Motor City

that's beautiful workmanship, Hugh! I could have that cabinet full within an hour! Jim

come on, Mark, what about the '65 Bonneville made into the 2+2 ?; I know, that was a disaster! The '64-'67 Cutlass was on a 115" wheelbase, while the Vista Cruiser was a 120" wheelbase. The '68-'72 VC had a 121" wheelbase vs. the 116" wheelbase on the Cutlass 4-door and wagon. I agree that our only hope for one is probably a resin conversion kit.

I actually sought out the convertible version of the '64 Cutlass since I already had hardtop versions of the '64-'65 Chevelle and GTO. As someone once said, "variety is the spice of life". The '64 442 emblems differ from what was used on '65-'67. Now to start another rumor … maybe the new station wagon is the '64 Vista Cruiser! If the "new" Cutlass sells well, maybe Round 2 will consider fixing up the '65 Dynamic 88. Think of the bodies that could be done with the basic chassis and engine: '65 & '66 Dynamic or Delta 88, '65 & '66 Starfire, '65 Jetstar 1. All of these were available with a 4-speed. Regarding convertible versions with top up, I haven't seen any that looked quite right. The top doesn't fit onto the windshield header properly, even if the sun visors are cut off. A detachable windshield frame with molded-in up top would work.

Besides what was already mentioned (4-barrel, 4-speed, dual exhausts, front fender and trunk emblems), the 442 had a dual-snorkel air cleaner and a rear stabilizer bar. What we don't need are decal emblems like Revell has done with so many of their releases.

thanks, Rob!

Hi Snake, How about posting photos of the '65 442. Does it include chrome grille and bumpers, and the correct interior? CUT-65ht 1965 Olds 442 Ht. (1/25th scale) $40.00 (stock body, hood, grill & bumpers, interior, wheels, & vacuformed glass) Use Lindberg '67 442 kit for chassis and engine.

well put, Tim! Maybe there is hope for a '64 442 variant as well. It wouldn't be too difficult to also tool up a '65 442 body and interior for another kit that is sorely lacking. Possibly they will consider doing the same with the '65 Dynamic 88. That kit has the optional wheels used on the '64 Cutlass auto show concept car.

Those 1/64th look to have nice detail. Hopefully they'll start doing 1/25th diecast instead of 1/18th (there's only so much room for displaying and storing 1/18th). I like the Eldorado, and would like to see a '77 Biarritz version made in several of the factory colors.

Unfortunately, the last Thunderbird promo was from AMT in the early 1970s.

John, Other than the Corvette, I don't recall any GM cars coming standard with disc brakes in '67. In fact, special 15" wheels were used on the intermediates that had that option, as did large Chevy and Pontiac models. I believe the 4-piston calipers were used for all of the GM disc brakes in '67 and '68 except possibly the Corvette, which I think were made by Delco. The 4-piston caliper brakes were made by Bendix, though Delco made some of the master cylinders. My '68 Eldorado came standard with these brakes. GM went to the more conventional brakes starting with the '69 model year.

GM in North America did not offer disc brakes until 1965, and only on the Corvette, but drums were still available that year for a reduced price. Other models didn't get discs until '67 (intermediate, full-size, Camaro/Firebird, Eldorado, Riviera, Toronado).

The GP kit first came out as an '88 kit, when it was Motor Trend's Car of the Year, and the first FWD GP.

Quality control issues are nothing new. Think of all the promos you've seen with steering wheels mounted cockeyed and poor chrome plating. It's been the same way with kits. I have an MPC '68 Impala SS convertible kit that was shipped with a defective windshield. It has a burnt blob in the middle which can't be polished out since it's sandwiched between the inside and outside. Of course, the clear bubble top is perfect! Many chrome trees have important parts attached inappropriately to the sprue, which damages the part's appearance when cutting it off of the sprue to use it. I'd rather deal with a little flash than a warped body.

You should be able to get any of them in mint condition for a little over $100, and one that is slightly warped or has scratched up paint for considerably less money.

I have one of those Sebring convertibles with the operating top, but the mechanism doesn't work real well. I can't recall if I left the top up or down because it was too much of a hassle to mess around with. I put it back in the box. It's a great concept though.

1 Adam-12 ...

David, AMT's Ford promo from '49 to '51 was the Custom 4-door. Some of these warp, while others don't. They come with mirrored metal "glass" inserts. I know they were molded in red and dark blue. You might be able to find one in black like your parents' car.

Since Revell has done so many Chevelles and Camaros, how about: '70-'72 El Camino SS and/or '71-'72 GMC Sprint SP '73-'77 El Camino SS '74-'76 Laguna S-3

Mark, Thanks for the clarification on the Hornet kits. I couldn't recall anything but the promos. I agree with Eric that we need a Hornet kit. A '71 SC360, a hatchback or AMX would be cool.

This is a fantasy list, Eric. The Hornet sedan was made from '70-'72, and the hatchback in '73 and '74, by Jo-Han. Most, if not all, were promos. Gremlin kits were also made.

I think Alan needs to be forbidden from ever posting here again! I'm heading to the garage to try forgetting those abominable photos.

I sporadically bought kits from '65 to '70, then got out of it the next two years. I drove to the Sears store several miles from my folks' house for some Craftsman tools and saw model kits (it wasn't Christmas season). I ended up buying the original issue of the MPC '73 Cougar. Some of the local drug stores, dime stores and chain hardware stores carried a good selection. Those were the good old days.

looking forward to 1/25th coupe and convertible versions … eventually

"I even remember a fair number of cars being ordered in the 1970 Chrysler color "Plum Crazy"!" This was discussed on the Cadillac Lasalle Club forum a few years ago. It's a '76 Eldorado convertible special ordered in that color.

thanks, Rob; I'll have to see the movie; mine is almost the same color combination!