cruz Posted April 23, 2008 Posted April 23, 2008 I have always been a big Mopar fanatic, the problem is that most of my builds have been Chevys and the like and at the moment don't have many Mopars in my stable. At the NNL in Wayne 2 weeks ago, I decided to buy the Sox and Martin Johan Cuda and I am very happy to see that it is very correct overall. Until now, I have decided to build something that a lot of Mopar guys might have in their garage, in other words, a weekday street ride and weekend racer more or less. As you will see by the progress shots, there is a lot of clean-up work to be done and some massaging of plastic here and there. I am very much in love w/ this body style and certainly will be taking some time to do something special w/ this model!!! Like I said, a lot of clean-up in order!!! Had to do a little bit of "bondoing" here and there. Also did some scribing of lines around doors and trunk lid!! I will be using some stuff out of this Photo-Etch tree and try to customize it a little like for example the front grille, had to do some cutting here and there to fit it!!
cruz Posted April 23, 2008 Author Posted April 23, 2008 The hood fit was kinda out of whack so I decide to add a little plastic to correct it!!
cruz Posted April 23, 2008 Author Posted April 23, 2008 I can't say enough about how much I love my Model Car Club, great friends and company and I also look forward to buying something new and different in every get together. Got these Metal Casted valve covers from one of the vendors for a very reasonable price. Don't know for certain if I am still using them for this project but it doesn't hurt to show them!! More or less a mock-up of what I want to accomplish w/ this thing. Hope you guys like!!!! Still haven't decided on the color but would like to hear your comments, up to now I have a HOK Purple or a Tamiya Light Gun Metal, don't want to go w/ a 2 tone though, remember I don't want to be an attraction around the cops when on the streets of Maryland!!
Nick F40 Posted April 23, 2008 Posted April 23, 2008 Saaaweeet Cruz! I like this, and it looks awsome so far. I like the wheel/combo and that grill, and....heck I love everything about.
MrObsessive Posted April 24, 2008 Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) See?? Ain't you glad you listened to me? I told ya that the Johan 'Cuda is the most accurate one of that body style, with the MPC one coming in a close second IMO. As far as color? How 'bout "Lemon Twist"...................that'll get the attention! Edited April 24, 2008 by MrObsessive
cruz Posted April 24, 2008 Author Posted April 24, 2008 See?? Ain't you glad you listened to me? I told ya that the Johan 'Cuda is the most accurate one of that body style, with the MPC one coming in a close second IMO. As far as color? How 'bout "Lemon Twist"...................that'll get the attention! Well, like I told you in the CPMCC Meeting, I just had to have one, thanks for the advice!! Lemon twist actually sounds pretty good, I will give it some thought, it is a pretty cool color too...
MrObsessive Posted April 24, 2008 Posted April 24, 2008 Hey Cruz! See what you made me do?? I'm so impressed with what you're doing with your 'Cuda that I just went and bought one off the 'Bay a few minutes ago! Yes, I scored one just like yours, but the HSO ("Hobby Shop Only") version put out by Testors, ..............the same Johan tooling. When will I build it?.............Well..................
cruz Posted April 24, 2008 Author Posted April 24, 2008 Hey Cruz! See what you made me do?? I'm so impressed with what you're doing with your 'Cuda that I just went and bought one off the 'Bay a few minutes ago! Yes, I scored one just like yours, but the HSO ("Hobby Shop Only") version put out by Testors, ..............the same Johan tooling. When will I build it?.............Well.................. Hey, you did this to yourself!!! Cudas can be "vicy"
MikeMc Posted April 26, 2008 Posted April 26, 2008 Tamiya Light Gun Metal and lemon twist!!!!!!!!!!!!done Foose style
chris coller Posted April 26, 2008 Posted April 26, 2008 Hey Cruz are you thinking big block all wired up? Iwould love to see this thing done up! Maybe I will get to see it one of the meetings. If not maybe in September?
Plasticfanatic Posted April 27, 2008 Posted April 27, 2008 This is going to be a VERY SWEET project and with all the details you are putting in this Cuda build is going to look MAGNIFICENT!!!!! Please keep us posted. Fred
VW Dave Posted April 27, 2008 Posted April 27, 2008 Light gunmetal would make the low-profile street racer look for sure, but I'm a sucker for lemon twist E-bodies
cruz Posted April 29, 2008 Author Posted April 29, 2008 I am going w/ Citrus Yellow Metallic, something different from all those orange and purple ones out there!!! Pretty soon I will be posting some pictures of the progress. Not many alterations to the engine, just simply detailed and nicely painted!! Thanks for the comments my plastic freaks!!
cruz Posted April 29, 2008 Author Posted April 29, 2008 Well my peeps, here is the color I decided to use, I am kinda happy w/ this decision!! The next step is obviously the wetsanding and polishing, believe me it is pretty rough. For the clear, I used Odds and Ends.
cruz Posted April 29, 2008 Author Posted April 29, 2008 I am not too crazy about using Alclad Chrome on bumpers for I think it is too much surface and I think that it should only be used for smaller parts but I am pretty happy w/ the results on these bumpers since the Cuda bumpers are nice and small. Originally I was planning to use metal Valve covers but I found these to be more detailed and have the holes for the metal breathers I will be using.
Darrell Gwinn Posted April 29, 2008 Posted April 29, 2008 The paint looks great and those bumpers do look pretty dang good.
cruz Posted April 29, 2008 Author Posted April 29, 2008 I will be using this gauge photo-etch detail set for the dash. I like the option of the transparent gauges since I can opt to paint the background on these any color I desire!!
Bluzboy66 Posted April 30, 2008 Posted April 30, 2008 Cruz, it's great to see you building some classic Mopar muscle! The Citrus Yellow looks great. I've been wondering what to use that color on myself. I gotta say, it compliments the Cuda's lines perfectly. I might use it on an old MPC '76 Volare I've got prepped. Mike
Frank Steffens Posted April 30, 2008 Posted April 30, 2008 I love that color! I can't wait to see this one finished!
cruz Posted May 1, 2008 Author Posted May 1, 2008 Cruz, it's great to see you building some classic Mopar muscle! The Citrus Yellow looks great. I've been wondering what to use that color on myself. I gotta say, it compliments the Cuda's lines perfectly. I might use it on an old MPC '76 Volare I've got prepped. Mike Yes Mike, I am a big Mopar lover man, I am planning on doing a few more throughout the year man. Thanks for the compliment on the color and yes, do use it man, it is a beautiful color!!
cruz Posted May 1, 2008 Author Posted May 1, 2008 After much cleaning and smoothing the headers, I Alcladed them with Aluminum which resembles a lot the chrome option. I made sure to make the opening at the mouth of the headers a bit bigger and cleaner for a smoother more realistic open look!!
cruz Posted May 1, 2008 Author Posted May 1, 2008 Here, I started working w/ the rubber fuel lines after drilling tiny holes on the carbs to accept these. I placed a small block in the inside of the manifold to connect all the lines and ultimately run one to the fuel tank later.
cruz Posted May 1, 2008 Author Posted May 1, 2008 Here are a few shots on the engine progress w/ the metal breathers on the valve covers and the installation of the distributor and it's wiring. I love the look of the metal breathers against the Alclad on the valve colors, seems to give it more of a realistic contrast than the kit chrome!!
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