Dual 68 Chargers - new/rebuild - the adventures of Bronzie and Bluebell

[Kmb0319]

I got back into this hobby in 2015.  I built models as a kid and into my teenage years, but hadn't since 1988 or so... almost.  Somewhere around 2008, our son was expressing interest in cars, so I built two models for his room, thinking he might enjoy them and get into the hobby.  One, a Revell 69 Camaro, was a success.  The other, the Revell 68 Charger R/T, was a disaster.  I couldn't get the body/chassis/interior to match up, and ended up throwing the model in the trash.

After building mostly NASCAR kits when I started back, I moved into street cars again, and took another shot at the 68 Charger, as it's one of my all-time favorite cars.  I had a TON of problems with it, but was able to get it done and on the shelf.  The problem was, it didn't look good enough.  As I built more, it really stood out as one of my worst jobs.  I decided to take it apart as much as I could and try to improve it.  At the same time, the holidays came, and my sister bought me a model for Christmas.  It was the Dominic's 70 Charger.  Good kit, but I don't like blown street machines.  I went to exchange it, and looked at the 68 sitting on the shelf.  There wasn't anything else that I was jonesing to build at that moment.  Maybe I could take one last shot at this kit to really get it right while fixing the old one.

The old build was black with a tan interior... OK, but not a popular combo in 1968.  I re-did the interior, leaving it tan, but adding contrasting tans for the door panels, dash, seat inserts and carpet to bring it to life. For exterior color, I went with Testors One Coat Bronze.  One the new build, I chose Tamiya light blue metallic with 4 different blues for the interior.  I was able to get the 440 out of "Bronzie,"and replaced it with the new kit's Hemi, all wired up.  "Bluebell" got the stock 440.  Bronzie got the magnum 500s, Bluebell got the dog dish caps.  Bronzie used the larger Goodyear Polyglas in the rear and smaller up front, while Bluebell got the larger ones all around, with the rears pushed out a little.  Bronzie got black stripes, Bluebell got white.  As a new build, the blue one got a few extra details... seatbelts, extra vacuum hoses on the engine and master cylinder.  

This was the build that was redone:

Rebuilt, it became Bronzie:

The new kit is Bluebell:

I took the air cleaner off to show the hoses, although the one is cut too short to attach, so it's hidden under said air cleaner. 

Anyway, the twins together:

I'm finally happy with the Revell 68 Charger... two times over.  One of my all-time favorite kits of one of my all-time favorite cars, so it was worth having 2.  Which one do you like better?

Edited March 1, 2017 by Kmb0319

[Hmann68]

Nice! Can't decide, I'll take both please!

[MeatMan]

Nice work Kevin! Great detail on the interiors and engines.

[bogger44]

I love these as well, Kevin!  I can't decide which I'd take either.....both please Lol!  I have 2 68's and a 69 lurking in my stash that I REALLY need to build.  Your's have given me some inspiration, thanks!

[Kmb0319]

I love these as well, Kevin!  I can't decide which I'd take either.....both please Lol!  I have 2 68's and a 69 lurking in my stash that I REALLY need to build.  Your's have given me some inspiration, thanks!

oh, I'm dying to see what you do with these!

[slusher]

Both look great!!

[Tom99]

Both look great, nice work.

[DumpyDan]

Really nice, I am planing n doing a Charger like in the first pic.

[PARTSMARTY]

What everybody else said-awesome-love mopars -they look great !!!

[microwheel]

These really turned out nice. Love the color choices.

[espo]

They both look great. Picking a favorite would be like saying which is your favorite child. They both are outstanding with just a different flavor so to say. But I sort of like the Bronze one myself.  

[donb]

They both look great. Picking a favorite would be like saying which is your favorite child. They both are outstanding with just a different flavor so to say. But I sort of like the Bronze one myself.  

My thoughts too!

[TonyW]

Chrome wheels on a Charger will do it for me every time!

 

Good looking builds.

 

Tony.

[High octane]

Being a huge fan of B-bodied Mopars, I'm really likin' both of those Chargers and it would be hard for me to pick a favorite. I just love dem Mopars!

[Dann Tier]

I love the bronze one, but only because of the color.....its not used as much as that blue is. Fantastic work!!!! Q: I bet you had to lower the suspension, didn't you?

[Hubert Rollins]

Hard to pick... both very nice!!

[Kmb0319]

 

I love the bronze one, but only because of the color.....its not used as much as that blue is. Fantastic work!!!! Q: I bet you had to lower the suspension, didn't you?

Thank you!  The bronze car was lowered when I built it originally.  On the redo, I didn't really touch the chassis other than replacing the engine.  When I started the blue one, I built the front suspension first.  I test-fitted the body to the chassis, and my stance was great IF the frame touched the inner fender when it was done.  That has been a problem... getting the body and frame to end up touching after have everything assembled.  This time, finally, I got them to meet, so no lowering was required. 

[Geno]

Wow Kevin, those look phenomenal. Love dem Mopars.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Geno

[bogger44]

oh, I'm dying to see what you do with these!

Once I finish my current build, I believe I'll get started on a 68.  I've wanted to build one in a bronze-ish color for some time now and your's has only amplified that desire.  Thanks again for sharing these.