Lowlife ! ! Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 Hi Guys, Back with a new project, something I built as a a kid and messed up, AMTs big 55 Chevy Convertible ! After finishing a Tamiya kit recently this was a bit of a shock when you start test fitting pieces, you can tell its an old molding, put it that way ! So what am I going to build ? Probably my usual Lowrider style but with no rims etc available, this will probably be more of a Bomb style, more original with period extras.. I`m hoping to add some scratch building too, full length fender skirts and a continental kit, plus hydraulics.. But first its straightening out the body, starting at the front and working back, with a few custom touches for good measure ! Here`s the box , and thanks for looking in ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted July 9, 2021 Author Share Posted July 9, 2021 Starting with the front corner, the lower front wing is further forward than the grill surround, there`s the usual seam between the headlight and the corner of the bonnet too which all 55 kits have ?? Plus a chunk missing from the headlight `eyebrow` , the second pic is the other side ive just finished sanding smooth... Wish me luck its gonna take a while this one, more soon, I`ll keep you updated as i go... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippi Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 That's a Big boy Martin. You've got a good start and looking good. Had a 55 & 57 1:1 back in the day. Love the the double nickel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted July 9, 2021 Author Share Posted July 9, 2021 Next up was the windscreen surround, the side of it looks like a seperate piece ? I`ve added a seam between the front wing and scuttle area too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted July 9, 2021 Author Share Posted July 9, 2021 Thanks Bob, you jumped in a bit quick there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 I'm sure you will knock this one out of the park. Good luck with this project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1972coronet Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 Your vision for this '55 is aces ! Been toying with buying one -- likely the '55 Nomad -- but have relented due to the size of the finished piece . Any ideas for colours / themes ? I know that you'd stated stock tyres and wheels ; just curious about paint scheme . ( I wish that Round2 would update some of the Tri-Fives' components : those 'custom' tyres are rubbish , resembling off-highway models ; and that turbo option smacks of late 1970's poodle ) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted July 9, 2021 Share Posted July 9, 2021 As you pointed out there is some serious mold lines to be removed on the front fenders, wings. A thought on the wheels and tires. Not knowing what you have on the hobby shop shelves in your area but some die cast assembled models can be purchased that have a set of wheels and tires that could be used. Should you want to build it as a low rider from the mid to late fifties maybe just lower the suspension and some sort of full wheel covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted July 11, 2021 Author Share Posted July 11, 2021 Thanks guys ! John, not sure yet about colour, generally its going to be fairly subtle build with some lowrider/custom touches ! Good idea David, thanks I`ll keep my eyes peeled for new rims now ! Talking of custom touches, the firewall was up next.. ! There`s a trans hump that glues to the firewall, that fits really badly and can be seen clearly behind the block.. After thinking it over I decided to add a smooth firewall, after cutting out any lumps n bumps i made up a template, then glued in plastic sheet to match the template. Took ages but i carefully cut out the transmission hole, leaving an overlap so you cant see where the hump joins the firewall. Hopefully the pics will make more sense of it ! Oh and the thin black line at the top of the firewall is sharpie pen, i coloured it all black then sanded it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted August 16, 2021 Author Share Posted August 16, 2021 (edited) Back on this, to take a break from bodywork Ive started the Interior... Well there`s just as much cutting and sanding to get this to fit as the bodywork ! Carpet was fun, being 1/16 I used felt, 13 seperate pieces ! Seats were painted and outlined in black cotton.. Door panels are BMF, engraved chrome card, Molotow pen, and white fur ! Im happy with the dash now, i like the billet transfers, but the kit comes with all the dials/radio etc molded in, so i had to smooth the panels out before adding transfers. Any guesses on the cars name ? Clues on the dashboard ! Edited August 16, 2021 by Lowlife ! ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maindrian Pace Posted August 17, 2021 Share Posted August 17, 2021 The Joker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLHCAHZ Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Looks amazing. I’ve been wanting this kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeRS Posted August 18, 2021 Share Posted August 18, 2021 Nice work on smoothing out the body Martin. These old AMTs take some work, but I bet you’ll turn this in to a cracker. Nice work on the interior too. is this to be the first of a series of Gotham cars? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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