1978 Dodge Monaco Gotham City PD: WIP (Photos Restored)

[David G.]

I built this one a while back and realized the other day that I never posted a build progress for it.

AMT's 1978 Dodge Monaco was, I believe, first issued as Sheriff Roscoe's Patrol Car inspired by the Dukes of Hazzard TV series. Since then, it has been released a number of different times in different liveries. This version is a representation of a Gotham City Police Cruiser\Joker's Goon Car from the 1989 Batman Movie. I don't recall that there were any 1978 Dodge Monaco's used in the movie as either Goon Cars or Police Cruisers, but it's been a few years since I've seen the movie. Besides, it's representation and it's the concept that counts.

 

In my opinion, those fender gaps are just unacceptable.

 

I cut and added some sheet styrene scraps to fill in the gaps. Not a perfect solution, but it will help.

 

This kit came with five or six different weapons, two or three radios, and a gun rack, but no turn signal switch or gear selector on the steering column. Using two different gauges of wire and some bits of plastic, I made my own.

 

Needed is a bit light clean-up where some of the black paint bled under the masking. After that, it's time to polish the paint, add some BMF and detail items, then plan the final assembly.

 

Yup, it looks like a cop car.

 

More photos of the finished project are in the Under Glass section.

Thanks for looking and as always, please feel free to comment.

David G.

Edited June 17, 2021 by David G.
Photos Restored

[426-Hemi]

NICE build David!!!! The fender wells I see, your doing those another way of getting the same end result I am.... (they fit TERRIBLE!) BUT looks great! Nice job on the engine too!

[David G.]

 

NICE build David!!!! The fender wells I see, your doing those another way of getting the same end result I am.... (they fit TERRIBLE!) BUT looks great! Nice job on the engine too!

 Thank you John.

Seeing your Monaco on The Board is what prompted me to create this topic.

I can't tell toy how much I've learned from seeing the work of other builders.

David G.

[426-Hemi]

Its all good! I tell to eah of us builders we all go about the same issues in a different way! I'm gonna "raise the body on mine, to then have a higher side fender well on each side and begin gluing the body there, and then work my way to the back of the car..... This frame to body mounting on this model is gonna be a lesson learned I tell ya, as it does not fit at all! So....... I'm gonna make up mounts as I go! 

[David G.]

Its all good! I tell to eah of us builders we all go about the same issues in a different way! I'm gonna "raise the body on mine, to then have a higher side fender well on each side and begin gluing the body there, and then work my way to the back of the car..... This frame to body mounting on this model is gonna be a lesson learned I tell ya, as it does not fit at all! So....... I'm gonna make up mounts as I go! 

I think you Monaco came out really good John. I enjoy all the extra detail you've put into it.

David G.

[426-Hemi]

I think you Monaco came out really good John. I enjoy all the extra detail you've put into it.

David G.

David,

In all honesty.... ? I have to say I probably went WAY over-board on the detail of this model, more than I should have..... Because of the kit itself, and all as its NOT the greatest kit as per-se the parts and how they fit.... I just get into detailing things and thats what gets me.... That in itself, (the detailing thereof) is what I enjoy and so, that being said, I just "let 'er rip"...... Which so far has gone well for the overall appearance of the model. 

I have to say, I had to sit it aside as I got into some other things I just had to deal with in a timely manner.... And to that, a break from finishing this one just because it does in fact become cantankerous thing after awhile and the last "sit down" and build onto it, had gotten to the point I had to take a break just because of its design of the kit and how it all should go together, and doesn't. (BEFORE it hit the wall at a flying leap speed of 200 MPH LOL) -I'm not one to allow the model to get the better of me even if it means I take a break from it....

Altho, that all being said, it is REALLY close done!

[David G.]

I've gone in and reedited the old photos to hopefully make them a bit more eye friendly and uploaded them to the topic once again. This should be the last time I have to rescue this topic from the PhotoBucket Monster.

Regards,

David G.