected this car is because there are few character lines to argue with my creative choices, especially since I'm doing this without a real plan and am changing my mind as I go. This is the piece I think I want to use. It's so... not Thunderbird. But the body needs to be trimmed to fit so I'll take a wedge out to slope down the corners. The new tail piece has been paint stripped and is in place. To match the width of the new piece the fenders were pulled apart and plastic has been added to complete the body shape. You can see that the length of the rear quarters has returned. More fine shaping and bondo to come.

For those who have been following the Cannonball Run CBP, it's time to vote who you think is the top finisher of the coast to coast trophy dash in their movie themed car. All members are welcome to vote. CLICK HERE to follow the instructions. The poll is off-site in order to accommodate all the entries. Be sure to click "VOTE" at the bottom of the page after you've made your selection.

Welcome to the poll that decides who wins the coast-to-coast Cannonball Run in their movie/TV cars. Step 1) Review the Completed Racers thread HERE to take a look at all the beauty shots of the finishers and read what they have to say about their projects. Step 2) • CLICK HERE TO VOTE • Select your choice then finalize your vote by clicking "VOTE" at the bottom of the polling page.

I'm as impressed as I am bewildered. "Lacks strength, smoothness and is difficult to tool." So is money savings the only benefit? Don't get me wrong, I love the innovative thinking and what you've done with it. I like that you're trying to dial in a unique and fascinating process. It's just kind of a head scratcher for me.

I really like what you've done already. Looking forward to what you do next.

Sorry to hear that Pat but life has a way of being, well, life. Your Cannonball entries are always strong and interesting competitors. With mere hours to go it's pretty quiet around here.

Not just great execution but an excellent display of your knowledge of the subject. Thanks for sharing.

I like this a lot. A treatment you don't often see.

Wow, what a beauty. Classic all the way.

Hope you nailed it? I can't find anything that says you didn't. So, set down the hammer and have a beer. Nice work.

Thanks Jerry, appreciate it. I'm not a big fan of dents in plastic because they are not usually very realistic unless you're really good and experienced. But the movie car dent is a simple one and I knew I could probably replicate it by carefully heating the spot over a flame and sort of sculpting the shape with a blade handle or small tools. The plastic also wants to shrink so overheating is bad. For such an isolated spot I thought I could get away with it.

Unless it's Ford Prefect.

Wheels turned out excellent. Getting popcorn for the rest of that engine bay.

Thanks Roger. Near as I can tell the kit has the whole shebang; three sets of wheels, at least two sets of printed tires, custom parts, mini TV, phone, etc. I've got a sandwich bag of unused parts.

Wow. Good one. I had to research that because I've only seen the flick on basic cable (read that to mean "edited for time and content.")

Thanks for the good vibes everybody, much appreciated. When COVID hit early in the year and there was fear and uncertainty and I was working from home, I lost all interest in modeling. When we settled into the new normal and I returned to the project I was ready to get back at it, so the bench time was a pleasure at both ends and the kit was most forgiving.