For the next few months, I decided to launch another 7-kit project devoted to Dragsters and Pro Street Monsters. The fifth is a 1985-ish Ford Thunderbird Pro Street Modified Dragster. Although there is not a huge history behind a simple kit such as this, I will tell you about a boy who built this a long time ago. Yes, that boy was me! I built this kit back when I was roughly 8 years old and I was really proud of my efforts. Unfortunately, I was still in my destructive years and shortly destroyed this model down 2 flights of stairs. When I saw this kit available on eBay for a rather low cost, I snagged it up immediately and was happy for the rest of the day. I promise, this one will not be destroyed.

This kit (and the two brothers it comes with) are all pro street modifieds that will be built as a part of this project. This particular kit will take on the color combo of Turquoise and Black. Opening the kit, I noticed that the plastic is incredibly warped and will require some bending. I immediately add the scoop to the hood and sanded down the rough edges. The body comes in 4 pieces (counting the hood) and 3 of the pieces can be immediately glued and sanded down prior to painting. I attached the front and rear bumpers, sanded the edges down and prepped for primer. Oh, by the way, the kit was molded in bright red....Really????

This will be a fun kit (much like its brother Beretta). The roll cage and engine are excellent opportunities to make this kit stand out.

Unlike the most recent Indy project, I have all the time in the world to focus on these next 7. Haven't had enough time to really take a look at what i want to do with this one, so I am open to any ideas...

Thanks for looking!

Don't you hate it when someone starts a WIP post, disappears for 5 months and comes back to the project almost finished... Yeah, I am guilty of it this time and need to get better at these WIPs... I just start building and forget to take photos...

So here is a long over due update... Need to do quite a bit of touch up across the board, but I have been very happy with this entire build... Keep in mind, this is a 20-year old warped kit, so the mold lines and plastic are nightmares to deal with...

Pic #1: The fuel cell and batteries in the rear..would have loved to scratchbuild this after all was said and done....decided to go with the kit's version.

Pic #2: Full chassis awaiting an engine...

Pic #3: Ditto...

Pic #4: Engine needing a lot of touch/clean up before getting placed int he chassis... Will work on that tonight I suppose...

Thanks for looking... Wait til you see the body in a week or so!

Very nice. I've always wanted to do this kit but could never track one down. I'm guessing a similar blue will go on the body?

Also, FYI, it's a 1987 t-bird 1986 and earlier had 4 separate rectangle headlights and vertical grilles.

87tbird said:
Very nice. I've always wanted to do this kit but could never track one down. I'm guessing a similar blue will go on the body?

Also, FYI, it's a 1987 t-bird 1986 and earlier had 4 separate rectangle headlights and vertical grilles.

Well thanks for ruining the surprise Eric!!!
Yes, the body will be two-tone...the same blue on the bottom and black on the top...
Thank you for the year clarification... The headlight assemblies have 4 rectangles, but they are not separated so it was throwing me off a little... thus the "1985-ish" reference...

Glad to see you making more progress on this one, I like the roll cage, those shifters look awsome. I also like the color of blue you have chosen.

Slightly more progress on this one... Installed the engine, and full suspension... Just waiting for the body to be fully painted/detailed... May be another week for that one...

Pic#1: Interior Seats

Pics #2-#4: Rims and Engine Shots

Thanks for looking...

Nice and clean. Gotta love that shifter.



Don

Nice one Chuck! That's a massive engine you have there. What's the blue on the seats, I can't really tell if it is an inscription or someting?

Short update....

2 coats of primer... 2 mist coats in Model Master Turquoise and Testors Black (each)... 2 Full Coats in MM Turquoise and Testors Black (each)... Waiting a couple more days for curing... Then will apply clear coat and detail the body....

You're really into two-tone jobs, aren't you Chuck? It came out very nice, good color combo.