'69 Firebird

[BIGTRUCK]

Moving away from customs and showrods for a build or two, Im building the 2003 issue 69 Firebird. The back bumper area on this kit is terrible, I have the MPC White lightning version of this kit and in the rear bumper area everything fits perfect, on this AMT RC ERTL  , the filler panel dont fit right, chrome bumper is full of flash and leaves you to figure out how to mount it as the 2 mounting tabs are deleted. I worked the panel in and sanded it smooth, adding a strip off evergreen below the lights to close the gap. Re-drilled axle holes to lower the body front and back.Single groove cheater slicks on back, narrow streets up front. Using the 400 that came with the kit but adding headers.

 

[GoatGuy]

A great start. One of my favorites cars.

[Snake45]

Since you seem interesting in improving the looks of this kit, here's a tip that will cost you nothing and takes only a few minutes.

Take a good look at the upper "rear fender" line immediately aft of the door and under the side rear windows. MPC really hosed this area on all their first-gen F body kits, Camaros and Firebirds alike. The crease of this line shouldn't come all the way up to the window, but on these kits it does. You can greatly improve the looks of these bodies by wrapping some sandpaper around a small dowel or something and lowering this line just a bit. Look at the Revell '67 or '69 Camaros or their '68 Firebird--those bodies all have this area right, more or less.

Here's the "fix" on an MPC '69 Camaro. Before:

 

After:

See the difference?

Good luck with your project, BTW. Looks like it'll be another good'un.

 

 

 

[Poppa mitch]

Great start, what color are you planning?  I do agree with the rear quarter to be massaged a little, I b e lived it looks like it seems t s lower.

[AC Norton]

Moving away from customs and showrods for a build or two, Im building the 2003 issue 69 Firebird. The back bumper area on this kit is terrible, I have the MPC White lightning version of this kit and in the rear bumper area everything fits perfect, on this AMT RC ERTL  , the filler panel dont fit right, chrome bumper is full of flash and leaves you to figure out how to mount it as the 2 mounting tabs are deleted. I worked the panel in and sanded it smooth, adding a strip off evergreen below the lights to close the gap. Re-drilled axle holes to lower the body front and back.Single groove cheater slicks on back, narrow streets up front. Using the 400 that came with the kit but adding headers.

 

very nice project, indeed, and reading your text about your kit being the 2003 issue sparked interest. I built 2 of the 1993 issues, orange car on the box, and I don't recall having to fix the rear panel or having any bumper woes. I also have a  sealed 1993 issue coming in the mail presently, and am anxious to open it and check out the body and rear bumper, to refresh my memory regarding this. this kit does build into a nice little drag piece with a bit of work and a few parts box goodies....good luck with yours,,,,,,the  Ace.......

[BIGTRUCK]

A.C. this is the one I started with ..In the next picture, the bumper and panel are from the MPC White lightning version, you can see the mounting tabs and the holes are in the grooved part of the panel. On my 2003 issue once you  install the panel there will be a gap that the bumper covers up, but without the angled guide pins in the bumper or holes in panel to put it,you will have to fill that gap to use the bumper. In my top pictures you can see the rear of the car above the panel I put evergreen  strip to fill that gap..Its all fixable..

Edited April 12, 2016 by BIGTRUCK

[bismarck]

Lookin GOOD Ken!!

[AC Norton]

A.C. this is the one I started with ..In the next picture, the bumper and panel are from the MPC White lightning version, you can see the mounting tabs and the holes are in the grooved part of the panel. On my 2003 issue once you  install the panel there will be a gap that the bumper covers up, but without the angled guide pins in the bumper or holes in panel to put it,you will have to fill that gap to use the bumper. In my top pictures you can see the rear of the car above the panel I put evergreen  strip to fill that gap..Its all fixable..

Ken, I remember building White Lightning versions too now that you jarred my memory, and even the 69 original in 1969...and after seeing you pictures here , I see the dilemma with the newer issues. I just now as we speak opened my 1993 issue as mentioned above, and its identical to your 2003 kit. I truly don't recall problems with the 2 I built back in the mid 90s, but they were sold long ago....but, when I start this new one I got in, I will refer to your posts here to do corrections if necessary. thanks for bringing all this to light.....anxious to see your build too....best, the Ace....

[BIGTRUCK]

Since you seem interesting in improving the looks of this kit, here's a tip that will cost you nothing and takes only a few minutes.

