Caprices

[Terry Jessee]

I can't remember if I've shown these or not. There is some discussion of "jellybean" cars in the commentary on the new Moebius Hudson (can't wait!!), so I thought I'd show off a few examples of one of my favorite kits.

We started "Project Caprice" as a letter-writing campaign in that other magazine in 1989. At the time, I was trying to convince Bob Johnson to produce the "brick" Caprice/Impala. Monogram did release the kit, but it was the '91--the "killer whale" version instead. Still, I was pretty tickled with it, and have built a number of Caprice models over the last 18 or so years. Here's a few.

This was the first one. This was built for a "first look" story in Car Modeler in 1992. This model was built from an orange test shot. There were no plated parts, so the grill and hubcaps had to be done with Baremetal foil. Florida decals were from Fred Cady. I got the colors right, but the yellow should come down further on the rear fenders.

This is a Montana Highway Patrol cruiser. Decals are from Chimneyville. The light bar was (I think) from the AMT/Ertl Taurus police car kit.

This is a '91 Vermont State Police Caprice. This one featured a lowered rear suspension. Decals were from Chimneyville. The light bar came from Dave Panek. He made each light bar by hand.

This Delaware cruiser was built for Kalmbach's "Build & Detail Scale Model Trucks & Emergency Vehicles." It's truly out of the box, except for Fred Cady decals.

This is a '93 Caprice built from the '91. Before Revell released their '94 Impala SS, I had started this conversion. I opened up the rear fenders (smaller than most people at the time) and had most of the work done just as Revell released the Impala. So I grabbed a set of taillights to finish it. Decals are bits and pieces from Chimneyville and other sources; color and markings are my own just for fun. As it turned out, the fender openings on this were much closer to Revell's version, so I was happy with that.

"Your Mom's Car" is a plain Jane Caprice sedan modeled after the car that was featured in the introductory brochure from Chevrolet in '91. Wheel covers are resin pieces from All-American Models. I added a little pinstripe at the beltline using some model railroad striping decals. The toughest part was filling in the mounting holes for the cop car parts, especially on the left A-pillar. That required resculpting the chrome trim around the window.

And of course, here's an Impala SS.

I finally did get a "flying brick," but it came from the Modelhaus as a fairly heavy conversion for the Revell Caprice. Here's my version, an '81.

For some more Caprice projects, check the "On the Bench" section.

Terry

[MonoPed]

Nice builds, but I'm more partial to the FHP version at the top

[Scalper]

Cool. I really like the 81 Impalla. My dad drove cab for over 25 years. he had many caprices.

[sigmaman]

All very nice Terry. I remember most of these from various magazine issues.

[FordWagonNut]

I remember seeing these in SA when I was about 10 to 15 years old, going to myself "I want to build like that guy when I get older". I'm 30 now, still working on it.

I really like the early, mid '80s Impala.

[lizardlust]

Nice builds, but I'm more partial to the FHP version at the top

Well, I suppose that makes two of us!!!

It certainly is good to see some old and familiar friends, especially the "Cochise County" contest 93 Orca from the "Light Commercial" column days. I still remember looking upon your works with great admiration - your creations certainly have inspired me over the years!!!

Edited June 8, 2010 by lizardlust

[MyBradKeselowski]

Great job

I love these box Caprices...

[impcon]

Great job

I love these box Caprices...

I'm totoally with you and agree 110% thatthose boxy Caprices were really attractive, classy cars. I have often wondered why they were never released in kit form as a police car as every movie thatyou see from back then used that style of Caprice for cop cars. We just watched the forst four seasons of NYPD Blue and they used them in that series. They have nice, crisp, clean lines and I really wouldn't mind one as a daily driver. I liked the "greenhouse" h\coupes with the wrap around rear window.. in the right colours they are an eye catcher. Wouldn't mind a lit of one of those..

[MyBradKeselowski]

I'm totoally with you and agree 110% thatthose boxy Caprices were really attractive, classy cars. I have often wondered why they were never released in kit form as a police car as every movie thatyou see from back then used that style of Caprice for cop cars. We just watched the forst four seasons of NYPD Blue and they used them in that series. They have nice, crisp, clean lines and I really wouldn't mind one as a daily driver. I liked the "greenhouse" h\coupes with the wrap around rear window.. in the right colours they are an eye catcher. Wouldn't mind a lit of one of those..

They were also quick and fast,especially the 9C1's. Wish they had done a kit of them, as I would have

been happy even with a snap-kit.

I live in Dallas and they are very popular here in Texas. I guess cause they were

built in Arlington. If you do find a 88-90 model expect to pay!!!!

That's why I do not have one yet, as I do want one...

Edited June 9, 2010 by kaseykahne09

[Guest]

Beuatiful work Terry, I have always admired it.