NASCAR Models by Bill Bruins!!!

1983 Dale Earnhardt Wrangler Thunderbird

Note From Bill:
"A rescue of a disaster! This kit belongs to my nephew and he built it with a little help from his Uncle Bill about 17 years ago, when he was twelve or so. It was not good. Recently he asked if it could be restored, and I couldn't resist the challenge.

Original kit decals were not to be found, but the re-released "square bird" decals were available, so I used these as a start. Unfortunately, the Wrangler horses are not on this kit, so, as an experiment, I tried to save the originals. After soaking the body in a 50/50 vinegar/ water mix, heated to about 130 degrees for a couple of hours and working with a flat x-acto blade VERY carefully, I managed to not only save the horses, but also the door name and the rear valance marking! I actually got all of the originals off, but most were yellowed or damaged. The numbers were just too big, and tore while being pulled off.

Next the original Testors bottle paint (very liberally applied, to say the least) was removed using Easy Off Oven Cleaner. This got the paint but also destoyed the rear window that was rather well glued down. The body was sanded then finished with Tamiya yellow spray and Testors blue spray. After chasing down almost all the missing pieces, (still missing a right upper "A" arm) and making a new rear window from a Liquor bottle (who says you don't get anything from drinking??)
(Bill! What kind???) - Mr N.) re-assembly was completed.

Decals came from the above- mentioned sources as well as the Slixx '92 ungrouped contingency set to finish off the front fenders."

(Note from Mr NASCAR: Bill is a fellow Canuck, in fact he lives in my old stompin' grounds, in Eastern Ontario...)

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