69 Firebird

[Modlbldr]

I got this Firebird along with some other built ups from a guy on FB back in June.

I liked the 70's look it had and wanted to keep it that way but rebuild it. I tore it down and started the process. I had to repair the rear wheelwell arches that got ruined from the old tires sitting against them for years.

I found a new set of tires and wheels to keep the vibe but get rid of the two piece tires.

The first round of paint wasn't saying 70's street cruiser to me so I stripped it and repainted it.

I installed the 383 from the 69 Nova kit since it was handy. Nothing extreme.

Then I began applying the decals from the old MPC 73 Mustang. About a quarter of the way through the main decal disentigrated on me. I had a second set, but they were a different shade. So I tried to remove the decals that were on the body to start over, but they wouldn't come off. Next thought was to strip the body and start over. During this process the front body edge got brittle and broke off. I had to repair that.

Body stripped of my fresh paintjob, I resprayed and started the decal process with the second set of decals. These too disentigrated. I then put in a "Wanted" add for the decals AND bought a 73 Mustang kit off of eBay. 

One of our members here (VMach) donated a set of decals and my kit came in from eBay. Both sets were different shades. (The MPC 73 Mustang Mach 1 has had 3 different shades of the same decals!!) So, I sealed both sets in decal sealer before begining. The first set started out fine while applying them but during install they both wrinkled up so badly I couldn't get them to lie flat. Frustrated, I gave up. The Firebird wouldn't have decals! 

Now the Firebird was too brown.

I couldn't have that. It didn't have the 70's flair it needed. So, I dug through my decal stash and with the aid of my wife we settled on a plan to modify the decals from the 70 Plymouth Road Runner. Here is the finished build- aptly, and lovingly named "PITA". Far from perfect but this was supposed to be a quick, easy rebuild to a shelf queen. Yeah, right!!

Later-

 

[ewetwo]

Looks great Tom

 

[Modlbldr]

  On 11/29/2022 at 3:59 PM, ewetwo said:

Looks great Tom

 

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Thanks David. Nothing special here. Just getting another out of purgatory and on to the shelf.

Later-

[happy grumpy]

Great save.

[Sam I Am]

Looks like you won in the end. Some just don't want too get finished...hence the stack of unfinished builds in the stash. 

So who did you name it after....?

[Street Rod]

Turned out great in spite of the difficulties! Looks like a ‘70’s hot rod.

[Modlbldr]

  On 11/29/2022 at 7:11 PM, Sam I Am said:

 

So who did you name it after....?

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I do believe you are trying to get me to publically incriminate myself...... Oh well, OK.

So, my wife asked if I was going to name it in honor of her since she helped me with the decal selection. I told her that I did.....

Later-

Edited November 29, 2022 by Modlbldr

[Keef]

  On 11/29/2022 at 7:59 PM, Modlbldr said:

I do believe you are trying to get me to publically incriminate myself...... Oh well, OK.

So, my wife asked if I was going to name it in honor of her since she helped me with the decal selection. I told her that I did.....

Later-

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And your honor, that’s how the fight started ??

[stavanzer]

Great Save.

I do like the Decals.

BTW, you named it after a Bread!

?

[slusher]

Very nice, Tom!