71' Cuda 30 years later

[The Fisherman]

While waiting for paint to dry on a few pieces for Twisted Fish, I started on version II. This is planned to be the same car, 30 (hard) years later. It will show what happens when someone too young to have such a muscle car: accident damage, rust from lack of care, a motor that has been tinkered with and neglected, factory options replaced with whatever was available (affordable) at the time; all while still being driveable. 

This will be my first attempt at rusting/weathering and opening doors/trunk. Please feel free to let me know where I go wrong and/or share any thoughts about the process(es).

Mocked up stance with the broken, shackle rear end lift:

Shackles that are broken (on purpose), yet still keeping things together. Rear view also shows a lost exhaust tip and rust on what is left. The shackles and front leaf spring connections will get rusted in time.

 

[Mattsteel85]

From what I can see the weathering in the rear looks awesome

[GTJUNIOR]

From what I can see the weathering in the rear looks awesome

x 2.

[The Fisherman]

Thanks! Here is a better view of the chassis that I started to "rot":

Not certain if I'll do it on the chassis or one of the quarter panels, but I want to incorporate a "license plate patch panel" somewhere. 

 

[Dogfish_7]

Some great weathering on the chassis!

[GoatGuy]

A great time idea. It looks really good so far. Looking forward to more.

[bobthehobbyguy]

The weathering looks great. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Polaco]

I'll Be following this! dido on the weathering, looks very convincing.

great idea. might have to try that 

[The Fisherman]

4/4/16 - I'm well outside my comfort level now. I have no idea what I'm doing, but Continue to press forward. Removed one(1) door and cut the interior bucket apart to match. I have to figure out where the filler pieces will be installed; not certain if they get built onto the body, then the interior is installed to fit, or if the fillers get built onto the interior bucket, then fitted into the body like a typical step(?)

Installed the rain gutters in the trunk. I will need to work around this mistake, as I neglected to budget for the height of the half-round I was going to use as the trunk gasket. Right now, the trunk lid fits perfect on the gutters, but will sit too high with the .040 strip laid in. (May just opt to display the car trunk open.......