Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 (edited) Finally finished this one. Started with kitbashing the MPC Dodge Monaco Police Car with the AMT 1971 Dodge Charger since the MPC chassis, suspension and engine are almost worthless, my opinion. Added to that: -rebuild grille with fine mesh -resin cast headlights and bumpers, the latter heavily improved/modified -resin cast wheel hubs and caps -scratchbuilt CB antenna and side marker lights -completely rebuilt/redesigned lightbar. Started with an aftermarket on which sadly turned out to be only a slightly improved copy of the kit's. -Good ol' Flash patiently awaiting Rosco Build thread is here: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=290295&pid=2812572&st=0&#entry2812572 And, here she is: Edited July 4, 2016 by Andrew D Charger Chaser photo mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 (edited) http://http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/AndrewDtheJollyRogersguy/3_1.jpg[/IMG] Edited July 4, 2016 by Andrew D Charger Chaser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roth Potter Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Oh, wow. Awesome! Flash finishes it. You have a close-up of the engine and Flash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 I'm trying to upload more photos, but I obviously don't know what I'm doing....the choose files option now says I can only upload another 81+ kb. So I tried a Photobucket link and no-go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Hobie Hartkins 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Biggest mistake I think car builders make is making the undersides look clean; fine if it's only for the showroom. Needs a good dusting of Hazzard County dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B / Scooter Davenport Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 22 minutes ago, Andrew D Charger Chaser said: Biggest mistake I think car builders make is making the undersides look clean; fine if it's only for the showroom. Needs a good dusting of Hazzard County dirt I can agreeing THAT! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HossC Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 Nice work, Andrew. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 Thanks Mark & Hoss! I'm just glad I could figure out the posting-photos thing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss JD Hogg Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) Excellent job Andrew! The chassis looks much better than the MPC chassis. These MPC Dukes kits aren't that detailed. The MPC General Lee is also a very crude kit. I recently built and modified an MPC General Lee kit. http://hazzardnet.com/forums/topic/6049-orange-clunker-car-mpc-general-lee-build-finished/?page=1 I'll have to check out your build thread on ARC. BTW, my user name on ARC is 'crowe-t' Edited July 5, 2016 by Boss JD Hogg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 Heya! Yep I remember we signed on in here at close to the same time IIRC. I answered your post in ARC regarding the lightbar nightmare.... Always a pleasure, my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobie Hartkins Posted September 24, 2016 Report Share Posted September 24, 2016 That was great Andrew! I especially liked the one with Flash in the passenger seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 Well y'all, due to the recent Photobucket revolution, I'm re-posting the photos of this build. After these I'll post some of the in-progress shots since this was a somewhat complicated build, not out-of-the-box by any means. Flint Duke 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 The story behind: The MPC kit itself is very crude other than the generally good outline of the body itself. The AMT '71 Charger kit provides a FANTASTIC chassis/engine/suspension which can easily be adapted for many Chrysler products from this time period. In modelmaking lingo, this is called "KITBASHING." Only challenge was having to remove the floor of the MPC interior to fit onto the Charger chassis, but it works well. Then some scratchbuilding of the radio/electronic equipment. A modified 1/25 resin basset hound makes it complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 HOW TO IMPROVE THE LIGHTS: The molded-on side marker lights were sanded off before the body was painted. Then simply taking the clear sprue for the clear windows and red lights, file/sand it very thin (less than 1mm), cut to the correct length, then cut the other way to the correct width. Then paint using transparent acrylics, attach with superglue and the result is 1) realistic, 2) stunningly improving and 3) FREE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 How to improve the grill: Model car grills are notoriously unrealistic. First remove the chrome with a soak in bleach. Then thin from behind until it can be opened, everything removed that shouldn't be up to the bars. Then cut appropriately sized pieces of fine metal mesh to attach behind. Prime, paint, highlight and install. Major improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew D Charger Chaser Posted July 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 Only other points is to remind that the combination of the AMT '71 Charger chassis/engine/exhaust/suspension/tires with aftermarket wheel hubs under the MPC Monaco body and most of the interior is a fantastic combination. For those who have tried to tackle the MPC kit as it was, you will recognize in this photo the vast improvement in appearance and "stance". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted July 7, 2017 Report Share Posted July 7, 2017 Nice attention to detail, great idea with the grille. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerDuke Posted July 8, 2017 Report Share Posted July 8, 2017 I just love threads like this! Thanks so much for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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