1974 Plymouth Satellite: Base desires

[Karl LaFong]

For 2021, I thought I would start with a Disco-era replica stock.  I chose the MPC 1974 Road Runner, but instead of something top of the line, I went with  a basic Satellite.

I added a vinyl half-top, made from Evergreen strip and Testor's White Primer, shot from over a foot above the roof - this produces a pretty good grain effect.  I also am using a Missing Link Resin base hood.

While the kit chassis (bottom) has duel exhausts, I went with the chassis that was included in the 2006 version of the kit (top); it is a single exhaust and it eliminates the large gap between the radiator and front splash pan.

There is a large gap between the front wheel well and the body (this seems to be a common problem with MPC kits), so I added a .080 X.188 Evergreen strip to the top of the well; I also used the radiator support from the AMT '69 Plymouth GTX.  The paint is Tamiya Light Metallic Blue (TS 54).  The engine is the 383 from the Revell '68 Dodge Dart; the distributor is a Replicas & Miniatures item, the air cleaner and exhausts are from the AMT 1971 Charger.  Because it's a single exhaust, one of the snorkels was removed from the air cleaner.  The Mopar oil filter decal is from Revell; the air cleaner decal is from the current 1974 Road Runner kit.

[Karl LaFong]

I didn't want to use the center console molded into the floor of the interior.

I ground it out and attached a piece of masking tape - I tried to match the shape of the driveshaft hump as closely as possible

.

 

I filled the hole with 2 part epoxy.

This was allowed to cure for 24 hours.  I removed the tape, did some minor blending of the epoxy and styrene, and applied Testor's fabric paint - this was done to provide a uniform grain to the floor.

After applying Testor's Flat Black enamel, the repair  can't be seen; goodbye Road Runner, hello Satellite!

[Karl LaFong]

When I removed the stock wheels from the runner, I gouged the edges.

I found an alternative wheel in the AMT 1975 Gremlin kit; it's basically the same as Mopar Styled Road Wheel, which was an option for the Satellite in 1974.

I removed the axle stub filed the back of the wheel until the vents were open.  (wheel on right)

The vented part of the wheel was painted Testor's steel.

A vast improvement over the stock wheel!

 

[Tom Geiger]

Looks good Keith!

Edited February 2, 2021 by Tom Geiger

[kelson]

Very nice work so far!,the 71'Charger chassis works under the body and is more detailed if you want to go that way.

[AMT68]

2 hours ago, Karl LaFong said:

Testor's White Primer, shot from over a foot above the roof - this produces a pretty good grain effect.

I'll have to try Testors for the vinyl top effect because I've used Rustoleum 2X paint/primer and haven't always been satisfied with the results. This Plymouth is going to look good in this interior/exterior combination. Neat technique with molding the transmission tunnel. 

[Oldcarfan27]

??

[Karl LaFong]

2 hours ago, kelson said:

Very nice work so far!,the 71'Charger chassis works under the body and is more detailed if you want to go that way.

Thanks!  You're right about the 71 Charger; I was trying to do this relatively low buck.  The kit chassis looks like it had it's origins in the 60's.

[Karl LaFong]

4 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

Looks good Keith!

Thanks, Tom!

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Very nice work you have going on there!

[1972coronet]

Very , very cool RH21M4 ! The two barrel engines are seldom represented in-scale , especially the 400 two barrel . 

RE : The chassis plate with single exhaust : Are you going to grind-off the catalytic converter ? 

[Karl LaFong]

15 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Very , very cool RH21M4 ! The two barrel engines are seldom represented in-scale , especially the 400 two barrel . 

RE : The chassis plate with single exhaust : Are you going to grind-off the catalytic converter ? 

I'm going to leave it - I can always tell people it's a prototype ?

[Rockford]

Nice work, I really like the way you deleted the centre console! I like it when people show their methods, helps us all to improve. 

[64Comet404]

20 hours ago, Karl LaFong said:

Thanks!  You're right about the 71 Charger; I was trying to do this relatively low buck.  The kit chassis looks like it had it's origins in the 60's.

Good eye for the era of chassis. The MPC B-body chassis started life with the 1965 Coronet kit, and has been moved from kit to kit ever since. It may the most produced kit chassis in modelling history, based on the number of popular kits it has been found in. 

[NOBLNG]

Looking good Keith. Huge improvement on those wheels!

[Beamerman]

Very cool projekt! I like your work and ideas...

[Karl LaFong]

I managed to get some more work done on the Satellite.  For the interior, I wanted to use a 3 spoke poverty steering wheel, but didn't have one in the parts box, so I opted for the kit wheel.  The "wood" on the dashboard is Testor's leather paint.  I've seen Satellites with & without the woodgrain on the door panels; the engraving is so light I went for bare vinyl.

 

I was able get some color on the body before today's snow storm.  Unfortunately the hood is chock full o' fisheye, so I have to redo it.

[Nazz]

This one is coming along fine Keith.  Nice work.

 

Jerry