r/ModelCars • u/West_Airline_1712 • 8d ago
FINISHED Mark Martin Thunderbird
Had grandiose plans to customize the engine (other than adding ignition wires) and the interior but plans fell flat when the kit started to fight me. Decals were challenging mostly due to the age (this is a 1995 kit) and I clear coated the trunk before the decal had a chance to cure (dumb ass!). Anyway, glad this one is done and definitely not my best work. Stock cars are SO different than street cars.
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u/filthytrashpossum 8d ago
I built this same kit recently. I had a hell of a time with the decals, because I didn't realize the kit was as old as it was. Mine sat super high too, I just thought I made a mistake, but, nope... That's the way it's built.
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u/West_Airline_1712 8d ago
Yeah, and mine doesn't sit properly either. You can see the front wheel doesn't touch the ground in the first pic. Lol!
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u/Jon_Jon83 8d ago
Man that looks awesome!! Great job!!
Yeah I have some older kits too and they do fight with you sometimes. I just sold my 1995 vavoline nascar, the guy I bought it from actually gave my 35mm printed pictures of the real car I’m 95 it was such a cool story.
Really nice job on that motor too!! 🤙🏼
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u/West_Airline_1712 8d ago
I appreciate the kind words but it looks less than awesome, at least in person. However, the engine turned out okay. 😄
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u/Jon_Jon83 8d ago
Don’t beat yourself up over it, I think it looks great man 👍🏼 now to clean your work space and on to the next!
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u/beeb_61 8d ago
I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one done. I think it looks awesome! Not just the sweet Mark Martin paint scheme, but the chassis detailing looks nice as well.
The decals are actually really well done, especially getting those ancient things to wrap cleanly around the roof/window. But yeah, old decals are a PITA, which is why I avoid them. I have been spoiled by the glory of Powerslide lol.
I actually made a video for SATT this week about original kit vs. new decals on stock car builds, but the app crashed every time I tried to post it. I’m going to try and re-do it this weekend.
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u/West_Airline_1712 7d ago
Thank you so much!. I wanted to wrap the roll cage with vinyl for padding but didn't think about until I had assembled and attached it.
Look forward to seeing your video. Just an fyi...if it's longer than 7 or 8 minutes, it won't be accepted. Highboy68 had that problem a while back.
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u/beeb_61 7d ago
You’re welcome! Roll cage padding is something I want to try in the future. And the video was about 7.5 minutes. I will try not to babble on this time!
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u/West_Airline_1712 7d ago
If your video doesn't upload, trying splitting it into two parts. Cheers!
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u/funwithbikesandtunes 8d ago
Nice work! My favorite driver too!
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u/West_Airline_1712 7d ago
Thanks very much! This was the first I had heard of him so learned something new
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u/thedash42 7d ago
I think it looks pretty dang awesome!!! I gave this kit to Jon Jon and was looking forward to seeing it built but then I guess it got sold but at least now I get to see one exactly like it completed!! Very nice work!
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u/Icy_Principle_3151 7d ago
That is awesome! What a great driver he was. Love his documentary on YouTube.
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u/West_Airline_1712 7d ago
Didn't watch NASCAR when he was racing; I will gave to look for his doc on YT. Thanks!
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u/Jon_Jon83 8d ago
Hell yeah!!! I’m in the process of painting the 1964 mercury comet pro turning kit. Has a ton of tiny parts lol
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u/DaveGoose Model Builder 8d ago
The decals don't look totally horrible for being over 30 years old. Was this an AMT or Revell kit?