1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383

Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383

Posted by Mr Mike on Friday, April 2, 2021 8:41 AM

This kit has been in my stash for a while and I plan on making some mods to it. The kit is an AMT '69 Barracuda and it will be backdated one year to 1968. I removed the peak on the front panel and I will replace the hood with a hood from Modelhaas, I replaced the trans with a Torqueflite short tail trans from Competition Resins and I partially assembled the engine, the wheels and tires are Pegasus Shuey's, the interior console is from the Revell '68 Dart Hemi kit. I haven't decided on a body color yet, but the interior will have white seats and side panels. The body has engine compartment side panels from an old AMT Charger chassis and it will have side markers made from shirt pins.

More Barracuda to come...

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TheModeler

Member since
February 2021
From: Silverton,Oregon,USA

Posted by TheModeler on Friday, April 2, 2021 9:39 AM

I'm in.I just love model car builds.Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Thanks,TheModeler(Novice Mode{Just for now Wink })

ON THE BENCH(My first ones):

-1:25 AMT/Round2 1969 Yenko Camaro(40% done)

-1:72 Atlantis Models Bell UH-1B Gunship Helicopter (20% done)

In the stash:

-1963 AMT 1/32 Corvette Stingray

-Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" Zero,1/76

-Atlantis Models BELL Firefighter "Old Smokey",1/76

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Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Friday, April 2, 2021 2:11 PM

Hi;

Is it going to be in a McNally story? I sure hope so. Like him trying to find a stolen treasure fo a client? This is without a doubt my all time favorite Barracuda. I thought that Chrysler had come of age in the " Pony Car Wars" It looked fast just sitting still. Now it also had potential as a small tourer with the right set-up. Chrysler missed the boat there!

I hope you paint it that Beautiful Metallic Blue some came in. Later Cuda's looked to flat sided for me. But they still had Panache!

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Friday, April 2, 2021 2:24 PM

Thanks TheModeler!

Tanker-Builder

Hi;

Is it going to be in a McNally story? I sure hope so. Like him trying to find a stolen treasure fo a client? This is without a doubt my all time favorite Barracuda. I thought that Chrysler had come of age in the " Pony Car Wars" It looked fast just sitting still. Now it also had potential as a small tourer with the right set-up. Chrysler missed the boat there!

I hope you paint it that Beautiful Metallic Blue some came in. Later Cuda's looked to flat sided for me. But they still had Panache!

A McNally story? Sorry, not this time. He needs a rest from all the excitement I generate for him.

I started working on the chassis by drilling out the exhaust. I will add some styrene and put on some aluminium tubing for exhaust tips. The engine has been painted with Mopar Street Hemi Orange Engine Paint. I need to drill the distributor cap and the heads for ignition wiring. Since the paintbooth was up and running, I painted some engine parts with Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black.

More Barracuda to come...

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midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Friday, April 2, 2021 3:39 PM

Looking forward to this. If I can locate all the parts I'm going to do something similar and use the amt 71 Duster chassis.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, April 3, 2021 7:01 AM

Thanks Lee! I have heard of others using the AMT '71 Duster chassis and the Revell '68 Dodge Dart chassis in place of the kit unit. As much as I would like to use a different chassis, I can't afford buying a model kit just for the chassis alone and so I am building this kit with the kit chassis.

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midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Saturday, April 3, 2021 7:35 AM

Yeah, If I didn't have a junk one i wouldn't consider it either lol.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

Reply

dpty_dawg_ca

Member since
September 2003
From: Ontario's West Coast

Posted by dpty_dawg_ca on Saturday, April 3, 2021 7:56 AM

My first new car was a 68 Cuda fastback 383- 4 gear Formula S. It was a great driver. I should have kept it. My engine was Chrysler blue with factory chrome valve covers. I built a replica from an MPC 68 kit. I'll be following your build with interest Carl

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Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, April 3, 2021 9:14 AM

Okay,I'll give him that;

Now, be warned, See that Eagle on the rooftop? That's my Drone transmitting photos of you working on this, to me.You have heard of " Eagle-Eyed" vision right?

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, April 3, 2021 4:19 PM

Thanks guys!

Tanker-Builder

Now, be warned, See that Eagle on the rooftop? That's my Drone transmitting photos of you working on this, to me.You have heard of " Eagle-Eyed" vision right?

I hope your drone enjoys getting just my rooftop because that's all its gonna get! HAHA!!! I love it when a plan comes together!

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Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, April 3, 2021 6:26 PM

That's a good Gotchya!LOL.LOL.

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, April 4, 2021 10:36 AM

I went to drill the distributor for plug wires and the distributor broken off the water pump. I used my cordless drill on a slow speed and routed a groove for the replacement shaft made from 1/16th inch styrene. I enjoy adding plug wires to my engines! I was thinking of replacing the water pump with another unit from my parts box, but I decided to stay with the kit unit. I found a better detailed set of exhaust manifolds and I will use those instead.

