Steve Geer Posted December 31, 2023 Posted December 31, 2023 I generally build models that originate in my imagination but this time I attempted a 1/25 scale replica of the 1969 Pontiac GTO I owned in my (much) younger days. It’s taken years as my modeling mojo ebbed and flowed but somehow it finally came down to ‘now or never’ to get it across the finish line so I could at least claim one completed build for 2023. Yes, there are a few fiddly finishing details and touch ups that didn’t quite make the deadline — wipers, antenna, outside rear-view mirror, etc., but I’m tired . . . those will get added soon. So here’s what went into it: The exterior is a Model King funny car body — which is a re-mold from the original dealer promo tooling. I opened the hood and added bracing around the engine bay, but other than that, and cleaning up seams/sink marks, it’s just as it came from the box. The interior tub and seats (with the correct upholstery pattern & door engraving) were salvaged from a badly smashed ’69 promo I found at a swap meet long ago. I removed the armrest/center console to make it authentic to my 1:1. The promo’s dashboard was missing so it was replaced with one from a Monogram 1/24 Judge (a surprisingly good fit!), an A/C vent outlet was added and I cobbled up a little floor mounted 8-track player, reminiscent of the aftermarket unit the original owner had installed prior to my purchase. The engine, chassis & running gear were sourced from a reissue MPC 1972 GTO kit. I swapped the kit-supplied automatic trans for a 4-speed then added wiring, plumbing & a few air conditioning pieces as under-hood details. The fan shroud came from a discarded die-cast, which also donated the fixed-headlamp grills. The Rally II wheels came from (I think) a Revell-issue ‘70 Trans Am, wrapped in tires from my spares. Although my life-size GTO was born wearing ‘Limelight Green’ paint, I had it re-sprayed Pontiac’s 1973 ‘Florentine Red’ shortly after buying it. The model’s matching color came from Automotive Touchup, with a coat of Tamiya TS-74 Clear Red for a little added depth. That was followed by several coats of TS-13 Clear and polishing. The upholstery was sprayed with Tamiya TS-7 Racing White (a close approximation of Pontiac’s pearly off-white “Parchment”) and the carpet is embossing powder. The windshield got a sun-shade and all the inside/outside trim is good ol’ Bare Metal Foil with some brushed-on Molitow here and there. I’ve often said that GTO “fit” me better than virtually any other car I’ve owned since — it was such a blast to drive — making the creation of this replica a rewarding nostalgia build . . . even if it took forever to complete. Anyway, may everybody's 2024 modeling wishes all come true — Happy New Year! And thanks for looking. Comments and questions always welcome. This was the inspiration car — my 1:1 ’69 GTO (including evidence of its unfortunate demise): 13
Phildaupho Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Must be nice to have your GTO back at least in scale
AMT68 Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Very impressive paint and interior detail. Your 1:1 was also quite impressive.
Duddly01 Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Nice job, so sad to hear about the inspired car.
1959scudetto Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Excellent replica of your favorite 1:1 car !
spencer1984 Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 If it's gotta be one, this is the way to do it. Beautiful work!
ModelcarJR Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Great looking GTO! Sorry about your 1:1! I had the same happen to me in an 85 Camaro. Crunch! ??
Hi-Po Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 I have to agree with all the others - nicely done!
Bills72sj Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Congratz on authentically duplicating a favorite 1:1. You have done well with all the changes required.
Zippi Posted January 1, 2024 Posted January 1, 2024 Turned out Super nice for your only build in 2023.
XYHARRY Posted January 2, 2024 Posted January 2, 2024 Nice work on the GTO there Steve, a very good likeness of the real one. Well done. Cheers, David. ??
Steve Geer Posted January 4, 2024 Author Posted January 4, 2024 On 12/31/2023 at 6:31 PM, michelle said: nice work Thanks Michelle! On 12/31/2023 at 6:34 PM, Slotto said: She looks great Appreciate the compliment. Thanks! On 12/31/2023 at 6:44 PM, Dragonhawk1066 said: Very nice! Much appreciated Craig, Thanks! On 12/31/2023 at 6:56 PM, Keef said: Absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for the compliment Keith, appreciate it. On 12/31/2023 at 9:15 PM, Phildaupho said: Must be nice to have your GTO back at least in scale Yes, Phil, it is indeed a treat to have a replica on the shelf . . . since another full-scale GTO is beyond my reach at this point. Thanks! On 1/1/2024 at 1:04 AM, Duddly01 said: Nice job, so sad to hear about the inspired car. Thank you Tom and Don for the kind words on the model. The 1:1 GTO was an awesome machine and even 45 years after its end I still miss driving it, but I REALLY wish I'd never missed that stop sign . . . On 1/1/2024 at 3:20 AM, 1959scudetto said: Excellent replica of your favorite 1:1 car ! It was a fun and occasionally exhausting build but glad to have it. Thanks for the compliment. On 1/1/2024 at 5:50 AM, ChrisR said: NICE REPLICA! On 1/1/2024 at 10:54 AM, spencer1984 said: If it's gotta be one, this is the way to do it. Beautiful work! Thank you Larry, Chris & Bill -- the kind compliments are greatly appreciated On 1/1/2024 at 11:06 AM, ewetwo said: Spot on. Nice. Appreciate the thought -- thank you David! On 1/1/2024 at 11:29 AM, ModelcarJR said: Great looking GTO! Sorry about your 1:1! I had the same happen to me in an 85 Camaro. Crunch! ?? Thanks for the compliment John, but . . . Ouch Hate it when that happens and anyone loses a favorite driver in a wreck - especially a Camaro. Never a good day. On 1/1/2024 at 12:28 PM, Hi-Po said: I have to agree with all the others - nicely done! Always glad to get another compliment Terry - many thanks! On 1/1/2024 at 1:40 PM, bbowser said: Very cool, the model and the 1:1! Wish it wasn't a choice between one or the other but . . . thanks for the kind words! On 1/1/2024 at 3:50 PM, Bills72sj said: Congratz on authentically duplicating a favorite 1:1. You have done well with all the changes required. Appreciate the kind words -- it was a challenge at certain points but I knew the subject matter would be worth it Thanks for the acknowledgement. On 1/1/2024 at 6:47 PM, Zippi said: Turned out Super nice for your only build in 2023. My workbench and I were sorta strangers in '23 but hopefully we'll get to be friends again this year. Thanks for the compliment on the GTO On 1/2/2024 at 3:03 AM, XYHARRY said: Nice work on the GTO there Steve, a very good likeness of the real one. Well done. Cheers, David. ?? Thank you David -- appreciate the kind words. On 1/2/2024 at 8:12 AM, slusher said: Super nice! Love hearing the compliments -- thanks Carl! AND to everyone: Thank you all . . . I get a huge amount of inspiration from this forum and the many talented builders who hang here, not to mention getting to read all the encouraging words. Means a great deal. I also have to give a shout out to Can-Con [Steve Milberry] (https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/profile/14864-can-con/ ) for adding extra inspiration to my build with his beautifully done GTO/Judge model from 2015. I'd always had the desire to build a 1/25 scale replica of my GTO but his model pushed me to get it started and gave me an idea of how it should be done. 1
Rattlecan Dan Posted January 4, 2024 Posted January 4, 2024 Happy New Year Steve! An excellent build. Very nice-looking.
TooOld Posted January 4, 2024 Posted January 4, 2024 Great job recreating your personal ride ! I've done the same with a couple I've owned . . . unfortunately one of them suffered the same fate as your GTO .
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