Mike Slapattack

My 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe project has reached that stage in building where there are fewer assemblies to complete and a-lot of time is spent waiting for glue and putty to dry, so I've decided to start a new project that I've been wanting to do for some time. It's quite an ambitious one as I'm diving headfirst into a form of building that I've never done before, but I'm willing to give it a try! My scratch-building skills are very rough, and I just need experience and practice, so I'm hoping that this whole project will be an opportunity to learn by doing! This project is a resin master for a 1975 Ford Custom 500 2-Door Pillared Hardtop based on the 2004 release of the AMT/Ertl 1969 Ford Galaxie Hard Top. I bought this kit at a Group 25 show in 2022 and I've always had the idea to try to make it into a later full-size Ford car, as I'm a fan of big '70s land yachts. This is the perfect candidate for such a conversion because the full-size Ford car line was essentially the same underneath from 1969 to 1978, so the chassis and basic body proportions are already there, I just need to reshape body lines and update the interior, powertrain, and running gear. I eventually want to make an LTD as well, but I've chosen to start with a Custom 500 because it's the lower spec car and adding trim is easier than removing it. It is worth noting that the Custom 500, while not available to consumers in the United States after 1974, was available to consumers in Canada until 1978, and even remained as the base trim level on the Panther body LTD until 1981. I have chosen to make a 2-door because it would require the least work out of all the body styles, but I MAY make a 4-door and wagon later on. Now, let's begin... The kit's name is a bit misleading, as the actual car it represents is a Ford XL, not a Galaxie. From 1967 to 1970, the XL was spun off from the Galaxie as its own model, and was the only full-size Ford available in 1969 with both the LTD fascia and Sportsroof body style. So I will refer to this kit as an XL. Of course, this Sportsroof will need to go. I decided that's a good place to start.

Clean wiring work!

Great work!

Very cool!

I love the weathering!

Nice work.

Beautiful work!

Nice work on that interior, the taper on the edges of the upholstery paneling really makes it pop!

Wow! Great work!

I've been watching you carry this one out and just got around to seeing the final product. Great clean work! I saw trucks like these far more often than the higher spec ones growing up. Up here in Canada people like their cheap basic cars ?. I'm planning to make some municipal trucks myself too for the city I've lived in all my life.

Haha yea I was debating on weather to do that! I'll go ahead and take the Dremel to it when I get the chance. I can run lines using wire that would have far more depth.

Did you make this body yourself? That's amazing!

My scratch-building skills are still rough, I'm pretty new to the hobby and learning as I go!

Looking sweet! How did you do the distressed carpet? I also love the taped up window, classic ratmobile!

It's been a while since I've posted an update! I haven't been able to do much modelling over the summer. Anyway, I've nearly completed the adapted interior and I've began making small modifications on the drivetrain to fit the '67 chassis. I also plan to incorporate working steering into this model, and I've been modifying the front suspension to do just that.

Neat project! I have one of these kits built lying around, one of the first models I ever built.

That's some glossy paint!

Very nice

Great colour.

Very clean!

Looking great!

Clean work.

These are such cool kits. I hope Round2 brings it back one day like they did with the Transtar II

Excellent work on the front end! The headlight outlining especially really adds a ton of realism. Did you mask it or freehand it? It's a very clean job.

Cool conversion!