BDSchindler Posted March 16, 2023 Posted March 16, 2023 (edited) After a year and a half of on again/off again working on this...the 71 GTX is done! I opened the grill on this (4 hours worth of work! Remaining grill is paper thin!), dechromed and narrowed the bumpers then worked them into the body panels using melted plastic and very little filler. Removed the rear seats and tubbed the car. The seats and steering wheel from a Viper RT 10, shifter is from Shapeways. Engine, radiator and shroud are from the Viper. I BMF's the valve covers, painted them red then removed the paint showing the detail in the valve covers. The exhaust was separated from the rear end and I used plastic tube with beading wire stuffed in the entire length. This made the plastic tube bendable without kinking. I used larger tube for the tips and angled the opening. I also made the reveals in the rear valance for the exhaust to poke through. Front suspension was lowered about 2mm...Gives it a meaner look, I think (my opinion). Paint fought me all the way...my own fault. I got dust in the clear coat and wet sanded it then buffed it. I ended up buffing through the paint in 2 spots. Taped it off and fixed those areas but when I removed the tape, the adhesive melted the clear coat just enough to give it a rough vinyl top look. So I wet sanded that buffed it out again. When I was going to glue the radiator in (using Tenax glue as it fuses the plastic better) and of course, a drop of it landed on the nose. Touched it up and it will need some finishing once the paint cures but for now, from 4' away, you can't see it. Wheel and Tires from Steve Zimmerman Here's some pics...ANY feedback is appreciated! The hood DOES sit tight to the body, I forgot to tap it into place before I took the picture. *** Note...Driveshaft was installed since this pic. Originally I forgot about it! Edited March 16, 2023 by BDSchindler 8
70 Sting Posted March 16, 2023 Posted March 16, 2023 A lot of effort put into your build and it shows.?
happy grumpy Posted March 16, 2023 Posted March 16, 2023 Cool looking bad boy. I like that body style.
Bills72sj Posted March 16, 2023 Posted March 16, 2023 Way cool build. I like the molded in front bumper. I am on the fence about the rear. You nailed the stance and the staggered wheels are outstanding. The Viper motor is a nice addition. Do you have a better pic of the grille? I would like to see how your effort turned out.
BDSchindler Posted March 16, 2023 Author Posted March 16, 2023 9 hours ago, Bills72sj said: Way cool build. I like the molded in front bumper. I am on the fence about the rear. You nailed the stance and the staggered wheels are outstanding. The Viper motor is a nice addition. Do you have a better pic of the grille? I would like to see how your effort turned out. No I don't but I'll try and get one up
espo Posted March 16, 2023 Posted March 16, 2023 Like the way you integrated the bumpers and the body, gives it a nice smooth look. Great looking paint. Like the stance and the wheels and tires.
BDSchindler Posted March 17, 2023 Author Posted March 17, 2023 21 hours ago, espo said: Like the way you integrated the bumpers and the body, gives it a nice smooth look. Great looking paint. Like the stance and the wheels and tires. If I had built it stock, the front and rear valance would have been installed after the interior and chassis were installed. Since I integrated the valances into the body, I had to get creative with the chassis. I removed a but of the length from the front and rear as well as shaving the Wheel Wells down for easier installation of the chassis. It required flexing the side panels a fair amount. Since the body was going to be finished when installing the chassis, I was afraid of seams cracking where the front and rear bumpers were integrated. This is the reason I used plastic strips at the seams and melted the seams together using liquid glue thereby bonding the plastic for a stronger hold. Kind of like welding but using plastic instead of metal. Lots of sanding and reapplying melted plastic as needed. It also made it so less body filler was needed. 1
Rattlecan Dan Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 Did a fine job. Good lookin' car. Recently saw a tutorial about welding plastic with a woodburning tool. Did it on the underside or inside, eliminated the need for putty or excessive glue.
Calb56 Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 On 3/15/2023 at 5:17 PM, BDSchindler said: *** Note...Driveshaft was installed since this pic. Originally I forgot about it! With a Viper engine in it, you'll get in less trouble without the driveshaft installed.
Koellefornia Kid Posted March 18, 2023 Posted March 18, 2023 Very nice! Great wheels and a nice and smooth paint job! Love the V10!
mustang1989 Posted April 11, 2023 Posted April 11, 2023 I can definitely see a year and a half's worth of work put into this one. Despite your set backs, it looks like you pulled this one off very well. Stance is good, engine bay looks killer and the paint / finish work definitely looks like it's got some good time put into it. Great turn out Brian.
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