Pocherphile

This will more than likely be the version I build now that I have decide again what I want to do with this what will probably be the last time I build this kit, just saw on one eBay f/$735.00 , just insane is all I can say for anyone to even think of spending that f/a Pocher FIAT kit. I know! I have also found a complete discription of the colors f/the car I want to build and will follow closely the suggested mods and colors, I assure you, this will not be the norm FIAT you see built. PS: For mod, will need to get a second hood............? Look very close @ the photo of the hood and you will see a detail Pocher did not get right on the kit. Rick

Either way Cato, I still have 2 Pocher kits in the wings now, albeit they both are ALFA's, a Spyder and a Monza (both are NIB). So I still have Pochers to build, just not one of those monster cars.......will admit, I am watching a certain kit to see where it goes. Thats why I do not want to spend a bundle on the FIAT. Not to mention a bid on a Itala and a whole flock of Hundson's!

I am @ a quandary, I do not want to pop out another so so Fiat as comes in the box, then again, I also want to have the white tires, but to do this and order the stuff I need.........to include the spare tires and mounts..........$175.00 if I use what is readly available to build the all red F1 130 hp version. Now I can paint the tires white and Harry so kindly provided the name of the paint he uses and there are four tires in the kit, still need a front and a rear and to order them would be $50.00......then the mount set for the tires is $25.00 f/a total of $75.00. I have pretty much made up my mind to try to keep the additional cost of the build @ a reasonible amount. I have already ordered the PE Grill guard from Germany and some goodies from Scale Hardware. My delima.........do I build the VBC car or the F1......of which, what you get in the box is the F1 car.......remember, the VBC was only a 90 hp engine and the engine that comes in the kit is the 130 hp version! And now back to the so so version as comes in the box, I have as yet to see one built as depicted on the set of tiles that were made to honor the victory for the car, research has show this to be exactly what the color of the car was, so if I do this version, I will be getting away from the same ole same ole everyone else has doen w/this kit (not that, that is a bad thing, I just do not want to build the same car I have done 3 times now), either way, I will be differant. I know, I told you I was anal........thats what happens w/age! Rick

So far so good...........I really need the parts from this kit for a future project. Rick

Frank, a Itala turned up on eBay, I did not wait on this one, bided. Rick

Another master piece from a simple box of parts.......I have this same kit. I was wondering, with your skills will you render the Oldsmobile mark on the shields? I assume this one will get that scratch made top treatment as well. The one thing I find disappointing about this kit, from the research I have done.........should have wire spoke wheels! Rick

You keep saying this and that about the lack of ability, ability looks pretty good too me. Keep it coming, I just have to ask......what does the Green Hornet think about your skills............. Rick

Sadly, no MMC's does not have replacement axles for the FIAT. The 1st FIAT I built was mounted on a board using the kit supports to help hold in place. I did not @ the time know these would support the weight of the car! 2nd FIAT was finished as a desk model, some years later was asked if something could be done about the sag the suspension was developing........by this time after building the 2nd one, I was aware of the problem........setting in direct sunlight will make this sag happen faster as well. 3rd kit built and was set on brass supports.......worked out nicely. It will be this type of support I again will make for this current FIAT to set on, supporting the car w/the weight off of the wheels/axels. I will say that using MMC's PE spring set might add support to help carry the weight, but to tell the truth, the ones that come in the kit are made from spring steel that has been hardened by bluing just like a firearm! So regardless, I will use support under the axels. Rick

They do not as they come in the kit, but years ago I saw a Rolls this guy had spent years working on, now the how I have no idea, but he could take a pencil.......rubber end and push something under the dash and the shutters would open and shut............and this same guy pretty much replaced the complete frame w/hand bucked brass.......and again, not to my understanding, he would take that same pencil and when pressure was applied to the brakes, they worked just like the real deal......now remember, I said he engineered the complete frame from brass and used drawings from RR plus repair manuals. This was to me the most complete working Pocher Rolls I have ever seen. I did mention this fella was a engineer, thats the only person I have ever seen make the brake system work on one of these.......then again, he pretty much made everything work on this little marvel. So as has been pointed out, in 1/8th scale, a person has the size to make whatever he wishes to function, if he has the knows how. Rick I saw this car @ the Nurnberg Toy Fair 1978 and it was the most looked @ thing there. Last I remember, this guy was about to start work on a Benz!

One of the enduring things about Pocher kits is the plastic.........until you play with a Pocher, you have no idea what tough plastic is too work with. I am using the roughest sanding stick I have, to work the plastic down to a square shape, this one frame will finish this stick off before I am done with it and still have the 2nd side frame to do. But hey, thats the nature of the beast and one has never bested me yet. Will fire a order off tonight for some goodies from Scale Hardware, ie: square brass bolts and nuts to complete the areas that were left off during the process of cutting the molds for the frame work. I will also cut off and replace the completely inaccurate hood hold down strap points, these were not square handles like you would find on a barn door as Pocher has rendered them. Will also order some #1 brass rivets. Rick And the fun/spending begins........oh the joy of building a Pocher!

