1969 Olds 442

[ModelcarJR]

I've built this a couple of times and I have this partial kit as I used the chassis out of it for another GM car but I can't remember which one. I bought another kit so I have all the parts to completed it but thought if I could mate this with another chassis then I would have two of them. I have the engine and interior and all the parts but not the chassis. If worse comes to worse, I might steal the chassis and engine from a previous build, then I wouldn't have to kit-bash another kit. I'm going to look in the parts box for another chassis or the closet for some other kit that I will never build. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. 

In the meantime, I painted the body (hood came out OK) and found that I didn't get the mold lines out on the B pillar so I sanded those out again and repainted with Dupli-Color Universal Black and two coats of clear lacquer on Monday. I let it dry for a couple of days and have been rubbing it out all day. Still not sure its done, so I am going to let it rest overnight and take a final crack at it tomorrow. Thanks for looking!  ?

Edited September 22, 2024 by ModelcarJR
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[KWT]

You just can't go wrong with one of these GM cars from that time. Looking forward to the build

[slusher]

Very nice black finish John!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Jeremy and Carl! I appreciate your comments! ?

I've rubbed out the body and foiled it. So I thought about how to complete this one and I finally sorted it out. I found an old build that the bumpers seem to be tarnished a bit with age and the paint has a few issues as well. So I have carefully removed the engine and I am going to build a regular 442. I modified an air cleaner from the parts box and I will paint the engine red with an orange air cleaner. I'll paint the interior a dark red and then order some red hood and trunk stripes from Keith Marks. I'll start by painting the inner fenders black over the red and then tackle the engine to add plug wires and heater hoses. Time to get started! Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

sharp black John! Are you rebuilding the blue one?

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl! I don't know about the blue one yet. If I find another chassis I might rebuild it too.

Completed the interior today. This is the interior that I had in the kit. The only parts I am using from the previous build are the chassis and related parts, tires and wheels. Painted it with an old can of WalMart Fire Red and applied a light coat of Dullcote.  Not much to see in the interior; some foil and chrome pen, paint, and its done. I foiled the gauges and then just used some paint and blackwash to create the illusion of faces on the gauges. Next, I'll  work on the engine that I painted today. I'll add plug wires, a coil, and heater hoses to it tomorrow. Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

Looks terrific John!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl! I appreciate your comment!

The engine is complete and now its time to start assembly. I modified an air cleaner by cutting off the skinny snorkel from this parts box air cleaner and gluing a snorkel from a 64 Chevy onto the air cleaner. Next, I cut a piece of .080 rod and stuck it on the snorkel. I also have a 442 decal for the air cleaner that will be applied on final. The air cleaner is suppose to be orange-red but I don't have any and I didn't want to mix up paint and air brush it for just the air cleaner so I just painted it orange.  Its stuck on with handy-tak for now, just in case I have to make any adjustments for hood closure which I don't anticipate. 

I added plug wires, scratched a coil, and have drilled holes for the heater hoses that will be installed on final assembly. High performance 455s are suppose to be red so that's what i painted the block. The valve covers are closer to what I saw on the internet and might be a bit long but they will work for me. Plug wires are the Morgan Automotive pre-wired distributor with wire looms (Pro-Tech)  and boots. I just left the alternator and power steering pump flying as it is hard to tell. Thanks for looking! ?

[ModelcarJR]

Ok, this one is together! Only a few more pieces and the decals have been printed and should be in the mail. It may take a few days to receive the decals but I'll take pics once I receive them and post them at that point. In the meantime, I will finish the few additional parts that need to be attached. 

The interior fits nicely into the body and the chassis fits the body easily as well. The radiator and top and bottom hose from the old assembly fit right in place and saved some time. I have added the heater hoses and finished in the engine compartment. Only the front bumper/grill and rear bumper/taillights are left to complete. I'll also add mirrors after I am finished with the decals. Thanks for looking! ?

[slusher]

Look forward too seeing you Olds with the decals on!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Carl! I appreciate your comment!

This one is done for now. Red Stripes for the hood and trunk are on order but it may be awhile. They are coming from Western Canada by Post Office so may be 10 days to 2 weeks. All the parts are on except for the exterior mirrors which I'll add after the decals because I normally will knock them off during the decaling process.  The last photo includes another one that I completed in 2020 that I painted with Americana acrylic Banana Cream.  I like the color and painting the acrylic through airbrush was a nice experience. Building this kit is always a lot of fun because it goes together so well. One of AMT's better kits, IMO. I'll be back with final photos in white box once I have the decals on. Thanks for looking! ?

[BK9300]

Beautiful looking cars!

[ModelcarJR]

Thanks, Brian! I appreciate your comment!  I don't have decals yet but am anxious to finish the black one. ?