AMT 1969 Cougar Eliminator

[Duddly01]

After just completing the 1950 Chevrolet 3100 build I am starting on a Cougar Eliminator build. It will of course have my standard LED lighting which will require making the headlight doors able to be opened. My wife and son decided I have to paint it bright blue, I was going to go with competition Orange but one again I get vetoed. I purchased some Bahama blue I thought would be close to find out after looking for a cross reference I found out that Ford Acapulco Blue is the same exact code as Mercury Bright blue. I still have some left from the 1967 Mustang Fastback build, but I will order some more to play it safe. I separated the parts into their specific sections.

I purchased a set of old issue styled steel wheel I like much better than the kit ones, and had a set of Firestone wide oval left. 

The body is pretty nice but missing some panel gaps and will need just a little work. The chassis and interior on the other hand are super weak. The engine compartment really shows its promo heritage and has absolutely no inner firewalls and shock towers. I have cut out the front wheel tubs and created inner firewalls that will fit. 

[Duddly01]

This is the look I am going for.

[LennyB]

I always preferred these in Yellow or Orange. The blue doesn't look tough enough IMHO.

[Duddly01]

2 hours ago, LennyB said:

I always preferred these in Yellow or Orange. The blue doesn't look tough enough IMHO.

Yeah, happy wife…

[Duddly01]

I decided to make a silicon mold of the original issue cougar wheels and so far printed one good set. I made it so the post on the back doesn’t have a hole, The axle holes in the original set were much larger than this kits so now I can drill for the size I need as well as paint the dark argent without needing to strip the chrome off the originals. 

[Duddly01]

Much more correct engine compartment created and trial fit. 

[Kenmojr]

Looking good so far....

[Duddly01]

13 minutes ago, Kenmojr said:

Looking good so far....

Thanks, barley getting started.  

[Tim W. SoCal]

Following your build with much interest, Don. We had a '69 Cougar in Dark Aqua with a 351 4bbl come into the shop I worked at a couple years back. I thought the car was beautiful...

[Keef]

This gonna be soooo awesome!!! I’m definitely going to be watching! ??

[Duddly01]

2 hours ago, Tim W. SoCal said:

Following your build with much interest, Don. We had a '69 Cougar in Dark Aqua with a 351 4bbl come into the shop I worked at a couple years back. I thought the car was beautiful...

Thank you! Sounds like. Beautiful car.

54 minutes ago, Keef said:

This gonna be soooo awesome!!! I’m definitely going to be watching! ??

Thank You! I will do my best.

[Musclecarbuilder]

Looking great! I really love that blue!

[Duddly01]

1 hour ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

Looking great! I really love that blue!

Thank You! I still have a long way to go with this one  

[Duddly01]

A little more work done.
I removed the trunk section from the body tub since I will be making the trunk open to hide the battery as a spare.

Added the front valance to the body and hood scoop to the hood.

stripped the chrome from the bumpers since they will be getting a lot of work done to remove the parts that should be on the hood or trunk lid, to add headlight buckets and modify for LED headlights and taillights. I will be making the headlight doors able to be opened and closed. The grill will also be photo-etch where it is see through where it should be.

[Duddly01]

I got quite a bit of work done on the fabrication and modification on the body. I cut out the missing body line, removed the door handles, removed the wires and drilled for locks. Also removed the emblems that will be replaced with photo-etch. Pined the drivers side mirror and added the stand to the rear spoiler. 

I cut open the trunk lid. Added a lip, made a trunk hinge. Also modified the rear bumper by removing the part that should be on the trunk lid and attached it to the trunk lid. Made modification for the LED taillights.

modified the front bumper, cut out the headlight doors, created the headlight buckets. Made where the buckets could open. Modified the radiator support to be more accurate as well as allow access to the headlights for LEDs.

[Musclecarbuilder]

Wow this thing is coming along great! 

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

Wow this thing is coming along great! 

Thank you! This is taking a lot of fabrication and modification, but that is pretty common with these older amt molds. It really does show its 60s roots.

[Duddly01]

Got a little more work done. Added detailing to the engine compartment, added interior arm rest depth and drilled out the gauges in preparation for lenses and LEDs

[Duddly01]

Got a little fab work on the chassis done. Dug up a resin cast differential and front disk brake disks from the AMT 1967 Mustang kit. Pinned the differential and changed out the pumpkin. Added disks to the back to represent drums. Cut the front frame rails filler panels and added filler panels to the engine compartment firewalls.

added the disk brake disks and assembled the front suspension.

[Musclecarbuilder]

Looking good!

[Geno]

Don, I used the blue as my dad had one in that color, it got rear-ended by a dump truck and totalled sadly. I done mine as a what if. If they'd built them using the Mustang Sportsroof. I can't wait to see yours when it's done. ??

[David G.]

Impressive work as always!

David G.

[LennyB]

Nice details on the chassis Donald.

[TarheelRick]

Very impressive work, especially the grille and opening headlight buckets. Don't see a lot of Cougar builds, will be watching this one develop.

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, Musclecarbuilder said:

Looking good!

Thank You!