80's IMSA Mustang

[Chinacar]

My first  completed build of 2024 is Revell's 1985 IMSA Mustang ...Built from the box applying the original, nearly 40 year old decals! Expecting the worst, I was fortunate that Tamiya Decal Set and a lot of lip biting had worked. I used Tamiya and Mr Hobby paints and primers throughout the build. Two coats of Mr Hobby Super Clear applied from a rattle can finished off the body. I also added a thin gauge wire to represent a roof antenna. After the build I came across some reference photos and noticed that the real car had a NASCAR style window net. I think I'll apply one in the future. Enjoy the photos. 

 

 

Edited March 12, 2024 by Chinacar
Duplicate photo

[Jim B]

Cool Mustang.

['70 Grande]

Great looking build! I have one of these IMSA Mustang kits in line to start building some day in the near future... other than the old decals, did you have any other challenges when building this kit?

[Chinacar]

11 minutes ago, '70 Grande said:

Great looking build! I have one of these IMSA Mustang kits in line to start building some day in the near future... other than the old decals, did you have any other challenges when building this kit?

Clean up the flash around the clear parts. Do a test fit of all the windows before gluing them in. Also the fuel filler that goes through the rear window hatch hangs in space, so test fit the glass and body first before gluing the filler and hose to the fuel tank.

The front part of the rollbar was warped, so it was easier to cut and reglue to reposition it rather than try to bend it back and completely screw it up. The rollbar pieces in general are fragile so you may find some are warped, so I would do a bit of test fitting.

The body sits high over the wheels, especially in the rear. So making sure everything in the rollbar department is sitting down snug against the chassis is important. The engine assembly pushed the hood up, so with this too I would make sure that the parts stack is tight with no paint, glue or chrome making clearance worse.

This is the second one of these kits that I've built with the JPS black one being the first about 20 years ago. They really build into a nice kit, though the chrome is a bit too heavy and bright. You can always hit it with Mr Hobby Clear Matt or strip and repaint it.

Good luck!

 

[Chinacar]

4 hours ago, Jim B said:

Cool Mustang.

Thanks Jim!

[ChrisR]

Looks great.

[Rich Chernosky]

This kit was no walk in the park. You really did a great job with it.  I built this one many years ago  and eventually built the entire line-up. I was never happy with the fit and finish of my project and you just may be the incentive for me to re-visit this kit.

[Chinacar]

21 minutes ago, Rich Chernosky said:

This kit was no walk in the park. You really did a great job with it.  I built this one many years ago  and eventually built the entire line-up. I was never happy with the fit and finish of my project and you just may be the incentive for me to re-visit this kit.

I saw a post in another forum that there are aftermarket decals available for these kits. This is great because you won't have to deal with 40 year old decals!

[Rich Chernosky]

2 hours ago, Chinacar said:

I saw a post in another forum that there are aftermarket decals available for these kits. This is great because you won't have to deal with 40 year old decals!

There is a way of saving old decals that I have been using for a long time now.  But it is not as good as new...  Indycals  has this set and that is the direction I will be taking.  Thanks for the reply. 

[TonyK]

Great looking model and great photography. Sure did enjoy that era of racing. Thanks for sharing.

[Speedpro]

Very nice! I love these cars. I built the black JPS kit. You did a great job on yours!

[Rattlecan Dan]

Did a great job. Looks really nice.

[cifenet]

Nicely done! 

[Chinacar]

On 3/13/2024 at 11:16 PM, Rich Chernosky said:

There is a way of saving old decals that I have been using for a long time now.  But it is not as good as new...  Indycals  has this set and that is the direction I will be taking.  Thanks for the reply. 

Please share.

Currently all I do is spray on a coat of Mr Hobby high gloss clear over the decal sheet. Then I carefully close cut all of the decals up. Some of the larger decals I cut up into smaller pieces especially around door cuts and hood/trunk splits. I align them when I put them on the car. I use Mr Hobby Mr Mark Softener during application. After the decals have dried for a day or two I apply a tack coat of Mr Hobby high gloss clear, followed by a couple of heavier coats. During the first coat if the decal lifts I carefully apply PVA (white glue) with a toothpick after the clear has dried and settle it back down. I don't use Tamiya clear anymore although I feel it's a higher gloss than Mr Hobby, because I've had decal slivering issues under the Tamiya. 

Edited March 15, 2024 by Chinacar

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[Sledsel]

Nice job, ya do not see these often.

[Chinacar]

On 3/16/2024 at 6:27 PM, PappyD340 said:

Very nice!

 

2 hours ago, Sledsel said:

Nice job, ya do not see these often.

Thanks gents!

[slusher]

Looks fantastic!

[Chuckyg1]

Nice work on this. Great attention to detail. I built the Roush version back in the day. Your photography is awesome.

[vamach1]

Very nice build.  I built the same kit almost 40 years ago and the decals have pretty much held up and I did not even clear coat them.

[Chinacar]

Thanks guys

[randyc]

I just bought 3 of these, plus the monogram version.  Looking for decals.  I'll probably order some indycals Lyn St James Secret.  But looking for other options or good originals if anyone has any they want to pay with.  The ones in the eBay specials aren't looking too good.  I would really like to find a good set of the Whistler decals.  Or just some good ones in general.  Not the JPS.  Did that one years ago.  

Nice build on the original post.  Inspiring me further on this deal

[Dave Van]

I make a few decals for the IMSA and Trans Am version.  PM me if you need a catalog. 

 

SUPER nice build on that Folgers car. Nice and clean build!  Not sure how I missed it. 

[vamach1]

8 hours ago, Dave Van said:

I make a few decals for the IMSA and Trans Am version.  PM me if you need a catalog. 

 

SUPER nice build on that Folgers car. Nice and clean build!  Not sure how I missed it. 

I would be interested in a decal list also.  Thanks

[WillyBilly]

Great build. I remember those kits. I think I had the Motorcraft kit. It was the only way to get a 85/86 nosed fox body. I love that you were able to get the decals to work.