Fireball 500

[Scale-Master]

Still cleaning the show cases, thought I’d share this one too. Another oldie that isn’t seen built very often.

I got this AMT kit when I was six as a Christmas gift, (yes, back in the ‘60s). I tried to build it four times over a couple decades or so, only to get frustrated with not having it look the way I wanted, and stuffing it back in its box.

The final build, when I finished it, was at least a dozen years ago. It is the longest span I ever spent from starting to finishing a model, a good 30 plus years.

By the final round, what I had to work with was a body that had been painted four times, with multiple colors (I always tried to make it like the real one), but I never stripped it between attempts.

Fortunately I used Testors enamel for every paint layer. It took about a week of working through it all with Easy-Off oven cleaner, (soak, scrub, rinse and repeat). Then a lot of sanding.

The interior however, had been last “finished” (during the ‘70s) with thick felt cemented to the bucket and dash with Testors (Orange) tube glue. It was truly finished, off that is, not salvageable.

The engine and the chassis were also quite weak looking. So I cannibalized an (at the time brand new) Revell Pro Modeler Charger and cobbled up a two seat interior, shortened the chassis and used that nice Hemi.

Paint was again applied using Testors enamels. Pearl Orange from the Boyd’s line and Stop Light Red over a white base.

The original decals were still on the sheet, but useless for other than reference, so I drew and printed a fresh set. BMF was used to salvage some of the chrome.

I took a little artistic license with the exhaust system by adding mufflers since I could not see how the exhaust could work through the side pipes as engineered. I’m not sure, but I think the mirror is from the original Fireball kit, but I know the gas cap was taken from the Charger.

Here’s some engine & chassis shots:

[Greg Pugh]

That's cool that you still have and that it's been completed!

[mr moto]

Excellent build!! It has that convincing real look that's so hard to achieve. Just the right patina on everything.

What did you use for the finish on the valve covers and inner fenders?

[Modelmartin]

I alwaays loved that car and you did a great job of it! The only thing that could be improved would be to vac-form some windscreens to get them thin enough. Regardless, it's a beautiful build and I like it.

[Scale-Master]

I did dry splatter spray for the valve covers. Same basic technique I use for sand cast texture and vinyl tops. Low pressure, spray from a distance, and spray dry coats. The inner fenders got some of that texture from ingrained dust & dirt collected over 20 plus years of not finishing it. Sealed in with flat black.

As I recall the width was OK for the chassis, and I'm thinking maybe about 3/4 (or was it 3/8?) of an inch was taken out of the wheelbase. I just cut it to fit.

Considering when it was started, and how long ago it was finished, nothing but nature is going to change it now. And it's not like those upgrades will add that much to the overall model to me.

[Modellpularn]

Looks great! That kit is another one of those "must build" kits. I've been looking at your Surfite....