Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with classic cars lately, and the 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby Eleanor? Forget about it. That car is just pure, unadulterated awesome. So, I decided I had to build a model of it. I mean, who wouldn’t want a mini Eleanor chilling on their desk?
Getting Started
First things first, I found a good model kit. It wasn’t super cheap, but I wanted something with decent detail. You know, not one of those snap-together things you get for kids. This was a proper, glue-it-all-together kind of project.
The Build
- Step 1: The Body. This was the most intimidating part. Lots of pieces, and getting the body panels lined up just right took some serious patience (and a few curse words, I’ll admit). I used clamps, rubber bands, whatever I could find to hold things in place while the glue dried.
- Step 2: Painting. Oh boy, the paint. Eleanor is famous for that specific shade of grey with the black stripes, right? I spent ages mixing paints to get it just right. I’m pretty sure I inhaled more paint fumes than was healthy, but it was worth it. Multiple coats, lots of sanding in between.
- Step 3: The Engine. This kit had a surprisingly detailed engine. Tiny little spark plugs, hoses, the works. I fumbled with tweezers a lot, but slowly, piece by piece, it came together. It’s almost a shame to hide it under the hood!
- Step 4: Wheels and Interior. The wheels were pretty straightforward. The interior, though, that was another story. Tiny decals for the dashboard, getting the seats to sit right… my eyes were definitely crossing by the end of it.
- Step 5: Final Assembly. Putting it all together was both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’re so close to being done, but one wrong move and you could mess up hours of work. I took my time, double-checked everything, and finally… the chassis met the body.
The Result
It’s not perfect, I’ll be the first to admit. There are a couple of tiny imperfections if you look closely. But you know what? I built that. I took a pile of plastic pieces and turned them into a freakin’ Eleanor Mustang. It’s sitting on my shelf now, and every time I look at it, I get a little rush of pride. Totally worth the time and effort!
