This is the second SS396 conversion I've done. The cars have been basically identical except for the interior. This one started as an old original Cannaday's car. These early Ertl cars have a much nicer casting. The car received full painted and chrome details, GMP wheels and tires and custom made license plates.
We really wanted '69 or '70 plates but the closest sample Indiana plates we could find were '65 plates so they are probably not exactly historically accurate since I'm sure Indiana had newer plates somewhere along the line from '65 to '70. The nose of these cars really perks up when the grill surround is painted the proper body color.
Here you can see the custom-made metal tail pipe tips, the customer plate and the details added to the tail lights.
The tail lights are cast a little heavy. I added the argent color edge and back up lights. Here again you can see the exhaust tips and plates.
The interior originally had a wood wheel on the model so I had to paint it black. I had to touch it up again following this photos as you can see a touch of the brown showing through. The wheel center got detailing to the white piping and SS emblem and the dash got the appropriate knobs painted in as well as the trim on the door panels. Detailing was also added to the shifter and boot.
The engine has been wired and the appropriate 396 emblem has been added to the air cleaner. Other items detailed are the underside of the hood, the master cylinder, battery and alternator.
The exhaust was painted, as were the driveshaft, starter, oil filter, gas tank and sway bar. I also added gas tank straps.
The car was a gift for the customer's father and the report is he has really enjoyed his one of a kind present!