AMT Plymouth Prowler - Progress

[klutz_100]

This is inteneed to be a relatively quick build - more or less OOB

The kit is an AMT Prowler which I picked up for a few Euros partly assembled but not painted. It dis-assembled very cleanly and easily.

The Prowler is probably not to everyone's taste but it does seem to have something of a cult status in the States judging by internet research. The car is certainly something of a milestone in automotive history in that it was probably one of the first - if not the first - cars to start the retro-styling trend. It was also the first production car to make extensive use of aluminium in its construction (this makes it darned simple, albeit boring, to paint )

The AMT kit came as a great surprise to me. I was expecting something pretty basic and badly molded and in fact it is very detailed and pretty well molded. I would even say that it is on its way to fabled Tamiya-landia territory.

The kit has a full engine detail but most imprtantly, in the case of the Prowler, the open suspension seems to be very well done and detailed. Worthy of note is wonderful detailing on the chassis including really nice weld seams. The only real short cut seems to be the brake discs - zero detail despite being right next to very well detailed callipers. Everything seems to fit together well.

I will be deaprting form the AMT painting instructions and maybe adding a couple of simple things from myself. Chosen color will be Plymouth Midnight Blue Peral.

Body primed


Chasis painted aluminium (no was yet)


A little re-working of visible engine detail:



Seat backs filled:


I will be adding a scratchbuilt woofer(weefer/tweeter/speeker) between the seats here:



made using these:


Engine block painted up:



and some other bits 'n pieces, too:


Engine has some detail painting added:


and is placed into chassis:



"Quick and dirty" shock springs:




Battery detailed:


Exhaust, chassis and rear suspension added:



Some detail added to brake servo (probably not visible in finished kit):



Brake rotors quickly (and sloppily) drilled out free-hand and painted up:



Kit chrome on wheels is stripped and replaced with Alclad Polished Alu:



Flock carpets made using my tutorial:



Interior color scheme:




Finished speaker:


More to come.

[bigfrit]

Hell yeah, this is awesome, thanks for the heads-up mister!

It is actually always a nice thing to read through your text, as are the pictures!

Great stuff and still, attention to detail where needed...


Respect!

Oli

[quadzero]

So this is the classified new project Skunk Works has been working on. I had no idea the Prowler model was this nice. You certainly know how to bring out the best in a kit. Klutz, your threads are as enjoyable reading and going thru as seeing the model itself. One thing of note besides the great detailing thru-out is the chassis, it really looks like metal, especially the exhaust. Nice job with the rotors too. Well the opening act was certainly worth it, cant wait for the sequel! Super job here.

[ales]

I love all the little details you've added, Stevenski. And I also like what you've done so far, you're on the right track with this one.

[gionc]

Fantastic build my friend. Looks like you're still pushing your kind carpeting solution to its max lev.
Say all what (who) you intend to put in those tender bau bau! (international language enough?)

[JTRACING]

Awesome stuff dude!!, nice pics also!

[willimo]

Looking great! I don't think I've seen one of these built up so well, though I may have forgotten. You're doing a stellar job upgrading the kit with all those details. It looks just boss. You may convince me to pick one up, it's a neat car and I've always been a bit reluctant to get the AMT kit for the same reasons you mentioned. The brakes are especially impressive. Your speaker is elegantly clever, too. Keep it up, we're expecting nothing less than amazing from you, as always.

Also,

Originally Posted by klutz_100

It was also the first production car to make extensive use of aluminium in its construction

Not true. There was this other car called an NSX, first.

[sportracer02]

Hi Steve,

great start, I like the weathering around the exhaust-tubes

[Jamme]

Hello,
Really nice work.
I like the muffler and the carpets.
Nice build.
I will follow this WIP for Shure.
Thank you.

Jamme

[MPWR]

Terrific work Stevenski! Never could manage to get excited about the car but the kit looks much better than I would have guessed, and your skills are shining through as always. The engine bay is spectacular, and your exhausts look spot on! (Interior looks like it still needs something, though. ) As ever, I'll keep an eye on this one.

[Lurchio]

I love the detail, engine bay and exhaust are beautiful.
Have to agree on the interior, I love the carpet work but the seats look very monochrome.

I like this car, surprised not to see more models of it.

[klutz_100]

Thanks gents!

Lurchio, I'll try and brew something up for those seats and maybe put some pop into that interior

As I said, this kit really was pleasant surprise and I can thoroughly recommend it either as an OOB or as a candidate for some serious detailing - the potential in it is huge.

Revell also produce a version which a friend of mine is building. The AMT version, however, is about 20% better where it counts IMO. I'd gladly pick up another one of these if I had the chance.

[Gridgirl]

It looks good. The brakes came out remarkably well for your technique of free-hand drilling. I think the chassis looks really good. I like the aluminum look. Maybe, seeing builds like this I could learn to love the Prowler....

[robrex]

Stevenski, this is looking really nice! The chassis/ exhaust looks fantastic! I'll look forward to more updates!

[portalus]

The friend of klutz_100 is me.
You can see our project here.