'91 Pontiac Firebird

[Simo5555]

Hi 

Thought i'd take up another build. This time the '91 Firebird. A really cool looking car. I'm a huge fan of american cult and muscle cars and this one certainly fits the bill. 


So lets see how it goes

Simo.

Edited June 22 by Simo5555

[TransAmMike]

Knock it out Simo, TA Mike will be watching😄

[Valvefloat]

Retro build

77 trans am tribute or 69 trans am tribute

 

 

[Hawk312]

I really like the old Monogram based 3rd gen kits. Here is mine built about 15 years ago or so. It builds up to a very convincing replica.

[DJMar]

18 minutes ago, Hawk312 said:

I really like the old Monogram based 3rd gen kits. Here is mine built about 15 years ago or so. It builds up to a very convincing replica.

I'm with you, Revellogram did a bang up job with their 3rd gen Firebird kits. Even the Revell SnapTite '93 T/A kit is a winner.

[Simo5555]

So lets kick this build off too

Got most of the engine painted:



Still needs a lot of work. Thinking of trying to make it look a bit like a showcar so ill keep the chromed engine parts (i'm quite a huge fan of chromed engine parts - dont hate me ). Maybe ill strip the rims thou - will definitely use the OEM ones, not the tuned riced out wheels

Spent some time to get the front bumper to line up - got it pretty good


The back one went easier


Really like the bodylines of the Firebirds

[Simo5555]

So............... about the interior.

Someone gave me an idea to use the laundry clips holding down parts Why haven't i think this before! So i stole some clips from my GF to hold the seats together



Worked like a charm!

The seats itself didn't really fit together very well, but got them done in the end.

Luckily they fit into the interior really well thou


After that, did some painting. I want the whole model to scream "90s" so decided to do the most ugliest trend from that era - the black vinyl dash along with the blueish chinese plastic and grey fabric seats and carpets So mixed some paints and started spraying the interior


Still need alot of work, but you'll get the idea. Looks ugly as hell, but bear with me guys. Might look really cool once its done. 

Also glued the rear spoiler on as a side note


I did get a paint for the body too, but won't spoil it yet (its something from early 60s  ) 

[Brutalform]

Very cool build. I’ve been thinking of doing this build myself, as I used to drag race a 92 Firebird Formula. At least I don’t need pics, because I can build it from memory. I used to run Centerline Convo Pros on mine but can’t seem to find any of these wheels in 1/24 scale. The Revell Nova has Centerlines, but in 1/25 scale. I’ll be following along in this build. 

[Simo5555]

Bodywork

So, about the bodywork  This is my step-by-step on how i do it (i'm not saying its the correct way. This is just a way that works for me):

1) First, i will check the body for any mould marks, defects etc. Then sand them out starting from worst to least.


2) Then do a complete wetsand (i use sponges - they won't leave deep scratches behind if you're not too careful). Like complete-complete to the point where the entire shell is dull


3) Scrub-scrub-scrub! (usually with dishsoap and a toothbrush)



4) Primer. I use mr.hobby stuff



5) Paint!

[Simo5555]

I had a change of heart..... 

So, decided to strip the interior. The grey just wasn't "it". So, thought i'd play around a bit with different paints:

First, some brown and beige 


Then some more light brown



And out came this leathery look

[Dragline]

I just started a 94 Bird thread. Good luck to you Sir.

[Zippi]

The ole Firebird is looking pretty good there Simo.  I like that leather look.

[Brutalform]

Nice job on the Interior as it definitely looks like leather to me. 

[Simo5555]

Did a bit of taping. The front bumper was pretty horrible to do


Also did the window trim


Came out pretty ok


Also did some work on the interior  Wanted a bit of creamier look so repainted the seats and interior tub. After that, did some painting with black

[slusher]

Should the dash be interior color or personal taste I do that often.

[Valvefloat]

On 7/18/2025 at 12:06 AM, Simo5555 said:

Bodywork

So, about the bodywork  This is my step-by-step on how i do it (i'm not saying its the correct way. This is just a way that works for me):

1) First, i will check the body for any mould marks, defects etc. Then sand them out starting from worst to least.


2) Then do a complete wetsand (i use sponges - they won't leave deep scratches behind if you're not too careful). Like complete-complete to the point where the entire shell is dull


3) Scrub-scrub-scrub! (usually with dishsoap and a toothbrush)



4) Primer. I use mr.hobby stuff



5) Paint!

What pint/color is that?

 

[Simo5555]

10 hours ago, Valvefloat said:

What pint/color is that?

 

Its called Honduras Maroon by Gravity colors

[Simo5555]

 Summer is the worse time to do model building - theres always other stuff around the house needing to be done. But still, when i get a chance, i do try to do something. I have done the decals already and the body got its clearcoat too

 

[Simo5555]

Wow! Last update was in august. Somehow this build has been sitting on my shelf for two months. So its time to blow the dust off and continue!

Tried to make the dash look like its form an early 90s. Turned out pretty good if you ask me


Then it was time for some decal work. This is an old kit - kit has been sitting around for 20 years or so - so decals took some soaking.


Also painted the interior buttons and testfitted the dashboard


After that, did some flocking and glued everything in


I know the armrests on the doorpanel should be brown, but i painted them in black. I used to own a late 80's Audi 100 that had light interior with black armrests. This model kind of reminds me of that car so thats why i did it.



Also, i know some of you british guys and gals won't see my earlier pictures due to some issues with the imgur site. Sadly i got myself a new PC a while ago so lost some of my old pictures, including pictures for this build. So heres a quick recap of the body

[TransAmMike]

Coming along very nicely Simo.  I had forgotten you were building this since your first post about it.    Gonna look great when done 👍

[Simo5555]

Lets do another "small" update 

First, about the taillight. ITS THE WORST I'VE EVER SEEN. Idk how to paint it to look good. Been trying and failing, trying and failing. So i gave up and left it as is

So what i did:

First, taped the lines one by one:


Then painted them:


But still, looks pretty bad:


So i gave up. Painted the lights in red and orange


Actually looks pretty okayish on body



The underside is a bit weird too. The kit supposed to be a 91 Firebird, but its a mix of parts from 89 and 91 firebird. Couldn't find any reference photos of the underside so used my imagination. Painted the fuel tank in silver. I have no idea how it is on the real car. Looks pretty nice though


Also glued the rear axle in. The front one will be glued at the very end



Then did some work on the engine

The intake is glued in;


Chrome looks pretty nice inside the enginebay


Then did the plug wires. Its kindof my must-have thing. I really like to do these:


And glued them in also:



So this is where its at. Not much left to do

[Simo5555]

So, its pretty much home straight  No much left to do. 

Wanted to add some white lettering to the tyres. The kit doesn't have those so had to dig around inside my scrap boxes  Luckily i found some! I think they are leftover from my older Firebird kit. Anyhow, the worked great.


Then did some detailing inside the engine bay, glued the windows, interior and undercarriage in  


And finally installed the engine. Chromed parts inside the enginebay looks pretty awesome if you ask me  Theres still loads of fingerprints left, but i'll clean it up later 


After that, glued the axles, driveshaft and shocks in So underside is also pretty much done. The mudflap-thingy will come later


Just some minor details left to do before i can call this one done

[Simo5555]

Aaand.......done 

Will post some more pics in UTG subforum

[Zen]

Looks great, well done!

[DJMar]

It looks great! I think the work you did on the taillights is pretty nice. They aren't the easiest parts to detail on this generation of Firebird, but I think you nailed the overall look.

Sweet build.