Poncho Power - 80's Style!

[Faust]

Hey gang!

Check out my entry into our club's one year build contest: my Monogram 1/24 1987 GTA! Check out the link for a full review including in-process shots, etc.

I always loved these cars as a kid, but since I've had a chance to drive a few, I think I've determined a.) that I'll keep my 1980 T/A and b.) I'll be happy with this kit to represent having one of these cars. The old Mongram isn't as nice as some of the MPCs I've worked on, but still, shape-wise at least, it's a good representation of the car!

They really are nice to look at though, eh? Anybody here ever have one?

Edited March 29, 2013 by Faust

[Volvoman]

I remember building one of these old Monogram kits a number of years ago. I no longer have it, it currently lives out its days on my friends scrapyard diorama...!!

[Ron Hamilton]

Very Nice!!!!!

[Davewilly]

Very nice!

[kalbert]

Those wheels on the '80, do you know what they are called? They are Progressive I think but I have never been able to put a series or model number with them. I have the same ones on my pickup and have always wondered what they are.

[Olskoolrodder]

Nice build of an old favorite of mine! I built one (not nearly as nicely done) way back in the early 90's,and an earlier version of the kit (pre-GTA,same basic Monogram kit I think) a bit better (than my GTA,not better than yours),a replica of a '86 TA I used to have. MAN thank you for the memories of that car!

[Monty]

I certaily admire the way you stuck with that kit to the finish. The segment on the tail light panel was excellent, and you really nailed it in regard to Monogram's D- effort on the master cylinder & brake booster. C'mon Monogram, if MPC can tool 'em up, so can you. That half-melted-lump look is a deterrent to kit buyers who understand what they're looking at.

Also enjoyed your write-up on your '80 T/A. Since you're obviously not averse to a challenge, have you considered trying to modify MPC's '79 Trans Am into a replica of your '80?

[Faust]

Thanks, guys, for the kind words!

Monty:

I know, what is with the stupid "melted" engine bay accessories? That's a Monogram standard, that's for sure! The problem with converting a 79 to my 80 would be the turbo setup. Other than a kit already equipped with the 301T, it's going to be hard to simulate that setup. I do have the Mongram 1/20 turbo T/A, though! It's not a bad kit, but again, has the BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH melty accessories. Seriously, at 1/20??? WTF? (Sorry, but come on...) I would love a nice Turbo kit. Did MPC ever do an 80 Turbo?

Kalbert:

I don't know what those wheels are called. I just know they are awesome, and I wish I had a set that was bigger (like 18") for my G8.

[Monty]

The problem with converting a 79 to my 80 would be the turbo setup. Other than a kit already equipped with the 301T, it's going to be hard to simulate that setup. I would love a nice Turbo kit. Did MPC ever do an 80 Turbo?

I don't think they ever did an '80 w/ a 301T, but this '79 can't be all that different, can it? I haven't built this kit, but I assume it has the basics for your 301T.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-MPC-1-25-1979-TURBO-TRANS-AM-INDIANAPOLIS-500-PACE-CAR-SEALED-/251228060429?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item3a7e5bfb0d#ht_628wt_679

The only other major thing you'll have to contend with is finding an MPC '77 Trans Am if you want a roof without t-tops.

[Faust]

Monty:

My brother has that Pace Car kit. He was doing a bang up job on it, but the hood melted for some reason. It is actually NOT a very good kit at all. the fit is surprisingly poor, and the Turbo set up, while at least there, isn't quite right to the real thing.

By the way, the kit you are referring to is NOT a '79. It is, in fact, a 1980. The turbo was only available in 1980 and 1981. The tail lights on that kit aren't too great either, if I remember right. I don't mind that the kit's not a solid roof; I can either fill in the roofs or just go with a T-top car if I have to. I mean, for an EXACT model of my car, getting the wheels right would be impossible anyway, so just something black and red that's a turbo would be good enough. It's just getting the bird right that's the big issue!

[kalbert]

Kalbert:

I don't know what those wheels are called. I just know they are awesome, and I wish I had a set that was bigger (like 18") for my G8.

I mean, for an EXACT model of my car, getting the wheels right would be impossible anyway, so just something black and red that's a turbo would be good enough. It's just getting the bird right that's the big issue!

Darn... Nobody ever knows what these are, other than Progressive. Whatever they are, MAD makes some resin wheels that are darn close, the holes are a little big maybe and the center cap is not quite right but I'm pretty sure MCG or somebody makes photo etched spinners that would pretty much be spot on!

http://www.madmodeling.com/store/ccp0-prodshow/champ500.html

Edited April 1, 2013 by kalbert

[Faust]

Actually, you know what, Klabert? I think the're American Racing rims, but the exact style I don't know.

Does that help?

I think that the wheels on a lot of Jeep TJs are actually very similar, oddly enough!

[kobuzz]

Those wheels on the '80, do you know what they are called? They are Progressive I think but I have never been able to put a series or model number with them. I have the same ones on my pickup and have always wondered what they are.

There were a few people who made that style wheel:

Centerline Champ 500

American Racing gambler

Cragar GT

Prime 224

Centerline still makes them but in a large diameter

http://centerlinewheels.com/wheels_detail.php?mw_id=35&sw_id=459

[kalbert]

Yea there were quite a few like that, it was popular for some reason or other for quite a while in the 80's. Whatever they are I'm thinking those Champ 500's from MAD look just about right to stand in for them.

[Faust]

Wow, those guys at MAD do a pretty good job, you're right!

The 80's GTAs still have some of the coolest wheels, though, to my mind. Way better than the odd "future" looking wheels like on Fiero GT's in the 1985-86 time period! Those look dated!

[Harry P.]

Nice model. And a nice website, too!

[slusher]

Real nice build, awsume paint and detail...

[Guest]

Very nice looking GTA Adam! Don't see very many of them built and surely don't see many in the red on red color scheme. The old Monogram '71 'Cuda street machine version (not stock) has two of the Champ 500 wheels you're after. You could get one of those and cast the other two in resin. The underhood detail on the Monogram '81 Turbo T/A isn't too terrible. The biggest offender is, of course, the master cylinder. One could grind it out, fill in the holes and replace it. I don't think it looks too bad once it's painted and some detailing would surely help the cause. Here's an underhood photo of mine:

[Faust]

Wow! Is that the 1/20 kit you just posted a picture of? It looks great! Nice work! The turbo on it looks good, but it's not rusty enough! Seriously, though, great job! The master cylinder really doesn't look that bad, you're right!

I've never seen a GTA in the flesh with the red on red, but I did see one for sale online on one of those really expensive collector car places. They had lots of good shots, so I used those for colouration guides.

Thanks for the compliments, too, guys!

One thing I have to give Monogram when they did that kit was they figured out an ingenious way to get the taillights right. That's one of the signatures of those cars, and I would have thought it would be difficult to reproduce, but with the smoked glass, it worked out pretty well. If only the 20th Anniversary kit didn't have the paddle mirrors; they're wrong for an '89 car... I guess I'll have to hunt some normal mirrors down somewhere.

[mangodart]

Great build !!!!

[Jordan 191]

Wow, really nice job on one of my favorite childhood cars.

[JBucci]

Very nice build Adam !

[Tonioseven]

Terrific build!!!

[kelson]

Thanks for the tutorial on the taillights,i tried it on a GTA I just finished and it looks great!

[charlie8575]

Nice work, especially the taillights.

Charlie Larkin