1968ish Hemi Barracuda

[WillyBilly]

After I built a fresh from Hurst L023 Hemi Dart, I thought about building a sister 1968 B029 Hemi Barracuda. Problem was I could not find a 1968 Barracuda. Just 1969s. So not really knowing the few differences between the two years I started gathering parts. I sourced a Hemi from another Revell Dart, and steel wheels from Fireball. As I found the MPC kit is not very well made or designed. Detail is lacking, but I was bound and determined to make it work. I did some research and discovered three differences. The grill, a hump on the hood, and front valance and the taillights. One thing I found interesting was the outer trim pieces for a 68 taillight was included in the kit. With a little Dremel finesse, I was able to incorporate the 68 pieces to the 69 taillight assembly on each end. I was able to sand most of the hump out of the hood, and front valance. The grill will have to do. The Dart was painted with Rustoleum grey primer, and satin black for the gelcoat fiberglass panels. I will do the same here. The only difference will be this will be an automatic car. The seats were cut from the center console and swapped from one side to the other to hide the opening, and the seat incline was corrected to be more upright. Here is a few pics of what I have corrected to this point minus the seats.

Edited March 19 by WillyBilly

[1972coronet]

That MPC '69 Barracuda (whose history dates to the '67 annual , shared tooling with AMT) has that lovely Hurst Dual-Gate shifter / console included, too. 

'68 conversion parts are available : AMT/MPC 68 Plymouth Judy/Lilly Hemi Barracuda Conversion – Harts Parts Resin 
The correct A-100 Van seats aren't available separately - they're included , however, with the corrected interior / conversion for the Revell Darts.

[slusher]

I built this kit years ago fun kit..

[ybsluos]

Billy this will be a nice mate for your awesome Dart.  The blue Cuda photo I included shows one other difference from a 69,  but I’m not sure how much it matters.  What I’m referring to is the marker lights… On the 68 Barracudas as well as some other Mopar bodies they were a little round units. But as you can see in the two photos, I included (to give you some inspiration lol) the B029 Barracudas fiberglass front fenders seem to have them deleted which makes sense on a track only use vehicle.  But it appears that the B029s did retain them on the rear fenders.  I think it would be an easy fix though (especially if you only have to do 2!). Some of the current tubbed Super Stock Barracudas Ive seen have been customized to have no marker lights front or rear fenders.  You may not care about it but I thought I’d offer that info .  If you do care you may want to do more research because I don’t always know what I’m talking about to quote an Alice Cooper song!  
Great job on your tail light by the way.  -Mark

[WillyBilly]

20 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

That MPC '69 Barracuda (whose history dates to the '67 annual , shared tooling with AMT) has that lovely Hurst Dual-Gate shifter / console included, too. 

'68 conversion parts are available : AMT/MPC 68 Plymouth Judy/Lilly Hemi Barracuda Conversion – Harts Parts Resin 
The correct A-100 Van seats aren't available separately - they're included , however, with the corrected interior / conversion for the Revell Darts.

I have purchased a couple Duster bench seats from Hearts Parts with good results. I will have to look at purchasing the 68 conversion. They show the Van seats being available separately now

Edited March 20 by WillyBilly

[WillyBilly]

16 hours ago, ybsluos said:

Billy this will be a nice mate for your awesome Dart.  The blue Cuda photo I included shows one other difference from a 69,  but I’m not sure how much it matters.  What I’m referring to is the marker lights… On the 68 Barracudas as well as some other Mopar bodies they were a little round units. But as you can see in the two photos, I included (to give you some inspiration lol) the B029 Barracudas fiberglass front fenders seem to have them deleted which makes sense on a track only use vehicle.  But it appears that the B029s did retain them on the rear fenders.  I think it would be an easy fix though (especially if you only have to do 2!). Some of the current tubbed Super Stock Barracudas Ive seen have been customized to have no marker lights front or rear fenders.  You may not care about it but I thought I’d offer that info .  If you do care you may want to do more research because I don’t always know what I’m talking about to quote an Alice Cooper song!  
Great job on your tail light by the way.  -Mark

Thank you

As for the side markers, only the rear I promise, and it will be round.

[WillyBilly]

I have to make a decision. Spend $30 bucks on what I need to make the car look like a 68 or call it good with the modifications I have already performed. I think the only thing that will give it away will be the grill shape, and I think I can live with that.

 

Edited March 21 by WillyBilly

[WillyBilly]

Progress is slow, but steady. Fireball Mopar steelies painted waiting for detail. Revell Dart hemi painted waiting for detail, and final assembly, and the body is painted. The back panel needs more work to get it right. One taillight is smaller than the other. I will need to address that. And the last pic was an action shot. Finnigan decided to highlight the Hemi for me in case anyone missed the big orange engine.

[WillyBilly]

Calling it done. This car has been very frustrating, but I am glad I chose to go with my own work, rather than break down and buy a 1968 conversion kit. I must thank Fireball model works for the steel Mopar wheels, and Iceman for the Hemi Headers.

Finished car. 

 

Edited April 7 by WillyBilly