1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL

[bh1701]

I recently completed this AMT 1/25th scale 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL. It was an older kit (the box called it a "Prestige" kit). I had in my stash and finally decided to tackle it. This is also my 2nd attempt at using Bare Metal foil. My first attempt was on a model that was molded in color. This is my first try on a painted body. I ran into a few issues at the beginning, but managed to figure things out. All of the scripts and emblems are hand painted (still not ready to try doing these with BMF!). All of the silver trim on the interior was also hand painted. Not entirely pleased with the black wash on the grill - my usual approach was not working and I tried some other methods. Eventually I just gave up trying and figured this was as good as I was going to be able to do.

Thanks for looking,

Bart

 

 

 

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Bart!

Wow, very nice! My dad had one when I was 8, and I remember sitting in his lap "steering" the car. Lotsa memories.

Bravo for your built!

CT

[Painted Black]

That is a hard grille to work, but yours looks good, as do the rest of it..

[Fifer]

That is a totally sweet build !!!

[Force]

Nice.
I own a real one and it's also a 500XL and there are lots of shiny stuff everywhere.
It's unfortunate that the model kit is wrong in many places, for example the interior is from a Convertible, the chrome stars in the tail lights are wrong as they should be four pointed and a backup light in the center, the tail light bezels are way too beefy, and some other stuff

[bh1701]

5 minutes ago, Force said:

Nice.
I own a real one and it's also a 500XL and there are lots of shiny stuff everywhere.
It's unfortunate that the model kit is wrong in many places, for example the interior is from a Convertible, the chrome stars in the tail lights are wrong as they should be four pointed and a backup light in the center, the tail light bezels are way too beefy, and some other stuff

Yes, the kit did take some liberties with the actual car! When I got ready to put the chrome stars in the taillights, I was surprised to see that they were not like the real car. I had my painting notes that mentioned the backup light which was nowhere to be seen on the model. I think the actual cars also had the letters GALAXIE on the trunk lid. The model omitted this detail, too. However, I was OK with that since it eliminated hand painting 7 more letters on the model!

You're in Sweden with a classic American car? Are there a lot of collectors with classic US cars over there?

Bart

[Force]

Yes the G A L A X I E letters are also missing from the kit body, on the latest re-issue they are on the decal sheet together with all the emblems and scripts tho'.

The classic American car interest are huge over here, partly because most of them were sold new over here back in the time and many want one now so the demand is high, my Galaxie was imported from California back in 2016 and I had a 1964 Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe before also imported from California back in 2004, and I sold it when I bought the Galaxie.

[espo]

Even with the kits short comings you mentioned it still looks great. Nice shades of blue inside and out and you did a great job on the trim detailing. The interior issue may come from the fact that this kit is based on the original annual kit that was offered as both a convertible or a hardtop. 

[doorsovdoon]

I like those colours. The Galaxie 500's from the 50's and 60's are one of my favourite looking cars by Ford. 1/25 kits are hens teeth over here unfortunately.

[Tom99]

It looks good.

[BlackSheep214]

Awesome build. I've been wanting to pick up a '63 Galaxie kit for quite some time now.

[speedy5963]

Very clean build!

[RDean58]

Nice build, the colors look great and the grille looks pretty good. I have a couple of these on my bench right now and those grilles are horrible to detail.

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[TooOld]

Every build is a learning experience and it looks to me like you've got it figured out , very nicely done !  If Icould hand paint the emblems and interior trim that good I wouldn't bother with foiling them . 

[Husky1943]

You did a great job, Bart!  I really like it.

[Classicgas]

Very nice. 

[Peter Lombardo]

Very well done, the BMF is exceptionally well done.  Beautiful.

[peekay]

Excellent work, specially the black wash in those grilles - not easy to do.

[Canso65]

Very nice job Bart. The interior really looks great.

[Slimguy]

You nailed it Bart...great job on this kit.  It looks terrific

[Grumpa]

Nice looking Galaxie Bart! 'BMF" is not my friend! One of these days I'll figure it out, but yours looks great! Nicely done!

[Geno]

That is gorgeous Bart, my brother-in-law has a 1:1 427 Galaxie 500, that thing is a beast.

[slusher]

Beautiful Galaxie!!

[drodg]

Very nice job.