"It's Yourz" Dodge Viper

       
 
 
Dodge Viper from the Wu-Tang Clan Its Yourz music video
It's Yourz Viper engine It's Yourz Viper interior It's Yourz Viper rear

 
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I first picked up this kit when it was on deep clearance, with no real plans for it but assuming with the number of Vipers out there I'd figure something out. The more I looked at it, though, the more of a shame it seemed to redo what was actually a very nice prepaint job by AMT. Fortunately there was still a perfectly viable use for a black first-gen Viper coupe: the music video for "It's Yourz," from the Wu-Tang Clan's second album Forever. Not how I usually plan out projects, but certainly not the first time I found media to fit the model instead of the other way around.

Although I had already built one of these, it was long enough ago that I forgot how fiddly the kit is. The suspension system is particularly troublesome, with several parts all having to go together at the same time with a bit too much wiggle room as to the exact angle or spacing. Lots of test fitting, several on-the-fly adjustments, and a bit of swearing is required to get the wheels lined up properly in the fender openings. The intricacy of the finished build looks really good, but I can't help but think there was a better way to get there.

The engine went together with little problem, my only modification being to paint the alternator pulley to match the unit. The interior was likewise nice and straightforward, with everything fitting together easily.

The body was multiple pieces, as necessitated by the build of the 1:1 Viper, but fit together with few issues. The gloss black AMT used was smooth and cleanly applied, but they didn't bother to remove the parting seams. This kit was released with the dark tinted headlight and driving light covers, which are incorrect for a factory fresh look but fine for this particular build. I replaced the flat silver mirror inserts with chrome vinyl, and made a custom license plate for the rear.

Overall, I think AMT did a nice job with this. As noted, the parts are a bit fiddly in some places, owing mostly to AMT trying to pack in as much detail as possible. But sometimes that got in its own way, as with the suspension parts, and sometimes was superfluous, like the separate exhaust pipes that are completely enclosed when the kit is finished. But the ProShop painting was a nice shortcut, with pretty decent detailing across the board. I really only needed to clean up a few places, and those were easily done with just a few basic tools.

 

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