1980 Monte Carlo

[polybius]

This Monte is my first ground-up kit build in almost 20yrs - getting a driver's license turned my focus to 1:1 autos - and around a year ago I got the itch to dig out old kits and builds from storage. A scan of eBay uncovered the Monte promos, and since my grandfather had an '80 Monte before he passed away, I jumped on the promo in the color of his 1:1. To loosen up my rusty build skills, first the promo got a light detail... and then the kit build started.

For a few months they were both in-progress, and now the promo is finished and the kit build is 75% done - just interior details to wrap up.

In my teens I couldn't afford the luxuries of chrome foil and automotive paints... and now I've rediscovered modeling as a hobby and stepped up to chrome, lacquer and color sanding - the promo's finish is as it came from the MPC factory, with just some Meguiars PlastX polish - and the kit build is GM light metallic blue with a clearcoated/polished finish.

More will follow as the kit build is completed...

kit in foreground, promo in background

promo in progress

promo finished

promo in foreground, kit in background

kit in progress

kit in progress

[Jeff Sauber]

You do nice clean work....The finished promo looks great.

[MyBradKeselowski]

Those are Beautiful!!

I like the color on both...

Where did you get those wheels for the kit version?

[Modellpularn]

They look great, both of them! Welcome back to the new age of modeling.

[FordWagonNut]

These are just simply awesome! The last three pictures look like they could have been used for a genuine GM ad. "When a car makes you look good, that's styling. When a car makes you feel good, that's character".

[polybius]

MANY thanks for the encouraging comments! Doing the promo first was a helpful way to ease back into the hobby, and considering it has taken a year to finish them both at times the process has been frustrating (as y'all are all-too-familiar I'm sure)

The wheels used for the kit build were snagged from the AMT '86 El Camino SS kit, and after detailing they're dead-on for the steelie Chevy rally wheels used on the '80 Monte, even work for the early Monte SS from '83-'85 before the updated aluminum alloy wheel design.

And FordWagonNut, I REALLY appreciate your eye regarding the GM ads... I've been using the original Monte brochure for detail references - even down to the body-color door handle inserts

finished promo compared to original manufacturer brochure

from the brochure used for details

If anyone else is building Montes, here's a link to some great reference shots:

1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo brochure

Once this kit build is completed, I've got my eye on the Monte Carlo Turbo (I was suprised to learn that a handful of them were made wayyy back in '80 before the Buick Regal T-Type and Grand National gained popularity)

[Brokentail58]

one of my first cars was a 1980 Monte Carlo. I loved that car. Nice builds, keep it up.

[Joker]

Thanks for the link.

Back when I was young I owned a 79

Monte in metallic brown and cream

two tone. Wire hubcaps to boot!

James

[Brokentail58]

I had a metallic green 80 monte carlo with a pea green interior and rally's. I want it back.

[FordWagonNut]

And FordWagonNut, I REALLY appreciate your eye regarding the GM ads... I've been using the original Monte brochure for detail references - even down to the body-color door handle inserts

My mom had a '77 Monte Carlo when I was little kid in the 80s. She had it till '87, sold it for a Volkswagen Jetta. The Monte was the first car that introduced me to cars, sounds, smells, and all that. So I have a real soft spot for the '70s to early '80s MC's. This is the ad that popped in my head when I saw your pictures.

[polybius]

My mom had a '77 Monte Carlo when I was little kid in the 80s. She had it till '87, sold it for a Volkswagen Jetta. The Monte was the first car that introduced me to cars, sounds, smells, and all that. So I have a real soft spot for the '70s to early '80s MC's. This is the ad that popped in my head when I saw your pictures.

WOW! The distinctive lines of the entire Monte line from '70 to '88 carried through each generation. Your memories of your mom's Monte (especially given the holiday) are exactly what inspired the build of my grandfather's. Even though I was a kid, I remember riding in that car and studying the details of it... the chrome flip-out ashtrays in the vinyl covering of the seatbacks, for example. His had the small 267 cid (4.4L) V-8, and the humming whine of the engine and transmission is a sound I've never forgotten. The Revell '77 Monte is a snap kit, and I haven't seen it close-up - there were some great color schemes from '73 to '77, and the Landau versions just added to the mix. There was a breathtaking triple-silver Landau at the recent Spring Carlisle car show, and I couldn't resist capturing several pics of its chrome -

And kit bash, I picked up two Wheeler Dealer '79 Monte kits recently - had been thinking about doing the two-tone scheme on one of them - I like the brown/cream combo that you mentioned! I don't know where to source the wire wheel covers, though - the Trumpeter kit has the '78 Landau covers, but where to find the wire wheels?

Steve, thank you!! Your builds are top notch!! Much appreciated

[Joker]

Be sure to add

THIN white walls.

James

[Scalper]

Model looks great very nice and clean,.

[FordWagonNut]

WOW! The distinctive lines of the entire Monte line from '70 to '88 carried through each generation. Your memories of your mom's Monte (especially given the holiday) are exactly what inspired the build of my grandfather's. Even though I was a kid, I remember riding in that car and studying the details of it... the chrome flip-out ashtrays in the vinyl covering of the seatbacks, for example. His had the small 267 cid (4.4L) V-8, and the humming whine of the engine and transmission is a sound I've never forgotten. The Revell '77 Monte is a snap kit, and I haven't seen it close-up - there were some great color schemes from '73 to '77, and the Landau versions just added to the mix. There was a breathtaking triple-silver Landau at the recent Spring Carlisle car show, and I couldn't resist capturing several pics of its chrome -

And kit bash, I picked up two Wheeler Dealer '79 Monte kits recently - had been thinking about doing the two-tone scheme on one of them - I like the brown/cream combo that you mentioned! I don't know where to source the wire wheel covers, though - the Trumpeter kit has the '78 Landau covers, but where to find the wire wheels?

Steve, thank you!! Your builds are top notch!! Much appreciated

Looking at the pictures of the '77 you have there, flooded my head with memories. I remember in about '84 or '85, the MC was just dirty from general use. So in my child wisdom, I wanted to clean the car for my mom, so I used Windex. So from about the top of the fenders and down, it was "clean". I will be making a copy of my moms '77 with the Revell. Just gota figure out what red I can use that would match interior of the '77.

Here is one I built in college (2003ish)? Sorry for the picture quality (lack of), still trying to figure the bugger out.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/fordwagonnut/S5000080-1.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f269/fordwagonnut/S5000086.jpg

[Guest Mustang3.8]

Great work. I have a 1:1 '81 Monte Carlo.