Revell Ford Thunderbolt

I'm new here (how long will I be a newbie?) but not a new modeler. I feel like I do an okay job but a lot of the work I see on here is amazing.

I would like suggestions for my next project. I'm starting the cleaning process on a Revell Thunderbolt. It's the later release, with flames, which I refuse to use... I don't want to do a race car but I do want it to look racey. Any suggestions for colors? When they were originally delivered from the factory, what color were they?

First thing first, get rid of that butt-ugly, teardrop shaped, bubble from the hood. Lower the ride height and add an independant front suspention with custom wheels and "meats"(tires). Paint it with a white front to black rear fade with red accents. :ylsuper:

If memory serves me right, almost all Thunderbolts came from the factory painted white with a red stripe in the inset of the side trim and the rest were painted a dark maroon color. All T-bolts had very spartan interiors, full fiberglass front end, and an aluminum front bumper (for weight reduction),a full rollcage, as well as a forced air inducted 427 CJ big block(can we say...ground pounder? good, I knew you could.). The t-bolts were based on the Ford Falcon and about 500 units were built, just enough to be clasified as a production car so they could be allowed to race in the NHRA. Very few of these cars remain in mint condition so if you see one in person, consider yourself lucky.
If i'm wrong on any part, please correct me.

I haven't seen a T-bolt kit in a long while and it is one of my all time favorite kits. AHHHHH, oh the memories. I can't wait to see a progress thread on it. (OK, now is the time to put down the glue and take a nap)

Umm, we can start with the fact that the car DOES have an independent front suspension. It's the same style of suspension, as a matter of fact, that they used on the Falcon/Mustang pair.

Secondly, T-Bolts were based on the Fairlane, not Falcon. Falcons are smaller and were the platform Mustangs were built off of.

The "bubble" was installed to clear the 427 Side-Oiler's high rise aluminum intake manifold, complete with two massive 4bbl carburetors. The engine's original intent was NASCAR sanction, but of course it found its way into drag cars (originally Galaxies) and into a rebuilt AC Ace.

The original color's name was "Wimbledon White", and the interiors were not maroon. They were black floored with tan seats and tan & white inserts on the door panels. Note, I said "floored" not "carpeted". T-bolts were delivered without carpets.

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll go with the "Wimbledon White", I was kind of leaning that way. If I change my mind I'll do maroon and gold like the Tasca car but a street version without the race decals.

The "bubble" stays... wouldn't be a Fairlane Thunderbolt with out.

I didn't know about the red inset on the chrome side trim (but then again I only know a little bit about a lot of cars but I don't know a whole lot about any one car), if this is true it willl make a really nice detail touch on the white.

Cool that you decided to use the replica stock color. If you want a bit of help really detailing out the kit, try and hunt down the December 2002 issue of Model Cars magazine. It's got a great 8 page article on detailing the Revell T-Bolt and three pages of reference photos of actual T-Bolts.

Thanks for reminding about that mag. I have it in a stack somewhere.