Exotics_Builder Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 This was a relatively quick build that sat on the shelf several times in the last few months for other work. It is a club project for GTR Auto Modelers Group. It was to be shown for the GTR NNL held on August 3, but a put a scratch in it as I was doing final polishing, so had to mask the area off, repaint and then finish polishing it. The kit started as the Revell Firebird 400 kit (1st issue) that was sitting in the basement stash. I was going to do my usual Camaro “whatever” for our club theme, but decided in mid-April to do a Firebird instead. To make it a bit more different, I decided to do a Sprint with the OHC six cylinder engine: I wound up getting the Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland Pontiac OHC -6 which is a cleaned up version of the MPC engine along with one of Norm’s six cylinder distributors pre-drilled. Assembling that, I got to this: I next tackled the interior. I decided on black and created vinyl look floor mats. Revell provides no wood grain for the center dash or console, which is OK for a Firebird. But, I decided to dig into the decal stash and pull out a Fujimi wood grain sheet that gave me an effect that looked close. I also added silver stripes to the center console to complete the look. Finishing off the interior, I used Revell’s decals and added: seat belts and buckles; silver stripe on the top of the door panels to simulate where the window slot would be; photo-etched rear ash trays; and door locks. These are shots of the interior before assembly: I cleaned up the body, including cutting out the two large vent slots in front of the windshield. I also needed to craft a flat hood, so I combined parts of booth included hoods (stock 400 and racing with blower opening) and blended them into a flat hood. Color is Mayfair Maize from Scale Finishes. I was able to get a second decal sheet and part of a Model Car Garage PE fret for the Firebird. I used these to detail the exterior. I also crafted two Sprint decals for the lower chrome body panels. The result is this:
TooOld Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 Great looking Firebird and I love that motor ! Very nice job !
Guest Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 (edited) Very nice. Edited September 10, 2014 by midnightprowler
Harry P. Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 Now there's a model you can be proud of! Nice work. About the only "but" I can add is that the panel lines are too dark. But otherwise...
bbowser Posted September 10, 2014 Posted September 10, 2014 I love the lower trim level builds, this is an excellent example. Very nice!
Exotics_Builder Posted September 11, 2014 Author Posted September 11, 2014 Now there's a model you can be proud of! Nice work. About the only "but" I can add is that the panel lines are too dark. But otherwise... And that's with deep cut grooves with Tamiya Smoke wash. I have no idea why it came out that dark. Never has before. Since it is acrylic paint, I may work at adjusting it. Also, some the Bare Metal Foil is starting to curl/pull off and it was a new sheet. I smoothed it down, but need to decide what to do there as well.
Helix Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Very nice work Gerry, I recently built the old MPC '69 Firebird Convertible which has the optional OHC 6 cylinder, settled for the V8 and kept the 6 for a rainy day
Exotics_Builder Posted September 11, 2014 Author Posted September 11, 2014 (edited) Obviously, I used the Round 2 AMT F-60 Tampo printed tires instead of the Revell kit tires. I also went into the parts box for Rally II wheels as I didn't like the Revell ones. A quick caliper measurement shows the Revell wheels are close enough to 14", but they look small and do not work with the AMT tires. I needed to go to parts box wheel backs and used some Evergreen tube to get the wheels to fit to the mounting points. I also used plastic tube to craft the front fender braces and applied with superglue. I then put PE bolt heads on them and didn't paint for a little contrast. Edited September 11, 2014 by Exotics_Builder
Snake45 Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Very, VERY nice! Your wood grain looks very much like the Pontiac stuff of the time. I started one of these on an MPC '69...back in 1969. You're making me want to rescue it from the Shelf of Doom and drag it across the finish line! Well done and model on!
unclescott58 Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Very nice. Fun to see one with a six, rather than another V8. Scott
donb Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Really nice all around. The 6 banger is very cool.
Modlbldr Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 What a beautiful build you did. I like everything about it and I like the idea of the silver decals in the interior for the window tracks. I will have to remember that. Later-
1930fordpickup Posted September 11, 2014 Posted September 11, 2014 Great version. The few that I seen driven at school had a V8 under the hood to replace the tired 6 .
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