FenderMender Posted October 24, 2023 Share Posted October 24, 2023 (edited) An Aurora 1/32 scale 1962 Corvette that was a glue bomb from the 1960s. It needed wheels, tires, axles, windshield, steering wheels, gear shift lever none of which are from the original kit. The interior was glued solidly to the body so it couldn't be detached for detailing thoroughly. Wheels and rubber tires are from a discarded transformer-type car from the scrap yard. A cut-down windshield was made from clear acetate plastic. Due to reconstruction constraints and body parts that were already painted , the rebuild looked like this. After some further contemplation and suggestions from others, the model was altered to look like this now: These are all original 1960s-issued kit models that I had inherited from friends back in the early 1960s as glue bombs. Finally got around to getting them up and running. First up is an Aurora 1/32 scale 1962 Corvette. It needed wheels, tires, axles, windshield, steering wheels, gear shift lever none of which are from the kit. The interior was glued solidly to the body so it couldn't be detached for detailing thoroughly. Wheels and rubber tires are from a discarded transformer-type car from the scrap yard. The 1/24 scale AMT 1932 Ford coupe has the originally-applied flames, but I painted the upper firewall red for continuity. Seat was painted gray and gray carpeting installed. The engine was glued in solidly as well as one header, making for painting a real chore. The 60+ years tires were soaked in glycerine to try and soften them up to mount on the rims and the spoke wheels-they were so brittle some spokes did break. Radiator hose is elastic cord. The AMT 1960 F-100 pickup was missing its entire engine and its fender shirts were glue in solidly along with the tonneau cover. The original AMT 1960 Ford F-100 pickup kit contained a trailer which was painted Sage to match the Ford pickup truck. The originally-applied decals, "The Smasher", on the sides were saved. Custom taillights and license plate ala Maisto. The 1961 Ford Ranchero had plenty of glue showered all over it. With a lot of sanding and prep work, it cleaned up quite well. By reusing its roof top custom part from the original kit to hide tremendous glue pits on its roof top, adding lakes pipes, spotlights, and a homemade reversible tonneau cover, this gave it a real vintage custom look. The wheels and tires are from a 1/24 scale Maisto lowrider model. Paint color is Cinnamon. The AMT 1965 Pontiac GTO had its engine glued in solidly, but was already somewhat painted correctly. Windshield was glued in solidly too and could not be removed. A piece of the windshiled frame was glued solidly to the top as well. All these pieces couldn't be removed without extensive damage. The whole interior was painted in an epoxy black paint and took a few months to remove in a harsh paint remover solution. I opted to not attach the hardtop so as to run the model as a convertible sometimes. Edited October 24, 2023 by FenderMender updated Corvette 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills72sj Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 I have only done one glue bomb. It was only attempted due to rarity/cost of an unbuilt kit. I wanted to replicate a nicer version of my 1:1 work beater that I tinkered with for 4-5 years when my kids were little. It is not exactly recent but it is the only one I have done. I have WAY too many new kits to put forth the time into any others. The model was brush painted blue when I got it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderMender Posted October 25, 2023 Author Share Posted October 25, 2023 Very well done. It looks great! Nice wheels and a fine vinyl top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karbuildr Posted October 25, 2023 Share Posted October 25, 2023 Like them all, excellent idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ybsluos Posted October 26, 2023 Share Posted October 26, 2023 Very excellent restorations guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 Nice saves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmak Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 On 10/24/2023 at 6:07 PM, FenderMender said: An Aurora 1/32 scale 1962 Corvette that was a glue bomb from the 1960s. It needed wheels, tires, axles, windshield, steering wheels, gear shift lever none of which are from the original kit. The interior was glued solidly to the body so it couldn't be detached for detailing thoroughly. Wheels and rubber tires are from a discarded transformer-type car from the scrap yard. A cut-down windshield was made from clear acetate plastic. Due to reconstruction constraints and body parts that were already painted , the rebuild looked like this. After some further contemplation and suggestions from others, the model was altered to look like this now: These are all original 1960s-issued kit models that I had inherited from friends back in the early 1960s as glue bombs. Finally got around to getting them up and running. First up is an Aurora 1/32 scale 1962 Corvette. It needed wheels, tires, axles, windshield, steering wheels, gear shift lever none of which are from the kit. The interior was glued solidly to the body so it couldn't be detached for detailing thoroughly. Wheels and rubber tires are from a discarded transformer-type car from the scrap yard. The 1/24 scale AMT 1932 Ford coupe has the originally-applied flames, but I painted the upper firewall red for continuity. Seat was painted gray and gray carpeting installed. The engine was glued in solidly as well as one header, making for painting a real chore. The 60+ years tires were soaked in glycerine to try and soften them up to mount on the rims and the spoke wheels-they were so brittle some spokes did break. Radiator hose is elastic cord. The AMT 1960 F-100 pickup was missing its entire engine and its fender shirts were glue in solidly along with the tonneau cover. The original AMT 1960 Ford F-100 pickup kit contained a trailer which was painted Sage to match the Ford pickup truck. The originally-applied decals, "The Smasher", on the sides were saved. Custom taillights and license plate ala Maisto. The 1961 Ford Ranchero had plenty of glue showered all over it. With a lot of sanding and prep work, it cleaned up quite well. By reusing its roof top custom part from the original kit to hide tremendous glue pits on its roof top, adding lakes pipes, spotlights, and a homemade reversible tonneau cover, this gave it a real vintage custom look. The wheels and tires are from a 1/24 scale Maisto lowrider model. Paint color is Cinnamon. The AMT 1965 Pontiac GTO had its engine glued in solidly, but was already somewhat painted correctly. Windshield was glued in solidly too and could not be removed. A piece of the windshiled frame was glued solidly to the top as well. All these pieces couldn't be removed without extensive damage. The whole interior was painted in an epoxy black paint and took a few months to remove in a harsh paint remover solution. I opted to not attach the hardtop so as to run the model as a convertible sometimes. Is the missing part of the GTO windshield welded to the top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenmojr Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 Nice restoration work on these glue bombs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderMender Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 On 10/27/2023 at 9:55 AM, Carmak said: Is the missing part of the GTO windshield welded to the top? Yes. It would have been a pyrrhic victory to remove it as the part would have been mutilated, ruining both the top and the part leaving a gap in the windshield frame too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carmak Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 15 hours ago, FenderMender said: Yes. It would have been a pyrrhic victory to remove it as the part would have been mutilated, ruining both the top and the part leaving a gap in the windshield frame too. It's really a bummer when the windshield frame is welded to an up-top. At least you have the cool early issue vinyl texture top and correct headlight front bumper from the early issue of this kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 These are fabulous! I LOVE doing this kinda stuff. I hereby award you the coveted Black Belt in Snake-Fu! Model on, my new friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenderMender Posted December 5, 2023 Author Share Posted December 5, 2023 (edited) Thanks for all the nice comments guys. I know my limitations so I work with the discarded, damaged and downcast models to give them a second chance. And to try out some techniques that I am too scared to try doing on the expensive kits nowadays. LOL And I humbly accept with much appreciation the coveted Black Belt in Snake-Fu. Edited December 5, 2023 by FenderMender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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