66 Barracuda Hemi Under Glass--Kit Re-Engineering Please??? --12/29

Thanks Mike. I've got another couple of custom builds to go before I'm ready to tackle this one here. It'll be a custom build of its own. lol

mustang1989

These pics are from another builder that I found on the internet. He managed to pull off a decent paint job and decaling out of it but the quality of the kit shows through

I built that HUG and the kit is severely flawed!  The kit sat in my stash for years and I decided to build it just to get rid of it.  A member of my model club built the same kit and completely reworked the entire kit to look more like the real car.  I have recently realized just how bad MPC kits are and this one is no exception.  You have your work cut out for you and I look forward to seeing how your version comes out. 

You're right there buddy Joe but that's a 67 or 8 and mines a 66.

Looks like choice inspiration for a dio Joe.

I shelved this kit back in December or so last year. I may bust it out again but it's gonna take ALOT of work to rescue this kit.

Going pro stock ? It's a nice change of pace covering up a nice paint job with all those decals you got my attention as usual.

Now that............... is freekin' cool!! I would just love to build one  of these but it's gonna take alot of work and planning to pull it off to where it'll look half decent.

Mustang,

Check this out: Jay Leno Crash

Still working with this one here. The more I look at this kit the more I become frustrated with its inaccuracy. I'm going to have to do a lot of work to get this thing up to par. First off the front suspension on the real car is of A-frame type :



The one in the kit is.................leaf spring design???



I can get past this as there aint just a whole lot I can do with this unless I start graphing in a suspension from another car. However I can't get past the fact that the wheels are set back in the wheel opening as shown here in a completed model I found on another forum. The rear wheels are positioned wrong in the wheel opening as well. Man......I've got my work cut out for me here....

These pics are from another builder that I found on the internet. He managed to pull off a decent paint job and decaling out of it but the quality of the kit shows through

I've already begun taking steps to correct that issue. Then there's the motor that's like WAY too far forward and set in too low!! Again...completed pictures from another builder..



Motor's gotta come back to the rear AND up!!!!

Then there's the interior.....good LORD! A person would have to be a contortionist to get in this thing in real life if it were set up like this. Fire wall has to be located more to the rear and seats tossed out. I have good seat from another kit (this car kit comes with...............two???? ).

Check it out:





This is going to be a slow process with this build folks.

Holy Smokes Joe, That's one bad A engine. That oughta be boss when you get it all built up and painted.

If I remember right that Cuda was a wheel-stand demo car, but did the quarter in 10s. There was also a Hurst Olds in a similar paint scheme. I think the Olds was Mid-engined. This was the period when "funny cars" were evolving. Is there any info out there on the paint colors, that is the gold? What about the engine color, Hemi-orange, or red? I saw these cars back in the day, but do not remember the details. I think they are still around and doing "nostalgia" events. This is going to be a neat build to watch and I am looking forward to it.

mustang1989

_{Thanks Nick.  Well I've reached that point with the '56 Ford}

[1]to where I'm now sitting at the bench with little left to do but stare at the rest of the parts.   Everything on it has an order it goes in and I can't skip a step and move on until I get the next small task in front of me done. Unfortunately it isn't a shake and bake time at the bench with it right now. 
 _{One of the neat things that the Gibson engine comes with is a little strip for the drive belt/ belts. Check it out:}




I'm really looking forward to building again. [2] Hopefully this one doesn't take 9+ months to build.

 

Re: [1] That's exactly where current build is: stalled at the "if I do this then...but wait..." stage.  You'll get though it

---I’m sure….likely to…I guess

       [2] hay with results like the F150, whos complaining?  Not me

Thanks Nick.

Well I've reached that point with the '56 Ford to where I'm now sitting at the bench with little left to do but stare at the rest of the parts.   Everything on it has an order it goes in and I can't skip a step and move on until I get the next small task in front of me done. Unfortunately it isn't a shake and bake time at the bench with it right now.


 I had to move to something that I could actually get my hands into in regards to building again so I laid everything out from the Ross Gibson engine and my AM Hillborn Fuel Injection set to display what I've actually got to deal with. I must say that so far I'm impressed. I'll be heading to the sink to wash all these parts up tomorrow morning.





One of the neat things that the Gibson engine comes with is a little strip for the drive belt/ belts. Check it out:





I'm really looking forward to building again. Hopefully this one doesn't take 9+ months to build.

Can't wait!!!

Lookin' at getting this thing underway in the coming month or so. Thanks to you guys for the responses and input. Tom........you're on!

Hey Mustang,

Great to see someone doing this build!

Make shure you do your research though, because this car went through many changes over the years.

If you are doing the "modern" resto of the car, then the Cragers are riight, but if you are doing an earlier version then you will need a correct set of Hurst mags.

I have a LARGE file on this car, if you need anything including the mags, P.M. me.

I can hook you up with the Hurst mags if you need them, I have a mold.

Also sorry to hear about Ross....

Good luck, I will be watching this one!

Tom "PANZERJAGER" Foerster / IPMS Northwoods Scale Model Phanatics

Oh Man Joe, this is going to be way cool. The '66 'cuda is a sweet subject. Very nice you were able to find the AM decals and hemi. I have complete faith in the fact that you will have this model wowing us to no end. 

Ok folks. I found a set of slicks I can live with from the Revell 68 Hemi Dart boxing. Looks like I'll have to shave a little from the rear wheel openings but it's all good. I also robbed a set of rear wheels from that kit. The front wheels came from AMT's 37 Chevy Gasser kit and I'm still working on finding a shorter and more narrow front tire. I'll get there though.

Here's a couple of mock up shots:

I know. I had all kinds of motors I was gonna buy from him as of last year too. Better get your hands on 'em while they last if you want one.

Okeedokee folks. Here are the kit decals............

and here's the AM ones.....

A BIG noticeable difference !!

Looking forward to it. Was not aware Ross died. Too bad, his engines rocked. Would be great if someone could get his molds and do them.  We badly need a new tool stock version of a 66 Barracuda.