AMT 1957 Thunderbird

[Duddly01]

I got quite a bit done today, but still a lot of detail work to go. Assembled the chassis and windshield. Created the side vent windows and glass for the resin porthole top. Finished detailing the engine compartment. I still have to create the antenna, side mirror and add a lot of photo etch details as well as a good polish and cleaning up all my finger prints.

 

[Kah puts]

Oh boy, that’s a killer ?

[Duddly01]

4 minutes ago, Kah puts said:

Oh boy, that’s a killer ?

Thank you.

[slusher]

 Beautiful paint and detailing!

[LennyB]

Looking good Donald, colors are really sharp. Is that the battery the kit came with? ‘57 Bird is 12 volts and that's a 6 volt battery

[David G.]

Paint, assembly, detail and finish, it all looks perfect!

And the lighting effects are the cherry on the sundae!

David G.

[Rod666]

Huhh, this is perfect!

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, slusher said:

 Beautiful paint and detailing!

Thank you.

3 hours ago, LennyB said:

Looking good Donald, colors are really sharp. Is that the battery the kit came with? ‘57 Bird is 12 volts and that's a 6 volt battery

It is the kit battery, one thing I didn’t scratch build. I built the shield that goes beside it so I thought it would be ok. Looks a lot like 12v batteries in newer muscle cars. I didn’t even notice a difference. Oh well, lesson learned.

1 hour ago, David G. said:

Paint, assembly, detail and finish, it all looks perfect!

And the lighting effects are the cherry on the sundae!

David G.

Thank you. LEDs seems to be my thing. My daughter says I couldn’t get away with a build that didn’t have them anymore. ?

[LennyB]

45 minutes ago, Duddly01 said:

It is the kit battery, one thing I didn’t scratch build. I built the shield that goes beside it so I thought it would be ok. Looks a lot like 12v batteries in newer muscle cars. I didn’t even notice a difference. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

The give away is the number of fill caps. 6V batteries only have three. 12V would have six.

[Duddly01]

2 hours ago, LennyB said:

The give away is the number of fill caps. 6V batteries only have three. 12V would have six.

Ah, good to know. Thanks.

[Duddly01]

4 hours ago, Rod666 said:

Huhh, this is perfect!

Thank you. 

[Duddly01]

I finished the detailing today and will be posting pictures to the finished thread later today. Thank you everyone for your support.

[LennyB]

If you ever get the urge to do a ‘64 Galaxie you might be interested to know the original AMT’s came with working headlights. 

[Duddly01]

8 minutes ago, LennyB said:

If you ever get the urge to do a ‘64 Galaxie you might be interested to know the original AMT’s came with working headlights. 

Well, that’s a start at least. What about gauge and taillights? ?

[LennyB]

2 minutes ago, Duddly01 said:

Well, that’s a start at least. What about gauge and taillights? ?

Taillights yes, gauges no.  And a battery box with two AA batteries hidden in the trunk.  

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, LennyB said:

Taillights yes, gauges no.  And a battery box with two AA batteries hidden in the trunk.  

Nice, I will have to look for one. The latest release is just a curbside.

Edited May 26, 2024 by Duddly01

[LennyB]

19 minutes ago, Duddly01 said:

Nice, I will have to look for one. The latest release is just a curbside.

Yes, ever since they came out with the “Blueprinter” release the kit has been a curbside.  Whenever I find a junker of an early version i will tend to grab it. At the right price of course. ? Although most of the lighted versions I find are missing the battery box and lights.  Not a big deal as the clear headlights and taillights are what you want?

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, LennyB said:

Yes, ever since they came out with the “Blueprinter” release the kit has been a curbside.  Whenever I find a junker of an early version i will tend to grab it. At the right price of course. ? Although most of the lighted versions I find are missing the battery box and lights.  Not a big deal as the clear headlights and taillights are what you want?

Does the newer kits not come with clear headlights and taillights?

Btw, I didn’t feel up to taking the car apart but I modified the battery best I could. Thanks for the info. I have scratch built the rear view mirror now too. 

[LennyB]

1 minute ago, Duddly01 said:

Does the newer kits not come with clear headlights and taillights?

Btw, I didn’t feel up to taking the car apart but I modified the battery best I could. Thanks for the info. I have scratch built the rear view mirror now too. 

I think the battery is strong enough to turn her over now? time to head on down the road and catch everyone in the rear view mirror?

Except for the early galaxies the headlights are now molded as part of the grill and chromed.   Taillights are still clear red as far as I know.  

[Duddly01]

That stinks. This kit the taillights were on the chrome tree. I ended up UV resin casted clear lenses and used Tamiya clear red. I have been making clear lenses for several of my builds

[Duddly01]

Just posted pictures of the completed build. Thanks everyone for you feedback and support. I am likely going to be tag teaming two builds next. A 1968 Mustang California Special using a 1968 GT Fastback kit and a Resin body. I started this during a waiting on supplies period but it is going to take an extreme amount of work to get looking good. I am also building a 1996 Corvette replica of a car my wife’s cousins husband owns for his birthday in October. 
 

This is the thread for one of the next builds: