Post by atomicholiday on Jan 28, 2024 14:38:21 GMT -5
I finished this one a little over a week ago, but I was waiting for my new light box to arrive. Then I picked up a wicked head cold, so it had to wait another week to be revealed.
This is the AMT 1971 Superbug Gasser, from the Coca-Cola Unity Collection. I picked this kit up for $5, thinking it would be cool to have a Beetle in the stash. I didn't realize it was the short-body version, so upon opening the box and seeing the body, my first thought was "this will never get built". But as luck would have it, last summer was spent learning to paint. For a fiver, I figured it would be a practice body, and that would be the end of it. As I was really just using it for practice, it got painted and stripped something like 3-4 times before getting it right. But the final paint job turned out to be one of my better attempts. This inspired me to continue on and finish the little bug.
Speaking of paint, the color is Testors Extreme Lacquer Star Spangled Blue, straight from the can, followed up with clear lacquer (I forget the brand). The idea for the build was to create a tribute to one of my favorite old red-line Hot Wheels cars.
Most of the kit was built straight from the box, but a few modifications were made for various reasons. The hydraulic steering damper was reworked, because the original part feels like it's not even from the same kit. Doesn't even come close to fitting properly. Battery cables were added just for fun and because I'd never done it before. Also, the exhaust was completely reworked. The kit supplies two exhaust options, neither one of which did much for me. Finally, if built straight out of the box, the engine cover won't close. Instructions even tell you to glue it open. I couldn't live with that, so the engine was moved inward and modified.
Without further ado, here's my take on the AMT '71 Superbug Gasser. As always, questions, comment, and constructive criticism are always welcome. Thanks for looking!
Post by kyledehart5 on Jan 28, 2024 20:12:01 GMT -5
I can do nothing but congratulate you. This is the nicest version of this kit that I’ve very seen built. This is one of those kits you always see people struggle with. I love that color too. Painted a Chevelle that color
Post by 406 Silverado on Jan 28, 2024 20:40:15 GMT -5
I had a great time following this one at MCM Jeremy. You’ve got some really good details in the interior and on the engine. Very nice job moving the engine forward to make way for the engine cover to close and your exhaust work looks GREAT!! Those photos look good in that light box too.
Post by moramartht on Jan 30, 2024 22:31:59 GMT -5
I didn't realize it was the short-body version, so upon opening the box and seeing the body, my first thought was "this will never get built".
It seems to me this could be another re-bodying of the (Meyers Manx) Dune Buggy basics bits. I have the TeeVee Dune Buggy where the kit body has been designed to fit the Meyers-length shortened pan resulting in an uninhabitable interior...
I can do nothing but congratulate you. This is the nicest version of this kit that I’ve very seen built. This is one of those kits you always see people struggle with. I love that color too. Painted a Chevelle that color
Man, thanks so much Kyle. It was a struggle in spots. There aren't a lot of positive locating points, and that can be a challenge. I did a bit of drill & pinning for this build to overcome some of that. Overall, it served it's purpose as a learning tool well.
That's very cool! The short body looks great and your paint turned out nice. Fun project.
Thanks a lot! I'm actually still undecided on the body style. It almost didn't get finished. I got about halfway done and started losing interest because of that. It's definitely outside of my usual style.
I had a great time following this one at MCM Jeremy. You’ve got some really good details in the interior and on the engine. Very nice job moving the engine forward to make way for the engine cover to close and your exhaust work looks GREAT!! Those photos look good in that light box too.
Hope you’re over that nasty cold bro.
Thanks Joe! I think the pics came out ok. Probably the best I've taken yet. But I see some areas I need to learn to correct. Mainly lighting I think. I'll get there. Appreciate all your support and feedback brother!
The color was really the main reason I built this. I saw that color shortly after I bought the kit, and immediately thought of that old red line hot wheels. Thanks for your comment!
I didn't realize it was the short-body version, so upon opening the box and seeing the body, my first thought was "this will never get built".
It seems to me this could be another re-bodying of the (Meyers Manx) Dune Buggy basics bits. I have the TeeVee Dune Buggy where the kit body has been designed to fit the Meyers-length shortened pan resulting in an uninhabitable interior...
Regards,
M
I haven't looked at the Meyers Manx, but I bet you're right. it would make perfect sense.