AMT Custom 1971 Mach 1 Mustang Build

[RocketFoot]

Hey guys!  Thanks for tuning in to my first ever "serious" scale model build!  I decided to build a scale replica of my actual 1971 Mach 1 Mustang so I picked up a couple kits.  First was the AMT 71 Mach 1 kit and then I got the new tooling 71 Boss Mustang kit from Revell.  Since this is my first build since 9th grade (over 40 years ago) I am going to practice on the AMT kit and then try to go all out on the Revell kit! 

I been spending the last month or so gathering tools and supplies for the build including an Avanti air brush kit from Harbor Freight.  I've got my work bench all set up and just about ready to start on the AMT kit!

Right off the bat, I noticed the AMT kit has some inaccuracies...one major on being that the engine offerings are either a 289 V8 or a 429 V8 which weren't really even offered in the 71 Mach 1 series!   My car has a factory 302 option so that was a problem that needed addressed!  I ended up finding a 302 Ford Small block engine kit on eBay from the AMT 5 door 1932 Ford Coupe kit!  As luck would have it, this kit even had a round air cleaner and ribbed valve covers just like my actual vehicle!

I proactively bought 2 of the 302 engine kits so I would have a good replica for the Revell kit also!  Next was the wheel situation!  My car has vintage Appliance mag wheels that are period correct for a 1971 car.  The AMT kit comes with 2 wheel options but one is dog dish hub caps and the other is sport wheel hub caps.  I found some Cragar SS replicas from Pegasus that look very much like m Appliances that will do the job quite well!

Another fun twist to this build will be the dash!  My car was a show car for Cyberdyne Digital Gauges back in the late 90's...before I bought it, so the dash is set up with a complete set of digital gauges!  I am think about taking close up photos and printing them to scale on photo paper so I can glue them into the dash recesses.  I'm not sure if that is even feasible but it's definitely on the table!

So as of now, that's where I am at...there will be definitely more to come as I get busy on this inaugural custom build!  You can follow me or this post to see regular updates to my progress!  I'm sure it won't happen over night though...I want to take my time, practice and hone my skills as I go!  Feel free to offer advice if you think I need it, which I probably will!

Here are a few more reference pics to get this thread started!

?

 

Edited September 23, 2023 by RocketFoot

[James2]

Well your off to a good start. Having the real deal in the garage is helpful. And it looks like your willing to search out correct pieces parts to match your 1:1. Judging by your enthusiasm I'd say your going to need a bigger work area! 

Patiently watching.... 

[vamach1]

Welcome back to the hobby.  The AMT will be good practice.  You will appreciate the efforts Revell make in the engine compartment and chassis once you see how basic the AMT kit is in those areas.  Oddly enough I have built my share of AMT and MPC 71-73 Mustangs but never one of my Mach1.  The “Boss 351” is NOT the Revell one and I did not even bother with an engine or to finish the kit when I heard the Revell one was coming out.  Many years ago I did build the Otaki kit (no engine) and it goes well with the Fujumi garage (excuse the mess) and a Bandai 1/28 Mach1.  Here are other builds including a Testors made into a “Mad Max” Mustang and a Sam Auxier 71 Prostock racer. If you see that kit unbuilt you would understand trying to build it box stock would not result in an accurate 71 Mustang.  Still on the bench is a Warren Tope 73 T/A racer and of course the Revell Boss 351.

Edited September 23, 2023 by vamach1

[RocketFoot]

11 minutes ago, vamach1 said:

Welcome back to the hobby.  The AMT will be good practice.  You will appreciate the efforts Revell make in the engine compartment and chassis once you see how basic the AMT kit is in those areas.  Oddly enough I have built my share of AMT and MPC 71-73 Mustangs but never one of my Mach1.  The “Boss 351” is NOT the Revell one and I did not even both with an engine or to finish the kit when I heard the Revell one was coming out.  Many years ago I did build the Otaki kit (no engine) and it goes well with the Fujumi garage (excuse the mess) and a Bandai 1/28 Mach1.  Here are other builds including a Testors made into a “Mad Max” Mustang and a Sam Auxier 71 Prostock racer. If you see that kit unbuilt you would understand trying to build it box stock would not result in an accurate 71 Mustang.  Still on the bench is a Warren Tope 73 T/A racer and of course the Revell Boss 351.

That's an impressive collection of 71-73 models!  I have a bunch of diecast but this is my first venture into custom model building!

[slusher]

looking ? forward too your Mustang build!

[RocketFoot]

1 hour ago, slusher said:

looking ? forward too your Mustang build!

I’ll document it well!  I’m still gathering parts!  I just ordered a couple prewired HEI distributor caps from M.A.D. to match the Petronix Dizzy on my Mach 1!!  I also have to find a chrome front bumper like the Boss 351’s had!  Then I should be ready to go!

Edited September 24, 2023 by RocketFoot

[SpikeSchumacher]

Will be interesting to see this build ?

[atomicholiday]

Looking forward to your updates.

Your 1:1 is sweet!  Love to go for a ride in that bad boy!

[gotnitro?]

Looking forward to your Mach 1 ! We have a newer version of the Mach. 2003 in Azure blue..fun cruiser 

[RocketFoot]

56 minutes ago, atomicholiday said:

Looking forward to your updates.

Your 1:1 is sweet!  Love to go for a ride in that bad boy!

