1970 Nova SS396, Black Cherry (Ertl) Built to match 1:1

The GMP wheels are a little nicer than the Ertl units. Of course, just like the Ertl units they are all chrome except for the black background. To be more like the real deal, the spokes and outer rim should be painted silver. The outer edge of the wheel is left chrome to simulate the chrome trim rings the real wheels carry. The SS badges in the wheels make them really look great and makes the cost of the GMP wheels and conversion worth every dime. GMP painted the lug nuts already. I don't know why they don't just mask them when painting the black sections so the chrome can show through there. Seems like that would be easier they painting them silver over the black which is over chrome.

I removed the air cleaner emblem, trimmed off the excess background and reapplied it. The master cylinder, washer bottle, battery, radiator, hose clamps, water inlet and radiator support all got painted the proper colors. The underside of the hood got some flat black paint as did the distributor and coil. It was kind of a waste of effort since it doesn't really show up that much, but I did paint the exhaust manifolds a steel color over the silver that was already there.

Ertl has gotten so good at interiors I really don't have to do much on them. I did chrome the seat back trim, the seat back release buttons, the shifter knob and shifter boot and I added a little trim to the arm rests. It looks to me as if the 1:1 door panels have two strips of chrome, but there does not seem to be a good ridge to lay the chrome foil on so I left them as is. Ertl has painted one strip of chrome there so they are not completely barren. I also painted the screw nubs to match the carpet.

The underside got the full treatment. You can see details on the differential cover, gas tank, springs, drive shaft, transmission, oil filter, starter and steering link. The exhaust tips also got a little flat black in the hollows. I did ask Allen to turn his car on the roof so we could have a nice comparison picture, but for some reason he refused!

Enjoy Allen!