Revell Challenger

[dsummone]

My brother in law just gave me this to build for him, he’s had it since he was a teenager. The box says 1962. The plastic has been opened and some parts are off their sprues but nothing has been painted or glued. 
My question is, should I build it for him or should I tell him to keep it as it is. 
Let me know your thoughts. 
Dave

[Ace-Garageguy]

It's been re-released several times, so if you decide to keep that one as a time capsule, you can still build one.

Below is what I did with it...

 

[dsummone]

30 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

It's been re-released several times, so if you decide to keep that one as a time capsule, you can still build one.

Below is what I did with it...

 

I just read through your build and it’s inspiring. 
Just got off the phone with my BIL and he wants me to use the original, so I will start unpacking the parts and making sure everything is there. 

[Oldcarfan27]

Do it up right for him!

[XYHARRY]

I have the re-release of this kit and have heard it has some fitment issues. Your kit may be OK as it looks to be the original release. Looking forward to seeing how you go with it Dave. 

Cheers, David. ??

[Andrew McD]

Aren't kits meant to be built?  ?  Go for it!

[Joe Nunes]

Build the original with a clear conscience. Right now it's just a cardboard box with plastic pieces inside. When you give him the finished project he will then have the model and the original box to display. A win-win for both of you. 

Joe

[Ace-Garageguy]

4 hours ago, XYHARRY said:

I have the re-release of this kit and have heard it has some fitment issues. Your kit may be OK as it looks to be the original release.

They ALL have serious fitment issues. It's a challenging kit, no matter which release you have.

[dsummone]

Well, I started going through the box and found two of the engines were missing, 3 tires and some of the bodywork. I stopped there and ordered another kit on eBay. 
My BIL really screwed me on this one ?

[dsummone]

Got my reissue finally, washed all the parts and started assembling the engines. 
I’ve got most of the parts separated for paint, sanded mold marks down and am just waiting now for a decent day to paint. 
Does anyone know if the engines were Pontiac blue? The instructions call for black and I can’t find a picture that shows original color. 
Dave. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

11 minutes ago, dsummone said:

...Does anyone know if the engines were Pontiac blue? The instructions call for black and I can’t find a picture that shows original color. 
 

All the period black and white photos show the engines as being a light color.

Then there's this of the car in its museum home...

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

I built it when it was released in the early sixties. You will love building it!

[dsummone]

33 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

All the period black and white photos show the engines as being a light color.

Then there's this of the car in its museum home...

Thank you! That helps. 

[dsummone]

Well the going has been slow but I removed the chrome from all the parts and got everything painted except the body. 
Just finished the engines except for wiring and plumbing… I always enjoy engines the best until I had to do 4 of them. Transmissions and differentials are ready to be mounted as well. 
From all of the pictures I’ve looked at there was no chrome on the original and the wheels were this weird yellow. 
I’ve found some tannish wire I’m going to use for the plugs but I’ve got to round up some blah red for tubing. 
Thanks for looking and your comments. 
Dave. 

[slusher]

Coming along nicely,I have never seen this kit built. Looks your doing a great job!

[dsummone]

The engines are wired and the fuel lines routed. Installed with the trans packs. 
Im a bit concerned about clearances as the plug wires barely fit between the engines. 

[chris chabre]

Looks great!

[slusher]

Engines look great!

[dsummone]

After much cutting, filing and sanding, the power train(s) are in the chassis. I had to remove the exhaust from the front set and will reinstall after the frame is dry. 
Assembled the wheels. The brake drums didn’t turn out the color I was hoping for but it’ll do. 
Dave. 

[slusher]

Nice work and progress Dave!

[dsummone]

1 hour ago, slusher said:

Nice work and progress Dave!

Thanks so much!

[Bainford]

Just found this WIP. Nice work, it's coming together nicely. It's good to see one of these kits being built.

[dsummone]

Got the frame halves together, no small feat. Fuel lines are run and the underbody went on with a couple adjustments, as there was no real description of where to align the frame to the pan, I fit the front body section to the underbody and lined it all up to where the front wheels would be centered in their openings. 
From some quick body panel placement, it looks like there is going to be a lot of fitting to make all the panels line up properly, I’m glad Ace posted above his build, the way he temporarily attached the body panels together looks like the only real way to do it. I’m afraid the exhaust openings are going to need some massaging. 
Thanks for looking. 
Dave

[dsummone]

Just a bit of progress today. Rear shift linkage is in place and the front and rear water tanks are installed, along with the parachute tube. 
Getting closer to a roller though. 

[dsummone]

Well, that’s about it for this one until the weather warms and I can paint the body. 
The fuel lines (black) had to be rerun after I installed the last bit of the frame and the water lines (red) are run. 
I did find that the extra bit of width caused by the plug wires are going to force me to add a small filler strip down each side of the floor pan to make up for it, but it doesn’t look like it will affect the body fitment at all. 
Will post again when I can… now I think I’ll start a Camaro project. 
Dave.