GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 Hi gang, I started this project in a community build that had a deadline. It was to be a "budget" build with no more than 50 bucks being spent for the the kit, paint and aftermarket goodies. Well, as usual every day life got in the way and I couldn't get it finished by the predetermined due date. So if you'll bear with me I'll complete it here in this thread. I started with the 1/25th scale R/M '71 Hemi Cuda...yeah, I know I hardly ever build anything this small but I figured I'd give it a try just for giggles. My intent is to build a car that Plymouth never did....a production '71 Cuda muscle car with a Super Bird theme. Nuff' yaking here's some pics of where it's at now...... The chassis is pretty much right out of the box, I added disc brakes to the front as the kit inner wheel halves were simply too toy like. A little texture, rust and road grime make it a bit more believable.....remember, this is a budget build. The tire at the upper left of your PC screen is the only one that has been finished. I'm using a resin Gibson "Super Stock" engine (the Hemi in the kit is a bit lack luster in my mind) with some modifications to make it more like an engine that could have been found in a production car at the time. I'm modifying the kit intake manifold to replace the Gibson super stock unit and scratch built a distributor. (I couldn't drill the resin one without it chipping out).
Marc @ MPC Motorsports Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 I'll be watching this one. Waaaaaay back, in the early 1970's, I built an MPC 1972 Cuda with the Superbird nose and wing from the MPC 1971 Road Runner kit. I thought it was cool and that nose piece fit quite nicely.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 27, 2011 Author Posted May 27, 2011 I'll be watching this one. Waaaaaay back, in the early 1970's, I built an MPC 1972 Cuda with the Superbird nose and wing from the MPC 1971 Road Runner kit. I thought it was cool and that nose piece fit quite nicely. I thought about grabbing a Super Bird kit for the nose and swing set spoiler but that would put me over the $50 budget, I'll just fab those parts up from scrap plastic....besides, I can use the practice.
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 27, 2011 Author Posted May 27, 2011 Thanks for the kind words Virgil. Mocking up the nose and spoiler....... I turned the "shaker" air cleaner around backwards and will mold it into the hood to make the profile a bit more slippery.
charlie8575 Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 Interesting concept, Don. Nice fabrication work, too. Charlie Larkin
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 27, 2011 Author Posted May 27, 2011 (edited) Started molding in the nose and scoop....... Edited May 27, 2011 by GrandpaMcGurk
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 27, 2011 Author Posted May 27, 2011 The front of this car sits too high even as a stocker if built from the kit. Rather than try to alter the torsion bar suspension which would have weakened it...I trimmed a bit from the bottom of the inner wheel wells to allow the body to be channeled down slightly on the belly pan. I'll add the Super Bird style humps on the top of the fenders for wheel travel later. The grille opening (intake vents) on the bottom of the nose were fabricated from the kit rear window louvers....still have a fair amout of molding left to do on them.
Dragline Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 Why didn't I think of that? I love this thing. BRIGHT colors? Bob
brett Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 Very cool ! When I first saw the hint of the vents I was wondering how the heck did he do those. Next set had the answer, ingenious !
VW Dave Posted May 27, 2011 Posted May 27, 2011 I really like the molded-in/reversed shaker scoop, and the use of the louvers under the nose is very cool; I'm looking forward to updates on this one for sure. My only possible critique? I think you've installed the valve cover in the picture upside-down:
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 28, 2011 Author Posted May 28, 2011 Why didn't I think of that? I love this thing. BRIGHT colors? Bob Firey Orange laquer for the body. The headlights will be blacked out as they are on the Super Bird. It will also have a vinyl top (remember how popular they were with Chrysler back in the 60's & 70's)?
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 28, 2011 Author Posted May 28, 2011 I really like the molded-in/reversed shaker scoop, and the use of the louvers under the nose is very cool; I'm looking forward to updates on this one for sure. My only possible critique? I think you've installed the valve cover in the picture upside-down: Sharp eyes Dave......yes it's upside down. It's not gluded on, just sittin' there for the pic and I didn't notice....my bad.
Kit Basher Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 WOW! I love this thing! With the "gill" vents on the sides and the louvers under the nose, it looks really shark-like. Super-fish indeed! I think I hear "Jaws" music playing...
Terror Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 I like the whole build idea,and the nose vents take the cake,cool work man.Gonna open the side vents to match?
Guest Sickfish Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 G'day Don! I'm with everyone else here, great idea & great project! I'm actually workin' on a couple of 'Birds myself, but nowhere near stock I like the idea of the hood louvres for vents under the nose cone, however, I've got to ask, mainly because your idea of a "what might've been around" era car... Will you be adding a chin spoiler for downforce? & the wing, particularly because you're using the 1/25 scale kit, look's just a little too tall? I'm not nit-picking by any mean's mate, just giving you some feedback Cheers & keep up the good work, Cliffo
GrandpaMcGurk Posted May 28, 2011 Author Posted May 28, 2011 G'day Don! I'm with everyone else here, great idea & great project! I'm actually workin' on a couple of 'Birds myself, but nowhere near stock I like the idea of the hood louvres for vents under the nose cone, however, I've got to ask, mainly because your idea of a "what might've been around" era car... Will you be adding a chin spoiler for downforce? & the wing, particularly because you're using the 1/25 scale kit, look's just a little too tall? I'm not nit-picking by any mean's mate, just giving you some feedback Cheers & keep up the good work, Cliffo Many thanks for the kudos guys.........Cliff, in no way do I feel you're nit picking, I for one appreciate constructive input & feedback. It helps me build better models. I am aware of the chin spoiler (my Dad had a Chrysler dealership when I was a lad). I don't really think it'll be necessary because each of the louvers would act as a mini spoiler at any kind of speed and a chin spoiler would be a curb magnet. LOL I do however agree that the swing set is too high, it's taped on at the moment and won't be permanently attached until the rest of the body work is done......it's a lot easier to lower it than it would be to make it taller...right?
Guest Sickfish Posted May 28, 2011 Posted May 28, 2011 Count agree more Don Measure twice, cut once If you stuff it up... Do ia again Lol! Cheers mate, Cliffo
GrandpaMcGurk Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 Here's a few more pics and update. She's looking pretty ugly at the moment, I always use a couple different colors of primers as it makes finding high & low spots easier to see when block sanding. Also started opening up the the "gill" vents and the openings for the side makers. I'll thin the plastic from the underside to get them a little closer to scale. Stuff like this is my biggest beef with these small scale kits.....but I guess if they put a little more effort into detailing the kits it would allow them to justify higher prices.....oh well.
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