Replica of my 1970 Superbird Tribute car

[Superbird McMonte]

This past December I took delivery on my dream car! A 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird Tribute car!

So of course, I had to get right on building a replica of my replica!

I started with a Jo-han Superbird body I had laying around. I also had a destroyed 1970 GTX promo to source the back window from.

Many years ago, I resin cast all of the parts for the Superbird in 25th scale. I found that the Monogram nose fit right on the Jo-han kit, with slight tweaking. I also cast the wing and scoops from the Jo-han kit.

Believe it or not, the Jo-han wing actually scales out better for the monogram kit, then its own wing does!

This model is 95% done at this point. But since my track record on here has been to start a thread and never finish it, I figured I would do this a little bit different. I will post every couple days installments of progress as it was done over the last few weeks. This way you’ll get to see one of my projects completed. This was also a quick build, I plan on doing a better more accurate representation in the future. ??

Edited February 26, 2024 by Superbird McMonte
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[Superbird McMonte]

Here is the body in the first paint job. I ended up sanding in the whole thing down and then using this as a base color. And then put another three coats over this. Paint is Tamiya TS 23. 

 

Those three coats went on much nicer! Began mocking up the exterior bits.

 

The wing and scoops were mounted with blue FunTak temporarily.

I’m using the chassis from a Revell 1968 charger.

I decided to do a little wet sanding.

Novus has been my go to polish for over 25 years.

 

Edited March 2, 2024 by Superbird McMonte

[FoMoCo66]

Looks good. I've never polished a model before and I've always wondered what grits and what types of sanding pads/paper people use. If you could enlighten me on what products you use that would be great. 

This is my most shiny paint job ? I think polishing could make my stuff look like yours (much better than mine).

[Superbird McMonte]

2 hours ago, FoMoCo66 said:

If you could enlighten me on what products you use that would be great. 

Edited March 3, 2024 by Superbird McMonte

[Superbird McMonte]

These are the sanding sponges I used. Wet sand and polish with Novus

[Duddly01]

Looks like a great start for a nice car.

[Keef]

Absolutely beautiful work!! This is going to look amazing when you’re finished!

[Superbird McMonte]

 

With the body polished out to my liking, it was time to turn my attention to my favorite part of the build. Foil!

No joke! I love to foil!??

After foiling, I set up the ride height. I measured from the rocker to the ground next to both wheels. Made up this jig in scale for the body to sit on. I oblonged the hole in the wheel backs and slid them into place. A little 5 minute epoxy set them all in place for ever!
 

Very happy with the way she sits!

Edited March 4, 2024 by Superbird McMonte

[NOBLNG]

Wow, that bird really looks Super!?

[Superbird McMonte]

I made up this resin interior as part of a Superbird trans kit I was developing. The body is ready for molding and the last part that I need to do.

All of the resin interior parts are from the Monogram 1970 Road Runner kit. They have been modified to fit the Revell Charger floor pan.

 

 

 

[ubermodel]

Hey Dom, congrats on the tribute car!  And great idea on that ride height jig. I hear you're the LIARS Grand Poobah these days?

[NYLIBUD]

Wow,Great job so far

[Moparman18064]

Looking really good so far and nice bird!

[Superbird McMonte]

5 hours ago, ubermodel said:

Hey Dom, congrats on the tribute car!  And great idea on that ride height jig. I hear you're the LIARS Grand Poobah these days?

Thanks! Yes, it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it! LOL

[Superbird McMonte]

Decal time! These decals are of my own creation.

 

The Plymouth lettering would end up getting replaced with fresh printed decals, and two layers.

 

Working drawing for the horn decal.

[Scott8950]

Beautiful build. 

[Keef]

Looks amazing!! 

[Stef]

Just LOVE the fact that you were watching The Fifth Element while working on this, heh.

[Steve H]

Nice progress Dominick. Paintwork looks great, and certainly captures the colour of the 1:1 near perfect. It takes a sick man to admit he likes foilwork…? I like the finished product, but getting from A to B is not all that enjoyable for me. 

[Speedpro]

Very nice! You have done a great job replicating your 1:1. The color is spot on.

[Superbird McMonte]

On 3/26/2024 at 2:30 AM, Stef said:

Just LOVE the fact that you were watching The Fifth Element while working on this, heh.

 

One of my top 5 favorite movies! Seen it at least 100 times!

[Stef]

10 hours ago, Superbird McMonte said:

On 3/26/2024 at 2:30 AM, Stef said:

Just LOVE the fact that you were watching The Fifth Element while working on this, heh.

 

One of my top 5 favorite movies! Seen it at least 100 times!

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Agreed, @Superbird McMonte, truly one of the best films ever made. Definitely in my top 5, too.

Sorry for the derail, but a most green one.

Getting back on topic, your supergreen Superbird is the BIG BADA BOOM, and I am a meat popsicle.

[Superbird McMonte]

On 3/27/2024 at 10:01 PM, Stef said:

Agreed, @Superbird McMonte, truly one of the best films ever made. Definitely in my top 5, too.

Sorry for the derail, but a most green one.

Getting back on topic, your supergreen Superbird is the BIG BADA BOOM, and I am a meat popsicle.

That’s a lot of quotes! I am getting a female West Highland White Terrier in a month. We picked out the name Leeloo! Ironically, she has an orange spot on her to identify her from her litter mates! Like Leeloo’s orange hair! My daughter pointed that out.

[FoMoCo66]

Congratulations on making it into Model Car Magazine issue #224 with this project! Do you have any updates for us?

[Superbird McMonte]

On 6/8/2024 at 9:33 AM, FoMoCo66 said:

Congratulations on making it into Model Car Magazine issue #224 with this project! Do you have any updates for us?

I should have some engine bay updates soon!?