StevenGuthmiller

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

Thanks Jake! That's the look I was going for. I had to lower the front & move the front wheels forward a bit to get the stance I was looking for.

Very nice Chris! Love the green with the flat black! I have an old Johan '60 Olds that I've been thinking of doing something like this. Maybe with orange or red instead of green. The green might be a little much for that type of car. Great Job!! Steve

All but the bumpers & such Amere. That's all been rechromed by "Chrome Tech USA". Steve

Thanks Chris! I usually cruise the web a little for reference photos when I'm doing a build, but the green guage faces had escaped me. Thanks! If I remember, I'll definately do them that way. Steve

My favorite Charger, the '68. Something about the round quad tail lights I always liked. Made it a little more unique. Looks like you're doing this one right. Paint looks great! I keep eyeing the one in my stash. Some day I'll get going on it. Steve

Thanks Guys! Roger, The decals on the seats are from "Scale Motorsports". They offer several upholstery seat pattern decals, every where from '69 Camaro "hounds tooth" to zebra & giraffe prints. Steve

Hi Lee! Good to see another Minnesotan on here. No, it's not a resin. It's an old AMT "Junior Trophy Series" kit Those were the kits designed for young kids many years ago. Yesterdays equivelant to todays "snap kit". Pretty much the same as the annuals/ customizing kits, just minus all of the custom parts. Steve

My very first car in high school was a red '67 Chrysler 300 hardtop, (also have that kit, just have to build it now) Bought it at a junk yard for $200.00. Overhauled the engine, gave it a fresh paint job & drove it for sevral years. Last I heard, some one had bought it from the guy I sold it to, & restored it. Sure woul be cool to see it again. This is the only photo I have of it. A small, bad, grainy polaroid. Steve

Gaining a little ground on my '59 Edsel build. Finished polishing the paint yesterday & got a good start on the foil today. Oops! Forgot the door handle! Steve

Photo "B" looks a little better than photo "A" Ron! Good luck with your project! Steve

The '59 Buick definately had styling all it's own.Nice job on that one!! Built this one a few months ago. Just had to go with the "Lido Lavender" paint. Steve

Geez Paul!! You must have six arms & two heads!! I find it unbelievable that you could make an interior look that nice in 4 hours! Now, sit down & take a break. You must be tired! Steve

This is one of only a couple of "customs" I have in my collection. An AMT 1963 Ford Custom Cab pickup. I kept it relatively simple & did an "old school" type build. The engine is the original tri-carb motor that came with the kit with a few added details. The interior is pretty much bone stock. I just added a gear shift and plaid decals to the seats. The side trim has been removed from the body & a pinstripe added in the secondary color of '59 Pontiac "Cameo Coral". Tha body was painted Ford "Wimbeldon White" as well as the grille & bumpers. A real wood bed, a set of wide whites with painted stealies and inner trim rings & some custom side exhaust dumps round out the package. This Ford Still stands as one of my favorite builds. I had a great time building this one! Steve

There are some resin casters that do a lot of these old Johan kits Gary. Modelhaus has a lot of them. Personally, I tend to shy away from resin unless it was never available in plastic. I would much rather work with styrene. Some times you can get a nice restorable kit for less than you would pay for a resin kit. I picked up very nice re-builders of the '60 Dodge, '60 Plymouth & '61 New yorker, just to name a few, for less than Modelhaus was selling their resin counterparts. All depends on what you're looking for. These '63-'67 Chrysler 300s.....not so much! Steve

That was my assumption Chris. I figured there must be a reason that I had never seen a '58 Pontiac or Buick kit with factory caps from the kit. Always those ugly 3 bar spinner things. Steve

Very nice John! I've always been partial to the '68-'69 Baracudas vs. the later years. I only wish some one would have done a notch back version. Excellent job!! Steve