Scottnkat

Well, I did do some looking around. It appears that the car is curently displayed with racing slicks as shown in this photo: When first raced, however, it used much more vintage tires: That's not a bad idea to make copies of the tires and wheels from the PL kit. Unfortunatley, buying anything is out of the question due to finances, so while the PPP wheels and tires look good, I don't think it's going to happen.

well, okay then - thanks for that info. I guess the AMT tires are not so good for what I am doing, then.

Thanks for that heads up - I will let you know.

I saw those kits and figured I could use those bodies, but if they are just street cars, they would require major modification to make them into race cars. That's what prompted this project for me. I want to build those ones.

So here's a comparison of the two kits. First up is the Polar Lights Talladega: You can compare the parts count and pieces to the AMT Torino: But what's most important, I think, are the bodies. Here we have a comparison of the bodies between the Talladega and the Torino: First things that pop out to me are the following: 1) I will have to cut out the inner fender walls and that terrible radiator support on the AMT car and scratch build a new radiator support. Okay - I need to find those sheets of Evergreen styrene. 2) Lots of sanding is required on the AMT body to get rid of the emblems, trim behind the windows, etc. I am sure there are other things but these two pop out at me. Okay - one final note: While comparing the two kits, I realized the huge difference between the racing slicks in the AMT kit and the ones that come in the Polar Lights kit. The AMT kit has nice Goodyear slicks, while the PL kit has blank, no name, generic-looking slicks. Hmmm... AMT beats the PL kit in one respect so far.

Okay - time for my next project and this one will take some time for me as I will be learning new stuff. Can I get a "Woo hoo"?? Alright - due to the comments and suggestions I have received regarding the Petty Belvedere, apparently there are some that want to see more Petty cars. Some of the cars requested, however, there is no kit for. As such, I would have to scratch build quite a bit to make the '71 Satellite or the '67 GTX or the '65 Barracuda. So I need to learn how to do that stuff. What better way than to make one car while converting another one? So, here it is - I am going to build the '69 Talladega and the '69 Torino together. The cars are almost the same, so I can use the Talladega parts to learn "how to" on the Torino. The Talladega kit will be the one issued by Polar Lights a few years back. This will be practically a box-stock build as the main purpose of this one is to act as a benchmark. The Torino is the kit issued by AMT. Here's the two kits together: Unbeknownst to me, the AMT kit actually includes parts to make a version of a stock car - roll cage, racing slicks, etc. I will try to avoid using those parts wherever possible so I am forced to make the parts that I need. But if I find something just a bit too much for me, I do have a fall-back (but I'll try not to use it). Since I will be needing to make some parts, I will be making use of the following tools: Yep, that's Evergreen rod and a resin casting kit. Sure enough, I am going to learn how to cast parts in resin (and don't even think I'm going to become one of those people that make copies of other people's parts and sells them - this is strictly for my own purposes). So, there we have it - my new project. This should take me some time...

Wow - thanks for the comments, everyone. Both my physical therapist and my surgeon were surprised by the amount of movement and dexterity I've been able to get back in my hands (one hand/wrist combo back to almost 100%, the other not quite so much but still much better than it was). When my wife told them that it was because of model building, they both commented to her that it was a good idea and that they were going to start suggesting that to each of their patients with the same damage I received.

Thank you very much. I appreciated the assist with the pics as well.

Yep, Bart - that's the plan - gotta do the Charger, Satellite, Roadrunner - heck, even the Barracuda. I'll get to them eventually. Just gotta take a break for a bit right now due to finances, but there will be more. and thanks for the compliments, everyone!!

Thank you for the compliments, both of you. I do appreciate it.

Here's mine that I built a while back. It was the first car I tried modifying in any way and it was done shortly after my accident, so it's not as nice as I would have liked - I am gonna have to go back and do this one again.

It's looking great, Rob - really a fine job.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I do have a very helpful wife (and kids).

Ah, reminds me of the old Frank Zappa song! Haven't heard that in years

Thanks for the comments, guys. I figured that since this was my first post in the Under Glass section, people wouldn't know about the recovery I'd been through so that's why I explained a little bit. When I first started, I couldn't even hold the parts in my hands, much less do any trimming or anything. It's taken a while to get here, but I am finally able to do something that I feel good about without excuses.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I appreciate it.

Well, here's some pics of the car 99% done. If you wanna see the completed car, go check out the Under Glass forum:

I've been a fan of Richard Petty since I was a kid. I used to build models as a kid then quit. Last year I had an accident that really messed me up. My wife started buying me models to build my dexterity and strength up again as I could barely use my hands. After a while, I got better and finally decided to tackle this car. It's based on the Lindberg kit. It has working hood pins and the sponsor decals are based on the car as it was at Daytona that year. It's not an exact representation of that car on that day, but I am happy with how it came out. And the car in it's case ready to be displayed in its display case: Finally, some underhood shots: Forgive the color quality - the car is actually a bit lighter blue than it shows in the these pics and the walls and shelf are really white and not yellow like that. I am hoping to get a new camera with the income tax return this year.

Bartster - just a note to clarify - when I do those cars, I'm going to have to do some scratchbuilding for things such as the rollbar, seat, etc. I haven't done that before. This is why I was thinking of doing that dual build I mentioned earlier. By doing the two cars together, I can use the Polar Lights Talladega while learning to scratchbuild the parts for the Revell/Monogram Torino. Once I've learned how to do what I want to, then I will feel comfortable that I can do what I need to on the other cars that I wanna build.

Those are both great cars, Bartster, and those are planned to be done as well. I'm just not sure when yet. I was thinking of doing a dual build next of the '69 Talladega and '69 Torino, but I'm not sure. I've got the decals done - just a little bit of touch up and then it's time to post this over to the completed builds forum. One other thing to note - I always put the cars I build into display cases (I hate dealing with dusting). I decided to make my own backdrop for this car within the case. I wanted something related, so I have decided to use this: I know it's the wrong era for this car, but all the pics I found that were from that time were black and white. But I think this one is appropriate since I decided to use the sponsor decals from the Daytona race - When it's all done, I'll post pics of the car by itself and in the case with this background.

Well, started doing the decals on the Belvedere now. Once that's all done, I'll just need a nice clear coat to protect everything. Then, I've gotta get some pics that I can use for the display case (needs something appropriate). Once I am done with the decals, I will post a progress photo.

Thanks, Ian - I'm hoping to get most of this finished this weekend.

and an update on the Belvedere: Bumpers are on - hood pins are tied to the strings and the strings cut - I'm not sure, but I think all that's left is the door handles and then it's decal time.

Thanks, Bartster - I appreciate it. Not sure I'll get time to do much today - I just got home from work and the wife is not feeling well. I'll post any update that I do get done.

Last update for the night - how's the stance?