Progress: 1972 Plymouth 'Cuda

My latest project is based on a vintage mint and unbuilt MPC 1974 Plymouth 'Cuda that I'm backdating to a 1972 with non-5 mph bumpers.
http://images6.fotki.com/v86/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00024-vi.jpg?1089080974
It's another Pro Touring ride with Aoshima 19" Koenig rims. The AAR hood is a resin piece from Perry's Resin.
http://images5.fotki.com/v81/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00021-vi.jpg?1089080920
The rear spoiler is from a 1980's vintage MPC Cuda street machine. It will be covered in SMS CF decals.
http://images6.fotki.com/v87/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00022-vi.jpg?1089080941
I'm scratchbuilding some front spoilers. Here's a peek at one of the spoilers in its unfinished state. These will be CF too when finished.
http://images6.fotki.com/v99/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00044-vi.jpg?1092365378
The exhaust tips are molded in the rear valance on this vintage kit. I've opened them up to accept scratch built rectangular tips.
http://images6.fotki.com/v99/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00030-vi.jpg?1091411311
The hood is CF now thanks to SMS CF decals, some Micro Sol, a hair dryer and an hour and a half this afternoon.
http://images6.fotki.com/v100/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00047-vi.jpg?1092609073
More to come...
Marc

That hood is waaay too cool man, I can't wait to see this one done. Keep us posted.

Ohhhhh, my!!!!!!!!!
Please, please post more pics as things projects develops. I absolutely cannot wait to see this done!!!
What color is it going to be?

HOLY SHIT!@!@!@!#@#!@ it looks awsome on those rims man good job! :)

Ohhhhh, my!!!!!!!!!
Please, please post more pics as things projects develops. I absolutely cannot wait to see this done!!!
What color is it going to be?

House of Kolor Limetime Pearl. The rim centers might get a Gunmetal or Titanium finish.

Marc

DAMN! that hood is excellent. I can't wait to see that color. are you going to flake it, candy it, or pearl it?

*edit* nevermind, I should have read the color closer. I still can't wait to see it finished :)

Sweeet! Always loved the 'Cudas. Can't wait to see it finished!

awesome. nice stance too!

Great blend of old and new!

Everyone knows that these old Mopars were true unibody cars. The old MPC models weren't too accurate under the hood. Check out the open air surrounding the inner fender.
http://images6.fotki.com/v74/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00025-vi.jpg?1090113486
I did some work with sheet styrene to make the underhood look more like a 1:1 Cuda.
http://images6.fotki.com/v92/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00026-vi.jpg?1090113509
Since these pics were taken, I have smoothed the fenderwells. The firewall will be smoothed as well. I like the clean look that Steve Strope puts in his pro touring cars by hiding all of the underhood wiring.

Enjoy!!!
Marc

Nice. That's some sweet detail! Good Luck with the build!

I absolutely cannot wait for this to be finished. Amazing job so far.

JeFF

Looks to be a cool build, awesome job on the C/F!!!!!!!

Damn, 72 Cudas look killer in the metal but that looks nearly just as good in a photo!
I struggle with carbon fibre on Muscle cars but its going to look bloody awesome!

Wow that looks terrific! Awesome job on that hood!

Looking Goood!!, i like the CF hood!

Nice work looking forward to seeing the next update!

I had a day off from the office today so I spent some time in the shop working on the front spoilers.
http://images6.fotki.com/v102/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00051-vi.jpg?1093048520
I still have some final adjustments to make on them, but for the most part they are finished.
http://images6.fotki.com/v104/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00050-vi.jpg?1093048507
When they are finished, they will get the same CF treatment as the hood.
http://images6.fotki.com/v103/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00052-vi.jpg?1093048533
Enjoy!!!
Marc

god that is sexy good work

omfg you better yourself every time you are amazing! :)

Been agonizing over what to do about the turn signals/parking lights on my Cuda. They are units that are molded into the front valance that look like driving lights. Well, I took my Dremel to one of them to open it up, filled it up with cut down lens from a JDM headlight set, covered the backside with Bare Metal Foil and voila!!!
http://images6.fotki.com/v103/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00053-vi.jpg?1093112218
http://images6.fotki.com/v102/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00055-vi.jpg?1093112232
Here's a pic of the headlight set that I got the lens from. I got it at my LHS. They carry lots of JDM stuff.
http://images6.fotki.com/v79/photos/2/224343/880861/Japaneseheadlightset-vi.jpg?1085795803

Enjoy!!!
Marc

i like it. I'll be presenting my 71 Cuda on the forum in a bit.

