1968 Mustang California Special

[Duddly01]

12 minutes ago, drodg said:

Loving to watch this build.  

Thank you.

[Duddly01]

1 minute ago, Kenmojr said:

Very interesting thread and conversion....

I hope you mean that in a good way.

 

[Musclecarbuilder]

1 hour ago, Duddly01 said:

Me too, definitely going to have to make the air cleaner removable. Great detailed 3d print.

Yeah its crazy.

[slusher]

Looking great!

[DoctorLarry]

Here's a little reference help for you:

[thatz4u]

saw my first GT/SC back in the day in Cali, never forgot it..

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, thatz4u said:

saw my first GT/SC back in the day in Cali, never forgot it..

Nice.

2 hours ago, DoctorLarry said:

Here's a little reference help for you:

 

Thanks. I used to have a Lime Gold GT/CS. This is going to be a replica of " The one that got away".

 

[DoctorLarry]

I love that lime gold paint on Mustangs and it will look cool. I thought the article might show some details you could use.

[deuces wild]

5 hours ago, DoctorLarry said:

Here's a little reference help for you:

Just a little curious if these came in big block versions also.... 390er428????.....????

[Duddly01]

38 minutes ago, deuces wild said:

Just a little curious if these came in big block versions also.... 390er428????.....????

Yes, they most certainly did. I have seen a couple Cobra Jet GT/CS at MCA shows in the past. Quite rare though. Mine was a J-Code 302-4v so I will be using an Iceman Collections Small block for my build, not the big block that came in the 1968 GT kit. 

[Duddly01]

A little bit of work done on the California special. I cut open the trunk lid. Created the inner edge and hinge. Cut openings for the front marker lights and taillights. Removed the emblems, wipers door handles and locks. Started to etch the window and drip rails. So much work to still do. Stripped chrome off a few parts that shouldn’t be chrome. Need to dig out the old photos to find pictures of my old GT/CS. I am not sure which of the two possible rear reflectors mine had.

 

[Duddly01]

Created hood hinge, I didn’t like how flimsy the plastic one felt. I also make it where the trunk lid or hood can be removed. Added filler styrene for the interior to body gaps, drilled and modified parts for the engine compartment. Created the wiring harness and trunk floor. Still have quite a bit of fab work to do still.

[slusher]

Very nice progress!

[Duddly01]

3 hours ago, slusher said:

Very nice progress!

Thanks, I think I am getting really close on fab and mod but I need to do a mock up before paint to make sure all the parts will fit together ok. 

[Duddly01]

Decided to do a last mock up of the California special to make sure all of the parts from different sources fit ok. Had to do some work but everything went together better than expected after a lot of earlier work. I did have to shorten the driveshaft, change out the front wheel backs and modify the exhaust a bit. Created horns, cut open the radiator support and created radiator grill from photo-etch. Now in the second primer coat pass after a few smoothing and filling of some bad scratches and gaps.

[Straightliner59]

Great work, saving that body! I always thought these California Specials were way cool!

[Duddly01]

8 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Great work, saving that body! I always thought these California Specials were way cool!

Thank you. It has been a lot of work to get the body to where it is but I think in the end it will turn out nice.

[Duddly01]

Finally get some color on some parts. Base coat on body. 

[LennyB]

Donald, coming along nicely. I see you shaved the rear reflectors. The original ones on the resin body look too big IMHO and seem to replicate the early style. I believe all California Specials had the later style “Cougar” reflectors.  Just my 2-cents.  

[Keef]

11 hours ago, Duddly01 said:

Finally get some color on some parts. Base coat on body. 

Beautiful work!

[Duddly01]

10 hours ago, LennyB said:

Donald, coming along nicely. I see you shaved the rear reflectors. The original ones on the resin body look too big IMHO and seem to replicate the early style. I believe all California Specials had the later style “Cougar” reflectors.  Just my 2-cents.  

I am reproducing what mine had which was the other more oval style.

[Duddly01]

10 hours ago, Keef said:

Beautiful work!

Thank you. 

[Duddly01]

More painting coming along. Waiting for the molotow chrome to dry a few days before 2K clear. I am going to add the black GT/CS stripes before clear too.

[Bainford]

Man, that's looking good. Paint looks great. 

[espo]

Great looking paint and clean looking chrome trim.