Take a good look at the upper "rear fender" line immediately aft of the door and under the side rear windows. MPC really hosed this area on all their first-gen F body kits, Camaros and Firebirds alike. The crease of this line shouldn't come all the way up to the window, but on these kits it does. You can greatly improve the looks of these bodies by wrapping some sandpaper around a small dowel or something and lowering this line just a bit. Look at the Revell '67 or '69 Camaros or their '68 Firebird--those bodies all have this area right, more or less.

Here's the "fix" on an MPC '69 Camaro. Before:

 

After:

See the difference?

Good luck with your project, BTW. Looks like it'll be another good'un.

 

 

 

I see what your saying, the line is up as high as the bottom edge of the rear side window glass on the kit,lower on the 1:1.. here the ref pic I got from the web [ high performance pontiac forum ]

Cleaned up rear bumper of flash and mold lines, removed over thick and over size license plate and made one from sheet plastic . No pics as its soaking in bleach to remove the rest of the chrome.

Edited April 12, 2016 by BIGTRUCK

[BIGTRUCK]

Added the new plate and drilled for pins. The license plate will cover pins.

I'll then drill two receiver holes in the evergreen I added as filler on the body and it should be ok. I'll have to re-chrome the bumper but at least it looks better and easier to mount

[Snake45]

Excellent pic that illustrates what I'm talking about. Now that you see it, I'm sure you'll fix it. I had to after I noticed that on these kits.

[AC Norton]

looking over my 69 'bird that I just got today, Snake's point regarding the body line in question is interesting. the car certainly needs some correcting, if you enjoy body work. I'm sure I can improve that area, but you guys that do great body work are more apt to get it closer than I will. I think back a while Snake started a thread called Guilty Pleasures kits....personally, this kit is one of mine. since 69, I think I have built at least 5, and still love this one. simple and basic but it builds into a nice stocker, racer, street machine, you name it..........the Ace...

[Snake45]

 I think back a while Snake started a thread called Guilty Pleasures kits....personally, this kit is one of mine. since 69, I think I have built at least 5, and still love this one. simple and basic but it builds into a nice stocker, racer, street machine, you name it..........the Ace...

The MPC '69 Camaro is one of my Guilty Pleasures. I'm almost finished with my 5th one since 1969. Only did this fix on the last two, though.

The '69 Firebird, not so much. I just never liked it as a car as much as either the Camaros or the '67-'68 Firebird. I do have four or five copies of this kit, including an original annual I started back in 1969 (still half-built in the box), but have never finished one. Thinking about doing one as an OHC 6 car soon, though.

BTW, the MPC first-gen Camaros are noticeably too narrow in width. I was amazed recently when I took a good look at the '69 Firebird body and found out that it's NOT too narrow, it's the correct width (compared with the other AMT and Revell first-gen Camaros and Firebirds).

[AC Norton]

The MPC '69 Camaro is one of my Guilty Pleasures. I'm almost finished with my 5th one since 1969. Only did this fix on the last two, though.

The '69 Firebird, not so much. I just never liked it as a car as much as either the Camaros or the '67-'68 Firebird. I do have four or five copies of this kit, including an original annual I started back in 1969 (still half-built in the box), but have never finished one. Thinking about doing one as an OHC 6 car soon, though.

BTW, the MPC first-gen Camaros are noticeably too narrow in width. I was amazed recently when I took a good look at the '69 Firebird body and found out that it's NOT too narrow, it's the correct width (compared with the other AMT and Revell first-gen Camaros and Firebirds).

no doubt Camaros are more popular in general, poor kits or not. however, I can say from building this 69' bird several times, it has  potential if  you like these cars. true, 67 and 68 'birds are a bit nicer, but that killer RAM AIR 4 engine combo was a factory option in 1969. regardless, you have many times stated on the forum that fun and simple is sometimes good....well, its usually very good if long, tedious projects aren't  your bag, and this kit with a bit of TLC can be a neat build.  guilty pleasure,,,...,,I don't feel guilty one bit......lol....the Ace.....

[BIGTRUCK]

It may not look much like progress and its hard to tell in primer , but  [Snake45 ] Richard pointed out a high body line at rear side window. I dropped that line down and repaired a few rough spots above that. Also shown is how the rear bumper now fits.

[Snake45]

Now, see, doesn't that look better?

When finished, people are going to tell you it looks great--and they won't even realize why.

[BIGTRUCK]

I didnt forget this one, besides helping with daughters wedding , wife and I went to Vegas for some relaxation...Shot some ''Red Pepper'' paint and sttill need to gloss coat

started assy on engine..you need to trim some off the back of the alternator to fit right.

While paint cures I'll start the interior..paint will be semi-gloss black.

[bismarck]

Lookin Good Ken!! You have my attention.