Fabrux

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.

Axle trusses are the big giveaway. Plus the winch/skid plate at the front, the 78/79 GMC grille, dual tanks, lack of access panel on the bed, under-window cab trim... but it has the roll bar, bull bar, and wheels from the eventual Fall Guy kit. They must've had a lot of issues getting that kit produced as even the box art truck has the 81-82 Chevy grille.

So I just now realized that in that picture Casey posted on 3 Dec, the kit pictured is actually the Monogram GMC...

Yeah...oops.

Thanks again, Bill! I checked the second one against other BBCs I have and the block is definitely a W-style. Not sure what the heads are. The Mopar also has an intake on it from something way smaller!

The search function ignores numbers and any words shorter than four letters. If it did, and someone searched for "it", "is", "and" etc I'm sure the search function would go haywire.

Okay, another couple engines, this time with two pictures each: