1965 Coronet restoration

[drodg]

I am going to start restoring an original 65 Coronet 500 AMT kit in the next week.  I plan on replicating my 1:1 car that I have done earlier with a Polar Lights kit.  I think it is interesting to compare the green car (AMT kit) and the Polar Lights kit that I finished about a year ago.  The hubcaps on the Polar Lights Coronet are much more accurate but the AMT kit from 65 the lines look more correct compared to my 1:1 car.  I know this has been talked about for years but this is my first original AMT kit in years so fun to show them side by side.  The vintage AMT Coronet is really nice and I kind of hate to take it apart and take the paint off etc.  I plan on doing it in PP 1 red like my 1:1 Coronet.  Thanks for looking   

[Bucky]

This should be a fun project! I'll be sure to follow along. Never owned a '65 Coronet, but I did have three '66 Coronets. Love those 'B' bodies!

[drodg]

6 hours ago, Bucky said:

This should be a fun project! I'll be sure to follow along. Never owned a '65 Coronet, but I did have three '66 Coronets. Love those 'B' bodies!

I love the 66 also.  Thanks 

[RomanII]

I was always disappointed with the Polar Lights effort.  It looks completely awkward sitting alone, but next to the original kit, it is a joke.  But at least it is a source for good wheel covers for the original.  Good luck with your restoration.  I look forward to seeing the finished car.

[Dave Darby]

On 7/26/2021 at 3:03 PM, drodg said:

I am going to start restoring an original 65 Coronet 500 AMT kit in the next week.  I plan on replicating my 1:1 car that I have done earlier with a Polar Lights kit.  I think it is interesting to compare the green car (AMT kit) and the Polar Lights kit that I finished about a year ago.  The hubcaps on the Polar Lights Coronet are much more accurate but the AMT kit from 65 the lines look more correct compared to my 1:1 car.  I know this has been talked about for years but this is my first original AMT kit in years so fun to show them side by side.  The vintage AMT Coronet is really nice and I kind of hate to take it apart and take the paint off etc.  I plan on doing it in PP 1 red like my 1:1 Coronet.  Thanks for looking   

Yeah that's a real pretty build that's well preserved. I'd have rough time undoing that. Once it's gone it's gone. 

[drodg]

14 hours ago, Dave Darby said:

Yeah that's a real pretty build that's well preserved. I'd have rough time undoing that. Once it's gone it's gone. 

I know as I started taking it apart last night.  It feels terrible to do it and I am struggling with getting the bumper off and rear bezel.  The glass is another story!  I think I might try the freezer bag and see if that works.  This will be a first for me. 

[oldscool]

That original AMT looks pretty nice as is. The Polar Lights kit side trim always looks like it sags in the middle to me.

[drodg]

18 hours ago, RomanII said:

I was always disappointed with the Polar Lights effort.  It looks completely awkward sitting alone, but next to the original kit, it is a joke.  But at least it is a source for good wheel covers for the original.  Good luck with your restoration.  I look forward to seeing the finished car.

Thanks

[drodg]

Here is a picture my wife took of my grandson driving my 1:1 Coronet and you can see the lines of the AMT kit are more correct.  

[Dave Darby]

5 hours ago, drodg said:

I know as I started taking it apart last night.  It feels terrible to do it and I am struggling with getting the bumper off and rear bezel.  The glass is another story!  I think I might try the freezer bag and see if that works.  This will be a first for me. 

It might be trying to tell you something. I collect Survivors and other old builds. If they are an iffy build, I have no qualms about redoing them. But one as nice as yours (and yes, the key word is yours) I tend to preserve. I hope things resolve to your satisfaction.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scalesurvivors/

Edited July 28, 2021 by Dave Darby

[drodg]

On 7/28/2021 at 3:08 PM, Dave Darby said:

It might be trying to tell you something. I collect Survivors and other old builds. If they are an iffy build, I have no qualms about redoing them. But one as nice as yours (and yes, the key word is yours) I tend to preserve. I hope things resolve to your satisfaction.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/scalesurvivors/

Thanks and I am having second thoughts about this kit.  

[drodg]

So after leaving the kit in the freezer for 48 hours the final pieces popped out.  I never thought it would work.  The rear panel and rear tailight assembly was glued on tight.   I will post some more pictures as I move along here.