AMT '56 T-Bird done very old-school

Modeling Subjects Autos
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This project was sort of therapy for my AMS. I have about 4 other modeling projects that are stalled due to time available and time necessary for the next steps. Most of it is painting, but some involves getting time to cast some molds and make copies before I use the original.

I have been getting the itch to do some gluing, but didn’t really want to fret with all the ‘detail-up’ and painting and all the time and effort involved with that. For once, I just wanted to put a kit together like I did when I was a kid, before I had all the paints and stuff to add detail to the kit that’s in the box. Soo, I grabbed something that was in my stash that I really didn’t care much about (I have some kits I got on sale primarily so I could rob parts out of them for other projects), and decided to just put it together. No paint, no detail, just strictly OOB, taking care to trim and fit the parts, but not doing much else. Below are the results.

I did cheat a bit, by patching spots where I trimmed the chrome parts off the sprue tree with gloss silver enamel. I also put a bit of silver enamel behind the headlight lenses, and a bit of amber paint behind the front turn signal lenses. I did dip the windshield in Future, too, but that was it!

Even with all the stuff I didn’t do, the kit took over a month to assemble, but it was quite fun to just sit down, trim, fit and glue a piece here and there, and then go on with my day. It felt very good to actually finish a kit for a change. Hopefully, I can get time to get back to the other projects, as they’re looking quite nice.

I did use this kit to get some extra experience handling the Touch-N-Flow, and it’s about 80% assembled using Plast-I-Weld. The rest of the parts were assembled using regular plastic glue.

Anyway, here it is in all it’s naked glory! Enjoy!

^^ Some top off driving fun!

^^ Hood off showing the engine compartment. The engine and drivetrain are actually pretty well-detailed. I’m glad I have another one of these in my stash. The hood has no hinges, though.

^^ A little closer up, showing the interior.

^^ Underside. The engine/transmission, differential, frame and exhaust are all separate pieces. The front wheels turn, too. [:D]

The kit actually went together pretty well, with very few fit problems. There were some mold lines on the front quarter panels under the lights, but nothing a little sanding stick couldn’t buff out.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

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Reminds me of a zero I put together as a kid at the kitchen table. Your t-bird came out nicer! Thank you for sharing and good luck. Bob

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Great way to break out of a slump!

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I don’t know if i could put a model together with No paint whatsoever. i’d do at least the body in color and matt black for everything else.

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I’m old enough to remember when those T-Birds were new. One of my favorite cars!

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I contemplated that, but started getting into the weeds pretty quickly, so I told myself I’d concentrate on just assembly and skip pretty much any paint. Kind of happy I did. It DOES remind me of the kits I used to build when I was young.

And Chuck, while I’m not quite that old, I do remember when these were fairly common. One of the Airmen who befriended our family while we were stationed in Vandenburg AFB, drove a 50’s T-Bird. A friend of his, also an Airman, drove a '50’s Vette. :slight_smile: This was in the mid-60’s.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

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Looks great

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Good looking car even if it’s not painted !

Actually, this could be a great GB idea : OOB no paint GB

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It would certainly go fast! :slight_smile:

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What a interesting challenge, no paint. I would imagine it would be harder than it sounds. As someone else posted, it’s a great way to get out of a slump. T-bird looks great.

Gordy

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Love it ,still want to Suzanne in it though