Survivor Resto: Original First-Issue Monkeemobile

[Snake45]

A few months ago GTX6970 posted pics of his nice Monkeemobile build, which inspired me to dig out the original first-issue I built as a kid in 1966. I could have stripped it and rebuilt it completely, but lately I've been on a bit of a “survivor restoration” kick, so decided to go that way with it.

Here's what I started with. It was missing the wheels, tires, and rear axle, so I had to borrow those from a common reissue to drive on. If the originals ever turn up, I'll reinstall them.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA01_zpsoewdfjiu.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA09_zpsctp0xod8.jpg.html][/URL]

 

As you can see, the windshield frame had been crushed/bowed over the years. I didn't think this could be fixed, which is why I didn't restore the thing years ago. It turned out all I needed to do was tape the windshield in place, superglue and clamp one side, and then superglue and clamp the other. The windshield itself perfectly re-positions the bent frame.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA06_zpsxsxwbmly.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA38_zpss9iziywz.jpg.html][/URL]

 For those interested, I have a full Workbench thread here:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/120515-survivor-resto-original-first-issue-monkeemobile-new-pics-48/

Instead of stripping and repainting the top, I decided to keep it as a relic and just built a new top from the reissue. So except for the wheels, tires, chassis, and top, everything here is original.

I painted the interior sides and seats with Walmart white primer, two coats. I didn't even strip the old hand-brushed Testor white off them. I did leave the dash and carpet just as I brushed them brown in 1966.

The original finish was a couple coats of Pactra Candy Pagan Gold over the kit red plastic. It's not in the best of shape, with runs, sags, bubbles, and orange peel, but I decided to leave it as-is, just adding a couple coats of hand-brushed Future for a little shine. Note the pinstripe. It's 1/32” Auto World striping tape. It's at least twice as wide as it should be, and it wasn't in great shape, coming unstuck in a couple spots. Probably should have removed it but it's a part of this model's history so I fixed it as best I could and kept it. One thing I DID do, though is cut the tape away around the door lines instead of running right over them as it was, which really improves the appearance. I also hit the windshield trim and GTO and Dean Jeffries emblems with my beloved Silver Sharpie.

I touched up the grille area a bit, but left the engine alone. The idea was just to have a nice presentation of something I built 50 years ago, not a complete rebuild. Here's how it ended up.

 

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA45_zpsgyje5a0v.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA46_zpsy4mvjofn.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA50_zps1q50ci25.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA52_zpsmtjzhnqs.jpg.html][/URL]

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[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA58_zpsn2igzv7a.jpg.html][/URL]

[Snake45]

And one with the top off, just to show off the lovely Walmart Primer White upholstery and seats.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA54_zps3vaivnjr.jpg.html][/URL]

 

Just for grins, here's a couple with the original MPC '66 GTO annual I built in 1969 and survivor-restored (i.e., no repaint, all original work) a couple years ago:

 

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA61_zpshzr5snte.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA60_zpsdqjedl7p.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA63_zpsjciku3pf.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Snake45/media/Model%20Cars/Monkeemobile/MonkeemobileA64_zpsrgzh489n.jpg.html][/URL]

Edited May 6, 2017 by Snake45

[slusher]

Very sharp and awesome save Snake!

[Helix]

Awesome 

[TonyW]

That's a fine looking restoration.

I like the idea of not going over the top with the rebuild. It's a piece of your modelling history with the memories attached every bit as important as the kit itself. 

I'm currently doing a rebuild of a Monkeemobile myself, it's on a slow burner but I'll post the results here once it's finished. I used these aftermarket decals...

 

 

... Very nice but very difficult to fit. They are incredibly thin and like to wrinkle up given half a chance.

 

Edited May 7, 2017 by TonyW
Picture added

[Tom Geiger]

Very cool. Nothing like a survivor from your youth!  

[chepp]

Nice save! I think that you did just the right amount of improvement to make it look good while still preserving the original.

[vintagercr]

Great looking survivor

[Snake45]

I'm currently doing a rebuild of a Monkeemobile myself, it's on a slow burner but I'll post the results here once it's finished. I used these aftermarket decals...

 

 

... Very nice but very difficult to fit. They are incredibly thin and like to wrinkle up given half a chance.

 

Try a coat of Micro Superfilm on them. I've lost count of the number of old or otherwise cranky decals that stuff has saved for me!

[Hmann68]

Love the monkey mobile! The Goat looks great too! You built that GTO the year I was born and I think I could use a restoration too lol

[Snake45]

Very cool. Nothing like a survivor from your youth!  

So true. As the real car guys say, "It's only original once." With the repainted white upholstery, it's no longer 100% original, but it's as close as I can stand to live with, and it's a happy relic of my youth.