Hey
Everyone
Ok. 2 questions. I am building AMT Shelby Cobra 289 and noticed the instructions call for painting the engine block blue. Is this accurate?
Also, this is my first car kit. So do you guys prime your models before painting? I sometimes do with MR.Surfacer 1000 in a spray can on my armor models. Just not sure about cars. Like I said this is my first one.
Thanks
Scott
Yup, Cobras used Ford engines. Look for Ford Engine Blue. Model Master has it in their lines. You should always prime a car model, with fine primer. Wet sanding the primer is good too. This will give you a smooth, glossy finish. Unlike a piece of armor where you want a somewhat rougher (flat) finish.
Thanks. HeavyArty.
Ah, Aren’t we in the wrong forum?[:-^]
Seeya
Scott
My 65 Ford Mustang had a stock 289 that was black with black heads and gold air cleaner.
Didn’t go Blue until 66-67?
I believe Ford changed their engine colors during the mid sixties from black to blue. Model Master has in their line a paint called Ford engine blue. I don’t know how accurate it is. I’ve been using Testors dark blue myself. Looks the same to me.
For primer I really like Tamiya’s white fine surface primer. It’s a bit expensive but it’s very good. I also like Plasticote primer in both gray and white. They’re not as fine as Tamiya’s but they’re also very good and a whole lot less expensive. I always prime my models before painting.
Hope this helps,
–ron
Model Master Ford engine blue. Here is a 428 CJ 
DITO the primers. If you cannot find Plastikote T235 gray it’s marketed as Valspar “Sandable Primer” at Michaels.
I’ve used french blue in a MM spray bomb and it also comes close.
I’ll put in another good word for Tamiya Fine White primer. It is a little pricey, but it covers in one coat usually and is very smooth. I have used other primers on cars, and they will do in a pinch, but they don’t perform quite as well as Tamiya’s; it is the one I use first.
Everything I’ve ever seen shows the engines in the Cobra’s and being the standard Ford Engine Blue. Don’t quote me on it though, because I’m a Chevy guy, but everything I’ve ever seen says it. Ditto to everything Gino said.
When I had my '65 2 barrel 200 HP 289, it had black block and heads with the gold air cleaner. The 271 HP 4 barrel 289’s which were put into the GT’s and were the basis for the Shelby GT350 and the Cobra were Ford Dark Blue. Ford did use a lighter shade of blue on other years although I don’t recall the specific years. I work at Auto Zone and they’ve carried both shades for as long as I can remember. Regards, Bill
In the early 60’s Ford blocks were black. They went to a dark blue in 66 and then to the lighter blue I think in 68, definitely by 70. Of course those were the Ford factory cars, Mustangs, Galaxies, etc… I have seen photos of the 65 GT-350 with a black block and heads and an aluminum intake manifold. Racing versions might have aluminum heads as well. The 289 Cobra would probably have a gloss black block, black or aluminum heads, and aluminum intake manifold. It would depend on which version and time period you’re modeling. References are key!
If you are modeling a restored car it could be anything.
Here’s a 1965 GT-350
