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Larry's '61 Chevy Biscayne 2 door sedan (in his own words)


traditional

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 Back in 1983, my brother, Cliff, and I purchased a full-size1961 Chevrolet Biscayne 2 door sedan and began a 2 year total 'body off ' restoration. This car has a radio and heater delete option, is equipped with a 'tri-power' 348 'W' block engine, an aluminum cased Borg Warner T10 4 speed transmission, a 'posi' rear axle, and a factory tachometer (mounted at the 10:00 oclock position on the steering column) .
As a passionate model builder, a 1/25 model of our car has always been on my back burner and has finally come to fruition over this past winter and late spring...my model building season of choice.
 Although there may be simple resin versions available, no kit or toy manufacturer produces a 1/25 or 1/24 '61 Biscayne so I began with a TESTORS 1/25 kit of an Impala hardtop, a bit basic but appropriate starting material.  including the obvious absence of most exterior trim, a Biscayne is remarkably different from an Impala hardtop in roof, door, and trunk structure, front, side, and rear glass form, as well as incorporating an entirely different interior...headliner, door panels, seats, dash trim, etc.
Since I always like to fabricate operating features into my models, for durability, the entire roof, door and window frames and their hinges, hood and trunk hinge detail, opening gas filler door, and much of the steering, all coil suspension springs, etc have been fabricated in soldered brass.
 The entire array of interior side and interior upper roof panels, visors, armrests, seats (hinged backrests on front assemblies), and dashboard modifications (including opening glove box) have been fabricated in styrene, and the added windshield trim, door release handles and window cranks, brake lines, engine wiring and plumbing, etc.were all done using varying gauges of plated and black jewelry wire.
 In April, I traveled to my brother's home to use his all season paint booth where I applied base coat/clearcoat 'factory' Seafoam Green to the various body assemblies, with Humbrol, Testors and Tamyia paints being used for assorted additional details.
 Though this model was really time consuming, it is a major delight to finally have the planned model completed....one that has certainly been on my mind for close to 35 years. 

 

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4 hours ago, BigTallDad said:

Absolutely STELLAR work! I commend you! 

It's too bad the kit-supplied tail-light lenses stick out so far, and all four are red. The inner two lenses also had back up lights

Image result for 61 biscayne tail lights

Back-up lights were standard on only the Impala in '61.  On the Biscayne and Belair they may have been optional, but they certainly weren't present on our Biscayne.  You will see them on some restorations, but seldom on period photos of '61 Biscaynes

 

1-61 chevy b.jpg

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7 hours ago, traditional said:

Back-up lights were standard on only the Impala in '61.  On the Biscayne and Belair they may have been optional, but they certainly weren't present on our Biscayne.  You will see them on some restorations, but seldom on period photos of '61 Biscaynes

 

That makes sense. If the radio and heater were options, the b/u lights would also be an option.

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On 5/20/2018 at 11:00 PM, traditional said:

Back-up lights were standard on only the Impala in '61.  On the Biscayne and Belair they may have been optional, but they certainly weren't present on our Biscayne.  You will see them on some restorations, but seldom on period photos of '61 Biscaynes

 

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 Thanks for the info on the tail/backup lights Cliff. I find that kind of information interesting, and helpful. The model looks terrific. I'm totally impressed with how correct the roof looks. Even the paint finish in the trunk looks spot on. Overall this is a very fine tribute to your real Chevy.

Edited by Smitty
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