1977 Volare Roadrunner

[80mirada]

I have the remains of an original MPC Super Pak 77 Volare Roadrunner Kit. I am modifying a 71 duster street machine chassis and recreating the interior from modified duster parts, and some of the original parts. The plan is to have a fairly acurate front end under it, transverse torsion bars and all, when it is done. The body looks far better in my blurry pictures than in real life, as this will be the 4th paint job, after it is stripped. The louvers and the original front spoiler are missing, but The T-tops are intact, as are the flares and the rear spoiler.

[Space Cowboy]

Good save of a not offten seen car.....

[diymirage]

dont see these anywhere near enough

you have my attention

[Deathgoblin]

I like what you're doing. The Volare-based Road Runner was a rare bird. I had a plain old Volare years ago. Need to get a kit of it so I can summon the bad vibes from that car. It hated me.

[wraith]

Very cool car and project!

Can't wait to it finished!

[Tom Geiger]

Good to see someone else working on this oldie! A few tips. First, the kit doesn't come with any pedals. You'll need to add them. Second, the trim on the interior door panels is awful faint. Here's what I did to mine. I added some Evergreen strips and a resin window crank from Miniatures & Replicas of MD. Then I carved the arm rest out of a toothpick.

I may have the window louvers and front spoiler in my stash. PM me if you want them and I'll look.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Tom Geiger

[80mirada]

I think I have seen a pic of your interior before, it looks very good, especially the front bench. I actually cut the rear seat and console out to use, the side panels are going to be built up using the Dusters as the base, then i will be "reupholstering " the Duster seats to match the Volare pattern. But that will all come after I get the body work roughed in.

[80mirada]

Some work going into the duster parts.

and after a little work

Fuel tank from the original chassis being fitted.

[80mirada]

Adding material to raise the front to sit on the chassis right, and add a cowling.

cowl vent is cut

Engine bay installed, with the shock mount removed.

[80mirada]

Some more work on the chassis.

Started the door panels

Body went in the bath (brake fluid)

[80mirada]

Some serious body isues.

Body is broken at the A-pillar in two places

Trunk lid charactor line is mostly missing, with some of the window trim.

and a strange faint hood ornament.

[shafer]

neat build i'll be watching

[ewaskew]

Sharp looking car man.

[80mirada]

The white paint hid a lot of trouble. Can't wait to get this in primer, but I am not going to rush it.

[80mirada]

I glued some .030 Styrene square stock down the middle of the trunk lid, and into the broken out trim.

Cleaning up the glue damage on the sides

repaired the cowl at the A-pilllar and re glued the top

[darquewanderer]

This is, what, the third Volare I've seen since joining this board in Feb. 2007?

I'll be watching.

Edited January 2, 2013 by darquewanderer

[wraith]

lots of nice work!

[Tom Geiger]

I actually cut the rear seat and console out to use, the side panels are going to be built up using the Dusters as the base, then i will be "reupholstering " the Duster seats to match the Volare pattern. But that will all come after I get the body work roughed in.

Then you must've noticed how shallow the Volare rear seat bottom is! My first attempt at creating the front seat was cutting one of those out of the tub, but it was a lost cause!

[80mirada]

I added the lower section off of the Duster rear seat, and the made filler panels to hold the seat in place. The rear seat sits back further in the Volare, so I had to take the locator rib for the Duster seat off the floor. Fortunately I have a good source for reference photos on this one.

[Casey]

That darn mid-'77 model year fuel tank change really messes with things in the trunk area, doesn't it?:

I have a ton of reference pics from my F-body days if you need any.

[80mirada]

SWEET! That early tank causes so many problems for guys. Is that your car Casey, if it is it is awful nice underneath.

I still need to move the rear of the frame rails outboard, and move the tank over a bit more, after I get the body straightened out.

[80mirada]

Time for some updates.

First off, the Hood wasn't fitting well, so i have been building up its edges with .010" styrene sheet.

The trunk Ridge is coming along

New "T-bar", and trim for the roof.

The plan is to have a small flange for the T-tops to sit on.

[80mirada]

I still need to order those parts from Ma's Resin......

[80mirada]

GOt some parts ordered for this one, can't wait for them to arrive.

[Sixties Sam]

Man, that's a lot of work, but it will be nice when it's finished!

Sam