AMT 59 El Camino--COMPLETED-11/21

Thanks Greg. Actually this one took closer to 3-1/2 months and I didn't put the level of detail into this one that I normally put into a build so it was a little easier and went a little faster. Plus I've got a little better system for building faster.....I dunno if that's a good thing either. I don't have that much display space.

This was a quick car project for you! Amazing what a level of detail and realism you achieved an a handful of weeks, Joe.

It all came together great. That entire week you spent with the BMF was worth it. I love those whitewalls!

'Preciate that Joe! Thanks for droppin' by bud.

The finished product is really stunning. Although this may not be one of your full on efforts, you still did one fantastic job on it. The remarkable BMF work alone marks this as one of your epic efforts. You are definitely nailing the paint jobs now my friend. Seriously Joe, this a gorgeous El Camino. Thank You for sharing with us.

Joe

This build all started around 3 months ago for a friend of my son Joseph. He received this kit for a birthday gift and after coming over to the house, asked me to build it. The kit is an old mold and is quite crude in quality but I think I managed to work some of the bugs out of it anyways. I didn't do a whole lot of research on this car and the avid enthusiast will be able to pick up on that pretty quick but still I'm pretty happy with the turn out. I've just about perfected my painting method on autos and I got ALOT of practice with bare metal foil. Thank you to all who followed or commented along the way with this build.

Engine photo and drivers side photos coming soon. The engine photo had a dang dog hair in the middle of it and I forgot the drivers side photo shot.

Now............onto the 454 SS build....

Thanks fellas! I really hope to finishing this one soon. I don't even know what my next project is.......choices choices.....

That is beautiful Joe. Masterful work.

Lookin' good - fire it up!

Zowie that looks sweet.

Your Bare Metal Foil looks awesome. I really must try some one of these days.

John: Thank you for the comments. I don't use any kind of adhesive on my BMF but what I need to start doing is shoot a clear coat over it to help it stay in place a little better I think.

Lee: Glad to see you in here and thanks bro.

Joe: I appreciate the "good word" and should be shouting out to you pretty soon in the morning as I got my truck back last Friday.

Ok fellas....some more done over the weekend. Still have to work on the hood fit, tail lights and some other small issues but it's all but there.

That, my friend, it immensely impressive. Bravo to you for the patience involved in that endeavor. It has paid off magnificantly.

Looking good.

The brightwork looks great!  I've struggled with the latest BMF I purchased - seems the adhisive isn't tacky enough.  Do you use anything like the micro metal foil adhesive?  I'd like to figure out how you do it as your's really looks well done.

No problem bud.

Regardless of my lack of posting in the last couple of weeks, I have been able to hit the bench. With my son in football and in agriculture in school (he's raising a pig) we've all got some really busy nights. We don't plan anything right now outside of the pig and football. I would post more during the week at night but I'd be a babbling idiot due to being so tired.

In regards to the bench, I have spent the better part of a friggin' WEEK applying bare metal foil to all the chrome trim that is on this car. I never in a million years EVER realized there was so much dang chrome on these things. Boy did I ever get a rude awakening! I've still got more chrome to install on this car in the way of bumpers, headlights/ bezels, turn signal bezels, tail lights and the like.
I had to sand about 3/16" off the bottom of the window/ glass assy because the interior tub wasn't fitting into the interior cavity fully causing a large gap between the top of the door opening and the interior door panels. Crazy.
After that I managed to get the body installed onto the rolling chassis and I'm VERY happy with that result. It was exactly the look I was hoping for.

Thanks for the tip.

Thanks guys.

Steve: The manifolds were cast in kind of a rough look but I start by shooting a coat of black onto the manifolds. In this case I used Testors Flat Black Lacquer. After that I use a super light coat of Model Master "Steel" over the black to allow for shadowing effects and a true to life steel finish.

Nice save on the seat's. I had to look "Extra hard" to see the pin mark. If you had not told us where it was .... we never would have known it was there. ( BTW, you shouldnt leave the key's on the seat like that ..... I may take it for a joyride !)

Excellent choice on the color's too.

It looks great.  How did you make the exhaust manifolds look like cast iron, with the rough surface?  Thanks

Looks good Joe!  I'll be watching from here and there and over yonder...

Tremendous work on the engine and on the interior. You've got it going on there compadre.

Engine and interior looking good, Joe.

JOE RIX

This is a very cool subject and project Joe. The work you have done so far is superb. The color you've chosen sure is sharp looking. I hope you have some success in perking Johnathan's interest and that he a last gives building a try. It's certainly a noble effort on your part nonetheless.

Per your request here is a pic of the latest auto kits I've acquired.

 

 

Holy Cow, JR, does that Ford GT40 bring back memories.

I had one in regular slot car size, and a couple in HO slot car size. I probably build a model of one but don't remember.

Wishing you great fun with both kits.

GMorrison

If it was my WIP it'd be "look at my fingers in the dried paint".

Ha!

Thanks John, Steve (you crack me up dude ) and Pat.

OK guys. Interior is finished. There were several things that I didn't like about this kit in regards to the interior. First off, the ejector pin marks were at the worst possible places. One on each side of the seat bottom???? What tha heck? I managed to cover one of them with the magazine and the other I sanded as far as I dared and still not sacrifice the texture on the seat. Then there were two ugly marks on the flooring which got covered up by the floor mats. Secondly, AMT produced the interior in the boring base model interior. Had to get a little creative with the seat to jog things up a bit color wise. Lastly, the shifter looked like something from a school bus so that QUICKLY got changed out for something a little more sporty by way of scratchbuildinig. The goodies used were more of a distractive measure to make up for and enhance the mediocre interior. All in all I'm fairly pleased with the outcome. Although not my best interior, I think I made more out of what I had to work with.

Hi,

Your engine looks great.

Pat

PUFF-puff-puff...pant, pant, pant Hi,  pant, pant I got here as fast as I could [BIG Inhale-Exhale]  whooo-eee  Glad I made it to the show. 

What did I  mi….oh, OK jus’ read it.

So, 59 El Co-mean-no, lookin’ good to date.   Great choice  for body color,.

And the work looks like this will be a thing of beauty soon.

Ding !   Ah, mi-cron- wave says,  the  popcorn is done.  

So On with the Show, Joe.    [geesh I crack me up]

Looking good!

Thanks guys.

Joe: Good lookin' scores man. Both look like da bomb to build. When are we gettin' started on these?

I chose to go with the Revell 348 for this bad boy because the AMT 348 was just that *** poor. Someone off of another forum donated one to me for the cause.

N E wayz.....I got it finished.

This is a very cool subject and project Joe. The work you have done so far is superb. The color you've chosen sure is sharp looking. I hope you have some success in perking Johnathan's interest and that he a last gives building a try. It's certainly a noble effort on your part nonetheless.

Per your request here is a pic of the latest auto kits I've acquired.