1983 Mustang Convertible - Built-up Re-build

[whale392]

Turned out very nice.......excellent save.

Now, if I might: 1) Why does it look like the headlight buckets and grill area are muddy (or at least dingy-looking)?, 2) It appears that the taillights are completely red. I can't remember (time to raid one of my kits) if they were molded that way, or if they were clear molded. Either way, the stripe down the center of the taillight lens should be Black (as this is an 83-84). Also, the center upper lens should be amber/orange and the inner lens white/clear.

All in all, very well built and as stated earlier, great save. These were good kits for their time, and with some detailing can still shine today. Excellent.

Edited April 12, 2010 by whale392

[Igor]

1) Why does it look like the headlight buckets and grill area are muddy (or at least dingy-looking)?

You mean the flat black? My research showed that 1983 Mustang convertibles were available with:

a- body-color grille, body-color headlight buckets

b- black grille, body-color buckets

c- black grille, black buckets

I originally built it (back in '83) with a black grille with body-color buckets, but this time I decided to go double black.

2) It appears that the taillights are completely red.

Yeah, it was molded in clear, I had painted the back flat-red when I originally built it. I meant to correct this (I still might) but the simple methods I tried at first would not remove the paint. So I decided just to leave it the way it was. They are currently only held on with Elmer's, so I may pop them off and try fixing them at some point (maybe ELO will take off the paint without damaging the clear?).

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate it.

[whale392]

In the pics, the flat black looks dingy brown. Yeah, you could get the grill and/or headlight buckets either body color or Satin Black (Trim Black SEM paint works VERY well at replicating the sheen). My 1:1 83 vert has the black grill and headlight buckets.......my 84 GT Turbo has body-colored grill with Black headlight buckets.

As to the paint....Easy Off Oven Cleaner (the yellow can) should remove the paint, and it won't harm the clear plastic. If you need, I have a spare set of the Mustang Cobra (1993) taillights that are exact repops of these....just let me know.

[Eric Stone]

In the pics, the flat black looks dingy brown.

I think you're seeing the yellowish light from the incandescent bulb playing on the flat finish of the grille and buckets.

[whale392]

That may be Eric, it does look yellowish stained. Also, I see it was 5 Lug converted!

[cobra98]

Good looking 'stang,Nice save

[Igor]

Also, I see it was 5 Lug converted!

I love the fact that with everyone complaining about the tail-lights... (OK, ok, ok, I will fix them, I have a whole... what... 4 days left... ugh... that's gonna' cut into on my drinkin' time)... that nobody noticed the wheels, they're from an SHO, I just like how they look.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Igor

[whale392]

Nah, we're not complaining........but I can tell you there is a very enthusiastic group of Fox-Lovers here with a reasonable wealth of knowledge on these cars. On the contrary, we (or at least I) love this build as it yet another FoxStang that would have gone unloved now being able to show herself in the light and be proud.

Being I have the 1:1 versions of these cars, I take notice of certain things (believe me, the 5 lug wheels immediately stood out to me), All 4 of my current 'Stangs AND my wrecked Coupe were all 5 lug swapped.

You did a good job on this one, be proud man...no one here is bashing you. Now, get on with some drinkin'!

Edited April 13, 2010 by whale392

[Igor]

OK, guys, here it is... I stripped the old flat red paint off the tail-light lenses, then re-painted them in white, amber and 2 shades of red (one for the blinker/tail-light, another for the reflector)...

Are you happy NOW!

(no, seriously, you guys just pushed me to do what I meant to do in the first place, before I got lazy... and I thank you.)

See you at the NNL East!

Edited April 14, 2010 by Igor

[charlie8575]

Fantastic save and rebuild. And a great job with the taillights.

I do so wish I was going to NNL-East this year, hopefully next year.

Charlie Larkin

[whale392]

Most sexy with her tail squared away! Need a full blown spread on her in the 'Under Glass' section!