MPC 1969 Pontiac Bonneville

[Zoom Zoom]

Restorations are especially fun

This original '69 MPC Pontiac Bonneville HT I got at this past weekend's "spring cleaning" event at our club meeting...same source as the '74 Caprice I got a couple years ago and restored last year, same price (he paid - nothing! He was given a collection of vintage buildups by someone he mountain bikes with, other club members got some of them this past weekend as well; everything we bring to the April meeting is given away/swapped, no cash required ). The original builder didn't do much detail, paint is sprayed but a bit sloppy, he did mask off the roof and parts of the interior. It's enamel so it should strip right off. Best thing is he used glue sparingly-this is no glue bomb! Just like the Caprice it came apart very cleanly. I will have to do some sanding/filling of glue-damage from the window/interior posts under the decklid, also fill a few sink marks, revise a bit of the chrome trim at the base of the A pillars to line up w/the hood. People complain about new models not being perfect. These old annuals weren't exactly perfect either I won't need any parts from the reissued Model King '70.

I'll need to dab a little Alclad on the bumpers in a couple places, use a little BMF on them, make the rear bumper filler that's missing (only 2 bucks from Modelhaus but I can make the part in the time it takes me to fill the order). Hopefully I can scrounge some Rally wheels for it (AFAIK wheelcovers in these kits were not correct...). I do have some from Scale Equipment Ltd. for a Firebird.

I've got some gold MCW paint that should look good on it, it'll have a black vinyl top and the interior may be white, gold, or black...not sure yet. I'll get started on it by this weekend. I can almost smell the Easy Off

Edited April 10, 2009 by Zoom Zoom

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

This will be a fun one to watch, Bob. I'm restoring and restomodding more built models than cracking open unbuilts these days. To me, it's a lot like restoring a 1:1. You find a decent subject, hunt down replacements for missing or damaged parts, bodywork and paint, etc. Glad there are others like me that enjoy this part of the hobby.

Marc

[59 Impala]

Great start Bob. I to like to restore old kits. I have a few that I've done and a lot more to do. I'll be watching this to the end that's fer sure. Thanks fer the eye candy. Dan

[Ron Hamilton]

Bob,

It looks like you have a nice one there. I have an old '69 Bonneville Hardtop builtup too, in similar condition to yours except that mine was never painted. It will be a while before I do mine. My car will probably be Verdoro Green with a White Cordova Roof and Interior. I am going to put Rally II's on mine too. These restorations are becoming sore satisfying than either a resin or new kit build to me lately. Good luck on your build. It may make me start on mine. By the way, the '69 Impala I have will be turned into a convertible per your suggestion.

Ron

[MrObsessive]

Sigh................some guys have all the luck! I've also got a '69 Bonneville that needs restoring badly, but it's no where as nice as the one you have Bob.

I got it off eBay a few years back, but the guy decided to put that yucky custom rear end on it. Thanks goodness the stock rear bumper is among the parts, but it will need new tail lights though.

You'll have fun with that one Bob for sure!

BTW, Ron! Is there anyway to crop your signature pic URL? It shifts the entire board over (at least on my end) and makes it difficult to read what you posted without moving the cursor side to side.

I resized and cropped it below if you want use it.............

[Zoom Zoom]

The body stripped easily with one shot of Easy Off.

The interior (seats/dash brush painted w/thick gloss black) did not. Easy Off didn't do a lot after 1 application. I tried Dawn Power Dissolve. It didn't. I dunked the dash in 99% alcohol. After a hiccup or two, it was clear that it did nothing. I brushed on a couple coats of Polly S Easy Lift Off. Might as well have been olive oil. Zero, zip, nada . So the seats and dash got 3 more applications of Easy Off. It worked okay enough, and the restored interior will be black.

[RichCostello]

WOW!!!! Four different strippers.Sounds like a good time to me.

[Luc Janssens]

The body stripped easily with one shot of Easy Off.

The interior (seats/dash brush painted w/thick gloss black) did not. Easy Off didn't do a lot after 1 application. I tried Dawn Power Dissolve. It didn't. I dunked the dash in 99% alcohol. After a hiccup or two, it was clear that it did nothing. I brushed on a couple coats of Polly S Easy Lift Off. Might as well have been olive oil. Zero, zip, nada . So the seats and dash got 3 more applications of Easy Off. It worked okay enough, and the restored interior will be black.

Think this is going to be your best resto ever Bob.

The ones which fight you, learn you not to take them for granted, or does that only apply for women

Looking forward to your next installment.

best regards

Luc

[Terror]

Comeing along nice.Best part is you won't have to wash the seams...