More Barracuda to come...

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Thursday, April 8, 2021 1:05 PM

Other than some touchups and a few decals, the engine is done. This is a high performance 383 CID with a four barrel carb. A test fit in the chassis shows that some mods are necessary.

More Barracuda to come...

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TheModeler

Member since
February 2021
From: Silverton,Oregon,USA

Posted by TheModeler on Saturday, April 10, 2021 12:40 PM

That's a nice one!Tell me,how do you clearcoat engines?They have a lot of chromed parts that don't need to be clearcoated.Do you just not clearcoat or brush a coat on?

Thanks,TheModeler(Novice Mode{Just for now Wink })

ON THE BENCH(My first ones):

-1:25 AMT/Round2 1969 Yenko Camaro(40% done)

-1:72 Atlantis Models Bell UH-1B Gunship Helicopter (20% done)

In the stash:

-1963 AMT 1/32 Corvette Stingray

-Tamiya Mitsubishi A6M3 "Hamp" Zero,1/76

-Atlantis Models BELL Firefighter "Old Smokey",1/76

Reply

Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Saturday, April 10, 2021 3:51 PM

TheModeler

That's a nice one!Tell me,how do you clearcoat engines?They have a lot of chromed parts that don't need to be clearcoated.Do you just not clearcoat or brush a coat on?

I don't clearcoat my engines. Usually, any chromed parts are valve covers and air cleaners. I give them a very light brushing with a very soft cloth and that's it.

I've been painting and detailing this afternoon. The interior and the seats got an initial coat of white primer and the instrument panel, console and the rear seat backcover got a coat of Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black. I'll paint the interior floor with the Semi Gloss Black followed by a generous coating of clear embossing powder. If the black paint doesn't cover the embossing powder, I'll paint over the powder with flat black paint with a brush. The chassis got a coat of grey primer followed by a coat of Model Master Bright Calypso Metallic. I drilled the body for side markers, although the holes are difficult to see.

More Barracuda to come...

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Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Saturday, April 10, 2021 6:18 PM

Oh My;

That color looks like one Chevrolet used to call Artesian Turquiose!

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midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Saturday, April 10, 2021 6:37 PM

Looks like Mopar Seafoam Turquoise

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

Reply

Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Sunday, April 11, 2021 7:56 AM

Hi;

You do know that there were colors that were so close, a lot of folks couldn't tell them apart. This was a scene of Light comedic proportions for me. As a Body Shop Operator /Owner, I thought it was funny. Comparing the colors in cups made of clear glass there was only a light difference between many colors.

It's still a gorgeous color anyway! A shade of it is found in a very ordinary place. Unfold the paper in your pocket! It's there on that Money!

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, April 11, 2021 9:40 AM

Well, it's like this...this color is close, but not quite the color I want. It is a tad darker than what I want, but it is close. But, you know what they say...close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

I detailed the chassis this morning and added the engine. If you look closely, you can see the engine mounts I made from square styrene stock.

More Barracuda to come...

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midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Sunday, April 11, 2021 12:08 PM

They look great.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

Reply

Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Monday, April 12, 2021 3:15 PM

Thanks Lee!

I did a mockup to check on fit. So far, so good! I'm not too sure about the side panels I had used for the engine compartment. I may re-align them differently. I did a mockup of the interior and I am liking what I am seeing!

More Barracuda to come...

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 8:12 AM

As an experiment, I used Mod Podge instead of waterdown Elmers glue to hold my embossing powder. Didn't work. I removed the embossing powder when I lightly rub my finger on it. I guess I should have used the Elmers instead.

More Barracuda to come...

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Sunday, April 18, 2021 1:33 PM

I went back and used watered down Elmers Glue and the embossing powder stuck to it better than Mod Podge. I primered the body and body parts this afternoon and I found that I need to do more sanding and filling on the nose piece. I was anxious to see some paint on the Barracuda and I painted and detailed the taillight piece. Not bad!

More Barracuda to come...

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midnightprowler

Member since
February 2003
From: East Bethel, MN

Posted by midnightprowler on Sunday, April 18, 2021 2:32 PM

Going to be pretty.

Hi, I am Lee, I am a plastiholic.

Co. A, 682 Engineers, Ltchfield, MN, 1980-1986

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

Ask me about Speedway Decals

Reply

Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Monday, April 19, 2021 12:17 PM

Thanks Lee! I have always thought the Barracuda was "pretty", but with the right parts, the Barracuda can be tough looking, too!

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Mr Mike

Member since
May 2011

Posted by Mr Mike on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 2:19 PM

I painted the Barracuda this afternoon with Model Master Bright Calypso Metallic Lacquer. I have to admit that the color looks pretty good! This is almost a perfect match to my '65 Coronet convertible that I plant on building someday.