Mustang my way - 06' Custom

Ok, so here goes another one that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I hated the new Mustangs when they came out, but now it is one of my favorite cars period. I really think Ford got it right and the after market makes them even better. I love the Roush/Shelby/Cevini’s, all of the after market companies different approaches. But, I want to build my own in the way I would want it. So, I snagged the Revell kit and was off.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1001-1.jpg
Here is what it looks like box stock and dry-fitted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1002-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1003-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1004-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1005-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1007-1.jpg

First off, I needed a hood that meant business. So, I decided after a few drawings that I wanted a massive hood scoop. I almost did cowl induction, but this was the desired approach.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1008-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1009-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1010-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1012.jpg
Then I wanted to shave the door handles and fill in the rear side windows. I like the ideas of Shelby’s GT 500’s from long ago. I filled them and will later add scoops.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1015.jpg
So I completed the hood and I think it looks serious! LOL Then I decided long and hard on what I wanted the body to be like. I have always liked wide body Mustangs, so I needed to try my own attempt. I extended the flares with Styrene and then used small pieces to fill the curve. I like doing this better than just putty as this is stronger.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1008-2.jpg

I also added a skirt extension to later add the width to the body.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1009-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1011-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1012-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1013-1.jpg
I then filled in the third brake light and the bumper. This is a street machine, but I want a showroom build.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1010-2.jpg
I am going to use the second wing pictured and modify the sides of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1007-2.jpg
Here are the laughable stock wheels and tires. I am definitely not using these. In fact, I might throw them away as I can never see myself using them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1014-1.jpg
So, here are my options. Please tell me what rims you like the best.
1.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1001-2.jpg
2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1002-2.jpg
3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1003-2.jpg
4.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1004-2.jpg
5.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1005-2.jpg
6.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/Build1006-1.jpg
I like 1, 2, and 6 as what I want. But, I need opinions please.
So, this is the start of a killer Mustang that I would like in real life. Hopefully you all like it.
Jon

wow your off to a great start!

I vote #1 or #2 for wheels. Looks great!!!

I think 1 or 2 but out of the two I'd have to go with number 2. What color are you thinking for this?

tough choices for wheels. they're all cool, i like #2 and #6.

This looks really cool. I can't wait to see what else you do to this already amazing mustang. Kepp posting these pictures.
And by the way, I really like wheels #2.

i like # 2

Just a suggestion, but you might want to widen the entire rear... with the wheel openings so large, I think it throws the back out of whack.

Just a suggestion, but you might want to widen the entire rear... with the wheel openings so large, I think it throws the back out of whack.

Oh I know this, lol.

I am going to widen the rear and the front a tad. There is a lot to go through to get the right stance.

great start to this kit. I'm also building one at the moment. I like #2 wheels, keep them black though..
What are you planning for the engine cold air induction with that big scoop?

Nice! Somehow I'd missed this. Personally I'd go for wheel choice #4, since I've never seen those on a ponycar. Do you have any custom plans for what used to be the rear corner windows? I'm anxious to see you begin to make the wheel arches round, since I was considering this method of building widened fenders as well.

Great start, Id say 1 or 6 i guess it depends what your goin for , more racey id say def 6. if its go and showy id say 1 in chrome w/aluminum color dish, or aluminum with some dish.

Keep the progress comin

Man you have the true hart of a Modern Custom Builder. your work it "off the hook" Or Chane.

great build so far......u make me want to make one... ha ha ha, but i vote for rims 1 for a more of a show car, and rims 2 for more of a street racer look

Wow, very interesting modifications!! It looks very aggressive so far, and for the wheels I’ll go for options 1 or 6

I’ll sure follow this cool build

Well after all of the Jeep frustrations and no desire to finish the CS, I decided that I needed to further modify this model. Now that finals are over, I have some time. I can honestly say that this is a lot of modding for the wheels to fit and the body work. But hey, isn't that the point?!?!?!

After looking around at other options to make my body kit I decided that the styrene chunk approach was completely wrong. I would have so many surface irregularities that it would not work. So I broke out all 200 pieces of styrene and then taped off the fenders to prevent putty from ruining the curves.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/001jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/003jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/004jpg.jpg
After reading an article in a certain magazine they recommended how to lower this kit by simply cutting out links in the rear coils. So I tried that and found that the axle housing hit the floor pan. I also had to figure out the width of the axles as the new wheels are a lot deeper to the hub and a lot wider overall. So I used the Revell hubs glued onto the axles and then shaved them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/010jpg.jpg
The brakes were no way suitable for a real machine like this. I laughed at them and immediately thought of improvements. I have about 18 pairs of brakes from Ferrari's so that was obvious. I also had left over PE discs for the F430 so ti was a match.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/011jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/012jpg.jpg
I had to lower the front suspension by cutting 2 mm off of the frame supports for the front independent arms. Together the front and rear lowered the car a lot. This was my goal as I wanted it on its wheels by the end of the day.