I love your building style. It's unique, awesome, and beautiful somehow all rolled together. Just impeccable. I really can't wait to see what else you have in store for this one. Fantabulous work.

Looking good!! Keep up the great work!!!!

Today's update deals with the interior. I modified a set of custom bucket seats from the AMT '70 Coronet Pro Street kit with some .040 half round Evergreen strip. Now the "upholstery" on the front seats will match the original in keeping with the "modern/classic" theme of this build. The unmodified seat is on the left.
http://images6.fotki.com/v102/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00056-vi.jpg?1093226690
Enjoy!!!
Marc

looking good. You definitely have a knack for combining old school musclecar with modern day styling. I like it!

Awesome as I've said before!! I look forward to more progress!!:sunglasse

Kind of reminds me of the Cuda that Troy Trepanier is building for Joe Rogan.

Which is awesome, because Troy Trepanier is one of my favorite rod builders and Rogan was friggin hilarious as Joe on Newsradio.

Keep at this one and I hope you paint it one of the really vivid High Impact colors that Chryco put out in the early 70's like Go Mango, Panther Pink, Plum Crazy, or Tor-Red.

this is wonderful work any word on color? plum crazy purple? sublime green? :)

That´s awesome! I have nothing more to say:D

this is wonderful work any word on color? plum crazy purple? sublime green? :)

Color will be House of Kolor Limetime Pearl with the carbon fiber accents.
A modern take on the original hi-impact colors.

Marc

http://images6.fotki.com/v101/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00091-vi.jpg?1094354164
Here is a mini-update on the Cuda. Doing bodywork to smooth the vintage 30 year old tool. Removed door handles, side marker lites and emblems and filled sink marks which are common in these older models.
http://images5.fotki.com/v65/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00090-vi.jpg?1094354151
The picture shows the wheel centers on my Aoshima Koenigs with Testors Titanium Metalizer applied, which compliments the CF hood. The green part in front is a sample of the Tamiya TS-52 Candy Lime Green that I have decided to paint it instead of the House of Kolor Limetime Pearl. The Candy Lime Green is a brighter color than the HOK.

Watch soon for more updates. Enjoy!!! Marc

Simply awesome!!:sunglasse

Com`on!!! Finish it already and stop keeping us in suspense!! :D

This looks like an "Overhaulin" inspired model. Have you seen that show?

Com`on!!! Finish it already and stop keeping us in suspense!! :D

This looks like an "Overhaulin" inspired model. Have you seen that show?

Sorry for the suspense, but I do have a life outside of model building. :lol: A hectic job and the normal family life stuff doesn't always leave much time for model building. My goal is to get this one completed by year end.

"Overhaulin" is one of my favorite shows!!! I get lots of inspiration from that show. In fact, my next project will be a 1971 Chevelle based on the show. Here's a sneek peek:
http://images5.fotki.com/v89/photos/2/224343/1076198/DSC00006-vi.jpg?1088302550
Enjoy!!!

Ooooo!

"Overhaulin" is one of my favorite shows!!! I get lots of inspiration from that show. In fact, my next project will be a 1971 Chevelle based on the show. Here's a sneek peek:

Enjoy!!!

Now your just killing me! :biggrin: :p

Where did you find a `71 kit? Is this the AMT kit?

This is a cool project, nice color choice. I did a Fiat 500 in this color, just layed it on some grey primer and then some clear coats and a light polish and wax treatment. It will look fantastic, looking forward to see it painted and ready to burn some rubber on your shelf :naughty:

Niclas

http://images1.fotopic.net/?iid=y38xnw&outx=600&oq=0

wow nice stuff man love the color my hilux pickup is being painted that color looks awsome love your work! :)

Keep up the good work. :bigthumb:

Your choice of wheels are great. The lime green will be awesome!! Where did you get the wheels for that Chevelle? Keeo us posted on the progress!!!!!!!!

