MPC 1966 Pontiac GTO "Funny Car" version - Complete

[mvadrag]

Some months back I was cruising thru eBay checking some of my favorite sellers and one of them, reese_models, was selling " MPC 1967 GTO FUNNY CAR VERSION WITH ORIGINAL HARD TO FIND DRAG PARTS 1/25! ".  I was surprised he got a good chunk of change for this sale.

It reminded me that I have one of those already built up in my model closet that I got from a friend of mine.  Why not try and restore the one I have.

You can see, not the best build up and most of it not painted.

The worst part was the chassis painted a glossy orange...

[mvadrag]

The next step was to see how far I could take this thing apart without destroying anything.  I used to have a liquid that dissolved old cement (anyone know what that stuff is?) but it ran out and my source didn't have anymore, so I went with the pry and pray route.

 

Most of the parts came loose, except the engine to chassis joint.  It would not budge.  The roll bar broke loose while I was prying on the seat, they both came off at the same time!

Kind of a nasty mess, but a good start with most parts useable.  The rear axle broke loose from the trailing arm on one side, and I then broke the other side while sanding the part smooth. 

I cleaned up all the cutouts with a file and sanding sticks.

 

Edited April 27, 2022 by mvadrag
repeats..

[mvadrag]

I had better luck with the body, but It was a struggle to remove the gold paint.  I tried soaking in "Purple Power" that I get at Walmart, but it did nothing to the gold paint.  It usually takes care of hobby enamel with an over night soak, not so with this gold.  I had to resort to Easy Off, but the fumes are terrible.  Please use that stuff outside!  It cut thru to the plastic, but all the edges and crevasses were thick with paint.  Next came a rag and mineral spirits.  That took the remaining gold away.

This is what I have to work with.  Pretty clean, but the previous builder sanded off the door handles, GTO script, and emblem off the sides.  Notice the ridge down the side of the body was damaged when the door handles were removed.  This shot is after I cleaned up the sides with some 320.  I have to decide whether to build back the ridge or sand it all off.

[afx]

I'll be following.

[flamepainter]

I definitely am anxious to see the completed restoration. I think the first model (as I remember) I built was a stock '67 GTO. It also was MPC. Isn't it funny how you never forget your first????

Jim

[mvadrag]

I changed the title to 1966 Pontiac GTO as looking closer, the tail panel is for a '66.

Also, I only have the custom front and back valances.

[mvadrag]

Once I had the edges cleaned up, I glued the roll bar back in.  Once it was set, I thinned some Testors Flat Gun Metal and sprayed the all the chassis nook and crannies.  I had to also paint brush touch up some areas where the airbrush could not reach.  It seems monochromatic right now, but I plan to detail paint a few areas.  You can see the trans is aluminum and the starter is steel.  Kind of tough getting in the tight spots with a brush and my shaky hands. ?

Trying to make it look way better than before and get it on the shelf.

Edited April 27, 2022 by mvadrag

[Daddyfink]

Can't wait to see how it comes out

[iBorg]

I lone Daddyfink's picture. Wish I knew of a source for those decals.

 

[Daddyfink]

On 4/28/2022 at 8:44 AM, iBorg said:

I lone Daddyfink's picture. Wish I knew of a source for those decals.

 

It would be a cool set of decals

[mvadrag]

Nice pictures of a cool GTO drag car.  Is that an Olympia beer logo?  This car is from the northwest?

I might be painting my version gold as a link to the original build of the model.  Hopefully my paint job is a little nicer!

[mvadrag]

I have been cleaning up and painting various bits from the model.

Spent some time putting flat black where it needed it, and touching up the chrome with a Molotow pen.

[mvadrag]

Here is a little bit of craziness.  If you look closely, you can see that the MPC Hurst mags included in this kit have a "H" molded in the center.

Here is a photo of the 1:1 wheel off the internet.

And here is some crazy detailing with a toothpick and some Testors acrylic paint.

Not perfect, but you get the idea...

 

[mvadrag]

If you look closely at the first picture I posted of the gold painted GTO body, you can see that the shadow line was removed when the door handle was removed by the previous builder. I decided to try to add that detail back to the body rather than sanding it all away.  Not sure that what I am calling the shadow line is correct for a real car, but I decided to try and restore it.

I took some 3M 1/8th inch wide vinyl tape and laid it along the line on the body.  Then I took some "Mr. White Putty" and smeared it over the top edge of the tape.  I sanded it to match the surrounding contour with some 180, then 320 sand paper.  When I removed the tape, voila, the edge was back. Close enough for me, anyway.

Still undecided about doing it to the other side, as it sorta looks okay.

[Vintage AMT]

Nice save on the body work, wheels look great to me.

[Lobo2me]

Hi José....did you ever get an answer to your question about how best to dissolve / remove old plastic cement, or did I miss something...? What did you end up using and what worked the best...? Keep going, looking good!!!

[mvadrag]

4 hours ago, Lobo2me said:

Hi José....did you ever get an answer to your question about how best to dissolve / remove old plastic cement, or did I miss something...? What did you end up using and what worked the best...? Keep going, looking good!!!

Well Steve, I got no responses to my question.  I just pried the pieces apart best I could.  No big failures. 

Does anyone know what that stuff is?  Product or chemical??

[mvadrag]

In the mean time, I started some chassis assembly.  I haven't repaired the rear end assembly yet and I haven't painted the seat, so those are still to come.

I will add the steering parts once the seat is painted/installed.

[Lobo2me]

17 hours ago, mvadrag said:

Well Steve, I got no responses to my question.  I just pried the pieces apart best I could.  No big failures. 

Does anyone know what that stuff is?  Product or chemical??

Hi José. Hopefully we will learn something. Someone always seams to have a secret up their sleve. Thanks José

[mvadrag]

Small update. Installed the seat and steering gear.

Forgot all about the driveshaft and rear end assembly again. I stashed it in my closet and have not repaired or painted it yet.

[mvadrag]

Another tiny update. Got the rear end repaired, painted and installed.

I scanned the instruction sheet and cutout the Match Car Set-up picture for your reference.  Comments always welcome.

I have pieces of the driver, but not the whole guy.

[mvadrag]

Started on the body.  Reattached the custom front and rear valances.

I have puttied and sanded to smooth them out, but no pictures yet.  body work is a struggle for me, I don't have the touch.

[Vintage AMT]

9 hours ago, mvadrag said:

I have puttied and sanded to smooth them out, but no pictures yet.  body work is a struggle for me, I don't have the touch.

Your not on that sinking ship by yourself,

[Jantrix]

1 hour ago, Vintage AMT said:

Your not on that sinking ship by yourself,

Nope not a bit. I work at it and get it smooth and looking good through primer and then paint. Then, bang there it is. 

[Kromolly]

Very cool restoration project. Looking great!