Tumbler75 Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 (edited) With things coming up close to a couple of projects needing paint. I figured I'm pull this one on out of the dust. Well, I bought this AMT/ERTL 1976 Nova Hatchback about 6 years ago along with a couple of other kits for $1.50 at a yard sale. The doors and hatch were already opened, a few fiddly bits were off the sprue but nothing really assembled. So, I'm going to try my best from memory to build the one of 2 1976 Novas I had. One being a Hatchback the other a 2 door Sedan. So lets get started shall we? First Box Shot along with the kit and various parts. Trying to figure out stance. The front is almost spot on, rear needs a tad bit of work. Empty Bay! Lots of potential, now if I can find the right engine in my spares. I dug around in my spares box and found some better tires (front and rear) than the lethargic tires that came in the kit. Something a lot meatier like what I had on my Nova. Enjoy! Edited August 12, 2014 by Tumbler75
Byron5150 Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 looking good so far man. What engine you going with?
1 bad55 stan Posted July 31, 2014 Posted July 31, 2014 I'm going to enjoy this 1.I like the new tires too.You are of to a good start...
Tumbler75 Posted July 31, 2014 Author Posted July 31, 2014 Thanx everyone first off! Now down to business. On my 1:1 '76 Nova I had everything tucked in nice and tight. So I took the second axle in the kit and narrowed it down to bring things in closer to the frame. Then I opened the rear wheel arches some so the tires wouldn't be obstructed by them. Did this just like the original car. I had 10 lug/hole aluminum look wheels on the rear. So I wanted to imitate that here. So found some rims with li'l indentations in them and drilled them out with a small bit. Left the lugs in tacked then painted the rims silver/aluminum in color. And then I moved on to sorting out an engine and transmission. But first I had to do something about the plain, faintly detailed firewall. So dug around in the spares box and found the engine from the 70 1/2 B/M Camaro and heater box/brake booster system assembly from the 67 Chevelle. Got them all tidied up and mocked everything up. The brake system is close to what my car had so it'll work. Radiator support needs work and might get changed out. [url=http://s21.photobucket.com/user/Tumbler75/media/In%20Progress%20Builds/76Nova/20140731_163645_zpsnvwtli2l.jpg.html][/url I'm slowly making progress. Enjoy!
1 bad55 stan Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 Mate that ain't slow progress,this thing rocks.i'm diggin it!
Byron5150 Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 I agree your slow progress is like mine which is quick haha Looking good I like the engine detailing so far
MADDOG Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 This is a cool build. I like that its not your everyday pro street nova.
microwheel Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 Nice mock up so far. I like where your going with this.
freakshow12 Posted August 1, 2014 Posted August 1, 2014 I was skeptical at first but I like where this is going. One suggestion and it's not quality related lol. Swap out the master cylinder for one from a rm 69 camaro or similar. A 76 would definately not had the old scary single chamber unit
Tumbler75 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Posted August 9, 2014 Thanx everyone for the compliments and comments. Well, y'all were warned. The radiator support wasn't up to my criticism. And to whom ever told me "If you don't like the current mousetrap, then go build a better one!" didn't know me to well. LoL And that is what I did. I made a more reasonable rendition of the radiator support using a few 35mm photos I do have of my Nova. I even scratched out the hood latch support and bracket. Simple, but effective. LoL The hole in the grill is next to be fixed. Mine wasn't a standard grill. And yes the hood still fits and shuts like it's suppose to. Now let the radiator hunt begin!! LoL Enjoy!
Mark Posted August 9, 2014 Posted August 9, 2014 Those rear wheels look like the ones from the Monogram flip-front '66 Malibu (the black one). Best Super Tricks I've seen. I've measured a set of 1:1 rear wheel halves, and the Monogram units are the most correct ones out there. I'm trying to put together a front wheel that's as good. The stance on this build looks just right. How good/bad a job did the original builder do on cutting the body panels?
Tumbler75 Posted August 9, 2014 Author Posted August 9, 2014 Those rear wheels look like the ones from the Monogram flip-front '66 Malibu (the black one). Best Super Tricks I've seen. I've measured a set of 1:1 rear wheel halves, and the Monogram units are the most correct ones out there. I'm trying to put together a front wheel that's as good. The stance on this build looks just right. How good/bad a job did the original builder do on cutting the body panels? Amazingly only one goof! Something I can live with and I'm not going to point it out because if I do, then it becomes apparent. LoL I could fix it but I'm afraid of making a mess out of a good job. So I'll leave it as is. Yes, the tires did come from the '66 Velle Flip Front. I'm still digging for a better set of front tires. I'm sure I got a set, just gotta figure out where. LoL
1 bad55 stan Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 Some good details starting to show.nice work!
Daniel Lynch Posted August 11, 2014 Posted August 11, 2014 Super nice ! Your work on the engine bay is terrific like a pro!
Tumbler75 Posted August 12, 2014 Author Posted August 12, 2014 Ok, I thank everyone who has been following along this wild ride. This build was suppose to be simple, but quickly turned into a monster. My 1:1 76 Nova wasn't a standard, so the grill had to go. I took some flat stock, round stock, window screen, and some clear sprue to come up with a presentable representation of a Nova SS grill. But then it hit me! Those hideous headlights! They had to go! Too small, and looked like doll eyes. So I routed around and found a pair of lights and second hand buckets to go in their place. Much better in my book! With that sorted, I found a radiator in the spares box, but the shroud was all wrong. So I found a second radiator, but it was too short, but right shroud. I carefully dissected the shrouds from the radiators, test fitted, and then glued everything to the radiator support. Then added a new brake booster and reservoir, and added the side walls. Next will have to be the heater box as after all this, it needs to be correct as well. Also redid the hood latch and support bar. (You can see the grill better in this pic too.) Back to the bench. Gotta make the radiator plate and a new heater box. Enjoy!
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