1971 Dodge Charger

[doorsovdoon]

I got started on this a few weeks ago but been spending most of my time fixing up my 1.1 car, not a Charger unfortunately. Progress will be a bit slower than usual because of that. I've got as far as paint, and a vinyl roof, you know how I love them! and I have the chassis/interior temporarily together to fix some fit issues around the windshield and dashboard. Also the hood needed to be shaved super thin over the firewall as it stuck up a little. Tons of flash on this kit but so far it's going well. 

[1972coronet]

In my experience with this kit, it's the part of the windscreen which is mounted under the cowl which is the offender. Sand the poop out of it until it's tissue-thin; this'll free up space for the dashboard.

I'm liking the colour combo. At first I thought that you were using the interior tub from the old MPC 1971 Charger annual kit (which is moulded in orange), then I remembered that one of the latest issues of this kit is moulded in that colour.

Oh, and another item interference to be mindful of: the driveshaft is too long. I've always trimmed the 'shaft at the rear universal joints, just a smidge.

[doorsovdoon]

14 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

In my experience with this kit, it's the part of the windscreen which is mounted under the cowl which is the offender. Sand the poop out of it until it's tissue-thin; this'll free up space for the dashboard.

I'm liking the colour combo. At first I thought that you were using the interior tub from the old MPC 1971 Charger annual kit (which is moulded in orange), then I remembered that one of the latest issues of this kit is moulded in that colour.

Oh, and another item interference to be mindful of: the driveshaft is too long. I've always trimmed the 'shaft at the rear universal joints, just a smidge.

Yea, the windshield was the issue. It's pretty thick where the locating pins are under the cowl, they don't really need to be there. Thanks for the heads up on the driveshaft?

[slusher]

Nice paint Gareth, I like your combination!

[Spottedlaurel]

Nice start Gareth. Hope your work on the 1:1 has got everything sorted and you'll be back on this soon.

Not a generation of Charger I'm very familiar with, but I took photos of a nice 1972 318ci that was at a local show the other weekend:

 

 

Edited June 10, 2022 by Spottedlaurel

[doorsovdoon]

It's been a while! How's everyone doing? I've had other priorities to deal with over the last few months but hopefully I should be back to my regular model building soon. I did a bit foil work on the Charger today but nothing further really to report on this one.

[SpikeSchumacher]

It's looking good Gareth!

Cheers

[doorsovdoon]

11 minutes ago, SpikeSchumacher said:

It's looking good Gareth!

Cheers

Thanks buddy. The yellow was a pain to lay down. It's so transparent I almost stripped it as it's already got four layers on! Lol

[espo]

Glad to see you are getting back to your modeling bench. The chrome foil looks great. 

[TransAmMike]

Looking good Gareth.  Is the "vinyl" roof textured paint?

[Bainford]

Nice looking colours. That's going to be a sharp Charger.

[doorsovdoon]

2 hours ago, espo said:

Glad to see you are getting back to your modeling bench. The chrome foil looks great. 

Good to be back. Cheers, Dave. 

1 hour ago, TransAmMike said:

Looking good Gareth.  Is the "vinyl" roof textured paint?

Thanks. It is, but my camera doesn't pick it up too well. 

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

Nice looking colours. That's going to be a sharp Charger.

Thanks. It was a difficult colour to lay down. Four coats before the primer wasn't visible!

[slusher]

Been miss you friend!

[doorsovdoon]

5 hours ago, slusher said:

Been miss you friend!

Thanks mate? I've missed being here. I haven't lost the bug, I couldn't help but buy the odd kit when browsing online for 1-1 car parts! lol ebay is a curse and a blessing!

[doorsovdoon]

Got the interior painted and together minus the steering column, still on the sprue tree at the moment.

[slusher]

Very nice looking interior!

[doorsovdoon]

On 12/11/2022 at 6:17 AM, slusher said:

Very nice looking interior!

Thanks buddy:)

[doorsovdoon]

Well, time for a colour change! ? Lol.  For some reason the hood looked brighter than the rest of the car, so I gave the body another coat of paint and it did not react well to the fresh layer over months old paint! On the plus side, I did find an amazing paint stripper that doesn't melt plastic. Solvent leather cleaner. After a week in break fluid doing nothing I thought I'd try it. The paint fell off in seconds! So, new paint job coming soon. I might ditch the vinyl roof this time and keep it simple. Not sure what colour to go with yet though.

Edited December 31, 2022 by doorsovdoon

[slusher]

Can olways go with orange but with the black interior you can go with anything…

[Spottedlaurel]

Hope all is now OK for you Gareth, good to see you back at it although a shame you've had to strip the paintwork. I reckon a metallic would really bring out the curvey shape, like that green 1:1 I saw.

[doorsovdoon]

10 hours ago, slusher said:

Can olways go with orange but with the black interior you can go with anything…

Yes, glad I went with black on the interior. Gives me more colour options for sure.

[doorsovdoon]

5 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Hope all is now OK for you Gareth, good to see you back at it although a shame you've had to strip the paintwork. I reckon a metallic would really bring out the curvey shape, like that green 1:1 I saw.

Yeah, all good mate?. Paint fail is part of the hobby sometimes. When you posted that pic I did think 'Dang, I like that!' Lol. Green being my favourite colour and all!

[1972coronet]

GB2 Glacial Blue Metallic would look great.

[doorsovdoon]

2 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

GB2 Glacial Blue Metallic would look great.

Yes, nice colour! It depends what is available where I get my paint from. Exact matches for American cars are hard to come by in the UK.

[espo]

They offered a lot of great colors on these Chargers when new. Had a customer that drove one done in a rich bright high metallic gold. I think they look best without the vinyl roof cover as that seem to distract from the great looking body lines.