Pocherphile

Great and will be watching. Your Friend Rick

Have debated about how to achieve the color variation as seen in the photo for #22......I believe the best way to achieve is a base coat of black to add depth and shadow, then overspary with a lets say German Panzer Gray lightened a tad. When I look a the cowl, to me there is no doubt as to what color this was, solid black very worn and chipped off. I will paint the car as she might have looked early on in her career, the colors rich but with signs of use. I normally do not build period specific because you always end up finding that you did not get it right, so this will be a interpretation of what I believe this ole gal was back in the day. Thanks for the info/tip on the Youtube.............. Cato, yes the revits are very small, but I have a ton of them for building F1 in 1/12th scale, the larger brass ones are wood ship nails. I also agree, the straighter the frame, the better the stance, but you know how it goes, just one item not added correctly can change everything.............ie: I added the front axil today, everything was going well until time to line up and mount w/the mounting plate for the front leaf springs.........seems when I inserted the brass rod, I squeezed too much and pulled the FLS's in some and the plates would not match up w/axil..........so, with baited breath, pucker factor @ work and a set of pliers, the brass rod was removed w/o breaking anything apart. After that all went well. Front end installed.

I will, but 1st I need to finish the Mercer and then the Fiat...........too many models and not enough time! Or better yet, too much money spent and not enough time!!!!!!!! Rick

I have not yet, but will watch the video, but thats wild about how you said he started Ole 16, I remember my Grandfather, he stood well over 6', bending his tall frame over, grab the start crank, give it a couple of turns, and just as you pointed out, flip the switch on the mag and the ole Ford Truck would spit to life, ever single time. He would stand and listen to that motor roar to life and could @ a moments notice tell you if the timing was off, if the carb was loading too much fuel or if a plug was fouled. Now days we hook'em to a computer! Rick

My vote, add the Monocle, this looks like the cream of the crop @ your local Stuz Dealer, so why in the World would it not have the Windscreen? Rick

Rivets added.......brass round head nails, I still build wood ships on occassion.......last one done me in for awhile. I also used SS 1.0mm rivets from Scale Hardware for the smaller attachment points. PE washers and machined bolt heads finish out the small details. Also, this yellow plastic is tough to photograph..........so for very pleased with how the frame has turned out, for me, get it straight and level and the rest is down hill. Rick

I jump around too while building to dry fit each component and hope to do away w/surprises! The frame in the Fuman kit is Ok, but needs some attention with putty and a sanding stick to true it up. Rivet holes have been drilled and the frame is straight and as true as I could get it w/o a jig. Per the ref pictures I am using, added a brass rod to the front of the frame, seems this was not apart of the kit, but there is a hole in one side of the frame. Drilled the other side, cut a piece of brass rod, added the part. I also taped the frame down while glueing to keep it as flat as possible. Have seen many of these not set w/all 4 on the ground. Engine sets nice and flush within the sub-frame. I thought about going the route of replacing the leaf springs, but I decided they were good enough for the version of the Mercer I was building and cut down on build time........I do not want to spend hours on one aspect of the build. Took pretty much the whole day to do the frame as it it. Rick

I have not looked in on this for awhile...........outstanding craftmans ship, one of the neatest builds I have seen in some time. Look forward to more. Rick

Some progress made on engine.........as all know, the motor comes w/tubing for the sparkplug and I agree, not very good. Opened up the cylinder head top and inserted alum turned sparkplugs. I have also drilled holes to replicate the X12 bolts/nuts that hold the cylinder heads on........these are nuts threaded onto a rod, will have to adjust them all to be uniform and flush when installed for good. Bottom of block to get the rough treatment w/Mr Hobby 1000, this is finer than the 500 used on the Fiat block.

Nice, very nice.........and too think what kit or kits should I say, you have made this master piece from. Just goes to show, no matter the material, with proper care and work, art comes to life. Rick

Ref photo of engine with the type of carb as comes in the Fuman kit.............

That has been a debate among Pocher builders for awhile now. The story goes that when Pocher went to get the measurements for the Sedanca, one which was available to them @ the time, seems this particular vehicle was a custom coach and not the norm as was coming from the factory coach works. Some have even suggested the reason for these fenders was to make it easier for Pocher to put out the 3 versions of the Roll's that they marketed. But as with all things, one can correct if they have the skill's. I have seen this Model take Best Of Show at contest from the US to EU and the fenders as used were the ones w/the kit. Then we get into the nut and bolt counter's..........none of the kits as produced by Pocher are a exact copy of the vehicles they rep, but rather a as close as they could get, within the scale and ability to produce for each kit mfg'd. I know a fella that set out to correct every mis-take and error of a Pocher kit..........that was well over 20 years ago, it is not done! Could it be done, I guess so, but why.......I say go with what you have and enjoy that kit. Just my 2 cents worth.

