TooOld Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Been a very long time since I've posted a WIP , probably because I never finish them , but here goes . I've got both the MPC Roadrunner and a Monogram "71 Satellite kit but when comparing the two the MPC body is so much nicer it's the one I'm using . Plus it can be easily upgraded using the more detailed AMT Charger R/T kit . One part from the Monogram kit I am using is the hood . The size difference in this photo is an optical illusion , it's not that bad . Here's the actual difference . A few minutes of sanding on a flat surface and the hood fits great . Before prepping the body for paint I'm going to glue the rear valence in place using the bumper as a guide . Up next is taking the engine compartment from the Charger and adding it to the Roadrunner body . More pics coming soon ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr mopar Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Bob it's looking good so far ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 A lot of splicing and dicing but it sure looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bisc63 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Really enjoy these projects that meld the best of available parts, and this is a nice body style, so I'll be following! What shade of red are you painting it? (hint hint...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 6 hours ago, Mr mopar said: Bob it's looking good so far ! 2 hours ago, espo said: A lot of splicing and dicing but it sure looks good. 1 hour ago, bisc63 said: Really enjoy these projects that meld the best of available parts, and this is a nice body style, so I'll be following! What shade of red are you painting it? (hint hint...) Thanks for looking guys ! Haven't decided on a color yet , still looking at pics on the internet . I used a razor saw to cut the engine compartment from the Charger body . Then a Dremel and file to remove the extra thickness caused by remnants of the body . First test fit using the MPC interior tub and the Charger chassis . I've done a few chassis swaps like this before and this is definitely the easiest one yet , the Charger chassis fits right into the MPC body . The only modification was to snip off two locating tabs at the rear and two small frame extensions at the front . Also there was some grinding in the tunnel area so that the interior tub would fit on the chassis . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiet Eric Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Very nice. This is my favorite body style B-body. I built that Roadrunner kit as a kid and it subsequently was rebuilt numerous times, I have a soft spot for that yellow plastic! Haha. Before it eventually died completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Great looking project Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Nice work so far, Bob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 13 hours ago, Quiet Eric said: Very nice. This is my favorite body style B-body. I built that Roadrunner kit as a kid and it subsequently was rebuilt numerous times, I have a soft spot for that yellow plastic! Haha. Before it eventually died completely. Thanks Eric ! Personally I can't stand yellow plastic but this one doesn't seem to be as "soft" as others I've had . 12 hours ago, afx said: Great looking project Bob. Thanks JC 6 hours ago, slusher said: Nice work so far, Bob! Thanks Carl ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 25, 2020 Author Share Posted October 25, 2020 Engine compartment is glued in place after I added some flanges made out of styrene strips to the sides , also added a new hood latch plate . Here I'm fitting everything to make sure there are no surprises later on . Firewall , dash , and windshield are from the Charger . . . everything fits great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David G. Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Looks great so far! There's nothing like getting the "Best of both worlds", eh? David G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbray47 Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Awesome work! I considered this conversion when I built my 74 Charger, but went box stock instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 Much better details on the engine compartment and chassis this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 4 hours ago, Rbray47 said: Awesome work! I considered this conversion when I built my 74 Charger, but went box stock instead. I used the ERTL Charger chassis on the MPC 1974 Super Charger. Had some fit issues to use the 1974 interior but he results were nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charger74 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I noticed that you changed the hood latch on your engine compartment, where did you get the new one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelson Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Really nice conversion work!,i would love to do the same swap on all the vintage 71-74 Chargers/Roadrunners that i have but i would be to expensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 26, 2020 Author Share Posted October 26, 2020 (edited) 18 hours ago, charger74 said: I noticed that you changed the hood latch on your engine compartment, where did you get the new one ? I made it from some plastic sheet , took a couple tries . On 10/25/2020 at 2:56 PM, Bob Ellis said: I used the ERTL Charger chassis on the MPC 1974 Super Charger. Had some fit issues to use the 1974 interior but he results were nice Yep , that's the only issue I had too . A little grinding on the tunnels solved the problem . I received this Rallye Wheel and Tire set from Fireball Modelworks last week , really nice stuff and it comes with Goodyear tire decals too ! I quickly mocked it up too see how they look . Really nice but the tires are just a bit too big , the rears hit the body and the fronts interfere with the poseable steering . This could be fixed but maybe I can find different tires . So I started digging for some different tires and I found these in the AMT '68 Camaro kit , they're not as wide and just slightly smaller in diameter than the first ones so they don't hit anything . These look great but the front ride height could be a little lower . Edited October 26, 2020 by TooOld Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, TooOld said: I made it from some plastic sheet , took a couple tries . Yep , that's the only issue I had too . A little grinding on the tunnels solved the problem . I received this Rallye Wheel and Tire set from Fireball Modelworks last week , really nice stuff and it comes with Goodyear tire decals too ! I quickly mocked it up too see how they look . Really nice but the tires are just a bit too big , the rears hit the body and the fronts interfere with the poseable steering . So I started digging for some different tires and I found these in the AMT '68 Camaro kit , they're not as wide and just slightly smaller in diameter than the first ones so they don't hit anything . These look great but the front ride height could be a little lower . Those wheels are awesome. Much better than the MPC originals. I cant believe Round 2 can't find this 1971 Roadrunner body. It was with ERTL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattilacken Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Looks realy good! Nice set of wheels as well for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rbray47 Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 17 hours ago, TooOld said: I made it from some plastic sheet , took a couple tries . Yep , that's the only issue I had too . A little grinding on the tunnels solved the problem . I received this Rallye Wheel and Tire set from Fireball Modelworks last week , really nice stuff and it comes with Goodyear tire decals too ! I quickly mocked it up too see how they look . Really nice but the tires are just a bit too big , the rears hit the body and the fronts interfere with the poseable steering . This could be fixed but maybe I can find different tires . So I started digging for some different tires and I found these in the AMT '68 Camaro kit , they're not as wide and just slightly smaller in diameter than the first ones so they don't hit anything . These look great but the front ride height could be a little lower . I know it's not finished, but it looks really good in that side profile pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 Nice job Bob, I did essentially the same kind of improvement on my MPC '72 Roadrunner with the recent AMT '71 Charger kit (I did a drag car though). It's my favorite type of project not to mention the Roadrunner is one of my favorite Mopar body no matter the year. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 27, 2020 Share Posted October 27, 2020 The stance looks really good too me, Bob. Going to lower the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 21 hours ago, Bob Ellis said: Those wheels are awesome. Much better than the MPC originals. I cant believe Round 2 can't find this 1971 Roadrunner body. It was with ERTL. 12 hours ago, Mattilacken said: Looks realy good! Nice set of wheels as well for it! 4 hours ago, Rbray47 said: I know it's not finished, but it looks really good in that side profile pic Thanks Bob , Matt , and Randy ! Joseph's parts are always superb and these wheels are no exception ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 3 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said: Nice job Bob, I did essentially the same kind of improvement on my MPC '72 Roadrunner with the recent AMT '71 Charger kit (I did a drag car though). It's my favorite type of project not to mention the Roadrunner is one of my favorite Mopar body no matter the year. Keep up the good work! Thanks Francis ! I've done a few chassis swaps like this and it really pays off . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooOld Posted October 27, 2020 Author Share Posted October 27, 2020 3 hours ago, slusher said: The stance looks really good too me, Bob. Going to lower the front? Thanks much Carl ! I was thinking about it but the more I look at it the more I like the way it sits right now . The front spindles are already flipped to get the ride height in my pics so they would need to modified to get it any lower . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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