1967 Pontiac GTO chassis

[ksnow]

I want to build a replica of the 1:1 my dad had back in the 70's. He has several of the MPC 67 kits, with the blue GTO on the box, as well as one of the XXX releases by AMT.

I have read about these, and the detail leaves a bit to be desired of in the chassis and engine department. Is there another kit that could be used as a donor chassis/driveline with better detail?

I also have a Revell 66 GTO kit available to me, I haven' been able to open that one up yet and see if those parts would work or not.

I am thinking of picking up a "Weekend Warrior" release, at least for the decal sheet.

It looks like Fireball has some Pontiac poverty caps that look about right, just need some thin whitewalls to go with them. Dad remembers he had Firestone wide oval whitewalls.

Thanks.

[ksnow]

This is the only picture I have of the car. This would have been about 1972, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. He added the rear side markers lights from a 68 GTO, because he liked how they looked.

[Plowboy]

The '66 will probably be your best donor for the chassis, firewall etc. 

[Fat Brian]

I don't have a 67 GTO to do the comparison but take the two kits and see if the 67 rear bumper will fit on the 66 body. If the 67 bumper fits the 66 body then you can cut from the top corner of the notch the bumper sits in vertically straight through the trunk lid on both bodies. Basically, switch the tail light panel and the ends of the rear fenders from the 67 body onto the 66 body and use the 67 rear bumper. Then just build the 66 kit as normal. You might have to rescribe the trunk panel lines on the ends if they don't line up correctly but that's not too bad.

[ksnow]

10 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

I don't have a 67 GTO to do the comparison but take the two kits and see if the 67 rear bumper will fit on the 66 body. If the 67 bumper fits the 66 body then you can cut from the top corner of the notch the bumper sits in vertically straight through the trunk lid on both bodies. Basically, switch the tail light panel and the ends of the rear fenders from the 67 body onto the 66 body and use the 67 rear bumper. Then just build the 66 kit as normal. You might have to rescribe the trunk panel lines on the ends if they don't line up correctly but that's not too bad.

I have thought about that route also. The 67 body isn't that bad, really. But maybe it would be worth the work. 

I should have the 66 in hand in a week or two to see if that will work.

[Oldcarfan27]

11 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

I don't have a 67 GTO to do the comparison but take the two kits and see if the 67 rear bumper will fit on the 66 body. If the 67 bumper fits the 66 body then you can cut from the top corner of the notch the bumper sits in vertically straight through the trunk lid on both bodies. Basically, switch the tail light panel and the ends of the rear fenders from the 67 body onto the 66 body and use the 67 rear bumper. Then just build the 66 kit as normal. You might have to rescribe the trunk panel lines on the ends if they don't line up correctly but that's not too bad.

Don't forget the interior pattern, grille mesh, rocker trim and engine are different. 67 was the first year of the 400 engine and has different valve covers and no tri-power.

[ksnow]

Thanks Oldcarfan. I have a checklist going on the differences between 66 and 67. Your items have been added. 

Were the stock valve covers chrome? Dad can't remember.

[TarheelRick]

A bit off topic but thank your Dad for his service.  I started my second tour in the USAF in 1972.

[ksnow]

1 hour ago, TarheelRick said:

A bit off topic but thank your Dad for his service.  I started my second tour in the USAF in 1972.

Will do. He was in 70-74.

[espo]

I don't know for sure, but the Revell '66 El Camino and Wagon kits along with the '67 Chevelle kit might be something to look at. The 1:1 shard much of the undercarriage with the Pontiac Tempest/GTO of that time period. The Revell kits offered a very nice separate frame and well detailed suspension.  

[bisc63]

The Revell '67 Chevelles also carried over the chassis from their '66 GTO, (and it irks me when I see detailed Chevelles with the obvious B-O-P trans cross member left in place). It's also readily available. Your largest obstacle may be the correct interior; those later AMT '67 kits sometimes had a mix of seats from other years. Check your references carefully. You may have to find a resin re-pop of an original tub.

[Fat Brian]

3 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Don't forget the interior pattern, grille mesh, rocker trim and engine are different. 67 was the first year of the 400 engine and has different valve covers and no tri-power.

He could source the engine parts from the Revell 68 Firebird. The lower rocker trim shouldn't be too hard to add with a strip of Evergreen.  I'm just trying to find any way for him to not have to subject himself to trying to build the 67. That's one of the few kits I've bought and after opening it noped out and gotten rid of.

