Superbird rebuild.

[iamsuperdan]

So this is the start of the first real rebuild I've ever tried. I was at my parents' place recently, and found a box with some of my old models in it. I emptied the box, laid the kits out, and reminisced about building them and where I got them and all of that. Maybe it's corny, but yes, I have an attachment to these hunks of plastic, and they do bring back memories.

Anyway...

 I plan on restoring all of these to some level, but there are two kits that really spoke to me.

The Plymouth Superbird and Dodge Charger Daytona were the only two muscle cars that ever really got me charged up. I mean, I like the muscle car era, but the winged warriors are still the only ones that really get me excited. 

So back in junior high, around 1987 or so, I built two of the Monogram (I think) Superbird kits. One blue, one white, built bone stock.

The plan is to strip both of these cars and rebuild as one, possibly two completely different kits. I have one definite idea about the direction of one. And I've never seen it done in kit form before, so hopefully I can pull it off. 

Here's what I'm starting with.

For whatever reason, I never painted the body on the blue one. Just went with the bare body and ran with it.Should make stripping that one easy!

 

Stay tuned...

 

 

 

[espo]

Looks like an interesting project. The old models were very well built at the time and should clean up well. Still in great shape for almost 30 years.

[randyc]

Attic finds.  As good a real barn find!  And look just as dusty.  Enjoy the restorations.

[Igor]

I have a blue Superbird just like that waiting for me to rebuild it as well... Looks about the same!

[MrObsessive]

Should be an interesting resto! I can remember as a kid when the 1:1's were new (in 1970).

[slusher]

I am also a fan of these winged warriors. Will enjoy to follow along.

[Mr mopar]

This should be good .............This is my all time Favourite Muscle car !

Edited October 2, 2016 by Mr mopar

[KWT]

My first Superbird looked exactly like the blue, except mine had a black hood and trunk. I've been considering rebuilding it too. Definitely gonna follow along. 

[Tom Geiger]

Dan, great story about finding some of your childhood builds.  I wish I had a few of mine.

That said, if they were mine, I'd simply do the deep cleaning to remove dust and cobwebs, and reattach the loose parts. Then I'd put them on the shelf as a memory to my youth, and no the attachment you feel isn't corny, it's going back to your roots!

This kit is still easy to find, so I'd buy another one and build your masterpiece from a new kit.  Then I'd display it along with the originals as a  Now and Then shelf. It will symbolize your simple beginning and how far you have come as a modeler!

[Ridge Rider]

Dan, great story about finding some of your childhood builds.  I wish I had a few of mine.

That said, if they were mine, I'd simply do the deep cleaning to remove dust and cobwebs, and reattach the loose parts. Then I'd put them on the shelf as a memory to my youth, and no the attachment you feel isn't corny, it's going back to your roots!

This kit is still easy to find, so I'd buy another one and build your masterpiece from a new kit.  Then I'd display it along with the originals as a  Now and Then shelf. It will symbolize your simple beginning and how far you have come as a modeler!

I couldn't have said it better.  I really wish I had any models from my youth to do this.  

[iamsuperdan]

So this was interesting. I forgot that I used to put the completion date on my models. So the blue Superbird was finished on Feb 2, 1988. I was 14, and this was before I started just going by Dan.

 

Wow. Could I have used more glue on this windshield?!

 

 

[Harry P.]

I like Tom's idea of just cleaning up the old models, reattaching the loose parts, and leaving them as is... a window into the past... and starting with new kits for your "revised" versions. But it looks like you've already begun the teardown, so have at it! 

[Snake45]

Dan, great story about finding some of your childhood builds.  I wish I had a few of mine.

That said, if they were mine, I'd simply do the deep cleaning to remove dust and cobwebs, and reattach the loose parts. Then I'd put them on the shelf as a memory to my youth, and no the attachment you feel isn't corny, it's going back to your roots!

This kit is still easy to find, so I'd buy another one and build your masterpiece from a new kit.  Then I'd display it along with the originals as a  Now and Then shelf. It will symbolize your simple beginning and how far you have come as a modeler!

Agree completely. Tom just saved me a bunch of typing.

I've stripped a few of my old models and now wish I hadn't. I still have a few of my old builds left, and now I prefer to do "Then and Now" builds if the kit or something similar is available, and display the old and new together to show my progress and evolution.

[花火]

this is great!! 88? almost 30 years back then!

BTW, how about this kit? I really want to buy one.

[tmathew1us]

this is great!! 88? almost 30 years back then!

BTW, how about this kit? I really want to buy one.

If this is the Revell version, then it is a great kit.(The sister Daytona version put out by AMT  is much more challenging/inaccurate). For what its worth, the latest reissues of this Superbird kit do not include the circular Roadrunner logos on the giant rear wing, probably from copyright issues from the Roadrunner cartoon. So to get the most accurate decals, try to get hold of an older version of this kit.  

[geemoney]

Should be an interesting resto! I can remember as a kid when the 1:1's were new (in 1970).

me too!!

standing in front of the candy store, 69-70 ish

I was in awe, none of the people with me shared my enthusiasm!

[花火]

If this is the Revell version, then it is a great kit.(The sister Daytona version put out by AMT  is much more challenging/inaccurate). For what its worth, the latest reissues of this Superbird kit do not include the circular Roadrunner logos on the giant rear wing, probably from copyright issues from the Roadrunner cartoon. So to get the most accurate decals, try to get hold of an older version of this kit.  

Thank you Tom.

I just want to build one original, I mean without much decals... or with some 'MY' paintings and decals..

Of course, the 'Plymouth' decal can't be missing for sure

[iamsuperdan]

This kit was definitely the Monogram kit. And did not come with the Road Runner decals, otherwise they would have been on the wings for sure.

 

I get what you're all saying about preserving the kit. Although I am sentimental, it's only to a point. There are a couple of other kits I found in the box that I have a bigger attachment to, so those will probably just get cleaned up a little and displayed.

 

[426-Hemi]

Its always good to see something "saved" its like me and my General Lee.. its all I got left from my model building days as a kid..... So I know and love to see them preserved! for the Sentimental reasons!

[dodgefever]

+1. Leave it as a time capsule.   I had that Superbird for Christmas 1987, fond memories, but gone now.  I wish I had some of my old builds intact.

[adamelvis]

The dusty interior looks so real !!   LOL !!    What a fun project, a real 1/24 scale restoration !! 

Cheers.

 

 

[Geno]

Same here, I wish I'd kept my old builds. Like an idiot I traded them for RC stuff.

[DumpyDan]

I like going back and looking at the old stuff and rebuilding it.  It is amazing how much you forget you have until you open that box.........Gonna be watching