NCIS 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T

[mrmike]

Thanks Jeremy!  I have this small pile of mixed plastic and small parts on my bench top.  I found a piece of plastic about the same size as the sway bar on the AMT K member.  A little glue and some patience lining the part up with the sway bar and all is good!

[Rusty92]

I built this kit as well. It was a challenge for me, I wish I would have taken more time. You’ve inspired me to pick it up and give it another go!

I am enjoying your work as always!

[mrmike]

Thanks Jacob!  Good luck with your build!

[mrmike]

A little time spent on Gibbs '71 Challenger Hemi R/T.  The front and rear suspension has been painted with Tamiya TS-29 Semi Glosss Black.  I painted the exhaust system with Model Master Aluminium Spray and after a few days of drying, a coat of Model Master Acryl Semi Gloss Clear.  The exhaust tips were painted with Alclad II Gloss Black Base in prep for some Alclad II Chrome.  On the chassis, I added a piece of 1 1/2" wide painters tape and I'll spray directly from above some Tamiya TS-16 Yellow for overspray.

More NCIS to come...

[mrmike]

I got the chassis and engine mostly assembled.  I have to wire the engine, distributor and the ignition coil.  I placed the engine in the chassis and I expected the engine mounts to interfere with the exhaust headers.  Behind the right side header is a tab on the engine that is supposed to fit into the slot on the engine mount.  I'll clearance the engine mount until the tab fits into the slot.

More NCIS to come...

[slusher]

Nice progress Mike. Looks real nice.

[mrmike]

Thanks Carl!  After modifing the engine mounts, it is on to the wheels and tires.

[mrmike]

I clearanced the engine mount for the right exhaust header and I clearanced the left engine mount a little just for the Hell of it.  I then paint detailed the mounts and the upper A arms.

More NCIS to come...

[mrmike]

I decided to strip the hood since I didn't like how the primer coat went down on it.  I also decided to strip the from valance panel, too.  I painted the interior bucket and the interior pieces with Tamiya TS-29 Semi Gloss Black.  Now for some detailing!

NCIS will continue...

[1972coronet]

Looks GREAT , Mike ! Tamiya's aerosol semi-gloss black has a perfect finish to it for plastic and vinyl ; absolutely worth purchasing .

I'd forgotten that the AMT 1970 Challenger has the Rallye Instruments ( not sure if the MPC Challenger annuals do or not ; and the Monogram T/A has the standard instruments ) . Partial-ring horn , too .

I love what you've done to facilitate the Hemi engine --- you're one of the best eyeball-engineers around ! 

Have you ever perused the Lindberg 1972 Rallye Challenger ? Rumour has it that it's a 'knockoff' of the MPC kit .

[mrmike]

17 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Looks GREAT , Mike ! Tamiya's aerosol semi-gloss black has a perfect finish to it for plastic and vinyl ; absolutely worth purchasing .

I'd forgotten that the AMT 1970 Challenger has the Rallye Instruments ( not sure if the MPC Challenger annuals do or not ; and the Monogram T/A has the standard instruments ) . Partial-ring horn , too .

I love what you've done to facilitate the Hemi engine --- you're one of the best eyeball-engineers around ! 

Have you ever perused the Lindberg 1972 Rallye Challenger ? Rumour has it that it's a 'knockoff' of the MPC kit .

Thanks John!  I appreciate the kind words, but I still think I'm just another hack trying to do a good job!  I have not looked at the Lindberg '72 Challenger Rallye.  I have read that it does leave a lot to be desired.  

[mrmike]

I have detailed and assembled the interior.

NCIS will continue...

[slusher]

Nice interior Mike

[mrmike]

Thanks Carl!  It's not the best interior to detail, but I tried.  

[FLHCAHZ]

Looks really good. Nice job on the wood grain and pistol grip!

[mrmike]

Thanks Chaz!  The pistol grip shifter is from the Revell '70 'Cuda.  The woodgrain was made by applying Tamiya XF-10 Flat Brown and letting it dry.  Then I applied Tamiya X-26 Clear Orange.

[mrmike]

After leaving the front panel and the hood in 91% alcohol for over a week, I washed them this morning with Dawn Dish Detergent.  The alcohol did its job of removing the old paint.  Now to primer and paint them both after a good sanding.

Momre NCIS to come...

[mrmike]

Been working on the C pillars of the Challenger roof today.  Still needs more work.  I also primered the hood and front valance.

More NCIS to come...

[Deuces ll]

??

[slusher]

I wondered what happened to this build"

[gotnitro?]

Really coming together now 

Very nice interior , not overly done 

[mrmike]

Thanks Guido, Carl and Jeff!  Apparently, I have fallen into the "Squirrel" gambit where I would, oh look a flower!  Sorry!  LOL   I had set this on the back of the bench when I decided I had to work on something else that seemed to have had priority at the time.     

[Just Jim]

Challenger looks great. I have seen several models like yours where the chassis was over sprayed with body color on the edges. Is that a late 60's / early 70's GM thing? I admittedly haven't spent much time under many old cars so I've never seen this in real life. However, I do have a 69 Charger and a 70 Challenger working their way to the top of my build rotation so would like to get it right.   

[mrmike]

Just imagine a 1:1 Chrysler being assembled on the production line.  The body assembly is quite different from what we get in the form of a model kit.  When the body is painted,  the chassis is part of the body assembly and the chassis is painted along the edges as the body gets painted.  I have seen some models with the entire chassis (bottom of the entire body assembly) painted in one color and either the modeler doesn't care or they don't know how the body and chassis is painted.  I have learned a lot from the late Fury3 aka Dave Greibling who once worked for Chrysler Corporation.  

[gotnitro?]

Sounds like Gibbs will have plenty of time to drive the Challenger now , just glad the show wasn't cancelled