NOBLNG Posted September 13, 2020 Posted September 13, 2020 Well I might as well start a build thread on this even though it was supposed to be just a quick motivational build. One of my first annoyances was the fact that the front end is very poorly designed. The grill and bumper are in one piece and there is nothing to keep it from being pushed too far into the nose. The lower valence has absolutely no locating points at all and doesn’t really fit nicely where it should go.? Other than that, it looks like a pretty nice kit...so far.
NOBLNG Posted September 13, 2020 Author Posted September 13, 2020 First I glued a couple of stop Brackets inside the fenders to locate the grill. I also separated the bumper support brackets from the frame and glued it in place along with the radiator support and that annoying front valence. I will paint this all as unit with the body after a little filler.
NOBLNG Posted September 13, 2020 Author Posted September 13, 2020 (edited) The radiator shroud will interfere with getting the chassis and engine assembly into place, so I cut the bottom half off of it so it can be installed later. I also got the motor mostly finished, and a start on the vinyl top...so much for a quick build! ? Thanks for looking, comments welcome. Greg. Edited September 13, 2020 by NOBLNG
oldscool Posted September 13, 2020 Posted September 13, 2020 Cutting the fan shroud in half is a great idea. Why can't i think of things like that.
Nazz Posted September 13, 2020 Posted September 13, 2020 The vinyl roof looks good so far. I'll be watching. Jerry
Superbird McMonte Posted September 15, 2020 Posted September 15, 2020 These are great kits! I too, like your idea of cutting the radiator shroud in half. In the past I’ve always hung it around the fan while I installEd the engine. I would then slide the radiator down into place, move the shroud over and then glue the shroud on. I may give your idea a try on my next Charger 500.
Mr mopar Posted September 15, 2020 Posted September 15, 2020 These are all good tips ,I did the same on my '70 Charger !
NOBLNG Posted September 19, 2020 Author Posted September 19, 2020 Got the interior done. The shifter looks way to long to be accurate, but it’ll do. The speedo and tach decals didn’t want to stick to the clear (why do they use clear plastic?) piece that fits in behind the dash? I should have left the paper backing on and just glued them in place.
NZanglia Posted September 20, 2020 Posted September 20, 2020 2 hours ago, NOBLNG said: Got the interior done. The shifter looks way to long to be accurate, but it’ll do. The speedo and tach decals didn’t want to stick to the clear (why do they use clear plastic?) piece that fits in behind the dash? I should have left the paper backing on and just glued them in place. Beautiful Build. I agree with the decal issues. I tend to stick the paper to the plastic also.
doorsovdoon Posted September 20, 2020 Posted September 20, 2020 Great tips on building up the front. I haven't done a Charger yet but will be soon. Nice neat work so far, the interior is looking great.
NOBLNG Posted September 20, 2020 Author Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) This kit just has decals for the side Marker lights. I decided to make some real ones. I glued a small chunk of a busted amber lens I found to a piece of sprue and turned it down in my drill. I drilled a .098” hole in the fender and glued a piece of thin styrene on the inside for backing. I was going to paint the edge of the amber with silver sharpie or molotow, leaving it a little thicker than the fender. While laying in bed last night, I came up with an idea for a better bezel. I wrapped a piece of .020” wire around a .058” drill bit and snipped off some wraps with my nippers. By chance this fits almost perfectly in the .098” hole, so I filed the amber down so it sits just below the surface, leaving the bezel just proud of the surface. A pinhole in the backing allows me to push it out, to be re-installed after paint. The rears should be easier, since I have clear red sprue to use. Edited January 5, 2023 by NOBLNG
NOBLNG Posted September 20, 2020 Author Posted September 20, 2020 Thanks. Beats the heck out of the decals I think!
StevenGuthmiller Posted September 20, 2020 Posted September 20, 2020 2 hours ago, NOBLNG said: This kit just has decals for the side Marker lights. I decided to make some real ones. I glued a small chunk of a busted amber lens I found to a piece of sprue and turned it down in my drill. I drilled a .098” hole in the fender and glued a piece of thin styrene inside for backing. I was going to paint the edge of the amber with silver sharpie or molotow, leaving it a little thicker than the fender. While laying in bed last night, I came up with an idea for a better bezel. I wrapped a piece of .020” wire around a .058” drill bit and snipped off some wraps with my nippers. By chance this fits almost perfectly in the .098” hole, so I filed the amber down so it sits just below the surface, leaving the bezel just proud of the surface. A pinhole in the backing allows me to push it out, to be re-installed after paint. The rears should be easier, since I have clear red sprue to use. Very nice idea, and very good execution. I'm considering something similar for my current '68 Coronet project. I'll probably steal this! If I may, just be certain that your lens doesn't fit to tight so as to allow for the thickness of the paint. You really don't want to have to re-drill the holes in the body after all of the paint work is finished. Steve
NOBLNG Posted September 20, 2020 Author Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said: Very nice idea, and very good execution. I'm considering something similar for my current '68 Coronet project. I'll probably steal this! If I may, just be certain that your lens doesn't fit to tight so as to allow for the thickness of the paint. You really don't want to have to re-drill the holes in the body after all of the paint work is finished. Steve Thanks all. The lens fit quite loose actually but the bezel will cover it. And by all means, feel free to steal it...I’d be honoured! ? Maybe I should have put this in the tips and tricks section. Edited September 20, 2020 by NOBLNG
StevenGuthmiller Posted September 20, 2020 Posted September 20, 2020 1 minute ago, NOBLNG said: Thanks all. The lens fit quite loose actually, but the bezel will cover it. And by all means, feel free to steal it...I’d be honoured!? Maybe I should have put this in the tips and tricks section. I might just take the easy way out being as the Coronet has pretty good bezels cast into the body already and just drill out the centers, foil the bezel and replace the lenses. That will save me from having to make the bezels. Steve
Bucky Posted September 21, 2020 Posted September 21, 2020 I like both of these ideas. They will work on my Chargers and Coronets!
Dominik Posted September 22, 2020 Posted September 22, 2020 alltime Favorite kit. love it! Like the work on your Body, interior hits defenilty my taste. well done! Keep on the work ?
NOBLNG Posted September 22, 2020 Author Posted September 22, 2020 I found these centerlines and tires in my parts box. I don’t recall what they might be from, but I think they look OK. The kit tires always seem to look a bit small to me. I figured I better get the stance right before painting everything. I think I finally got it right in the third pic. Comments welcome.
gtx6970 Posted September 23, 2020 Posted September 23, 2020 Nice project so far. When I did my 68 Dart. I drilled holes in the body where the side markers are supposed to be . Inserted a small diam aluminum tube. . Once the body was painted , I polished the edges of the tube that was visible and filled the center with epoxy and topped it off with the Testors clear amber paint
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