Advice on a '70s Firebird Kit

[sigfan]

Hello, Everyone!

Sigfan here. I'm new to this site -- it is terrific! I'm located in Kennesaw, GA, and I was shocked to learn that there's a modeling group so close to home.:)

I haven't put anything together in a long time, and I thought it might be cool to make the Firebird from "The Rockford Files." I'm a big Rockford fan, and this sounded like a fun idea. If you don't remember, Rockford drove a 1974 Firebird Espirit when the show started. Then he would use the newest model year Firebird for the following seasons. I think the last year was 1978. His Firebird was a base-level car -- not a Trans Am.

My problem is that a kit (for a base Firebird between '74 and '78) does not exist. I have seen others use a Revell 1978 Trans Am kit and modify it, but that's where my modeling skills leave me. I am not up to the task of filling holes in hoods for scoops or air rams, and I definitely cannot re-create a solid roof out of T-tops. I would consider using a plain resin hood from a supplier, but the roof would be a huge challenge.

Can anyone suggest which model kit I could use that would require the least amount of "bodywork?" (I read somewhere that the MPC 6332 does not have the wheel fins or spoiler pre-molded into the body.) Of course, finding ANY of these old kits is proving to be a challenge. (I read a link on this site about the old store, Auto Motiff, that used to be in Smyrna. What a blast from the past! Wish they were around today.)

Anyway, it's hard to tell from the limited pictures on the Internet if a kit has the T-tops already cut off, etc. If anyone can offer a suggestion of a car that is not too "tricked out," I would be most appreciative. Also, if you can give me an idea of where to look for it, that would also be a huge help.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your great work!

Sigfan

[Scott]

There are others on this site more familiar with the current resin offerings, so I will let them answer your question, but I wanted to say welcome to the site and we hope you will make it to a meeting.

There's a great bunch of people here and you may even find an original kit.

[snake doc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/PONTIAC-FIREBIRD-TRANS-AM-1-24-MODEL-KIT-OTAKI-JAPAN_W0QQitemZ370274001904QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item56360ce3f0
I saw one of the Otaki kits on E-bay yesterday. It was not cheap.

[Zoom Zoom]

Welcome to ACME! Hope you can come to our meetings. There is only one place I know of that has stock components for converting the T/A kits, and he's a doozy. Reliable Resin...I'll include an Ebay link. I don't know which kits don't have the T tops. Hopefully Crispy will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Reliable Resin (Caveat Emptor) (http://cgi.ebay.com/MPC-1976-Firebird-STK-COMPLETE-CONVERSION-pkg-resin_W0QQitemZ360227833007QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item53df4084af)

That Otaki kit is worth nowhere near what they are asking. It's curbside, and it's a T/A.

[crispy]

Yeah, leave that Otaki kit alone. It's not the greatest, but more readily available than an MPC kit. Not worth $58 though!

What year are you wanting to build? If you want the '78 version you'll have a little work on your hands. As Bob mentioned the flat hood comes from RR and if you want it to start building in 6 months or so, order it now. ;)

I know you mentioned the t-tops as a problem, but I find that gluing them in and sanding them along with some bondo or putty and more sanding works well. It's a lot of time, but if taken will yield the results you are looking for. Same goes for the wheel spats and spoilers. Just cutting and sanding carefully is needed here. I do believe the non promo kits come with separate spoilers anyway. SO it wouldn't be that big of a deal. The side extractor on the fenders would be another sand and fill exercise. The hood would be easier to get in resin.

All in all it's not going to be easy. Short of finding a promo of 74, 75 and 76 Firebird's if you want those years, the '77/78 option will be the way to go. Easier to find the kits and the parts you may need. The older you go the more expensive it gets.

Looking at built-up's on ebay would be another option and will get most of what you need.

Seems the base Firebird has been a hot topic lately. We haven't seen anything as far as new or re-tooled kits being announced or entertained. Would love to see some 70-76 stuff get re popped or re-tooled.
Chris

[Firehawk]

Reliable Resin indeed is the place to get the conversion parts for 74-76 Firebirds. You'll use them on the MPC '77/78 "Blackbird" kit, which is out there in abundance. There were some versions of the MPC kit that had the roof molded solid, you had to cut the t-tops out if you wanted them. I've got just about every Firebird kit ever made, I'll have to check my stash to see which ones those were and what will be the best for you. Come to one of our meetings and hang out, we'll show you how easy it is to fill in body work and stuff, only takes a couple minutes if you use the right stuff. Funny you bring this topic up, I have a 'fake' Rockford Files Firebird model kit box you might like to see.