Now you went and done it.........I do have a set of tires left from the Pocher FIAT, now will keep a eye on eBay for a set of wheels, the rest...........hand made, should make for a interesting scratch build down the road. As a matter of fact, not too long ago I had a fella wanting to sell me a FIAT frame, now where did I put that phone#. Rick

And to prove I am working on it..................

I thought about this, but was also concerned about copy right............I once got into some hot water over a certain control liner I did from a set of scaled up plans, kinda has me gun shy about such nowdays. But, yes is for sure doable. Now you got me thinking, dang you Skip Rick Oh yea, you in there to Frank!

Tell me about it...................but to addicts, the price is what it is, but there is a limit my working man's wallet will go. There is a certain Pocher kit I would love to buy and @ one time had un-built and sold.............same kit today, highest price I have seen is $3000.00. Will give a hint, when this 1st came out, Pocher included a work trans, later kits did not have this. I am aware of the clock work cars and I love them, but I will never own one I am afraid. Rick

Brings a tear to my ole eye............you gotta love this Old Girl, no matter what the kit. When you open the HM's box and see what looks like so few parts as compaired to the others, this just shows what you get when built. Would it not be insane for some kit mfg to produce one in 1/8th scale.....then again maybe not! The cost would be as much as for a used car @ todays inflation. One can dream right. But, this does show what can be done w/a Hudson Miniatures kit. Two fine examples now posted here of a "Old 16", from same kit. Will give you a heads up, if and thats a if you do run across a Hudson Miniatures kit of this car, be prepaired to hand over some green. I am not sure, but I believe this is the rarest of the kits to find right now and they command a high price tag. I paid $109.00 for mine. Rick

You have my undivided attention, any build of a Pocher even if SOB, is a task and I am looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table. Take as much time as needed and detail whatever tickles your fancey. I have built many Pochers and I will be the 1st to tell you, this particular kit is not a easy kit to build, but if one takes their time and pays attention by many many dry fits, a truely stunning piece can be had right out of the box. Now wheres those photos man! Rick Cato, notice that big ole smile you made today with this news.

Frank your build is tha bomb and I can not wait to see what Harry does with his. 8> Rick

I just happen to come across the Scientific kit and was floored when I saw all the goodies that came with it........and upon closer inspection of the photos plus what little one could make of the instructions/plans, I realized this was a re-do of a Hudson Miniatures with many of the parts pre-fabbed in metal, the Hudson kit has none of this ie: pre-formed hood made of metal and the fenders are also made of metal plate.......white metal wheels and parts, rubber tires....but is a Hudson Miniatures Maxwell! And it too comes w/engine. About the motor, the Scientific comes w/a few metal parts f/motor, however, Hudson Miniatures is all made of wood parts, but you will surprised @ how well detailed it is compaired to photos of the Maxwell motor. So either way, both, the Racer and a Stock will have a complete drive train. I have built Scientific Boat kits, but I have never seen this one? Was not cheap, about what you pay f/X2 Hudson kits........but I grabbed that sucker the sec. I saw it. Same scale too 1/16. I was a little bummed out, I had just got the Hudson Miniatures kit and it was missing the diff and one brake shoe and I paid $49.99 f/kit and was listed as complete . This will be the one I use to make the Racer with now. I have as of now acquired 6 Hudson Miniatures kits . Rick

You know, I believe one could take a 1/8th Pocher FIAT, modify and though the engines may be differant, curbside it and make this car........just a idea! Rick

This one gets the stock treatment.................. I believe this to be a Hudson Miniatures clone w/added features..........metal parts, stamped metal hood and fenders, rubber tires and a display board too boot. I also have the HM's version and it is missing a few items, this one will be the racer. Rick See what you have started...................lol

Frank here is another idea I am running thru the head.............1910 Maxwell racer.........build from a Hudson Miniatures kit. And the HM kit comes w/a motor too. Rick

Hey Cato, how about this one...............1910 Maxwell racer..........using a Hudson Miniatures kit!

Oh yea, all are cool cars, I also have the Caddy and the Regal...........the Packard is not in my collection, but a beautiful piece of work........but the jewel too me is the 1906 Columbia Electric..........watch out Harry, these little kits get addictive. Rick