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better chassis for builds?


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I was thinking abut different chassis for models. To make them look better.

I have used the AMT 69 Cutlass chassis under a few GM A-bodies with good success. From a 68 Chevy 300 up to the Johan 77 Cutlass. Unfortunately none finished.

For Mopars I have used the AMT 69 Roadrunner, GTX, GTX convertible chassis both the stock and pro-street.under other Mopars also with Success.The Lindburg Color-me-gone car to the MPC 71 Roadrunner.

Then again I could start with the bare chassis from the Johan Sox and Martian Cuda. Spend 40 hours making it look factory original like my friend Larry Hornsby did. Kudos to Larry for the work, It looks great.

For Ford I am using the Monogram 70 Torino chassis under a MPC 71 Mercury Cyclone. I may see if this chassis will work under an old AMT? 67 Galaxie Convertible I want to rebuild. Of course the Monogram 93 Mustang chassis under a MPC 79 Mustang Pace car is a given.

Yet, I have still been unable to find a better chassis to go under the Johan 70 Rebel "The Machine". Any thoughts?

So these are my findings, Anyone else have other choices they use(d) I would like to here them.

Thanks

Tim

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The only one that I have done lately is swapping the original MPC '69 Coronet chassis for the modern AMT '68 Roadrunner/'70 Super Bee chassis.

That's pretty much a no-brainer.

It gets a little more difficult when you need a newer chassis for a Johan '66 Chrysler 300 or an MPC '67 Bonneville.

With this type of build being my main focus, I usually just opt to use the original rather than try to swap it for something that would be just as incorrect, or even more so, than the original.

 

Steve

 

 

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I don't think you'll find anything to go under that Rebel, unless you change what's already there. Johan was the only one to do most of the AMC's and of course they used whatever was on hand as far as the chassis--------they were "body" people as you couldn't beat the kits' shape as far as accuracy.

Someone may know more than I, but I have the same model and I've not run across anything better. :(

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Then again I could start with the bare chassis from the Johan Sox and Martian Cuda. Spend 40 hours making it look factory original like my friend Larry Hornsby did. Kudos to Larry for the work, It looks great.

 

or just use the new tool Revell Cuda chassis.

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I have the 71 Cuda and was trying to figure out how to make a pro street chassis for it. The kit chassis has molded-in exhaust and that just won't do!

I'm looking at making my own frame rails from thick sheet stock. Don't know how that will work but I've created stencils.

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I didn't cut plastic on this conversion yet. But just lining up parts and eyeballing, it looks like the Monogram 1/24 '64-66 Mustang chassis will nearly drop-fit under the Trumpeter '64 Falcon coupe. Putting it under the Trumpeter '64 Ranchero looks like a little more work. The Trumpeter chassis and engine are a little...weird in those kits. The rear wheel wells look "pre-tubbed," ready for big fat drag slicks.  And somebody on this board called the mill "a Lego-block engine."

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I didn't cut plastic on this conversion yet. But just lining up parts and eyeballing, it looks like the Monogram 1/24 '64-66 Mustang chassis will nearly drop-fit under the Trumpeter '64 Falcon coupe. Putting it under the Trumpeter '64 Ranchero looks like a little more work. The Trumpeter chassis and engine are a little...weird in those kits. The rear wheel wells look "pre-tubbed," ready for big fat drag slicks.  And somebody on this board called the mill "a Lego-block engine."

Yep fits pretty good.  Slide the rear axle forward about 2mm and you should be good to go.

DSCN4645DSCN4657

Edited by afx
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I used the Revell 1969 Mustang chassis, engine and interior in the original AMT 1970 Mustang Mach1 body. It took some fitting and shaving but it looks fairly good. IMG_0748.thumb.JPG.7c6810bc3a06a2326250cI used the Revell 1969 Mustang chassis, engine and interior in the original AMT 1970 Mustang Mach1 body. It took a little work but looked good when finished. It's posted in the underglass section about a week or so ago. 

Edited by Mercuryman54
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I've used the new AMT 67 Mustang chassis under the old 68 Shelby kit, the Revell 65 Impala chassis under the AMT 65 Pontiac 2+2, the AMT 70 Impala chassis under the 76 Caprice, and the AMT 71 Charger chassis under the MPC 71 Roadrunner and AMT 74 Roadrunner.

Brian, that's interesting about the Revell '65 Impala under the Poncho. I had a similar idea to use that chassis under the old '65 Grand Prix. Did you have any wheelbase alignment issues as the Pontiacs were longer than the Chevys in 1:1?

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This thread gives a lot of great info, Bill ...

especially for those interested in doing a canadian pontiac

 

the chevs were 199119", the grand prix and catalina were 121" and the bonnys were 124" wheelbase.

mike

'65 GP vs '65 chev   (pic by R Barron)

65chvgpchss.jpg

Edited by mk11
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Brian, that's interesting about the Revell '65 Impala under the Poncho. I had a similar idea to use that chassis under the old '65 Grand Prix. Did you have any wheelbase alignment issues as the Pontiacs were longer than the Chevys in 1:1?

I haven't worked in it in a while but I don't remember there being a glaringly obvious problem with it, I honestly haven't gotten too far into yet.

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