Now to the body. Here is where I am today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/002jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/003jpg-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/005jpg-1.jpg
I wanted a completely unique front end that I have not seen yet on the web or any Mustang. So I cut out the stock front airdam and the ran a strip of styrene around the lip to add a smooth contour. I then added a thick lip to the undertray that goes all the way back to the wheel housings. this was then sanded to match the contours of the hood and bumper. I am loving it.
Front brakes.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/006jpg.jpg
Engine painted OOB with weathering.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/008jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/009jpg.jpg
Rear axle with rotors finally added. Just to get these wheels to fit was a major chore, major.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/010jpg-1.jpg

And here she is now. Sitting on her 19"s and with the wheels stripped of chrome. I left the lip chrome as this is what I want to do. Enjoy!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/013jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/017jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/023jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/024jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/025jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/026jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/027jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/028jpg.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/029jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/030jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/034jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/037jpg.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v316/bluej/039jpg.jpg
Well, that is it for now. Still a lot to come, but a lot completed. Hope it looks badass to you all as well!?!?!?!!?!? :evillol:

Very nice, im lovin that front air dam, pretty mustang original! good work so far on the arches and suspension, this is goin to look very good. :thumbsup:
dont forget to fill that little mold dimple on the front passenger fender :icon16: i hate those.
Cant wait to see more :popcorn:

It looks mean! and I like it

looks good man.
hopefully this way of doing the wide body won't be too much hell for you, because it has always been dramatic for me. this tamiya putty seems to be very soft, and doesn't stick to plastic very well.

Beside the point now but I think the plastic tab approach would've been a better base to work on than just putty. Also, if you are using measured bits of plastic as your base, it'd be much easier to get both sides to match than working purely from eye.

Good looking mustang !
The front wheels sits perfect in the fenders! Maybe the rear end should be lowered a little bit?
The air intake in the front is lookig great !
This will be great !

Very nice work, i´ll be watching this!

Beside the point now but I think the plastic tab approach would've been a better base to work on than just putty. Also, if you are using measured bits of plastic as your base, it'd be much easier to get both sides to match than working purely from eye.

I am lost in translation there Klutz?! Something i am missing that you are seeing?

Good looking mustang !
The front wheels sits perfect in the fenders! Maybe the rear end should be lowered a little bit?
The air intake in the front is lookig great !
This will be great !

The rear axle is not installed as the chassis is just sitting on it. When I did the pics the right rear raised up more?! It is lowered almost as much as the fronts. It sits about 1 mm higher in th rear for a rake affect.

Thanks for the comments all.

Beside the point now but I think the plastic tab approach would've been a better base to work on than just putty. Also, if you are using measured bits of plastic as your base, it'd be much easier to get both sides to match than working purely from eye.
I am lost in translation there Klutz?! Something i am missing that you are seeing?
Above all, you are missing the name of the person whom you are quoting :grinno:

Unless, of course, you meant to call Drunken Monkey a Klutz?.......

Above all, you are missing the name of the person whom you are quoting :grinno:

Unless, of course, you meant to call Drunken Monkey a Klutz?.......

Wow, that was a weird one?! Guess I hav nott learnt ta reed goo yet?!

Ok Monkey what did you mean?

with the plastic approach, you can copy/cut two of each tab and more or less attach them the same relative place on either side of the car.
The problem with just using putty, especially the stuff you seem to be using is that firstly, it doesn't always bond nicely with the body. Secondly, the putty will shrink and I've never been able to determine how long it takes for the stuff to cure properly. This is itself is a potential issue because I've had putty flake off because the different applied layers didn't bond with itself properly.
I also find putty a bit of a pain to sand and shape compared to plastic/styrene, especially when I want nice curves with clean edges.
In short, the plastic base would've given you a more even/matched/symmetrical and solid (in terms of material) base to work from and the putty would only really be for filling the small gaps.

Heres a good thread on exactly what hes talkin about, sanding is much easier because the styrene are guides.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=465381

ive sometimes done all putty fenders but ivve used tamiya 2 part epoxy putty it doesnt shrink.

keep the progress comin!

Heres a good thread on exactly what hes talkin about, sanding is much easier because the styrene are guides.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=465381

ive sometimes done all putty fenders but ivve used tamiya 2 part epoxy putty it doesnt shrink.

keep the progress comin!

Well, that is a dilemma I have not encountered, but I am more leery now. I know about the shrinkage issues with putty and I should have used the 2-part putty I had. I did build up the side skirts with styrene underneath the putty. That is not too thick. This coat has dried for over a month but i do indeed need another coat. Should I try to add the other one or just remove the gray putty? I would be really sad to find it crack after all of this work.

It's just a general (not just car) modelling thing; if you can, use as much of the original material as possible. As I've said, I've never had consistant behaviour from any of my putties but I should also add that I don't do heavy body mods that often.

Also, I've recently had a a supposedly sealed and puttied (squadron) and surface primered paint job crack at the plastic/putty line. Not entirely sure if the cause was bad prep/putty not bonding or if it was the paint loosening up the putty underneath or if it was TS13 practicing a new trick.

I think it might be alright to do some 2-part over that because it will harden to its own shell and wont shrink, since that putty has been on it for a month i think your alright, as long as you have some of the side body and maybe a little fender edge for it to grip to. (you might have to scrape a little off)

in the future just try to keep the basic type for use on little thin things like body -lines or imperfections found on putty or after primer. Home im of help to you, good luck, cant wait to see more.

Can't believe I missed this one.... Any more progress on this?

I used the spot fix epoxy that is the consistency of clay to do my wheel arch molding. Makes me want to finish up mine.
(http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=719115)

Yeah, realy wanna see more of this massive muscle monster! :D