[sigfan]

Thanks, everyone for your welcome and your responses.

The model from Japan looks interesting, but that's a little more than I want to spend -- even if it has an engine. And I have to ask -- what does "curbside" mean?

I have not read too many wonderful things about Reliable Resin on the various modeling forums. It figures that's the company I would need. I have an uncanny ability to be interested in hard-to-find, out-of-print items. No reason a model should be any different.

I did see a resin hood made by Missing Link that might work, but I guess that's the least of my worries. First, I have to figure out which model I need and then find one. And I realize that major fabricating is not a big deal to you guys, but it will be all I can do to put together a standard kit and have it turn out nice enough where I'm not ashamed to display it on my bookshelves. I don't trust myself with all that cutting and filling, etc.

And I am interested in attending a meeting. I went to a model show a long time ago (it may have been you guys), but I didn't realize there was an active group.

Again, thanks for the responses!

Sigfan

[crispy]

Sigfan, curbside means it has no engine and basic chassis with metal axles. Almost like a promo. They can and still do look nice depending on how you work on it and detail it.

I certainly understand your hesitation in filling/sanding/cutting. We've all been there. Sometime it's easy to just get your feet wet with a few snap kits and move on from there. Each kit is a new lesson and feats learned. Each new model gets better and better. You'll never know your full potential until you just dive in and go.

Joining ACME will only make you a better builder. There are a lot of great guys I've never met in that group, yet are willing to help in any way they can.

Good Luck, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Chris

[Zoom Zoom]

Promos didn't have the T tops cut out, and many didn't have them at all.

You might be able to snag one for a reasonable amount; you'll still have to at least do a hood swap...

75 Firebird Formula (http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Firebird-Promo-Bright-Yellow_W0QQitemZ180459743460QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_ DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a043d28e4)

80 T/A (http://cgi.ebay.com/1980-Firebird-Trans-Am-Promo-Francisco-Red_W0QQitemZ180459749421QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item2a043d402d)

[BRE350Z]

As you can see there is an abundance of knowledge in the club and on our forum and everyone is willing to share knowledge and ideas. It would be great to see you at our meetings. Welcome to ACME.

Wayne

[sigfan]

Hmmm. That promo looks like just what I need. Is it possible to get something like that apart so I could paint it, or is that asking for too much? I know when I glue something, I glue it so it ain't gonna come apart without a fight.

I'm sure the price will shoot up on that too. How rare are the promos? Do you ever see them unassembled?

Thanks!

sigfan

[Scott]

Check here: http://www.firebirdgallery.com/promolot1.htm

Looking at the promos by year it does look like they are what you would want to start with. It looks like there will be minimal modifications required.

Didn't the cars in the show use formula hoods, or am I imagining something?

Here's a link to an EBay search: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=Firebird+Promo&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[sigfan]

To the best of my knowledge, Jim's car never had a Formula hood. Supposedly, they had Trans Am engines and suspensions, but they looked like an ordinary Firebird. (The Espirit for the first couple seasons, anyway).

Thanks for the links. I have been all over that Firebird site. :)

[snake doc]

The Rockford Files still runs sometimes on the weekends on Retro TV in the Atlanta area. If you have digital TV it's channel 2.2 . I've also noticed that it comes on at 10pm during the week on a semi regular basis. There is also talk of a movie.

[sigfan]

Well, the promo price got too high. So, I'm back to building from a kit again, which is probably better anyway.

Has anyone ever bought anything from Dencon Scale Resin? They have a conversion kit, very similar to Reliable Resin's, for converting the '78 Trans Am to a '76 Firebird, and they suggest using the AMT/Ertl kit.

Is anyone familiar with the AMT kit?

Thanks for any info you can offer. I'm ready to stop talking about this and get into it!

sigfan

[Zoom Zoom]

Well, the promo price got too high. So, I'm back to building from a kit again, which is probably better anyway.

Has anyone ever bought anything from Dencon Scale Resin? They have a conversion kit, very similar to Reliable Resin's, for converting the '78 Trans Am to a '76 Firebird, and they suggest using the AMT/Ertl kit.

Is anyone familiar with the AMT kit?

Thanks for any info you can offer. I'm ready to stop talking about this and get into it!

sigfan

The AMT kit is a little crude around the edges but perfectly acceptable. Dencon does decent conversions, a few of us got their '70 Camaro full-width bumper conversion kits. You have to have some decent skills w/cutting & bodywork, but nothing terribly complex.