Dad's 1967 GTO

[ksnow]

I have finally dug into building my dad's 67 GTO. He bought it used when it was only 6 months old. Drove it until 1983, when he sold it to buy a station wagon for the family. By that time the lower parts of the rear quarters had been replaced with pop riveted aluminum sheet, gotta love WI road salt. The car was tyrol blue with a white interior and a white vinyl top.

Starting with the MPC/AMT/Ertl 1967 GTO kit, and its a doozy. I have several releases of it, including the one pictured below, and none of them are near what I would like. After looking at it, and looking at it, and looking at it, I finally opened the Revell 1966 GTO and wow, what a difference. The current plan is to use the body and interior tub from the 67 kit and everything else from the 66 kit. I've hunted down wheel covers that will be close enough, and a single 4 barrel intake for the Revell motor. 

Here's Mom and Dad with the GTO in the early 70's.

And my progress on the body. The AMT kit has the fender liners molded with the blob of a chassis, the Revell kit has them with the body. A little surgery and I have the liners and radiator upper brace rough fit into the 67 body. 

[David G.]

Cool! Another nostalgia build.

I've been doing a lot of those myself recently.

Do you plan on building it during its glory days or the pop-rivet days?

David G. 

[ksnow]

Glory days, definitely.

[espo]

I always enjoy watching a build by someone with a personal connection to the vehicle. Family cars are especially special. 

[ksnow]

I was 5 when it got sold, so I only have vague memories of it.  And the above picture is the only picture we have of it. I just hope i can do the car justice.

[drodg]

13 minutes ago, espo said:

I always enjoy watching a build by someone with a personal connection to the vehicle. Family cars are especially special. 

I agree.  I know the 66 kit is so much better than the 67 GTO.  I love you are doing this.  It will be fun to watch.  

[Kenmojr]

Off to a great start...

[ksnow]

Tonight I got the fender liner/radiator cover glued in place. This was my first time trying anything like this. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Had to trim the drop part on the front center. The 66 GTO has a flare that goes under the grill inserts a bit, in 67 the drop part is straight on the sides. Its interesting researching all the little differences between model years.

[David G.]

Nice progress on the kit-bash!

David G.

[ksnow]

2 hours ago, David G. said:

Nice progress on the kit-bash!

David G.

Thank you. I'll get more practice at it. I started looking at the rest of the body and there are some short shots at the corners of the wheel openings, and the A-pillars are misaligned in the middle. I pulled out another 67 body from another kit, and the molding is much better. So, I will be cutting the 66 piece back out and putting it into a new body. That will also give me a chance to add some sort of ledge for the hood to sit on, which I forgot about in my first attempt.

I'll practice the vinyl top on the first body also. It pays to have 2 or 5 extra kits some times.

[ksnow]

Just a small update. I received a correct intake manifold. I decided to open it up a bit, like the original Pontiac intakes were. I am pretty happy with the result.

 

[TNT]

These builds are the best. They have heart and meaning. Anyone can build a model but family cars or friends cars are the best. Thanks to your dad for his service. 

[TransAmMike]

I've done a few nostalgia builds (66 GTO, 2 66 SS Chevelles, 71 Cutlass S, VW  Bug, 914 Porsche, and 2 '57 Chevy' s) Very satisfying. Great start Kyle. 

Edited May 27, 2024 by TransAmMike

[David G.]

Having the correct parts can be important. Even if no body else knows that they're correct, we do. Sometimes that's what matters most in a build.

David G.

[ksnow]

Another small update. I cut the fender liners off the first body i put them on to, and got them on a body with fewer flaws in casting. Its nice having multiple kits to pick and choose parts from. I also got the heads drilled for plug boots and the block drilled for the dist. I also ran a practice applying chrome trim for the vinyl top on one of the lesser quality bodies. I am pretty pleased with the results for my first attempt.

[Anglia105E]

I can fully understand your quest to build a model replica of your Dad' car Kyle, as it is something that I have done myself . . . Like you, I only had one old and faded photograph to work from, plus my own memory of course. You are lucky to have multiple versions of the Pontiac GTO kit, and it sounds like some of your kits are better than others !

I am sure you will find this build most rewarding, and you are off to a good start . . .

Hope you don't mind me adding this photo to your topic, which is a 1:16 scale FROG kit of a 1963 Ford Consul Cortina, thanks . . .

David

[ksnow]

David, nice build.

Yes, this model will mean a lot. And since my Dad is a modeler also (mainly wooden ships) he will really appreciate all the fine detailing.

[espo]

That makes it all that more special. 

[Zippi]

Nice little build going on here Kyle of your Dad's 67 GTO.  He's going to dig it.

[David G.]

Nice clean work on the trim strips Kyle.

David G.

 

[ksnow]

3 hours ago, Zippi said:

Nice little build going on here Kyle of your Dad's 67 GTO.  He's going to dig it.

Thanks, yes he will enjoy the model and memories.

3 hours ago, David G. said:

Nice clean work on the trim strips Kyle.

David G.

 

Thank you, it turned out better than i expected.

[drifterdon]

Looking good Kyle.   And I noticed your '67 Impala (Supernatural) in the background.  I'll be following along.   

Don

[ksnow]

Got some paint on the engine. 25 year old Model Masters Pontiac engine blue. Also the first time airbrushing in 25 years.

 

[Noah H.]

Every part of this build looks great so far - looking forward to seeing it built up. Great work.

[ksnow]

7 hours ago, Noah H. said:

Every part of this build looks great so far - looking forward to seeing it built up. Great work.

Thanks. It'll be a while, I sure don't win any building races.