John Goschke

Outstanding job on this rare kit! Would love to see some more photos of the model and the car.

Great idea and execution! Flows very well and looks like a natural design evolution from the '57 Chrysler.

Good work on this one, Pat! Great detail painting and color combo! For what it's worth, I think your issues with the build and the completed model have to do with the kit itself rather than your craftsmanship. This kit has a number of fit issues resulting from the separate top and windshield and opening doors which have not gotten better since it was released in the '60s, and, as detailed as it is, the finished model always has a humpbacked look that has never captured the essential character of the "Squarebird."

Great concept and stellar execution, Dennis! Thanks for the reference on those wheels, they should look terrific stripped and detail painted in various metallic shades. Just curious – How does the Revell T touring body compare to the one from AMT?

I neglected to mention when I posted this thread another detail that the Custom Junior T-bird has that my original 3'n 1 Trophy Series and Wonderbird and Vegas reissues don't – exhaust openings in the corners of the rear bumper!

Good job! Having owned a blue and white four door sedan a long time ago this one one really makes me smile! Love the stance on this one.

Nice save on this old kit! I like the way you extended the fins. Love the '58 Ford!

Had these delivered to me at Super September Showdown on the 11th. Nice Johan '59 Caddy from Frank Tiewski. Brought it home and stripped it down. Not sure what I'm going to do with this one. What's nice about the original kits like this one is the much better chassis than was used on the Xel promo reissues. Thanks, Frank! And from Rod Rakos, two funky 59s. Rod got these along with a bunch similarly crazy period builds of similar quality. There are some good parts here as I needed the rear splash pan from the Buick in particular. Interestingly both models have intact '58 Pontiac steering wheels. Thanks, Rod!

Beautiful build; just about the nicest on I've seen from this kit!

Outstanding engineering and craftsmanship, Dennis!

Wow! That is cool! Never seen one.

Wow! Very inspiring craftsmanship and some great ideas on this very cool little Pinto! Plastruct is another source for better styrene rod and strip than Evergreen.

Looks good! One of my favorite Watson cars!

Amazing paint and detail!

Given the, ahem, "quality" of the rest of the kit that's a sensible solution.

Oh, OK. I thought the original question was what engine the lump in the kit was supposed to represent.

Nice work, Bill. A very crisp build that sits just right! And a true hardtop at that! Good luck with the Shelby/Mustang! You must really like Iacocca's glorified Falcon! ; )

The hot engine in the '58 Plymouth would've been the dual-quad "B" series 350 engine. It was available in all models including the Belvedere hardtop, though most often seen in the Fury. One source for this engine in 1/25th would be the 1970s Johan "USA Oldies" re-release of the '60 Desoto (and possibly the '62 Chrysler 300.) Though pretty simplified, it does have the proper oval air cleaners and the front-mounted distributor. In the Desoto it represents a 383, but externally (I think) the two engines are more or less identical. Just toss the alternator for a generator.

The engine in the kit mostly resembles the new-for-'58 350 wedge-head engine, but incorrectly has the distributor in the rear – it should be at the front. The 58 318 is a completely different engine that had the distributor at the rear. Both engines were available with dual fours. Just another reason why the AMT '58 Plymouth is a waste of plastic.

Being young and dumb at the time (1976) I was persuaded to build the '56 as a six cylinder BelAir in trade for a group of vintage builtups that included a '58 Ford. It wasn't fun, but I've still got the Ford! However, if like the original poster, I wanted to build a '55 hardtop I'd seek out the more recent Revell kit based on the Monogram 1/25 convertible kit and which (to add to the confusion) is also available under the Monogram label! While this kit has its own problems it's currently the easiest route to a nice '55 hardtop...

Beautiful build! And those wheels are very, very cool! I used to collect and build Frog model airplanes, and have several of their kits in AMT packaging. Love their stuff, all the way back to the "Penguins" and the original "Flies Right Off the Ground" (FROG) fighter!

Beautiful job, Ron! Nice work applying those original decals – even when they're usable they're not always easy to work with! One of my favorite kits!

I'm no fan of '70s cars, but that is absolutely incredible! Great stance! Love the way the paint highlights the body sculpture and the dual stripes perfectly accent the car's lines. Great work!

I thought you would appreciate this one, Ron!

Very cool! Great stance and wheel/tire choice. Whatcha got yourself here is a Track Coupe!