[ksnow]

41 minutes ago, bisc63 said:

The Revell '67 Chevelles also carried over the chassis from their '66 GTO, (and it irks me when I see detailed Chevelles with the obvious B-O-P trans cross member left in place). It's also readily available. Your largest obstacle may be the correct interior; those later AMT '67 kits sometimes had a mix of seats from other years. Check your references carefully. You may have to find a resin re-pop of an original tub.

Am I reading this right, that the chassis/frame from the 67 Chevelle kit is the same as the 66 GTO kit?

[Fat Brian]

40 minutes ago, ksnow said:

Am I reading this right, that the chassis/frame from the 67 Chevelle kit is the same as the 66 GTO kit?

I don't think so, the Revell 67 Chevelle came out in the late 80s and the Revell 66 GTO didn't come out until the early 2000s. 

[bisc63]

I may have mislead on the dates of release, but the Revell Chevelle chassis definitely mimics the BOP style, but is 100% correct for your GTO. I only meant to offer it as an example of a better choice. You may also consider the AMT '66 Olds 442 chassis, or the Lindberg '67 Olds 442 chassis as well. All are pretty common. The AMT "67 Chevelle chassis will fit as well, just change the tranny cross member! Both the Chevelles also come in a pro-street version, though I think you will stick to factory stock. All these are GM stablemates, with much commonality under the skin. Thanks Brian, for clarification on the kit history!

[ksnow]

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. I stopped at the local variety store, which has some models, nothing in the 66 to 67 range in that body. I am visiting my dad in a week or so, he has the Revell 66, that sounds like it might be my best option. That kit has the pinstripe decals also. I'll just have to source an intake and carb, I am sure I have one somewhere that will work.

My dad isn't a rivet counter by any means, but I want to do the best I can. Fireball has a set of 14 inch Pontiac poverty caps that are probably going to be the closest thing I can find to the wheel covers he had.

[bisc63]

1 hour ago, ksnow said:

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. I stopped at the local variety store, which has some models, nothing in the 66 to 67 range in that body. I am visiting my dad in a week or so, he has the Revell 66, that sounds like it might be my best option. That kit has the pinstripe decals also. I'll just have to source an intake and carb, I am sure I have one somewhere that will work.

My dad isn't a rivet counter by any means, but I want to do the best I can. Fireball has a set of 14 inch Pontiac poverty caps that are probably going to be the closest thing I can find to the wheel covers he had.

Hope I didn't cause too much confusion! You really do have plenty to choose from in the chassis department. Don't overlook ebay as well, there are "kit breakers" who sell parts from kits, and a chassis set can be found in the 10-12 dollar range if you watch carefully. The Revell '66 is a beauty, and does solve many problems. The interior pattern may be close enough for your dad. Do a WIP thread when you get going. Sounds like a cool build to follow!

[bisc63]

6 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

I don't think so, the Revell 67 Chevelle came out in the late 80s and the Revell 66 GTO didn't come out until the early 2000s. 

Memory is a foul thing as we get older! I was sure I recalled reading about one of those kits being the basis for the other, but not the case at all. I just dug both from the stash expecting the chassis plate to be the very same. They are not. Both good for the OP, but not identical to each other in detail. The things we accumulate pile up increasingly, while our memories of them diminish. Dang it.

[ksnow]

No worries bisc. 

Yep, getting old sucks. 

I'll try to do a WIP. I am not the best at remembering to take pictures as I go. 

[bisc63]

You never mentioned, but what intake/carb setup will you need?

[ksnow]

1 minute ago, bisc63 said:

You never mentioned, but what intake/carb setup will you need?

Stock for 67. I know it was a 4 barrel, I remember him working on it when I was little. Just need to find an intake setup for the single carb. I have an AMT Trans Am kit that might have one that will work.

[Rodent]

67 had a QuadraPit. Joseph makes very nice ones, including B.O.P. versions if you want to go that far. Not sure about the chrome louvered air cleaner that it probably had though.

[bisc63]

Stock could have been a 2 barrel, also. The two barrel used the single-snorkle black breather. Lots of stock configurations back then! Did he have an automatic tranny, or a four speed, or a three-on-the-tree? All were available in a GTO! Here's a very informative short article about  a bone stock, original owner GTO: https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/double-barrel-goat-1967-pontiac-gto

[ksnow]

It had a hurst shifter, I know that much for sure. Can't remember what it looked like though. 

Definitely a 4 barrel. I remember him "cleaning out the carbon" on road trips to the grandparents.

[bisc63]

The Hurst "his and hers" shifter came with the automatic and console cars, so your dad's could have had the new TH400 automatic. (Nice picture of one in the article I linked above.) Muncie 4-speed cars also had a Hurst shifter included.