1968 Plymouth Barracuda

[mrmike]

This kit has been in my stash for a while and I plan on making some mods to it.  The kit is an AMT '69 Barracuda and it will be backdated one year to 1968.  I removed the peak on the front panel and I will replace the hood with a hood from Modelhaas, I replaced the trans with a Torqueflite short tail trans from Competition Resins and I partially assembled the engine, the wheels and tires are Pegasus Shuey's, the interior console is from the Revell '68 Dart Hemi kit.  I haven't decided on a body color yet, but the interior will have white seats and side panels.  The body has engine compartment side panels from an old AMT Charger chassis and it will have side markers made from shirt pins.  

More Barracuda to come...

[1972coronet]

This will be fun to follow , as I've never seen a built-up 1968 Barracuda ! So many cool features on the '68 (first year for the 340 , etc.) .

A friend had a '68 hardtop Formula-S in Q5 turquoise  ; it was a 383 / auto powered model .

Looking forward to following this one , @mrmike!

[TransAmMike]

I'lllll be watching Michael.  Those 'cudas were pretty cool looking cars IMO.

[mrmike]

Thanks John and Mike!  I had built a '69 Barracuda years ago and I had replaced the hood with one from AFX/N resin when they were still around.  It was a kind of '68 Barracuda, but with '69 side markers.  This one will be a little different.

[1972coronet]

I have two of the c.1988 reissue of the MPC 1969 Barracuda ( one from 2004 ; the other from c.2016 )  , but haven't started on them yet . Hopefully Round2 will add the 1967-1968 Barracuda to its "reborn" list , and add the Slant Six and Hemi engines / Torqueflites back into the mix .

I love that blue metallic '68/'69 ! How long ago did you build that beauty ?

[Oldcarfan27]

Mike, be aware that the shape of the front grilles are different between 68 and 69.

1968

1969

Pretty sure the taillights are too, but I haven't figured out the difference between 67, 68 and 69.

[mrmike]

John, I built the blue Barracuda back around 2005-2006.  I had many people point out what was wrong or different with the model and nothing about how well it was built or if it looked good. 

Thanks for the pictures Patrick!  I am not worried about the grille shapes.  As far as I am concerned, it is a '68 that I am building and the grilles shape is close.  If the entire grille was different, I would find a conversion kit and make the change.

[1972coronet]

59 minutes ago, mrmike said:

John, I built the blue Barracuda back around 2005-2006.  I had many people point out what was wrong or different with the model and nothing about how well it was built or if it looked good. 

I don't have a negative thing to say about that beauty !  Heck , even the engine is Turquoise -- spot-on ❤️

[slusher]

Mike as long as your happy, that is all that matters friend..

[mrmike]

Thanks John and Carl!

I went to drill the distributor for plug wires and the distributor broken off the water pump.  I used my cordless drill on a slow speed and routed a groove for the replace shaft made from 1/16th inch styrene.  I enjoy adding plug wires to my engines!  I was thinking of replacing the water pump with another unit from my parts box, but I decided to stay with the kit unit.  I found a better detailed set of exhaust manifolds and I will use those instead of the kit manifolds.

More Barracuda to come...

[Sam I Am]

I have one in the stash so will be following. 

[Dann Tier]

I love these cars, and i will definitely be following, Bud!!!

[mrmike]

Thanks Sam and Dann!  

[mrmike]

Other than some touchups and a few decals, the engine is done.  This is a high performance 383 CID with a four barrel carb.  A test fit in the chassis shows that some mods are necessary.

More Barracuda to come...

[David G.]

Good progress on this.

I'm interested in seeing how you work out the conversion.

David G.

[mrmike]

Thanks David!  So far, the conversion is going well!

I've been painting and detailing this afternoon.  The interior and the seats got an initial coat of white primer and the instrument panel, console and the rear seat backcover got a coat of Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black.  I'll paint the interior floor with the Semi Gloss Black followed by a generous coating of clear embossing powder.  If the black paint doesn't cover the embossing powder, I'll paint over the powder with flat black paint and a brush.  The chassis got a coat of grey primer followed by a coat of Model Master Bright Calypso Metallic.  I drilled the body for side markers, although the holes are difficult to see.

More Barracuda to come...

 

Edited April 11, 2021 by mrmike

[mrmike]

I detailed the chassis this morning and added the engine.  If you look closely, you can see the engine mounts I made from square styrene stock.

More Barracuda to come...

[Dann Tier]

Lovin how this is looking, Bud!!!

[David G.]

Nice engine detail. It must be a trick of the light but the valve covers almost look like gold chrome.

David G.

[mrmike]

Thanks Dann and David!

9 hours ago, David G. said:

Nice engine detail. It must be a trick of the light but the valve covers almost look like gold chrome.

David G.

That's just a reflection.

I did a mockup to check on fit.  So far, so good!  I'm not too sure about the side panels I had used for the engine compartment.  I may re-align them differently.  I did a mockup of the interior and I am liking what I am seeing!

More Barracuda to come...

[slusher]

Real nice progress, Mike I really like your color choices. Wheels look great..

[CapSat 6]

Hi Michael, Not sure if you are aware...Harts parts (https://hartspartsresin.com/) sells some conversion bits to make a '69 into a '68. They sell the '68 grille & header panel, tail panel, and some other things. So far, your Barracuda is looking great!

If you're interested in ordering, I have found that they ship pretty quickly, and their parts quality is very good. I have ordered things from him several times over the past few years.  

 

 

[mrmike]

Thanks Carl and Bill!

2 hours ago, CapSat 6 said:

Hi Michael, Not sure if you are aware...Harts parts (https://hartspartsresin.com/) sells some conversion bits to make a '69 into a '68. They sell the '68 grille & header panel, tail panel, and some other things. So far, your Barracuda is looking great!

If you're interested in ordering, I have found that they ship pretty quickly, and their parts quality is very good. I have ordered things from him several times over the past few years.  

 

 

I am very much aware of Hart's Parts and I have ordered from them before.  He has some really nice stuff and he does have a nice conversion kit for the '69 'Cuda.  I choose to do most of this conversion on my own with just the resin hood from Modelhaas.  Thanks for your interest!

[CapSat 6]

1 hour ago, mrmike said:

Thanks Carl and Bill!

I am very much aware of Hart's Parts and I have ordered from them before.  He has some really nice stuff and he does have a nice conversion kit for the '69 'Cuda.  I choose to do most of this conversion on my own with just the resin hood from Modelhaas.  Thanks for your interest!

Either way, it's looking great. That color is going to be stunning!

I like the changes you're making to the inner fenders - the fact that the inner fenders are the wrong shape entirely (rounded) in this kit is one of my biggest pet peeves. I have put MPC '76 Dart Sport chassis plates (with some trimming) under these with very good results.  

[mrmike]

The chassis is perhaps the biggest letdown of this kit!  Molded all wrong with the rear axle and the exhaust system and soft features.  I can understand why other builders are using the AMT '71 Duster chassis or the Revell '68 Dart chassis instead.

As an experiment, I used Mod Podge instead of waterdown Elmers glue to hold my embossing powder.  Didn't work.  I removed the embossing powder when I lightly rub my finger on it.  I guess I should have used the Elmers instead.

More Barracuda to come...