John Goschke

Wow. Amazing level of authenticity.

You could take the easy way out on the bezels, Steve, since chrome bezels were an optional accessory on all '58 Fords, even the top-line Fairlane 500!

The first one that pops to mind in answer to the question is Larry Watson's '59 Coupe deVille...

Beautiful build, Peter! Great job overcoming the fit problems and getting it to sit right. Just one final detail if it's not too late... the red "blinkers" on the kit are actually intakes for duct work that have a red-painted screen over them. The parking light/signal lenses on the real car are clear plastic set into the corners of the bumper, like all the '57 Chryslers (though not well-defined on this kit.)

This project is coming along beautifully, Bill! I've got to put in a vote for replating the bumpers and lights. Alclad and Spazstix might be OK for small pieces but are just not shiny enough, lacking the crisp reflectivity of good plating. These pieces on my unfinished Bonneville are by Little Motor Kar Co.

Yep, the AMT '58 Ford interior is probably the worst of a bad lot of too-shallow AMT interiors in '58. Convincing argument for putting an up-top on the convertible – permanently! Though what you're doing will help it a lot, Steve. If you've got one, a smaller steering wheel from a '59 Ford or '59-'60 T-bird will fit at a better, less bus-like, angle than the original oversized piece and look enough like it to get away with. Another way get rid of those funky floor plugs is to cut out and replace the floor boards (just like restoring a real '58 Ford!) Just use sheet styrene instead of steel. Used that technique on this Corvette...

Shelby, since that one's 80% there. Of course you could do what I'd do at this point – start something else!

Now that looks like fun! Great that he was able to put it together himself. Good job, Revell. And great job, Paul, you're a great Grandad!

Cool. Looking forward to more! My second car was a '71 Vega Kammback! Still remember the sight of the mocha frappacino in the radiator and the oil at 21,000 miles.

Yep! That thing is pretty horrendous. I'd never seen one, and thinking "how bad could it be?," had a friend send me one he was selling 'cause he thought it was bad. He simply said "if you don't like it just send it back." Packed it up and sent it back the same day I received it! "How bad can it be?" This kit is as bad as they come! A real shame, because it's a very significant subject that, as a result, still awaits a worthwhile kit in 1/25th scale.

The classic example of this for me, and the one I'll never hesitate to bad mouth at every opportunity, was the infamous AMT '58 Plymouth Belvedere. Had visions of a Johan '58 Plymouth minus the warp, but the body is so inaccurate it's just as worthless as the most badly warped promo!

That's because some of us have kept our mouths shut about its annoying flaws.

Always good to see a '58 Ford getting some love! Color combo looks terrific, Steve.

Great news!

Wow, this is really interesting! Body is obviously based to a large degree on the AMT kit judging by the lines around the windshield and rear window. The size described (7 1/2") sounds somewhat smaller than 1/25th, the AMT kit body is 8" long. Also looks like the body made out of acetate since it appears slightly warped, like a promo. Unless in copying the AMT piece they translated the typical promo warp in styrene! Also looks like that chassis might be a bit wide for the body...

Looking pretty cool. Remember those wheels are actually supposed to represent slotted aluminum "mags" from the dark days of the '70s so they're not going to "rust" like steel, just get real dull with maybe some grey corrosion in the recessed areas.

A variety of reissues of the original AMT '57 Chevy. These should be easier to find than the original 1962 release. Might be best to stay away from the Boyd Coddington issue 'cause I think it only comes with those ridiculous wheels.

Really beautiful paint work and color combo!

Precisely and concisely!

Very impressive work!

Love that color! Nice foil work!

The "Wild" stuff was really ridiculous. Definitely the beginning of a sorry decade for cars real and scale. I was building 1/72nd aircraft then and MPC was selling Airfix planes with chrome customizing parts and "Wild" custom decals!

Aurora "O" gauge Super Model Motoring set. Not the exact one below but the cars are the same. That illustration may be for another set, an ad, or a catalog illustration. Possibly by the great Mort Kuntsler (Google him!)

Nice project, Bill! I'm pretty sure the engine should be the same light blue Pontiac used up until '66, when they went to light metallic blue. As I recall Testors "Light Blue" in the little square bottles was a pretty good match. One inaccuracy on AMT's kit that's a relatively easy to fix if you want... the model has five fake "vents" on the front fender behind the wheel opening while the real car has four. Get rid of the top one in the group and you're good to go. If you're interested in a set of rechromed '58 Pontiac promo wheel covers instead of the generic spinner caps in the kit, shoot me a PM.

Always liked the '59 Buicks. You've got a great start on this one!