94 replies to this topic

[Modlbldr]

Once the '55 Chrysler 300 came out, I knew I could finally do a build of one of my favorite customs from the 90's. Richard Zocchi's 56 Chrysler Windsor was one that I drooled over when it first hit the scene and I am still crazy for it.
I found an article on it in one of my old mags and quicky set about figuring out what I needed to do.
Here are a few shots of the magazine article.




Later-

[Modlbldr]

I began by shaving all of the emblems and door handles and filling in the front turn signals. I had to add half round to the entire bottom of the body to get the roll that Zocchi has (his is from a 58 T-Bird). I have extended the front pan down and rolled it to meet the bumper. Zocchi added 1 inch to the bottom in this area.


I removed the bumper guards from the front bumper and smoothed it all out. I found that the custom grille from the 49 Ford kit is just about as close as I can come to a kit piece to match the grille.


I'll have to remove the nose in the 300 to make room for the grille and add a chrome surround to match the Windsor.
Fortunately the custom wheels in the kit are very close to the ones on the 1:1 but I needed a center cap. As I was digging through my parts bin one day I came upon four nicely domed chrome caps. I have no idea what kit they came from, but they worked perfectly.



More coming.

Later-

[cobra98]

I'm diggin" it!!

[Gluhead]

Oh yeah. Got me with this one!

[Custom Mike]

Now this should be a fun one to watch Tom! Great start, keep it going!

[Modlbldr]

I have been trying for a while to figure out how to best modify the rear fenders so that the tops flow straight back instead if sloping down. Tonight I think I hit on the best way. I took out the Dremel and my diamond cut-off wheel. If you haven't bought one of these yet, get one. Much better than having one of the clay cut-off wheels break on you and parts go flying. I cut a slot about 1 1/2 inches long down the top of the fender and glued a strip of styrene into the slot. Then sanded the strip to make the top of the fender straight. On my next bench session I will build up each side of this strip and sand it to shape.




Zocchi's ride has a 50 Caddy rear bumper. I need to order one from Modelhaus and mold it in.

I got the suspension lowered and the chassis painted. Not going to be anything fancy there or in the engine bay. That will save a bit of time.
I also need to chop the top, but I am saving that for a ways down the road. Pretty soon I'll be slinging putty on this and sanding till I can't stand it.

Hope you enjoy the start of this. Who knows how soon I'll get updates on it. I'm still trying to finish my 53 Ford Vicky and my 67 GTX Street Freak a little at a time.

Later-

[fredo84]

Oh Man !
Keep Going !

F

[cobraman]

That is one cool ride.

[mrm]

I'll be following this one for sure.

[H.A.K]

If you can pull this off.......wow I'd love to see it.

[Modlbldr]

Thanks for all of the kind words and encouragement. I couldn't wait to work on it a bit more. I've been real curious to see how the grille will look, so I got the diamond wheel out again and cut out the center grille split. Then I had to leave for a meeting, so I didn't get to finish it up or get any photos. Maybe tomorrow after work.

Later-

[jeffs396]

I'm likin' this Tom!

Keep after it!

[Jantrix]

Subscribed!

[58 Impala]

Looking foward to watching your build. That is a sweet looking custom. That's going to be a tough chop job.

[charlie8575]

Interesting way to set up fins for the '56. That alone may help a lot of people start making 1956 300-Bs.

Charlie Larkin

[W-409]

Great to see this car being built as Custom too. You do great job, can't wait to see more. The kit is really nice, keep coming.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful car, great start.

[thatz4u]

in the old days Revell made a 56 Chrysler, not sure what scale it was...IF you can locate one maybe you could use parts from it...

[Ace-Garageguy]

in the old days Revell made a 56 Chrysler, not sure what scale it was...IF you can locate one maybe you could use parts from it...

It was 1/32, unfortunately.

[Modlbldr]

Just left the bench for tonight. Got the rest of the plastic strips on the rear fins sanded flat. They arenow ready for putty. I also finished opening the two grilles into one opening and started making the chrome grille surround out of half round. Not bad for one hour of bench time. Photos sometime this weekend.

After looking at photos of a 56 Chrysler 300 on the web, Charlie is right. It wouldn't be difficult to make one out of this kit. You wouldn't even have to alter the grille like I am doing for this Windsor. I'll have to do that with my other kit. Thanks for the idea Charlie.

Later-

Edited by Modlbldr, 25 October 2012 - 07:18 PM.