StevenGuthmiller

My bet would be that the molds for this one are still around somewhere. After doing the annual, then the Junior Craftsman kit, They did the "Boondock Bomber". So I feel it probably wasn't neccessary to destroy the molds for a new kit like they did for so many other annuals. Steve

Thanks everyone!! Here's a couple more shots. Steve

They may have been lighter in the "mold line" department in some circumstances Niko, but they were usually pretty bad in the "sink mark" department!! I don't know which is worse! Steve

Even this one is missing something. Not sure if it was true of all of the AMT '59 Buicks, but you'll notice that the passengers side front fender has a very faint "Invicta" script, yet the drivers side has nothing! Being as this kit was repopped several times over the years, I guess it could be a detail that some how "went missing" some where along the line. Not exactly sure. Steve

Thanks Guys! I thought the Lido Lavender was the "natural" choice for one of these old monsters. As far as the interior goes, I was a little disappointed on how it turned out, but I guess it'll do. The grille on these '59 Buicks is pretty "nit-picky" to detail, but it still wasn't as bad as the '58 Buick! Steve

Haven't been getting a whole lot of building done lately due to a couple of minor health issues, as well as a couple of disappointing build starts. Hopefully, now that I'm feeling a bit better, I can jump back into the saddle & get something done! In the meantime, here's an older build that I don't believe I've posted here. It's a "Junior Craftsman" series 1959 Buick Invicta built box stock & finished in "Lido Lavender". Steve

I do all of my painting in my basement, so the only one yelling "wtf is that smell" is my wife! I really love the early 60s Fords! Aside from the '61 sunliner & '62 Galaxie hard top I've already built & the '62 Sunliner I'm currently working on, I recently picked up a '61 Starliner that I can't wait to get started on! It's floating in the "purple pool" right now! This is a "before" shot. Steve

Makes perfect sense to me! Most of my photos are taken on a retaining wall outside of my house. Although, at times, I have thrown a few kits & a folding table into the back of the car & hauled them to a local park on a nice day for a "photo shoot" But, most of the time I just amuse my neighbors by standing in my side yard & taking pictures of my "little toy cars". By the way, great looking Ford!!! Steve

I guess you're right Froghawk. I never really thought about it too much but I used Modelhaus glass in my '61 Plymouth which, if I'm not mistaken, comes marked as '60-'61 Mopar & it does have a bit of a "bulge". After looking at my '61 Dodge & the original glass from the '61 Plymouth I see that there shouldn't be that bulge. I also see the '59s had a bit of a bulge. At least my examples did. Steve

Great job Peter!! Even better than I expected. & I expected it to look fantastic!! Absolutely Beautiful! Steve

Funny, I'm trying to figure out why the 1961 Chrysler New Yorker I have doesn't have the same problem. It is the original glass. The glass in the older kits doesn't seem to be as bad & the Modelhaus vaccu-formed pieces seem a bit better too. You could always go that route. Steve

Got the color coats on & I really like the color. I guess I've always liked the '62-'63 Ford "Chestnut". For some reason I had some issues with this paint covering. Not sure if it's just the color or what, but it seems to look a little "blotchy" with what looks to be lighter & darker spots. Can't quite put my finger on why, especially being as it has 4 color coats. Hopefully a few clear coats will make things look a little better. Steve

Looking good! I just picked up a restorable '61 Starliner hard top the other day myself. Steve

I've been having a few issues with the paint on my 1960 Chrysler Imperial project, so while I try to resolve that problem, I thought I would get started on another build, just so I don't get too rusty! This one is an AMT 1962 Ford Sunliner convertible. It started out as a basket case built kit that I had picked up & over time has become a sort of "Frankenstein's Monster"! I began picking up parts for it here & there on ebay over the past couple of years & have basically ended up with a very expensive brand new kit! New body, hood, uptop, fender ornaments, hubcaps, interior tub, dash & steering wheel. Basically the only original parts left are the engine & chassis along with re-chromed front & rear bumpers. It should be a fun one! Doing it in "Chestnut" with a chestnut interior & white top. Steve

The interior looks great Peter!! That's all you're going to be able to do is something "in the ballpark" with these old kits. Replicating an accurate upholstery pattern would be next to impossible on a lot of them. The whole thing is coming along nicely! A breath of fresh air from the usual Camaros, Mustangs & Cudas. Not that there's anything wrong with them, it's just nice to see something a little more "unusual" occasionally! Steve

Just a warning DW. At some point when you've finished your build, people will critique your decision to use black for the panel lines. I've used black in the past also but have switched to using a darker shade of the body color, especially on a light colored body. Depending on the color, the black can look very stark & can immediately draw your eye to it. Steve

Welcome Ronald! I think Mark summed it up pretty well. I'll just throw in my 2 cents worth as far as paint anyway. I use automotive lacquers almost entirely on my builds, but if you do, plenty of primer is a must. Everybody has different techniques but I use, in general, about 4 coats of primer for automotive lacquers. Nothing can ruin your attitude faster than a rare vintage kit with a destroyed body because of "crazing". A good source for automotive colors, if you have an airbrush, is "Model Car World", (MCW). He carries just about every factory correct color imagineable for almost every car ever built for $7.50 for a one ounce jar. If he doesn't carry it, he'll custom mix it for you for a additional fee. If I need a particular color that can't be found in a rattle can, I definately go with him. For instance, at the moment I'm working on a 1960 Chrysler Imperial painted "Dawn Mauve". Try to find that one in Duplicolor! Anyway, have a great time with your renewed hobby & good luck!! Steve http://mcwautomotivefinishes.com

Looked at some color chips & you nailed it! The color looks pretty much exact! Nice work! Steve

Love the '61s! my favorite body style from that era! Your color choice is relatively close to "Aquamarine". Just a little darker. I built a '60 Ford in Aquamarine a couple of years ago. As well as a '61 Sunliner. Did mine in "Desert Gold". I'll be interested to see how it comes out! Steve

Beautiful Peter!! I've got one of these I hope to be building shortly also. Nice work!! Steve

Great work Tulio! I'll bet I've got 5 of these kits lying around that I've never built. Always had good intentions but I think subconsciously I always had "display restrictions" in the back of my mind! Great job! Steve

Very nice Stephen! I'm not much of a wagon fan myself, probably mostly because my mother carted me around in every ugly Mopar wagon produced from about 1965-1978. But it's a very nice conversion! I had a good friend back in the early 80s who had a '61 Falcon 2 door sedan that we "dubbed" the "Flintstone Mobile" because the floor boards were so rusted out you could watch the road go by between your knees! Great job!! Steve

Thanks for the input guys, but I'm pretty much past the point of return now. Already have the first clear coat on & will do a second tonight. The black & white interior is still an option though. Only thing that's making me shy away is my '59 Dodge build I did a little while back. Steve

You're probably right Froghawk. It would look good like that. Unfortunately, I don't have any Dusk Mauve & I think I'll pass on spending the $15.00 it would cost me to order it. Especially for such a small area. Besides I have a similar combo slated for a '60 New Yorker. "Lilac" with an "Iris" top. Great idea though!! Steve

The Caddy looks a little closer to "Dusk Mauve" Amere. Here are a couple pics of Dawn & Dusk Mauve. (Dusk being the darker) I think the Ivory would be too light. It would be hard to tell the difference. Steve