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I really do have a thing for curbside models. I'm waiting to tackle a couple of clearance issues with the Chevelle, so thought I'd play with this thing, for a while. Obviously, it's a promo--I ain't afraid to modify them! I've accrued a few of them, over the years, because I've always loved the styling of this car since GM introduced it (I love Vegas, too!)--too bad the underpinnings weren't better. That said, I've also been hankering to build something road-racing inspired. I like the looks of the early Trans Am series cars. Unfortunately, by the time the Monza was introduced, "IMSA" flares were en-vogue, and I'm not nuts about those. So, I decided to build this as a street car with early T/A influences. I've removed the rear seat and covered that area. I'll probably replace the floor, as well. I've begun work on a basic rollbar assembly. It'll get a pair of racing seats, and a cleaned-up dash. I'm going with these Minilite wheels (I found them on Ebay, last year. They're very nice!). Tires are from the AMT parts packs. I will put disc brakes at all four corners--one thing I enjoy when I build curbside models is adding as much detail as I can, while still keeping it curbside (don't turn it over; it'll retain the promo chassis!) You can see the aluminum chin spoiler, and, I'll add a simple spoiler to the rear, as well. Not much done, so far, but here's a first look! Comments and questions welcome!

My next project is a replica of the Jerry Titus Team Shelby-Terlingua 1967 Mustang Notch-back Trans-Am racecar. I decided to build this model for a number of reasons. - It was on my list of previously started projects, which I made a resolution to complete before starting something new. - I long ago decided to build a grid of early Trans-Am car and have collected the kits and parts to build about sixteen models but so far have only completed two. - The first weekend of July I was planning to attend the 50th Anniversary at Pacific Raceways Kent Washington of the final race of the ’67 Trans-Am Series at which Jerry Titus crashed this car in practice. He had to borrow a car for the race. Mustang beat Cougar to the Championship and Titus was the top driver. - Much to my surprise back in ‘67, my father traded his beige and boring ’62 Ford Galaxie 500 4-door sedan for a brand new lime green ’67 Mustang Notchback 289 2-barrel automatic which when I rarely got to drive it I removed the grill ornament and installed baby Moons. I have always been attracted to the second generation Mustang Notchbacks. HISTORY – Shelby American built 26 1967 Group II Notchback Mustangs for the Trans-Am Series. In terms of suspension, steering and brakes they essentially were very similar to the 1965 Shelby GT350R’s. THE MODEL - I taped together my progress so far to take to a model club meeting so I could not resist posting. My camera got ripped off recently so please excuse the quality of the attached photos. BODY - I started with the very good AMT ’67 Mustang GT Fastback kit. I converted the body to a notchback a number of years ago. It was my second notchback conversion. I previously built a replica of my nephew’s ’68 over twenty years ago. The conversion entails grafting on the roof and trunk from the AMT ’66 Mustang Coupe. Some additional plastic and putty is required around the rear window and at the trailing edge of the trunk to approximate the ’67 Mustang characteristics. In front I removed the grill to be replaced with mesh. The license plate area was opened up and the bumper mount arrangement was added. INTERIOR – The rear seat was removed and filled. The floor was smoothed. ENGINE – The rules allowed two 4-barrel carbs. I fabricated the manifold and used carbs from Revell ’32 Ford kits which also provided the exhaust manifolds. CHASSIS – The front spindles were raised. The inner sides of the wheel tubs were cut, bent inwards and filled for the wider tires. The rear spring mounts were cut down and the forward end of the springs now attach to the “frame rails” to provide clearance for wider tires. WHEELS & TIRES – The American Racing wheel came from the Revell C3 Corvette racecar kits as are the Goodyear Bluestreak Sportscar Special tires. The wheel backs are from the Revell ’32 3-W with hubs ground off. Wheels were drilled to fit directly on axles/spindles. PAINT – Shelby referred to the body color as “Gawd awful yellow”. I will use Testor’s light yellow enamel and semi-gloss black DECALS – Will be those produced years ago by Fred Cady

This was based on an old Tyco slot car set, Racing Warriors, set in a post apocalyptic future.

Old build, fresh pics. I built this one twenty years ago, but it has held up pretty well. See all the details at the link... http://www.svensworldofwheels.com/69_pontiac_trans_am_page.html