Now your just killing me! :biggrin: :p

Where did you find a `71 kit? Is this the AMT kit?

http://images5.fotki.com/v88/photos/2/224343/1076198/DSC00005-vi.jpg?1088302735
It's from a mint, unbuilt 1971 MPC annual. :grinyes: Gotta love that RED styrene!!! I also have a near mint, unbuilt 1971 AMT Chevelle annual in my collection. I love the old vintage models.

These old kits look fine built out of the box but are nowhere the quality of today's kits from Revell and Tamiya. That's part of the reason too why it takes me a long time to build one of these.

Marc

Where did you get the wheels for that Chevelle?

Those are OOP 18" Aoshima Altstadts with outer rims and tires from an Aoshima Stich Dish wide rim series. Cool huh!!! :smokin:
Marc

Hey thanks alot, maybe i will get me some one day!!!!!!!!!

I love it when people do this sorta stuff to muscle cars. make sure you make the engine match the project!

Make sure you make the engine match the project!

Don't worry...it will!!! Marc

It's been awhile since I've posted an update of my Pro Touring Cuda. After watching last weeks "Rides" with Joe Rogan's "Sick Fish" Cuda, I got inspired to work on my Cuda again. Still doing body work but I'm getting real close to full primer and paint.
http://images8.fotki.com/v115/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00142-vi.jpg?1098243618
Here's a pic of the nearly finished modified engine compartment. Smoothed inner fenders and firewall with modifications to both to look more like a Mopar unibody car rather than the incomplete look of the original MPC chassis. There was no cowl detail on this kit. Cowl vents will be simulated with some NASCAR grill and duct decals.
http://images8.fotki.com/v115/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00143-vi.jpg?1098243637
Here's a good shot of the front end with the custom front spoilers that I have molded to the body and will be body color instead of carbon fiber. The bumper has been filled and sectioned, similar to the one on "Sick Fish". You can also see the front turn signals that I have opened up with my Dremel and will be filled with clear lenses backed with BMF.
http://images8.fotki.com/v119/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00144-vi.jpg?1098243649
Here's a closeup of the front fender where the bumper end now resides in a relief that I carved into it.

More to come real soon!
Marc

lookin awesome. i was actually wondering about this one last night.

Now that's what I call a thorough job.

All just looks spot on, keep those pro's on touring!

Oli

Keep up the good work on this one

excellent

Wow good work , I have one of them old cuda kits that has been trashed . I was thinking about making a junker/parts car out of it but I might rebuild it after seing you`r work !.

Looks good man! i am loving it! i have the revell 71 cuda... but it sucks! i hate it! Because the doors and front and everything don’t looks like it should... it is just messed up! And I haven’t started to build it yet. Well enough of my crap! and keep your good woork upp!

This is a very cool take on old muscle.
It's turning out very nice.

The front end treatment is looking great.

I'm looking forward to more updates on this one.

that hood looks great, keep up the good work

I just keep nibbling away at the Cuda. Been working on the exhaust system. This vintage kit has the wonderful molded-in tailpipes!!! I've been scribing the edges of the pipes to give them a more three dimensional look. But when I came to the kickup over the rear diff, I decided to remove the molded in stuff and replace with 3/32' aluminum rod. Got one side done...looks better doesn't it?
http://images8.fotki.com/v119/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00147-vi.jpg?1099017980
http://images8.fotki.com/v119/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00148-vi.jpg?1099017999
I wish I had taken a "before" pic before I started to remove the molded in junk on the other side, but you get the idea.
http://images8.fotki.com/v119/photos/2/224343/1104979/DSC00149-vi.jpg?1099018012

Enjoy!!!
Marc

Lookin Good! detail is top notch. What motor is going in this beast?

JeFF

how did you get the aluminum tube to bend that way without kinks? or is it solder?

nice front end btw!!!

man your work is top notch, i hope my chevelle turns out half as clean as your work. i've kinda lost interest. since i dont post skylines and junk, no one is really interested in it. kinda gets me down.....oh well, i'll finish it sometime

You got mad modeling skills, great work on that molded in exhaust!!!!!!!!!