AMT '64 Comet kit bash

[dino246gt]

In one of the collections I acquired over the years, I found the Model King release of the old AMT Craftsman Serires '64 Comet.

Inside the box, the hood was cut out and 5 pieces of light blue styrene were included, from some other kit.

I recognized that light blue and checked my stash, AMT's '67 Comet.

So I fitted the inner fenders, rad wall, firewall and chassis from the '67 to the '64.

There was a LOT of fussing, but I like fussing over fit issues!

 

 The floor was cut open for some reason, I filled that back in.

 

Wanting to keep this build somewhat simple, I cut the floor out and added much needed front seat leg room!

 

[dino246gt]

So...those suspension towers that plague the early Falcon/Comets from the AMT '67 kit were just NOT making me happy!

But to cut the tops off, I had to cut out the rad, just to access them!

I had to cut the shock tower tops from the Trumpeter '64 Falcon and modify everything to make them work!

I am liking it much more so far, BUT, there goes my "simple build" idea, LOL

 

[dino246gt]

I should say that I've already got my first Mobius pro-touring '64 Comet and will get at least one more, so I figured that the old AMT one is worthless!

So I did what any creative modeller would do..................I started cutting it up!

I never had plans to build it, so it may never be finished, I just love doing heavy mods! LOL

[dino246gt]

Once I decided on wheels and tires, I narrowed the kit rear axle and wheel backs and made sure that they fit inside the body, no mini-tubs.

Then I cut the shock mounting plates from the springs, they are very thin!

Then I glued the springs to the axle with them fitting into the kit's chassis mounting holes.

THEN, I cut the front and rear off, leaving just the middles of the springs attached to the axle.

I drilled tiny holed is the cut ends and glued wire to ONE piece of each, positioned that, added more glue and fit the other half into kit's holes so the leaf springs are still kit length.

Now I figured that .030X100 would give me the drop that I want, so I added 2 strips to each spring.

 

Edited 23 hours ago by dino246gt

[dino246gt]

For the front, I just flipped the spindles upside down.

They are different from top to bottom so the lower holes needed to be elongated and slanted to maintain level mounting pegs for the wheels.

I also modified the lower front spring mounts to fit the chassis, not the inner fenders as AMT intended.

 

[dino246gt]

Wheels are the unpainted mags from AMT's '62 Chevy kit.

Rear tires are from Revell's '40 Ford coupe street rod kit.

Front tires are from Revell's '66 GTO or most newer Revell muscle car kits.

I had to hog out all tires, inside and out, to fit the rims.

As an experiment, I sprayed the rims, after primer, with Revell Chrome, which I've done many times, BUT then I sprayed Spazstix clear for chrome and it worked great!

Spokes are brush painted Tamiya neutral grey acrylic.

So here's the stance with the suspension mods and these wheels and tires, cheers!

 

[FoMoCo66]

Awesome work! Im putting that chassis under a 66 falcon annual, it had to be shortened a scale 6" to accommodate the falcons shorter wheel base. I cut the original engine bay out and put the donor one in, now im thinking im going to do this with the shock towers and use the original shock towers sence there pretty good. Those wheels are also some of my favorite! Looks good so far, you will definitely do this justice!

[mk11]

The shock tower design in the amt 66up falcon annuals is actually closer to the 1:1 originals in the pre 67 Mustang and pre 66 Falcon/Comet bodies.

The amt 66/67 Comet/Fairlane chassis and engine bay is more accurate for the amt 66up falcon annuals.

Edited yesterday at 01:08 AM by mk11

[Bainford]

Oh yeah, that's it!

[Trainwreck]

I've done this swap three times now, the '66 Fairlane is the best doner kit by far.

[dino246gt]

10 hours ago, Trainwreck said:

I've done this swap three times now, the '66 Fairlane is the best doner kit by far.

I was thinking that I should've used the Revell '64 Fairlaine, too late now, but I'm happy to hear that maybe I made the right choice!

Of course the guy I got it from actually made that choice for me.

[dino246gt]

Here's how I added front seat leg room and more depth to the whole interior tub.

Floor (top of '67 Comet chassis pan) is just red oxide primer right now, kinda looks like carpet!

Trying to keep this build "simple", so I HOPE that I don't cut the front seats and console out.............

but I probably will!  LOL 

 

Edited 22 hours ago by dino246gt

[gtx6970]

Following along here.

As I have a few of these same AMT kits

Id planned to use the Revell TBolt kit as a chassis doner, but this may change that plan 

[Trainwreck]

2 hours ago, dino246gt said:

I was thinking that I should've used the Revell '64 Fairlaine, too late now, but I'm happy to hear that maybe I made the right choice!

Of course the guy I got it from actually made that choice for me.

The Thunderbolt kit wheel base is shorter than the Comet, resulting in tires that are not centered in the wheel openings.

It doesn't seem like much but it makes all the difference in the final product.

Edited 20 hours ago by Trainwreck

[dino246gt]

Here's how that chassis looks just slightly detailed.

Still simple but at least everything is separate.

I think I'll have to sand those rear shock mount plates smooth and fill the large sink holes, then replace all the bolts.

 

 

Edited 11 hours ago by dino246gt