1966 Ford Fairlane GT/GTA

[ModelcarJR]

I had some good luck at the last model car contest and vendor show a couple of weeks ago.  I bought $5 of raffle tickets and hit on three.  In addition, I bought 4 kits in the wrapper for $100. The 3 kits I won are reasonably retail priced at about $150.  The four I bought are retail priced at $180. 

 

So, its time to get started on one of these kits and I chose the 66 Ford Fairlane GT/GTA.  I have built this one before about 30 years ago and although it still looks OK I could have done a better job on a few things.  I didn't add the stripe on the side, tires are a bit ragged, and I didn't detail the hood vents or add the red paint between the front bumper and grill. Paint could always be better and I didn't add any engine detail. So I am going to build this one again. The original was inspired by one that a friend of mine had when he was 16. Brand new, red with a black interior.  I don't know how he got his dad to purchase it for him.  This one is going to be painted differently. I am going to use Dark Toreador Metallic to substitute for Emberglo metallic, a 1966 color. I can use it inside and out as that was also a matching interior color and I'll dull it down with some dullcote. So here we go! 

[Oldcarfan27]

Sounds like it's going to look like the one on the box, if it's the color I think it is.

Good choice!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Patrick!  I appreciate your comment!  I have seen the color described in car photos as red-brown.  It appears to be lighter than my color choice. There used to be a Testors color in lacquer called Dark Bronze Metallic (68 Dodge Dart below).  But it doesn't have much red in it and its not available anymore anyway. The color I have is Dark Toreador Metallic, which is darker but does have some red in it (49 mercury below). I could just buy the actual color from MCW but I would have to break out the airbrush after I wait a couple of weeks for delivery. Exact color doesn't mean that much to me and I know I can get a good paint job from the Dupli-color.  I have everything in primer now and after I add a silver base coat to the body I'll paint the Dupli-color.  Thanks for looking! 

[ModelcarJR]

I've had a slight set-back while painting.  First, my brand new can of Dupli-Color spit on me and left a couple of splatters on the top.  I shook the can plenty and even heated it up in hot water.  I tried to wipe off the nozzle and the tip fell out.  I decided to let the paint flash for a few minutes and took the can inside and replaced the tip with one from a partial can of the same paint that I had.  In the meantime, a pop-up thunderstorm formed and I had to take the body inside to gas out in the garage. I rubbed out the top a bit but that is making the two splatters worse. So I am hoping that I can add another coat of paint today and cover the splatters. If not, I guess I'll have to put it in the purple pool and re-paint. Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

I had a Testors nozel start spitting on the last coat and on the top of a 442. I know how you feel.  I like the 66 Fairlane kit your building I built one a few years back.

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl! I appreciate your comment! 

Good news! The second coat covered Here are the steps I used for this one.  First I painted the body and hood.  I had already foiled the FORD and FAIRLANE lettering before I painted.  Once the second coat of paint had dried I took a small Tamiya cotton swab, dipped it in lacquer thinner and revealed the lettering one letter at a time. The first 3 photos shows the revealed, foiled, lettering and the dull finish of the paint that I also rubbed out a bit with 6000 cloth. Next I added two coats of Tamiya Clear (Photos 4 and 5).  I also painted the interior the same color and used some clear on the dash steering wheel and column.  I still need to add some Dullcote to the seats (photo 6). Tomorrow, I'll rub out the body using sanding cloths and Scratch -X  and be ready for foil.  Thanks for looking! ?

[espo]

Paint looks nice and smooth. I like the color matched interior.  

[slusher]

Good looking color matched interior!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, David and Carl! I appreciate your comments!  Unfortunately, I had some build-up of clear in the mid-line dart that I tried to get out and re-paint but that was unsuccessful. So now its in the oven cleaner and I'll have to start over on the body. I thought I had a full can of the Toreador metallic but I don't. So I'll have to figure out a new color. Dupli-color is now $14.99 plus tax at the local O'reilly's so I refuse to buy anymore! Thanks for looking! ?

[Mopar - D]

John you had it looking good and the matching interior so that’s going to make it harder to change colors now. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Dan!  Yes, changing colors was a concern.  But since this one is off the rails a bit, I decided to go rogue. 

First, I cleaned up the body and then decided on the color I was going to use. Something I already had on the shelf that would go with the interior that was already painted. I could have changed colors of the interior but didn't want to do that. I thought about exterior colors like red (already have one in red), white would look OK with the interior but I really don't like white as an exterior color. So I chose a color that is not anything close to a 66 Ford color.  Next I painted the edxterior with Tamiya white primer and then the color coat, Tamiya Pearl Light Red.  Here are a couple of photos. Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

John, Did you strip the interior maybe you can find a color to work with it..

[Bills72sj]

Nice WIP in spite of the troubles. I too have had my rattle cans spit on me. I decant them now. I like duplicolor as well but like you, they have priced me out of the market. I have recently discovered Testors enamel bottles at $2-3 each plus some Home Depot lacquer thinner lays down beautifully glossy.

[Mopar - D]

John the new red paint looks good and will look sharp with the dark red interior. 

[espo]

I agree with Mopar - D on the color change. i was going to suggest painting it black, but this is more in the color range of the interior. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, All! I appreciate your comments! 

Some people might call this Pink. If it was a 55 Chrysler it would be called Sunset Rose.  I'm fine with Pearl Light Red like the can says. Its rubbed out and foiled. Now I can work more on the interior, engine and chassis. I haven't done that yet because I have a mental block about finishing anything on the rest of the build until I have the body painted, rubbed out and foiled. Then I can start on the rest.  Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

Nice paint John, should look great with the interior!

[espo]

Great looking finish and the chrome trim looks nice and cleanly done. 

[Mopar - D]

I like the new colors John. 

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl, David, and Dan! I appreciate your comments! 

Finished the engine and some of the interior detail.  Next is chassis and engine bay so that I can put the interior together.  I nicked the bottom of the steering wheel while cutting it from the sprue.  Might have to do a little more work on it. It looks better to the naked eye. Here are a few photos.  Thanks for looking! ?

[ModelcarJR]

Engine, chassis, and interior are complete. Body fits well and the front inner fenders are pretty straight.  Interior and exterior go pretty well together. Next are wheels and windows.  Thanks for looking! ?

[Mopar - D]

John very sharp looking Fairlane! Your engine and engine bay look nice and clean. 

[mustang1989]

I had one of these kits in the stash. Should've built it. 

Your progress is looking great. Love the 390 V8 and the paint work looks fabulous JR!! 

[TransAmMike]

Another build I guess I missed. Looks great John, sure like the rose color. 

[slusher]

Beautiful interior, I like that color'!