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Showing results for tags 'titus firebird'.
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Picking up from a sprawling 1:25th/1:18th '64 Tempest 'Gray Ghost' thread, this would be a continuation of the ACME/Exact Detail Titus/Ward Firebird project subthread otherwise touched upon there. Mostly this is a limited refurbishment of what in the diecast world is known or marketed as a 'Tribute Release'; i.e. some of the visuals are provided to suggest investment consistent with imagining that one has purchased a full-on racer, but soon one notices that paintwork and perhaps wheels and tire have been provided to echo something not strictly provided for making a close inspection of matters. Here the topic has appropriate paintwork of good quality, although then one expectation after another is dashed; i.e. no roll cage, uninspired wheels and tires, and a Pontiac engine beneath the hood where an Al Bartz-built small block Chevrolet 302 cross ram engine would otherwise be expected. Finish choices are wrong here and there, the livery isn't complete as-delivered, while more than one original purchaser exclaimed 'No thanks' and sent this release back! ...as released then. Notice the argent grille 'tunnels', livery cues drawn from was is purported to be the restored racer, etc. ...the topic motoring through the infield at the '69 Daytona 24HR race then. Much discreet work is called for if things are going to appear close to this specification. - Hoping I could do something with it for application, here I've scratch built a roll cage, added resin wheels with CNC machined outer rim lips (done by Dancing Bear Scaled Components), applied a mix of fill-in decals (some commissioned to 3 Amigos Decals), and inserted a GMP Penske Camaro engine with appropriate mods. Laboring now to ensure all the new assemblies live in harmony with each other, taking my lumps and making adjustments as necessary. The front valence panel w/spoiler is off the model, lending things an odd look. The numeral illuminating lamps on the doors haven't been fabricated and stand to come. Still - rather neat. The otherwise expected wheel arch chrome trim painted white on this ACME release were each cut off, affording needed space inside the wheel housings. The rocker panels were retained and cleanly reshaped on the ends prior to being refitted. A terrific effort from 3 Amigos Decals, the odd Sleipnir (Nordic mythological reference relating to an eight-legged horse ridden by the god Odin) was cleanly reproduced and added atop each rear wheel arch opening. Some smaller decals were likewise commissioned, although others were just found within my Rubbermaid Tub 'o Decals. While just in brief, here would be an effort to replace the stock GMP Penske Chevrolet stock bell housing with a scratch built Lakewood Chevrolet explosion-proof 'hydroformed' model. The latter can be shared across many of my projects and had proved a stumbling block for a long time, happily soon to be cleared. Thanks for your interest. Mike K./Swede70