1972 Pontiac GTO - wip

Christian W
Damned, how far will I go? Found a quite interessting wip on modelcarsmag (modelcarsmag.com/for..-mpc-72-pontiac-gto/) with a lot of work on the fitting ...

István Szücs
Christian, that's an incredible build!

Martin Oostrom
I'm not sure I like the front end of that car.
Let's see what you'll make of it

Christian W
The front end was an issue ever. Im not the biggest fan too. I was buying this because I thought it was built in 1973 too. But the 1973 GTO is a totally other car and this kit doesn't fullfill the requirements of our annual group build of our "club".
After looking through that wip, ... I think I will not go that far. But one I will do: reduce the gaps at the front. They are really present.

Christian W
I started this GTO in between because the Charger sucks a little or my mind gives me the order that I have to work on several kits at the same time.
I was in the mood, to get this car painted. So I get some spots sanden on the body, fillered it and gave it a kind of green-turquis-blueish. This rattle can is on of the leftover of the 1977 Firebird (1977 Pontiac Firebird Coupe | Project by christian-w (1:25)) color I bought, when I was looking for the right color. I think it works on this car good.

Christian W
By the way: I'm not going for a vinyl roof on that.

Christian W
Next steps are done. The body got it's clear cote, undercarriage and interior is painted too. It's good. Now I'm thinking about how to get a little more shade into the interior color. It's to close to the body color.

Martin Oostrom
Spray some Tamiya smoke over it?

Christian W
Smart idea! Maybe this klear yellow from Tamiya could work too. I have to give that a try.

Christian W
I painted the interior. First i tried with tamiya smoke to go over it but I wasn't satisfied. Then I went through my metallic paints and grabbed #397 (Car Metallic Plane Tree Green) and mixed a little #60 (Yellow Green) into it. Maybe 10%. I think it's not that bad so far.
Now I think about to take the same mixture for my 1977 Firebird 🙂

Martin Oostrom
Nice colour for the interior

Christian W
Thank you! It could be, that I go over it another time. It depends on, how it works together with the exterior color. It might be a little to green 😉 The body looks more blueish. Darker. Dirtier 😉 Somehow.

Christian W
Did the interior. I think it's ready to be completed

Bill Newcomer
I like your build. It may be too late now, but the rear package tray was this cardboard and is the same color as the door cards.

Christian W
Thanks, Bill. Maybe to late. Yes, it is. I know, that it should be in the same color like the door panels and/or the seats. I wanted to have a bit of more contrast in the interior because it looked a little boring for me I will say. So I decided, to "costumize" that. I was thinking the same way at the lower part of the door panels too but - as you can see - I didn't change that.

Nigel Chapman
Love that interior

Christian W
Thank you verymuch. The last week I took the chassis and powertrain. It comes to an end. Taking pictures and get you an update. I decided too, to build a mold for the lights to get them clear instead of that chrome at the front.
With this kit I'm fine.

Christian W
Slowly it comes together. The windows are in and the chrome trim is done. Not satisfied am I with those red rear lights. I'm trying to do my own in clear resin but they are so small, that I still have on tiny tiny bubble in it. I'll give it a last try.... On thing really sucks: the fitting of the rear bumper. I wish, I'd test fitted it in advance....

Bill Newcomer
Yes, the too wide rear bumper has been an issue for a number of reissues

István Szücs
Looks cool! What's the plan for the inner side of the headlights?

Bill Newcomer
I love the clear headlights. I don't supposed you could make a couple dozen for a modest fee could you?

Christian W
@Bill ... I could 😉 Please contact me. ... And yes: the rear bumper looks not that good with the "overhanging". Yesterday I noticed, that the undercarriage is to long at the rear. SO I have to shorten it before I can mount the rear bumper. I'll take pictures soon.
@Istvan ... After trying how it looks with painting, I decided to drill them out round to give them the deepness they should have.

Christian W
I drilled the back of the headlights out and layed a layer bmaf on it. It is ok. When I tetsted an pair of headlights, the effect is not that big as when I painted the back just with chrome. I think it is the thickness of the headlights itself.
The I shortened the chassis. Good. At least, I fit testet the rear bumper again. Man, this is not the best of the kit. I think I repeat myselfs speach: I wish, I'd fit testet that before the paint job. And also the front facia beneath the grille. That fits not properly too in the width. I think, I have to life with that and I will 😄

Another challenge will be to get the wheels centerd in the wheel houses. Look at the different holes at the rear. They don't ven line up with the other side.... Awesom *rofl*

Christian W
I think, I've brought it to a good end. I had tlo glue the chassis well in plsce because it was bended "a little". Because of that, I drilled new holes for the axles to geg all wheels centered in the wheelhouse and on the ground.
I'm not satisfied with the overhang of the rear bumper. Leasson learned: do a fit festing also with the bodyparts on old kits.