It is a head turner for sure!!

4 minutes ago, gotnitro? said:

Looking forward to your Mach 1 ! We have a newer version of the Mach. 2003 in Azure blue..fun cruiser 

Looks great!  I love the late model Mach’s!!

[RocketFoot]

OK, I am editing this post in favor of Tamiya paints!  I was thinking about using Krylon but I keep reading horror stories about it (mixed with several high praises) but in the end, I want to stick with my original choice and use Tamiya.  I just ordered up a bunch of spray cans to get started...I should be buying bottles for my air brush but I am on a bit of a budget and I can't justify paying $8.00 for 23ML vs $11.00 for 100ML spray cans.  I will be painting 2 models with these colors as well! 

Here are my color selections:

TS16 Yellow for the body
TS6 Matte Black for the undercarriage and interior
TS15 Blue for the engine block
TS42 Light Gun Metal for the transmission, suspension and steering components
TS30 Silver Leaf for the exhaust and fuel tank
TS14 Gloss Black for the hood Stripe
87189 Light Gray and 87131 Black Panel Accent for various depth and shading
81022 Clear Gloss for highlighting the interior seats and dash
87044 Fine White Primer

That should get me pretty well on the way!

Edited September 26, 2023 by RocketFoot

[RocketFoot]

I bet that not many model builders have sourced 302 Ford Small Block engines to swap into their models!  I did, LOL!  My 1:1 has a 302 bored out to 306 with a mild cam so I found these engine kits on eBay to swap into my AMT build and my future Revell Mach 1 conversion!  These 302's were found in the Revell '32 Ford 3 window coupe kit.  I liked them because the valve covers and air cleaner are very similar to my car as well! 

[Can-Con]

8 hours ago, RocketFoot said:

I bet that not many model builders have sourced 302 Ford Small Block engines to swap into their models! 

I'll take that bet.

[RocketFoot]

55 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

I'll take that bet.

Nice! what engine you got there?

[Can-Con]

1 hour ago, RocketFoot said:

Nice! what engine you got there?

Same one you got. Just swapped out the valve covers for the ones from the Revell pro street Thunderbird.

[RocketFoot]

4 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

Same one you got. Just swapped out the valve covers for the ones from the Revell pro street Thunderbird.

Sweet!  It looks really good!  I hope mine turns out that nice!

[ea0863]

Welcome back Barry! Looking forward to your homage to the beauty in your driveway. Great start so far

[RocketFoot]

Ok...I ordered up some Iceman resin wheels 8mm front and 10mm back plus AMT pad printed rubber tires to match.  I bought enough for the Revell build a well!  I also got some SMS Hyper Chrome to paint them with!  Looks like a fun process to do and I will get to use my airbrush!  I also picked up some BSI Super Gold + CA glue to try!  Heard lots of good about it too!  It's going to be like Christmas morning next week and all this stuff starts showing up!

 

I also have a little surprise coming from Josh at VCG Resins by Reese!  I'll be upgrading my Ford 302 Small Block game to some resin goodness on the next Revell Mach 1 conversion build!  Just take a look at this:

It comes with a nice C4 Transmission also!  I'll be doing a write up on this set up later!  But if you are in the market for resin...check out Iceman Collections and VCG Resins by Reese!  I am not affiliated with either both both of these guys have great products and excellent customer contact/service!  I recommend them highly!

I'm loving this hobby and I haven't even built anything yet!  I am a parts guy by profession so I am enjoying the hunt for the perfect parts but this a lot cheaper than car and big rig parts, LOL!

[IceMan Collections]

Keeping an eye on this build.

Thanks for the support, Barry. 

[RocketFoot]

10 hours ago, IceMan Collections said:

Keeping an eye on this build.

Thanks for the support, Barry. 

I’m really looking forward to these wheels!  They are exact replicas of my actual wheels even down to the rear offset!  Many pre chromed options don’t offer the rear offset!  Big thanks to you guys for supporting the hobby with great products!

[Sledsel]

My favorite body style Mustang and I am watching to see how this comes out.

I like the AMT 71-73 Mustangs. The latest is actually the MPC version that I do not care for. The seats and tail light panel on the actual AMT is much nicer. Unfortunately when AMT converted to the race car version the stock interior was lost in favor of race seats, blank door panels and blank dash.

[mustang1989]

Looking forward to seeing what you'll be doing with this one Barry. I had a 306 in my Fox Body Mustang. Fun times........

[RocketFoot]

Still gathering parts and building a spray booth in my basement!  I’ll post some photos as soon as I make some headway!  I am close to laying down some paint!  I’ll be testing out SMS Hyperchrome pretty soon also!  Stay tuned!

[RocketFoot]

I am still working on my spray booth but I have been getting some parts organized and ready to paint!  I got my wheels glued together over the weekend!  As soon as my exhaust fan arrives for the booth, I am going to sprat the wheels gloss black and then try my hand at airbrushing SMS Hyperchrome on them!  Hopefully they look sweet when I'm done!  I am kinda side building the Revell kit also as I will be painting some parts for it at the same time...that's why I have 2 sets of Cragar Mags!  I'm pretty excited about the deep dish offsets for the rear!  It should look pretty cool!

Edited October 24, 2023 by RocketFoot

[slusher]

Real nice wheels and tires!