SHO BIRD
AMT 1962 CUSTOM THUNDERBIRD
CONCEPT CAR
BUILT BY IRA DAHM (6/04)
MORE COLOR PHOTOS BELOW!
The "SHO BIRD" was designed to
look like a 1960's Futuristic Thunderbird Concept Car. Back in the 1950's
and early 1960's many Concept Cars were influenced by jet planes or rockets.
These Bubbletop Wonders were very impractical, but they sure looked great!
The "SHO BIRD" is based on the
AMT 1962 T-Bird kit. The bubbletop is from Revell/ Monogram's 1958 T-Bird,
the seats and taillight extensions are from AMT's 1957 Ford and the side
vents are from AMT's 1965 Corvette. The custom steering heel is from AMT''s
1956 Ford, the TV Monitor is from Monogram's Predicta and the wheels and
tires are from Revell's new VW Beetle. The Taillights are the tops from
red ball point pens, the taillight chrome housings are from AMT's 1955 Nomad
and the front and rear grills are from AMT's 1971 Duster.
Here's how it was built. First, I dechromed
the bumpers and glued them in place. Next all the trim and fins were removed.
The hood was then "Pancaked" and the front Grill/Bumper was cut
out and filled to fit the Duster Grill. A small piece of plastic strip was
attached in the center of the hood scoop opening. The rear bumper/trunk
area, was cut out to fit a second Narrowed Duster Grill. The Taillight housings
were extended using headlight housings from the AMT 1957 Ford. Side vents
from the AMT 1965 Corvette were cut and fit to the T-Bird body.
Part of the T-Birds trunk was cut out to
fit the Tonneua Cover behind the back seats. The Bubbletop was then cut
off at the front edge of the Tonneua Cover. The back part of the bubbletop
was then molded into the headrests on the Tonneua Cover and the trunk. The
rear wheel wells were cut out to match the front wheel wells.
The custom seats from the AMT 1957 Ford were
fit to the interior. The rear seats were cut down and had the sides built
up with sheet plastic. The TV Monitor was positioned on the center console.
The engine and chassis are almost stock except, for lowering the chassis
and the addition of Revell "VW" Wheels and Tires. Aluminum Tubing
was cut and flared for exhaust extensions.
The "SHO BIRD" was painted with
Testors Sapphire Blue over a silver base. The interior was painted with
Testors Sapphire Blue and Flat White and the sprayed with Testors Dullcote.
Testors Chrome Silver was also applied to the interior after the Dullcote
dried. Ivory White Flocking was applied to the floor. The Duster Headlights
in the rear grill were painted with Testors Amber to look like signal lights.
The "SHO BIRD" license plate is custom made by Slippery Arts.
