68 Firebird - Wheels make a difference

[Kmb0319]

This isn't actually a new build, I built this a year and a half ago.  To me, it's proof that small adjustments can make a huge difference.  

My teenage son wanted to try building a model in the Spring of 2015.  He chose the Revell 68 Firebird, but the only version available was the Foose version.  I'm not really a pro-touring kind of builder... if I'm building a muscle car, I want it to be stock.  If I have custom wheels, they will be period-correct...   something an owner would have put on when they brought their new baby home.  (I realize this is just my opinion... others may wholeheartedly disagree, and that's OK)  Anyway, he painted a grand total of 3 parts before he quit, so I took over and built it.

Further, among the Revell Foose kits, the wheels included in this version were my least favorite.  The wide 5-spokes are not something I would ever choose.  (The tires were a nice width, they just weren't "right" to me)  I tried to throw some gold trim on them to see if that would help... it didn't, possibly because my effort was poor.  SO... last week, I was cleaning my office up, and part of that included fixing several of the models that got broken in our relocation this summer and getting them onto a shelf.  I washed this Firebird, put a little wax on it, reattached a few broken parts, and finally set out to replace the wheels/tires.  I dug into my parts box.. thought I could possibly use the Pontiac Rallys from the MPC 72 GTO... WRONG... those are horrible, like the rest of the kit.  What I ended up with was a set of the Cragars that were the custom wheels in the AMT 70 Camaro kit (molded in white) and a set of the AMT Firestone Wide Ovals.  I had to find wheel backs that pushed them out a little considering the wheels that were on originally, but not too much.  Here's the before:

I painted the wheels to look like Torque Thrusts.  After the change:

Now, THIS is my vision of a 68 Firebird.  Personally, I'm digging it... whatcha think?

[Can-Con]

Looks better. Never cared for those wheels.

 

BTW, Cragar did do wheels like that, they called them G/Ts.

[Snake45]

Looks better. Never cared for those wheels.

 

BTW, Cragar did do wheels like that, they called them G/Ts.

I'm with you. Not a fan of the black Cragar wheels, but I've done 'em where the chrome was wonky or bad on a kit's wheels.

BTW, they look pretty good on that Firebird.

[PARTSMARTY]

im diggin it too.!!!

[DumpyDan]

Oh though memories

[dodgefever]

Much better, I can't stand those huge wheels on old cars.  Would look even nicer with redlines.

[carman1]

Much better, I can't stand those huge wheels on old cars.  .

I agree 110 %  !

[Fanof69]

Much better now!!

[Kmb0319]

Looks better. Never cared for those wheels.

 

BTW, Cragar did do wheels like that, they called them G/Ts.

Love this!!! Look at the prices on those wheels!!! They'll set you back a whole $36-$38 per wheel!  

[espo]

In say '68 those $36-$38 wheels in 2016 dollars would be closer to $200 plus in todays dollars.   

[tbill]

ya, way better look, i too am diggin it

[Dann Tier]

I agree 110 %  !

I'm with you guys!! -and tyres have to have a sidewall!!!  -Great job on this Firebird!!, hopefully your son will try again some time!