1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Play nice fellows...
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DukeCador
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1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by DukeCador »

After six seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, Geoff Bodine moved to Junior Johnson & Associates for the 1990 Winston Cup campaign. In his first of two seasons with Junior, Geoff scored three wins and finished a career best third in the championship, behind Dale Earnhardt and Mark Martin.
This build was loosely based on a photo in the 1991 Stock Car Racing calender and was meant as a test for a more detailed, future project I've been thinking about for a few years.
Though built mostly box stock, I did make a few changes here and there.
The instrument panel from a newer T-bird replaced the kit's less detailed piece. As a result, I needed to scratchbuild a new steering column. A Revell Supertruck kit donated its window net and the steering wheel and exhaust are AMT pieces. Roll bar padding was simulated by heatshrink tubing with black thread for zipties.
I added a duct hose from the same donor of the dash panel and scratchbuilt the A-pillar roll bars, weightjack tubes, fuel filler and overflow tube, and antenna. The windshield clips and net buckle are pieces of soda can aluminum. The front and rear bumper seams and upper grille openings were filled as was the horizontal crease which was only used on '89 cars. The Goodyear logos on the tires were stenciled on.
The paint scheme couldn't be simpler. Humbrol gloss red was used inside and out. Once the paint cured, the body was wet sanded, cleared, and polished.
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Fred Cady supplied the sponsor and number decals and the rest came from various kit sheets. In fact, I'm pretty sure all the decals I used were more than 20 years old.

I appreciate you looking,

G

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It seems way too clean, doesn't it? After a long day of short-track action...
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And because "Nothing Beats a Bud"...
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More photos here:

http://public.fotki.com/DukeCador/my-mo ... -built-22/
Last edited by DukeCador on Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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generationx
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by generationx »

Sweet - I love a good Nascar build. Great weathering skills, very realistic.
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vanhookvintage
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by vanhookvintage »

Really nice work. :D :D :D

Humbrol and Fred Cady... now that's old school! 8) 8) 8)

That's one helluva paint job - before the weathering. :mrgreen:

That's one helluva paint job - after the weathering. :mrgreen:

The beer cans are a nice touch. 8)

Cheers,
Greg
"Everyone dreams of driving a Ferrari, it was my intent from the start." Enzo Ferrari
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derek_hallett
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by derek_hallett »

Very nice! How did you keep the decals from cracking/disintegrating?

Derek
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DukeCador
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by DukeCador »

derek_hallett wrote:Very nice! How did you keep the decals from cracking/disintegrating?

Derek
Luck! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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CK
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by CK »

Very nicely built NASCAR! The paint job is beautiful.

Humbrol is great! I have use it a few times and the gloss always turns out very good. I didn't even need to do any polishing.

I my modeller group that I used to go, every was laughing at a pair of brothers who still use Humbrol paints for military models. However my own experience with gloss Humbrol is very good. You need to use high quality turpentine for thinning though to give you good results.
C K
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CBartholomew4677
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by CBartholomew4677 »

Wow!!! The finish on that paint job is stunning :shock: !!! Looks still wet. I have to say that I do like Humbrol paints for gloss colors, and use them for detail painting, as they always come out with a smooth finish.

Your "weathering" is very impressive as well. Amazed I'm the first to say it, but "Rubbin's Racin'!!"
Cheers,
Chris
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by Shunter »

Great job Greg and nice to see a Nascar build here....Love that shine.
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marlborored
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by marlborored »

Wow, its been a long time since I've seen a Thunderbird NASCAR model :!: Nice build :!: :!:
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jaws
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Re: 1990 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird

Post by jaws »

OH Ya very nice build. Always liked the bud NASCAR cars. Too bad it is a FORD...LOL
Seriously the best job I have seen on a stock car in a long time. Now you need to add it to a diorama!
Can you share the techniques you used for the weathering?
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