Fabrux

That being said, Bill, for those of us that have a hard time completing projects sometimes a deadline helps. Case in point, my club's latest New Year's Challenge finally got me off my duff and building something. We also have our annual show and I always strive to have something new ready for it, although lately that hasn't been happening.

Or you could get the MPC 1982 annual, the Wild Breed:

I actually have the earlier style Thunderbird pro-stock body in my stash along with the re-issued kit and would be interested in these decals! I think the older body fits the reissued chassis; haven't checked yet.

If you're looking for a custom van interior of the 70s, try and pick up a copy of the Testor's Supervan. It is based on a highly customized Dodge Tradesman by George Barris and has a complete customized interior.

Well, having just completed my first build in two years, I have a big problem getting things finished. With a large stash that keeps growing, things just keep grabbing my attention. I have on the go six builds that I would consider quite far along in progress but can't keep interested in them long enough to finish. One is a Jeep CJ-7 that just needs the roof painted and installed as I screwed up the paint on it, another is a replica of a truck my dad built when I was young that just needs tail lights. I also have any number of kits that has SOMEthing started on them. Most of the time I get ideas for builds and start fiddling with them. I have an idea list tacked to my wall with 16 items and another list started on my desk at work! And with a seven-month-old daughter, my build time is severely diminished.

AMT kit is an old tool with opening doors depicting a high trim Fairlane. The Revell kit is a brand new tool with molded in doors depicting a low trim Custom. I can post comparison pics of the two if there is interest.

Put a bow on this one, she's done. Posted in Under Glass: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83727

Finally finished this one! It is my first completed build in about two years... long time coming! Hopefully this sets off a good trend for 2014. Build thread here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83451

Interior's done.

Man, that is one ugly duck. Looks like a twin-steer missing the front axle; what would be the purpose of such a configuration? Either way, some beautiful work!

If you're feeling really ambitious you could cut the B-pillar from an AMT 1960 C-10 and graft it in; it has the trim you're looking for.

Getting closer...

Jordan is partially correct: the front covers are from the 72 Blazer but the rears I think are from the pickup kit. They're slightly different than the ones in the Blazer. I purchased a set of four fronts and four rears from Newt's Boneyard. Chevy actually used those wheel covers from 67 up until 77 I think. I had wanted to use dog dish covers but I couldn't find a set I liked and would've needed to come up with locking hubs for the fronts anyway.

Here's a mockup with the body ready for paint. First time doing the panel lines; hope it turns out! Firearms on their rack: Here are the seats. I tried out the medical tape trick to create a fabric look (thanks for the idea, retired & glad!). Doesn't look too bad, but the paint seems to have soaked up into the tape and all but eliminated the texture. The arm rests for the rear seat are from a Monogram Ramcharger. Dash: Steering column & wheel: Used some straight pins to make the turn signal lever and the shift lever for the auto trans.

Thanks, Curt!

Looking good, Alek!

Thanks, BIll! Was hoping someone might have an idea of what kit it came from...ah well.

The firearms are straight out of the Monaco kit, also using the gun rack from that kit. It occurred to me as I was painting them that I really have no idea how a gun should be painted! Used Vallejo gunmetal grey and saddle brown.

My club has started a new tradition the past couple years of a New Year's Challenge: starting in November, the goal is to build a kit for the first meeting the following January. New builds are preferable, but the completion of a kit that is less than 25% started is acceptable. In an effort to get out of my non-completion slump I decided to build the newly reissued MPC 1975 Blazer as a sheriff's vehicle, using the police equipment from the MPC Dodge Monaco and the decals and paint scheme from the Monogram Sheriff's Blazer. This is also my first time using exclusively Vallejo paints for everything but the body (which will be Krylon spray cans) and I must say I am thoroughly enjoying these paints. I have, however, noticed that I need several more colours! Here is the completed chassis: Communications centre thing: Firearms: Spare tire rack: I modified the spare tire rack from one of the MPC pickup kits to better depict the Blazer unit (compare here). My winter time "spray booth" (my dad's garage) has been out of commission due to power outage from the repeated storms we've had this past week, but the power is back on now so I'm hoping to get the body done by our first meeting (7 Jan.). Otherwise I'll have to get creative with my dehydrator and paint outside!

Here's another one. We couldn't come up with a consensus, but the leading theory is it is supposed to be BBF of some sort, possibly FE, maybe 385. Seems pretty low-detail but with a good paint job it might look decent.

The last run of new-tool kits: were they actually AMT or were they done by MPC?

The only issue, Dan, is that the pickup and Blazer parts don't quite swap. The hoods are just different enough to not fit properly, and the pickup grilles are just a wee bit too small for the Blazer. I lucked out and managed to get the correct '69-70 Blazer grille in a parts lot; I just need the proper hood!

I think you might be right, Luc. Looks like they just cut the 18" from in front of the wheel well and didn't cut the 6" behind it.

Judging by price trends, the 73-87 seems to be more popular. The MPC kits for that generation are pretty darn good for the era. With some corrections they build into a good kit and hold up well, IMO.

1978 AMC Pacer X kit, re-issued in September.