1/12 1957 Bel Air "Muscle Machine" WIP

[Jordan White]

I've actually started this build already, I just haven't had a chance to make a post. I previously built up the Revell-o-gram 1/12 Bel Air and decided that I would really like to take it apart and build it up differently. Partly because I don't think it looks good now, partly because I would like to add more detail, and partly because they are hard to find new for cheap.

Anywho, here's how it looked before I took it apart.

Basically my plans are to dechrome everything, and paint the bumpers and tailfin trim body color. The window trim will be black, and the side trim will be removed and the holes filled in. I'm going to use the kit tires and wheels, but make my own wheel centers. Stance will be 70's muscle, with low front and jacked up rear. I'm building the engine up to resemble a Chevy 327, and am using the kit supercharger. It will also have opening doors and trunk. The color scheme will be a surprise at this point, and there will be one other detail that will also be a surprise for now.

I should have some pics tomorrow though of where I am so far.

Edited March 23, 2012 by Jordan White

[Jordan White]

Okay, so here's where I'm at now. First, here's the body with the chrome stripped from the fin pieces, and the molding hole in the body filled. I also narrowed the bumper 2mm to allow the edges to line up with the fenders.

Next is the front bumper, which I stripped, removed the molded grille, and drilled out the "bullets". I'm going to mold in some custom fog lights in the holes. I also added a front air dam to the bumper, which I suppose may seem kind of odd, but with the stance I'm going for it's going to look awesome.

Here's the chassis plate with the paint somewhat stripped off, the rear floor removed where the gas tank and spare well sat, and the spots where the leaf springs were mounted were removed. I've also begun filling in the spot I cut in the frame for the exhaust.

Finally, here's the engine so far. As I said, it's meant to look like a 327 with supercharger. I scratchbuilt some tall valve covers, a deep-sump oil pan, and added a harmonic balancer. I also added the starter, the oil filter, the water pump, and the carbs were painted up like Edelbrocks.

[Jordan White]

Was able to get some pics of the work I've done since my last update.

First is the chassis, which was painted black and I've begun work on the suspension, fitting the front crossmember and rear spring perches.

I also got the body bondoed, smoothed, and primered/painted with a white basecoat.

Here's the dashboard so far. Drilled out the gauges, where I'll add my own that will be lit up with LEDs. Also cut open the glovebox and made an interior to house an aftermarket radio.

Here's the steering wheel, all painted up.

[Jordan White]

Now on to the good stuff.

Front headlights painted, lenses installed with LEDS mounted from behind. The lenses were fogged with old glue, so I scraped off as much as I could, lightly sanded them, and brushed the lens with Future to make them transparent again.

Here's the front grille piece with turn signals installed. Lenses are headlights from a 1/24 kit, and yellow LEDS installed from behind.

And here's the grill piece along with scratchbuilt grille mounted to the bumper.

Here's what the fog lights will look like, again with LEDs mounted from behind (these aren't permanent yet, I'm going to paint the bumper before I glue them in.)

Finally, the rolling stock. I was going to make my own wheels, but I found it was just too hard to do with the crappy wheelbacks they put in the kit. Luckily, I found a guy on eBay who makes 1/12 American Racing Torque Thrust D's. Here they are in the kit tires, with holes drilled for mounting.

[cobraman]

I like what your doing but I also think it was pretty cool as it was.

[Jordan White]

It wasn't bad, however I didn't feel like paying for another, nor do I have the space for another.

[baddgass]

Nice rework..

[deja-view]

That's coming along nicely. Considering the engine and intake I would scrap the mechanical fuel pump and put an electric one either on the frame or right at the gas tank like they did back then. I've seen some nice SW replica fuel pumps in different kits.

The more I look, the more I like your grill treatment. When I built my '57 about 15 years ago I opted for the old custom horizontal bar look, but now it seems like the bars are too thick and maybe would be too large in 1:1 scale. Yours is very crisp and clean looking.

Hosted on Fotki

Edited April 25, 2012 by deja-view

[Jordan White]

I was thinking of going with an electric fuel pump, however I prefer manual.

As for the grille, lemme tell you it was a pain to build! You can't see it from the angle I posted, but the bars actually follow the contours of the bumper and grille piece, and are from sheet styrene. Imagine cutting out several Vs, all at the same angle, but different widths, and they have to all glue evenly to the vertical supports. Boy was I glad when I got done!

I had a chance to paint the wheels, decided to go with gold spokes and silver rim.

Should contrast nicely with the color I have in mind.

[deja-view]

Ooooooooooo...where did you get those wheels? Those are nice! Are they the retro style with the spokes having a "straight" face, or the more modern ones with the slightly curved face?

One thing about using the stock fuel pump is you can run the in and out lines to it easily and they show nicely on the engine and in the bay. If I remember right there's steel wire....about 1/32"(?) that you can bend at just the right places and angles, and it looks absolutely real.

Edited April 25, 2012 by deja-view

[Jordan White]

Wheels are from eBay, and have the more curved face. They were advertised as Torque Thrust Ds, and while they look close, I'm not going to call them that. Rim doesn't have the right step to it, the spokes are too curved, and the wrong center cap are the three main issues. I think they look more like this Wheel Vintiques wheel.

However as I said, the casting is excellent and they kit the kit tires almost perfectly, they're just a tad too wide and stick out the back a bit, but it's not too noticeable from the front.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Jordan White

[deja-view]

I think you're right Jordan. The old-style Torque Thrusts are hard to find...both for models and for 1:1 cars.

But your color treatment looks really nice.

[Jordan White]

Well I just picked out the color, it's Chrysler Inferno Red metallic. Here's how it looks on the bumper (the picture doesn't do it justice).

[RAT-T]

LOOKS GREAT JORDAN! LOOKS LIKE RED ANODIZE

IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ASKING, IS THAT PAINT IN A QUART, OR DOES IT COME IN A SPRAY CAN?

I'VE HEARD THAT YOU CAN GET MIXED PAINT IN A SPRAY CAN

[deja-view]

That's a great red for sure. Are you gonna use a complementary color for the roof or keep it simple?

[Jordan White]

Tom: It's actually out of a can, Dupli-color "Perfect Match". Found it at the local Advanced Auto Parts.

Ken: I'm going to keep it all one color, though I am going to do a gold stripe (or stripes) of some sort.

[deja-view]

Gold accents with that red will be awesome!