Working on frame, to start with as with all Pochers, elbow grease...........sand, sand and sand......squaring the frame.

Down here in Dixie Land we say it ain't rac'in if you ain't rubb'in.........Dale Earnhart was the king of that tactic. Oh Boy, I bet that opens a can of worms. Rick

www.vanderbiltcupraces.com I have spent all week on this site, the amount of info on cars, drivers, teams, mfg's etc. is just mind blowing. Got most of the info from the blog 13 Fiats.......enourmous amount of info on about any car/team you want to know about. Look it up and enjoy. Rick

The 3 photos are of Lancia's FIAT, the 3rd photo shows the car before being issued it's race number, the other two photos show it w/#4 on the car. This is the one I am shooting for. Yes, he was way outside the box and a wildman behind the wheel and well liked by all who came to know him. I will for sure look for the book. I read where in this machine he led the whole race, would collide w/Christie driving his monster creation the Christie, otherwise he would have won the race. Rick

Give that man a cigar......was called the Ticket Box and just as you have said, was used to verify that the driver had in fact stayed on the course from town to town or in some locations, from street to street. And now I know what the smaller box was used for. By the way, did you see the block of kits (Hudson) on eBay. I have bidded 4 times, I am going to win those suckers, they look brand new. Yes there is much to learn and some of the stuff you find out is still used to this very day, say like the checkered flag would come from this time frame/era of racing as is still practiced today. Rick And for those who said look he posted again before showing any progress, I am waiting for the glue to dry on the frame for the FIAT.................so

Now, as Harry has pointed out, I need to get to building and less talking, so I am signing off and when you see me post again.........there shall be progress made. Rick

Sadly Cato, I do not.......Star of India was built 1980..........I did not have any idea of what a computer was and though I was a avid 35mm photographer, I never once thought my work worthy of photographs........now I look back and see how dumb it was to have all this photo equipment and never once thought to take any pictures of my builds. But if ever you are in Bamberg Germany, most of the local Hobby Shops had and were left w/built kits on display from me to include a FIAT in a Bank and a Benz @ a dealership. If still there, I know not........but that's where I left them. I have also built on consignment and never once thought to photograph any of them either.......dah But you can bet your sweet bippy, I take pictures now. You already saw the tear down/re-build ALFA and that was when I started posting on Forums. There are 2 kits that to this day stand out in my mind as the most challenging and difficult to construct..........Pocher Star of India and the Has 1/8th SE5A..........when you have built these two, the mountain now comes to you. Rick

Ah, Cato has learned the correct way to adjust for the gap between cowl/hood/radiator........granted this only takes care of a small gap, but after you adjust with the said areas and just need a scouch to finish, this trick is the ticket............ def f/city boys: scouch is a tad......... Rick

You have the right idea Skip, any kit no matter what scale can always benefit from added details and yes I also agree the bigger the kit the better. Now we all agree 1/8th is a monster, but other kits too can be done to very high standards. I model 1/12th F1 and you would be amazed @ what can be done w/them, so with that said, 1/16th lends itself well to the detailer as well. Rick

Skip I do agree, the said kit you posted would make a perfect starting point for the mod that Harry is looking to do, I also agree w/Harry........for a project of this awesome vehicle, Pocher only would do. But do know sir, I would love to have said kit from your idea for a OOB........... Rick

Harry,I have to admit, you called my bluff with that most audacious idea for the Star of India RR mod. This kit has been redone by many who achieved some remarkable project builds f/this mark, but with the added wood and the classic colors that all blends well to create a working Rolls, well my hat off to you sir for even thinking on a build of this magnitude. I also understand the research and time it takes to bring a project together. So after this peek into the mind of what is to me, a master craftsman..........I refrain from goading you anymore on your Pocher build. When ready, you will start again. Good things comes to those who wait! Rick PS: I have built this kit as the Star of India.......the coach work alone was the reason I said I would not approach this kit again. This is what I believe too be the most complex coach of all the Pocher kits to get right.

Hey Frank, the box on the frame beside the driver, do you know what it was called and what it was used for????????????Huh do ya?

I do have put back to use the Entex Benz 1/16th to model a Blue Goose........HG's ride before the US Army liberated it back to the USA as a war prize.............. Hey look what I brung back in my duffle bag............... Rick

I will if you will of the Rolls...........down here in the South we call that a bluff....... But just for you Harry, I promise I will shoot some tomorrow and since I am learning as you can see how to post from Photo bucket, put some new photos up of the FIAT build. Rick

and who says when cars fly..............