Duel Plymouth Valiant WIP Almost finished 14/02

[IMPALA SS 427]

I also started this a while ago:

I will also be making the truck eventually and put them both in a diorama.

I will post a few pics of it at various stages so you all get the idea of how i did it.

i cut and rotated the rear pillars to get the basic sedan shape.

Edited February 14, 2013 by IMPALA SS 427

[IMPALA SS 427]

[Pat Minarick]

Nice work ! I'll have to watch this.

[IMPALA SS 427]

I have removed the front fenders and will be using the front off a plymouth duster.

Hope to have more soon.

[Erik Smith]

Nice work!

[MyBradKeselowski]

Don't forget the back door as the Valient's is smooth...

[cobraman]

Nice project. Keep er' going.

[1972coronet]

WOW !!

I've been waiting for someone to attempt to replicate the 1971 / 1972 Valiant from "Duel" !

You gonna keep the Dart's 383 for use in the Valiant ? David Mann sure could've used at least a 340 instead of the smogged-down 225 Slant !

I'm quite looking forward to watching your progress here . And , if you need any building cues , be sure to check out 1970 Hamtramck Historical Registry . That beautiful site features original brochures and other dealer info ; it may come in handy for interior tips and whatnot .

Can't wait to see how you make those exclusive-to-Plymouth , 1971-only 14" deluxe wheel covers !

[IMPALA SS 427]

Thanks everyone for the comments

MyBradKeselowlski - i will smooth the step from the rear doors eventually but I'm stuck on how i will go about it. The sides are near perfect and ready for paint and i would hate to mess it up when its looking so good.

1972coronet - I will be using the 383 for now. As for the hubcaps i also cant wait to see how i will make them i have no idea where to start.

Tomorrow i hope to have the taillights done.

[IMPALA SS 427]

Ok i got something:

The bodyline (top of rear doors) is gone from one side, the taillights are done and the lower trunk trim is done.

Just needs the duster front and the side done and a final sanding and then i can lay down some colour. hope to have more soon.

[IMPALA SS 427]

Long time since there was progress on this....

I got the front sorted out:

[IMPALA SS 427]

more:

I modifyed the duster grill:

[IMPALA SS 427]

I removed the "step" from the rear door on one side...

still gotta do the other side...

And sort out the curve in the bonnet, it makes a gap:

i should have the body work done in a day and it should be ready for paint soon..

Let me know what you think.

[spkgibson]

Nice work......Remember that the sides of the rear quarters by the back bumper looks like the Duster....Very nice job on the conversion!

[Plasticfanatic]

This project is SUPERB and of one of my favorites movies,don't know how many times I have wacht it!!!

The diorama idea sound great, if I recall there a build thread in one of the web forums showing the build of the Duel truck by another modeler, that one look fantastic to!!!

Will follow this project with a LOT of interest.

[Brizio]

Very cool subject and execution!

[cooltoys1]

looking excellent!!!! im a huge fan of the movie and this build! i want to do the rig.

[Tom Geiger]

Here's a few photos I had in my file that may help you with the c pillar and rear window shape. I saved these because I thought the roof rack option was interesting for a light commercial / beater build. Great project! I love the old Valiants.

[Platerpants]

NICE WORK! i did a similar project with the same starter kit. I want to do a 74 scamp to go with it. i did do the rear like the 74s but it was a quick putty job so it dont look good. Keep yours comin. what kinda engine? mines got a 340 made from spare parts.

[1972coronet]

The Valiant in the photos provided by Tom Geiger is a 1972 model ("universal" side marker lamp lenses) , and is an excellent source for the subtle differences between it and the 1969 Dart 2 door you're starting out with .

Of special note ; the '72 in the photos is a base model , which is to say that it's devoid of the rear applique between the tail lights , across the trunk . The '70-'72 Valiants used in Duel had the applique .

How about sending your completed Val body to a resin caster !

[charlie8575]

Wow.

I agree with John. If that body/interior were to be cast, I'd buy one in a second. Valiants rule.

Charlie Larkin

[Dave Mikrut]

This is sooo cool! I would have never thought to attempt this even tho I love to alter model car bodies. You're doing a great job, and thanks to the reference foto supplier on the pillar! I'm going to follow this one!

[IMPALA SS 427]

Thanks everyone

I got the bodywork done in a day and i spent most of the day spraying primer and sanding into shape and i got a bit carried away and painted it up without fixing the rear bumper to body shape as spkgibson suggested. but seeing as the paint came out good i wont be fixing it.

Fred- the build of the Peterbilt i have seen and when the time comes that will prove a very helpful guide. The diorama base is going to be finished after the valiant, then i will just need the truck...

Thanks for posting those valiant pictures Tom, i found them very useful for getting the door tops and lower c pillars into shape.

Jake- at the moment I'm going with the kit engine, i don't see much point putting the correct slant 6 in if the hood will always be closed..

For those interested in a resin I believe there is another modeler working on the same thing and they intend to cast it, theirs looks very good...

[IMPALA SS 427]

ok... its picture time:

More coming soon..

[IMPALA SS 427]

Forgot to ad the hood got a lot of dust and dirt onto it some how and i had to sand it back, it should be painted soon if it stops raining..

anyway let me know what you think.