RancheroSteve

Finished! See "Under Glass" topic: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/106437-1962-pontiac-el-ponchomino/

Finished it up: Questions, comments, and critiques welcomed - thanks for looking! p.s. "On the Workbench" build thread here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/103281-el-ponchomino-update-104-finished/

I approve of this build! Well done.

Received my order today - '61 Plymouth Fury: I ordered in mid-July, which doesn't seem like an undue wait time for parts that are made to order, and considering the circumstances. And of course, the parts look flawless! I wanted to get this one while I still could, but I doubt it will be my last Modelhaus order.

OK, here's the article from Motor Racing Models #32 (March/April 1997). I'm copying from Fotki, so not sure if these will show up in a readable size. If not, I can attach them?

Nice to see one of these getting built! It's a great kit - I've got a couple in the stash. Motor Racing Replica News did an article years ago about building a more "correct" version than what's in the box - if you're interested I can scan it for you.

The license plate on this Bronco caught my eye:

Not under-rated by me! I've built most of those, and while they can be a challenge, the results are well worth it. I'd also add the Orange Crate to your list.

Getting closer - I got the engine in and finished up the engine compartment: And got the trim foiled:

Thanks for the look back! Interesting, I see both Boss 429 and SOHC valve covers on the chrome tree.

I had to look it up, but I believe those gills are part of the "Custom" package - the bottom of the line that year.

I built mine a little differently - as a fantasy moonshine runner. Used a NASCAR chassis, etc.

Yeah, man - well done!

1959 Ford (with Olds hubcaps) daily driver:

Slightly off-topic, but just a word of unsolicited advice: wait for the Moebius '65 Comet and use that for a donor instead.

I have this '60 Comet glue-bomb (EBay buy) that awaits restoration someday:

The '64 Comet has potential for a "re-boxing", but it would certainly need a few extras parts and decals to come close to making even a relatively accurate competition version. I suspect that's true for most of the cars we're talking about here. A couple I've done:

Nice kits! I built the Alfa Corse version some years back: It goes together just like a Tamiya kit usually does. Maybe the only tricky thing is getting the hood to stay closed.

The engine is about done and ready to install. I'll add the fan and air cleaners and hook up the coil wire after it's in. Again, pretty much straight out of the box, with some plug wires added. Painted the same blue as the body. Thanks for looking!

Yes, just to clarify - I'm not looking for "super detailed" right out of the box - just something that is well-proportioned and accurately represents the major mechanical components, and could respond to the input of an advanced builder. Maybe something along the lines of AMT's '67 Shelby Mustang, which is usually held up as the best representation of a mid-sixties Falcon-based unibody chassis and small block Ford engine and has thus become the donor of choice for builders wanting to do a more detailed Falcon or Comet. Based on what I've seen, I have a good degree of confidence that Moebius can get it right.

Well said, Dave - pretty much my thoughts, too. I think there's a middle ground between the extremes "if it ain't absolutely perfect, forget it" and "I'll buy it no matter what, just happy to get a kit of it". I'm not buying kits much at all these days (too many already), but if this kit is reasonably close (the way the other Moebius kits seem to be) it's a "must have" for me because of the subject matter - we owned one for a while. In addition to the exterior/visual issues you mentioned, I'm pretty particular about the mechanical details (can I say Trumpeter Falcon?) since I know them rather intimately, so I'd like to see those done right.

The interior is done. Nothing elaborate here - I used the custom tuck & roll from the kit and added some seat belts. Maybe I should add a tachometer - on the dash or column?

While the paint's drying on the body I've been doing some work on the chassis. The frame is painted the same color as the body. Since this is a custom, I'm not too worried about being factory correct. Even though I'm obviously not building this "out of the box", I have to put in a plug for this kit - everything fits and goes together really nicely, with a good level of detail. Engine and interior are coming along, too - more on that soon.

That sad Ranchero (seen here a week or so back) still hasn't moved and is now attracting commentary:

Cool find, Casey. I'm thinking this means the Black Max and Cobra trikes were issued slightly later? And as far as I know, they've never been re-issued, so finding one of them for a bargain price is probably pretty unlikely, unfortunately.