WIP: Customer's 1988 Ford Thunderbird

So... Apparently, the '88 Thunderbird has a one-year-only grille/nosepiece, that has never been made in scale.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/83-88_Ford_Thunderbird.jpg/250px-83-88_Ford_Thunderbird.jpg

This Turbocoupe version has the smooth nose. I gave the customer two choices: either I order a second nose to mess around with, and try to fabricate the grille with styrene strips... Or, I replicate his wife's real life car by making a Bra for the front end, covering up the incorrect grille. I was interested in the challenge of making a bra, and the customer agreed that would be the shorter solution.

So in the meantime, I've fitted the nose piece, removed the Turbocoupe badging, and began filling in the NACA ducts in the hood, which the normal 5 Litre Thunderbirds did not have.

My question to you folks: any clues where to start on making that black leather/vinyl bra? Maybe a craft store would carry swatches of these materials? :screwy:

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/index.php/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/1988-ford-thunderbird%20001.jpg?action=resize

Oh and hey, check out the badass "FREEBIRD" licence plate! :icon16:

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip1.jpg

Nice start and can't wait to see more one this one.

So... Apparently, the '88 Thunderbird has a one-year-only grille/nosepiece, that has never been made in scale.
I am about 99% sure that the grill in your picture came on every 87/88 Thunderbird that was NOT a Turbo (ie 6 cyl, 5.0, Elan, etc..). (Though you are right, I have never seen it in scale either.) I had a Turbo until just very recently, so if you need pics, I took a bunch before I sold it as I have big plans for building one myself. :sunglasse
Erick --

Thanks, all I know is, I searched google image for 87-89 T-Birds and that was the only pic I could even FIND with that grille.

I would look at Hiro's Seat leather for the bra?!

The bra is easy. Use tissue paper cut to shape (it may take several layers to get a suitable thickness), drape it and glue it in place with white glue cut 50/50 with water. Armour modelers use this technique all the time for making tarps, flags, canvas covers, bedrolls, etc. (Gridgirl did some of this in her Fiat 500 build (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=498259&page=4))Try using 'good quality' tissue paper- thickish stuff from the craft store instead of kleenex type- the thicker stuff will hold it's shape a bit better as you cut the panels to shape. But even kleenex type will work fine as you're draping it over a surface.

MPWR stole my answer. I've had great results use tissue or tissue paper/thin paper towel and a 50/50 mix of white glue and water to create blue tarps and brown car covers. This is the first method i'd recommend to you, test it out on a scrap body to see the effect.

Got the body all together and primed, with the hood scoops shaved and filled... Just needs another coat of primer (you can see the putty coming through the primer a bit still.)

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip2.jpg

Got a 5.0 out of a Mustang kit ready to go... Just looking for the 10-Hole wheels now.

Replicas & Miniatures Co. of Md. makes the 10-Hole wheels.

yup, as someone pointed out in the other thread. I've emailed him, thanks.

Laid down a nice glossy coat of single stage Ford Twilight Blue Metallic, and polished to a shine. Came out real good, as you can see in the second pic. Now to assemble, and figure out to make a bra.

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip3.jpg

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip4.jpg

Use Masking tape for the bra.
Most people use them for ragtops.

interesting build. My father had one of the exact same color. Except his wasnt a 5.0 nor 2.3T It had the anemic 3.8, and LX package. None the less, it was a cool car to me, at the age of like 12. I built one in the same color also..
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/2046000-2046999/2046906_142_full.jpg

That paint looks superb. Is that one of those fancy custom/trick metallics?

That paint looks superb. Is that one of those fancy custom/trick metallics?

Nope. At work I can produce any OEM automotive colour ever made, and in a spray bomb form I can do it in a single stage enamel, with the clear mixed in. Very easy to spray, very easy to shine. :p

Basically done now, just waiting on the 10-Hole Wheels from Replicas in Miniatures, and I need to get started on the bra. Gonna see if I can find some black masking tape, rather than painting it, first.

Engine bay is about 99% done and has been detailed and wired, using a 5.0 V8 from a Mustang. Interior is painted essentially the same colour, but highlighted with a slightly lighter blue, and detailed with seat belts using masking tape.

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip5.jpg

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip6.jpg

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip7.jpg

Got the wheels from Replicas and Miniatures painted, detailed and installed--they look GREAT, and they fit the stock tires from the T-Bird kit PERFECTLY. I highly recommend these. Pretty much done except final detailing and the bra, which I'm getting started on now.

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip8.jpg

http://www.tigersdenhobbies.com/gallery/roberts%201988%20thunderbird/robert_tbird_wip9.jpg