1969 Firebird 400: An exhaustive rework of AMT's low-quality promo kit

[924_CarreraGTS]

Finally done! Let me know what you think! Link to long and detailed progress thread here.

A recap, if you don't want to scroll through all that:

MODIFICATONS FROM BOX STOCK

ENGINE

• Scratchbuilt timing cover and water pump, carburetor, oil filter, exhaust heat stove and duct, pulleys, alternator bracket, power steering pump and mount
• Added spark plug wires, vacuum hoses and fittings, clutch linkage, shifter

CHASSIS

• Scratchbuilt front suspension almost entirely, including tie rod, anti-roll bar, front crossmember, spindles, brakes, and calipers
• Kitbashed/scratchbuilt rear suspension with spare axle and shocks, stock springs, and handmade anti-roll bar
• Scratchbuilt exhaust system with kit mufflers
• Added all brake and fuel lines and parking brake cables

INTERIOR

• "Deepened" interior by 2mm as it was too shallow
• Scratchbuilt arm rests and door handles, steering wheel spokes, blinker lever, pedal arms, parking brake pedal, rear speakers
• Added seatbelts/buckles, grab bar, photoetch stuff

BODY

• Painted with Tamiya Acrylic Orange and clear, polished with Tamiya compounds
• Chrome done with Bare-Metal foil
• Used spare doorhandles
• Added photoetch stuff including "400" emblems not included or molded with the original kit
• Scratchbuilt styrene wipers/arms
• Extensive rework of rear bumper for accuracy, followed by Alclad II
• Spare mirror, painted with Alclad II
• Added hood hinges (non-functional)
• Windows made from plastic packaging
• Custom wheels/tires

ENGINE BAY

• Entirely scratchbuilt radiator, core support, fan shroud, front sheet metal, washer bottle and battery, front latch panel and radiator support rods
• Scratchbuilt horn relay, master cylinder, voltage regulator, and wiper motor
• Added accurate wiring harness for engine and lighting
• Added heater hoses, radiator hoses/clamps, washer hose, power steering hoses, brake booster hose, etc.

Whew...just over 1 year (including 4 months of college without modeling) and about a pound of styrene and metal!

On to the pics!

































Enjoy! Let me know if you want any other pictures.

Alex

[modelfan]

Very cool!!!!!

[tigeraid]

it's absolutely shocking the amount of detail work you put into this--you truly have brought "new life from a lousy kit." You should maybe edit your post with a small bullet-point list of all the minor changes you made, it really is impressive.

[mrawl]

Looks great out in the rain, adds to the realism.

[924_CarreraGTS]

Originally Posted by tigeraid

it's absolutely shocking the amount of detail work you put into this--you truly have brought "new life from a lousy kit." You should maybe edit your post with a small bullet-point list of all the minor changes you made, it really is impressive.

Yes I knew I had forgotten something Adding that right now.

Originally Posted by mrawl

Looks great out in the rain, adds to the realism.

Thanks, it's not too hard to get pictures like that up here in Washington

Alex

[willimo]

Awesome! Stellar finish to a very ambitious project. It was a joy to watch it come together.

[675datsun]

Originally Posted by 924_CarreraGTS

Exhaust leak?
j/k love the wiring job!

[924_CarreraGTS]

Originally Posted by 675datsun

Exhaust leak?
j/k love the wiring job!

Haha I noticed that too...seems I need a small bit of styrene in there...exhaust didn't QUITE fit, since it was all handbuilt. Good eye! Thanks for looking!

Alex

[rod_k2]

Awesome!! Gruesome work!! (In a good way,I mean!)

You have no idea of how much I expect this one to be finished...And here it is!
Congratulations for this beautiful piece of art! "Top of the shelf" work! ^^
One of those is going to your sig,right?
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...irebird018.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...irebird014.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...irebird011.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...irebird009.jpg

Now enough with the chevy's,finish that mustang!

[klutz_100]

Very ambitious project!

Good on you for seeing it through to the end

[tonioseven]

Truly excellent commitment to completing a lousy kit! I remember stepping on this kit out of frustration years ago.