StevenGuthmiller

Here's something a little newer from me than you're used to. A Monogram 1955 Chevy Belair hard top. This one is also box stock.....Duh! Painted correct "Shoreline Beige" & "Neptune Green". Steve

The paint looks terrific Mitch!! You picked a great place to shoot the pics! All that "diffused" light from the trees overhead really shows off the shine! Great job! Steve

A few more interior pics. Not completely done yet, but close. a few more details to pick out & some steering wheel work. The Edsel lettering on the conny kit are photo etched pieces from "Model Car Garage" as well as the window cranks. Steve

Thanks every body!! I appreciate all of the great comments! Actually Mark, my inspiration for this build was a 1:1 convertble I saw online painted in this color with a red & white interior. If it wasn't for that picture, I probably would not have gone with the silver. Yes, the hubcaps are rechromed originals from the annual. Steve

Took a few outdoor shots a while back & I guess I never posted them. I think they always look better in natural light. So here's a couple of pics for any one who's interested. Steve

I just heard about Mobius' plans for the next year & I almost soiled myself! I knew about the '61 Ventura, '67 Merc Comet & the '69-'71 Ford pickups. But I had not heard of the '54 Hudson & the '65 Plymouth Satellite! I think I'm in love with these guys!! Steve

Here's an original AMT 1960 Buick Invicta. One of the very first AMT kits to be offered with an engine. I had a ton of fun building this kit but it also offered it's challenges. Some things didn't fit together real well! I'm usually not a big fan of silver cars, but with the white top & red & white interior, I thought it was a real "stand out" color combo for this car. Painted in correct MCW "Silver Mist". Steve

Another nice one! I've never been much of a Riviera fan myself, but a lot of people really love them. I remember people growing up who were "religious" about their Rivs! It's almost like a "cult" thing. A lot of people who like them seem to be bonkers over them! Good job Lucas! Steve

Very nice Al! I personally love the look of the '67 Pontiacs. Very unique body style. Of course, I've always been a bit of an "odd duck" when it comes to styling. I love the old late 50s & early 60s Mopars. They don't get a lot more "odd" than that. I've been slowly looking for an original MPC '67 Bonneville. Eventually I'll find one. They're out there, but not cheap. Modelhaus does cast mirrors if you're interested. Mostly just repros of old AMT & Johan original kit mirrors. They're not exactly cheap either! Steve

They did the '61 in '61 only Andy. So if you want one..... well, let's just say they don't come cheap! Keep your eyes peeled though, Mobius is doing a 1961 Pontiac Ventura that should be out some time late this year! Steve

I do have one critisizm Randy. You seem to have forgotten to foil the bright work trim on the lower rear fender ahead of the rear bumper. Steve

Nice job Randy! They can be a little challenging, especially the interiors which can be little more than a "blob" but I feel it's the sign of a really good builder if you can take a simple kit like this & make it look this nice. But, then again, I may be a little bias. These old kits are right in my wheel house! I think you passed with flying colors! Steve

Thanks every body. Froghawk, Here are a couple of interior pics. I checked out some engine pics on-line at the time & from what I could tell, the only real difference between the '59 Chevy & '61 Pontiac air cleaners was the snorkels. While they both had dual snorkels, the Pontiacs appeared to be closer together & a little longer. I suppose I could have modified this one but Ithought, good enough! Steve

Thanks guys! Yes Lee, the rear window is missing. These Amt Convertible annuals from this period never came with the rear glass for the up-tops. At the time that I finished the build, I hadn't made one & I still haven't gotten around to it. One of these days I'll make one for it. Steve

Thanks guys! I agree Gene. When I looked at the photos side by side I thought the same thing! Steve

Looking forward to it Rich! I love seeing these old kits built. Especially with the techniques & materials we have today. I'll bet the companies that produced them would never believe what could be done with them. Steve

Another one of my recent early '60s builds. This is an AMT 1961 Pontiac Bonneville convertible. This one is bone stock. Added a set of 8-lug wheels from a '65, but other than that..... It's painted with MCW '61 correct "Jewel Blue". I just love this color! I couldn't believe how it "popped" in the sunlight. Interior is tri-tone, (actually quad-tone) white, silver & two shades of blue. The motor is box stock except for the usual plumbing & wiring & I added an air cleaner from a Monogram '59 Impala kit. Closest I could find to a stock Pontiac unit. Steve

Looks great! Just need some pics in the sun to bring out the color. Looks like the weather is not co-operating with you though. Steve

Thanks so much everybody! Niko, That's been my main focus over the past couple of years, is to build as many of these old vintage kits that I can find. I figure there'll be plenty of time to work on the newer stuff. These old annuals become harder to find & more expensive with every passing day, & though I know it would probably be more fun or interesting @ times to get into a little more "mechanical" detailing, I think you're hard pressed these days to find as interesting or as exciting subject matter as these kits. I can only build so many '57 Chevies before I get bored, & getting bored in this hobby, I've learned from experience, can lead to slacking off & eventually stopping altogether. Steve

Trying to add a little texture to an otherwise drab interior. All of these old AMT kits used the convertible interiors for the hardtop kits, so short of totally revamping the interior I decided something resembling a cloth interior would add a touch of interest. I know it's not a factory stock upholstery pattern, but I think it'll look good when it's done. Just in the rough stages now. Got a long way to go! By the way, this pattern was all done with paint & masking tape. Steve

Thanks every body!! Actually, widening the stance on this one turned out to be embarassingly simple Froghawk. The original kit wheels were just the right size where they slipped right into the back of the Monogram tires I was using & acted as wheel backs. that moved the wheels out just enough to compensate for the narrow stance. All of these old Johans require some sort of modification to fix that problem. Usually I just use some wheel backs with a longer "shaft" & possibly different axles depending on the type. Steve

Thanks Nick! I just want to correct what I said about Johan 2 door Oldsmobiles as I know someone will probably call me on it. I had neglected the '62 F-85 Cutlass but I was thinking of full size Olds at the time. I really wish they would have done the '58-'59 and '61-'62 Oldsmobiles in a 2-door configuration, as well as the Cadillacs from that same period. The '61 Starfire is one of my all time favorite body styles. Steve

Here's another old Johan annual. The 1960 Oldsmobile 98 "Scenicoupe". For some reason, the only pre-1963 Oldsmobile Johan did in a 2-door version.This one is not finished in actual '60 Olds "Copper Mist" but a very close 1958 Plymouth "Copper Glow" was used. Not sure if the black top would have been available as a factory option, but then again, what couldn't you get on a car back then? Steve

Pretty cool Rick! I almost bought one of these resin bodies about a month back. Saw it on e-bay for $17.50. Only reason I decided against it was the fact that I already have too many other projects. Very cool subject matter though! Steve

Very cool Chris!! Thanks! Now I don't need to search for reference material at least when it comes to the dash. Problem is, all of these old kits used convertible interiors for the hard tops, so they can never really be accurate. At least not without a butt load of work. Started on the interior this weekend & knowing that the hard tops had cloth inserts in the seats, I decided to do a sort of "checker board" pattern. Not accurate but should add a little interest any way. Steve