‘68 Dodge Dart Hemi

[Alba]

So I mentioned in my last thread that I just finished up my first kit in about 8 years - Revell’s ‘57 Ford Wagon Gasser.

Since that kit was so much fun I’m already jumping into a new one - Revell’s ‘68 Dodge Dart Hemi. This kit is in the same lineup as the gasser ‘57 so it should be a great build.

I’ve done some preliminary work including cutting the rear fenderwells. Hoping the weather changes soon so I can get this one in primer. 

I will post updates as they happen!
 

[BlackSheep214]

Following this one. I, too, want that kit. Hobby Lobby had them at one point so hoping they restock on them. Would be a bargain with a 40% coupon as opposed to Michael’s charging $30 minus their 20% coupon. That’s basically taking $4 off the price with the 20% and NYS tax added on. Not worth it.

[Alba]

So far I have been really impressed with the kit. It appears I have all the pieces needed to build both the 440 and the HEMI motors which I think is great. I’m going with the HEMI but it’s nice that I can put together the 440 in full and have it as a spare for a future build.

[Deuces ll]

The Dick Landy version has a nice set of headers for that 440 if you decide to go that route..... ?

[Alba]

Here are a few progress pictures of the parts in primer and the body color. Still waiting on the black semi-gloss parts to dry so I can flip ‘em and grab the other side (definitely gotta throw together a little spraying rack).

The lighting isn’t the best but I’ll work on that before posting any additional pics.

[Alba]

Sitting with the painted body I’m not loving how dark the orange came out. I used Testors Flaming Orange Lacquer which went on nicely but the final finish is much darker than I anticipated in looking at the cap.

I have included a picture below of the body next to the decal sheet. I’m not loving the look of the dark orange compared to the long side decals that I plan on using. You can also see how dark the orange is just on the white paper towel. I think I’m going to strip the body and other orange parts and refinish in the recommended gloss orange.

[oldscool]

One of my favorite kits and it looks like you are doing it proud. Beware if you are going to use the large side panel decals as they don't line up with the wheel openings properly.

 

 

[Alba]

Thanks for the heads up. In a coronavirus world it was impossible to find isopropyl alcohol to strip the lacquer but mouthwash seems to be working pretty good after a few hours.

[BlackSheep214]

I like the idea the interior sides are separate. Makes painting the details easier to do. 

[Alba]

Quick little update here. I stripped the body and other body color panels over the last few days. 

I just sprayed on some Testors Competition Orange. I’ve attached a few progress pictures showing the interior, underside of the chassis, updated spray job and the motor.

[Alba]

I’ve been waiting for the new paint to cure so I got started on some other projects but I circled back to this and started the decals. To the person who said they don’t line up with the wheel wells - you were very right!

[slusher]

Looking fantastic!

[Brutalform]

Looking good Rick. I have a few of these kits.  One being built with a pro street chassis, that allowed me to steal the two kit supplied rear ends to replace the Moebius 65 Plymouth’s small, out of proportion rear. 
 

[Alba]

I have to say this has been the kit from Hell - definitely a ton of learning opportunities here haha. 

I’m in the process of mating the interior, body and chassis and woo boy is it rough. I swear this whole kit was molded slightly askew - not to mention the unskilled builder working on it hahaha.

Taking a little break with hope that the next attempt will go better. Wish me luck!

[doorsovdoon]

She's coming along nicely by the looks of it. Seems to be one of those weeks regarding kit builds. The Buick I'm working on now needed so much carving and sanding I might as well have built my own injection mould and popped a new one out myself, Lol!

[Alba]

I’ve narrowed down the issue to how the windows need to fit in behind the interior tub - it’s a very, very tight fit.

Basically as I try to push the interior all the up so that the dash and package tray meet the body, the bottom of the vent windows and rear windows are interfering with the side of the interior.

Tough thing is that the windows are all individual which I’m sure is a plus for a lot of folks, but in this instance is a PITA as the lip allotted for gluing is extremely thin, especially on the vent window - never mind that they weren’t molded 100%.

Anyway, here’s a quick update shot after my battle. Notice the vent windows have yet to be reinstalled haha. Did a little BMF last night and this morning - definitely gotta work on improving that skill. Oh well, each one is a lesson (or a million) learned!

[Deuces ll]

Looks great!...

[Alba]

So I’ve placed this puppy back in the box for a while. In doing more and more test fitting I ran into an issue in which the dash just doesn’t seem to want to fit in correctly underneath the bottom of the window. If I leave the dash out, the interior and chassis fits together perfectly. If I leave the back part off the dash it all still fits but if I attach the back/top of the dash it just doesn’t want to fit in.

If anyone has come across that with this kit and could share a fitment tip that would be great. I’ve definitely done some damage to the glass with all this messing around so that’s a bummer.

[Dann Tier]

Looking so cool!!!

[Sam I Am]

On 7/4/2020 at 11:11 AM, Alba said:

Quick little update here. I stripped the body and other body color panels over the last few days. 

I am sure they came out minty fresh.?

[oldscool]

On 7/15/2020 at 11:43 AM, Alba said:

So I’ve placed this puppy back in the box for a while. In doing more and more test fitting I ran into an issue in which the dash just doesn’t seem to want to fit in correctly underneath the bottom of the window. If I leave the dash out, the interior and chassis fits together perfectly. If I leave the back part off the dash it all still fits but if I attach the back/top of the dash it just doesn’t want to fit in.

If anyone has come across that with this kit and could share a fitment tip that would be great. I’ve definitely done some damage to the glass with all this messing around so that’s a bummer.

I built one of these when they were first released and don't recall any fit problems. Perhaps the interior bucket isn't locating properly or you could try modifying the dash locating notches to make it sit a little lower or closer to the seat.

[BlackSheep214]

Looks great considering the fight you had with the windows. I've worked with BMF a lot on my auto builds. The key is to work slowly and in sections. I never use the regular Xacto blades. I use the sharpest one out there... Xacto Z Series blades - the ones with the gold blades. They are super sharp and will cut in light pressure when working with BMF. I also use a Q-tip to buff out the details tight before trimming excess BMF. I always use a brand new blade when working with BMF for each new auto kit. Hope this helps on how to work on BMF a little better.

[Brutalform]

On 7/15/2020 at 11:43 AM, Alba said:

So I’ve placed this puppy back in the box for a while. In doing more and more test fitting I ran into an issue in which the dash just doesn’t seem to want to fit in correctly underneath the bottom of the window. If I leave the dash out, the interior and chassis fits together perfectly. If I leave the back part off the dash it all still fits but if I attach the back/top of the dash it just doesn’t want to fit in.

If anyone has come across that with this kit and could share a fitment tip that would be great. I’ve definitely done some damage to the glass with all this messing around so that’s a bummer.

Any progress yet? The problem that I’ve encountered with mine was the rear passenger side window frame is not right. It’s way thicker than the drivers side. And after the glass is installed, the window sits too low, interfering with the interior door panel.  Since you have the body painted and all ready to go, sanding that piece of the window frame is not an option. I removed the rear window and trimmed the bottom of it so it doesn’t contact the door panel. Now the interior fits without being lopsided. I will correct this on my next 68 Dart build before paintwork. 

[Brutalform]

This piece caused all the interior fit problems for me. And I modified my door panels, to fit with my tubbed chassis. It’s pretty thick compared to the drivers side.