1977 1978 1979 Thunderbird progress

[Paul Hettick]

Here's some progress pics. happy with the roof line, deck lid height, width and length. Upper front fender length and height is good.  Next to check the slope of the hood in relation to the front fender peaks.

[Grzegorz]

Really nice start,  wheels its 3d print?

[Dave Van]

Looking good to me!!! Are you going to cast it????  If you do I'll buy one and the next week someone will announce a plastic kit!! 

[mike 51]

Looks like you stayed up late last night...

[MrObsessive]

3 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Looking good to me!!! Are you going to cast it????  If you do I'll buy one and the next week someone will announce a plastic kit!! 

X2!! I'd definitely love one of these if you're going to cast it Paul! I'd even just take the body------I can come up with the rest!

This is looking so goodl! I'm glad to see yet another overlooked car of the '70's finally see some love! Those of us who can remember when these cars were new can certainly appreciate this. While not a fast car by any means, it certainly turned heads back in its day and is just starting to become collectible.

Keep up the great work!  

[mod3l Lover]

  I had a '77 T-bird years ago, white with red interior.  351 power,

and Bill is right, not fast. But it liked to roll down the Hi-Way

pretty good though. As long as you stopped for gas quite a bit!!

  So I am certainly looking forward to more!!!

       David S.

[Dave Van]

Me too.......but I had to sell my 77 Bird or 74 Matador....kept the AMC.....

 

[Paul Hettick]

Hi Grzegorz and thanks, yes the wheel is 3 D printed and the results are fantastic!

Thanks Dave, yes it will be available in kit form someday. I also had a 79 a few years back. had the 351 in it and was surprisingly good on gas. Never put a nickel in repairs.

Mike, I actually woke up at 6 am Sunday and got to work!

Thanks Bill, it will be a complete kit including a photo etched sheet and Modelhaus tires.

Thanks David.

 

 

Looks like I have to raise the hood line at the front to reduce the downward slope, that's going to be fun, then start on the front end details. Stay tuned.

[Sledsel]

That is looking great.

Personally, I like the 77/78 Grill and tail lights.

[Billschneider64]

Wow, very impressive work. With Dr Larry doing the Pontiac Colonnades and these Thunderbirds, its a great time to model 1970s icons!

[American 185 Heavy]

Wow incredible start !! This is one kit the manufacturer's and resin castors missed the boat on. A lot of people admired this model of Thunderbird and would love it in their collection. I had a 79 like in the picture you have, but mime was Pastel Chamois with a cordovan top and interior. 302 V-8. One of the best cars I ever owned. Road like a dream, and turned heads everywhere I went. Those were the days when cars were cars, and had style and class.

[wrecker388]

If you would need any reference pics or measurements PM me and I'll happy take some off of my 78. Great start to a mostly underappreciated car!

[iamsuperdan]

My first car was a 78 Thunderbird. Metallic brown, brown vinyl top, plush brown interior, whitewalls, spoke hubcaps, and the 400ci V8. Perfect car for 16 year old me!

 

Watching closely.

 

 

[Ron Hamilton]

My sister had a Dark Brown 78 Town Landau. Beautiful car. I hope that you can see fit to do the finned aluminum wheels that were a popular option on the 77 through 79 Thunderbird.

[Paul Hettick]

Thank you very much. And Riley, thanks for the offer there are a few dimensions I may hit you up for. The nearest one to me it 60 miles out. I measured it extensivly but missed a few things.

Here's a few more progress pics.

[bisc63]

That's really getting the look! Take your time, get it right, and you won't be able to cast them fast enough! Good work.

[djflyer]

It is looking good for sure!  My dad had one of these - '77 in the dark brown with pumpkin orange interior.  Drove it to my first high school prom.  oh the fond memories.

[Paul Hettick]

Thank you all for your interest. Been working on the lower sides and decided to blow a coat of primer on to see where I'm at. Fairly pleased so far. Will be adding the wheel opening flares and starting on the front end details soon.

[bisc63]

My only quibble so far is there seems to be a bit of arch in the C-pillars as seen in side view, where the 'bird's were pretty straight, I think. It could just be photo distortion, too.

[Sledsel]

This thing is looking good. I see a small issue, but will keep my comment til it makes further progress.

I sure would like one though

 

[Superbird McMonte]

 I love projects like these!  Seeing multiple bodies coming together to replicate something completely different and unavailable. Reminds me of one I have to get back to.

[Paul Hettick]

Here's  a few more progress pics.

[peekay]

Great to watch a real master at work.

[Paul Hettick]

Thank you! After grafting in the fender flares something did not look right ut oh....  Turns out the entire deck area as well as the entire upper quarter panel line is .060 too high. Time to get the saw out.

[Oldcarfan27]

What did you use for the wheelwell flares? They have the right shape.

I've been wanting to do something similar with a Starsky and Hutch Torino conversion to a Cougar or an Elite, but I haven't figured out the wheelwells yet. Yours look just right.  

Edited December 17, 2018 by Oldcarfan27