'69 Firebird/Trans Am--Ideas/Suggestions Wanted

[Snake45]

Got this diecast '69 Firebird/Trans Am cheap at the local toy show. Looking to do something interesting with it. If you've been around model cars a while, you recognize the shape as a direct copy of the backbirth MPC kit, blown up a little bit to 1/24 scale. 

First thing that has to go is those goofy donkey wheels and their stupid rubber band tires. It might be a job finding something that will nicely fill the slightly oversized wheel openings. I've got a couple different possibilities for the back, a set of huge slicks and a set of equally huge (pro street?) treaded tires. Just need to find some appropriate looking wheels. Would love to go Pro Touring with it but might have to go more like Pro Street or maybe a sort of "Street Outlaws" vibe. 

Gonna have to paint it. I don't like the color but don't hate it, but the paint's not very good on the thing, plus I MUST correct the tops of the rear fenders, just as I do when I build one of the old MPC '69 Camaro or Firebird kits. Thing is, I DO NOT want to polish this body shape, so I either have to find a paint that gives a nice gloss right out of the can, or do it in a flat/satin/matte. It would look good in satin black but I already have a number of other satin black cars, so that's a last resort. 

I haven't decided on a color yet, so suggestions are welcome. I guess I'm looking at one of the Testor One-Coat lacquers, as they dry with a reasonably good shine. Maybe the maroon, or the very dark blue? How about their graphite gray, or whatever they call it? Also under consideration at this point would be a flat olive drab, a la Hot Rod magazine's F-Bomb 2nd gen Camaro. I could call the backbirth "Warbird." This color would also have the benefit of being in the same ballpark as the iconic '68-'69 Pontiac Verdoro Green.

Ideas and suggestions welcome. Please, no "Set it on fire" or "Toss that turd in the trash." I'm looking forward to the challenge of making SOMETHING not-horrible out of it. 

[Geno]

Richard, I think that'll make a great base to start with. So many options to choose from. Even just a nice set of 20's from Pegasus would look way better. I'm kinda diggin' the Warbird theme you mentioned. That would look pretty mean.

[Snake45]

Thinking about taking this project off the Shelf of Doom. Looking for ideas, I found this one, in matte black. Interesting looking: 

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1969-pontiac-firebird-metal-mania/

Edited February 19, 2020 by Snake45

[randyc]

Candy Apple?  Yes it wasn't an easy paint job.  But also tells me that hte maroon you mentioned might be a good idea.  I'd like to see that one.  This is Revell plastic 68 if you're wondering and not sure.

[Snake45]

17 minutes ago, randyc said:

Candy Apple?  

Oh no. With more nooks and crannies than an English muffin, I have no intention of even TRYING to polish paint on this backbirth. 

Disassembled it this morning. Now facing having to grind out four rivets to remove the windows. At least they don't look like they're made of the stuff that ERTL uses for window rivets. 

[cobraman]

Testors Icy Blue is a pretty nice color. ?

[Snake45]

The windows are out now. The Dremel conical grinder failed to get it done. In fact, it seemed to be expanding the rivets even MORE, if that's possible.   Finally in desperation I chucked up a thick Dremel cutoff wheel (the scale model equivalent of an acetylene torch) and ground through the rivets that way. 

The lights and all chrome have been removed from the body. Final body prep step is to scruff it up a bit with a Scotchbrite pad, especially in the areas of the black stripes, to break down any possible borders there. 

[randyc]

20 hours ago, Snake45 said:

Oh no. With more nooks and crannies than an English muffin, I have no intention of even TRYING to polish paint on this backbirth. 

Disassembled it this morning. Now facing having to grind out four rivets to remove the windows. At least they don't look like they're made of the stuff that ERTL uses for window rivets. 

ROFL!    Polish?   I don't have patience to do much of that.  This one I got really lucky on.  All the stars and weather aligned for a nice paint job.   Can't wait to see what you come up with.