Steve H

Thanks Anton. The body is definitely a lot smoother, and a bit racier looking. The vision is SLOWLY coming together. Thanks for the support Francis! I second guessed my decision for over an hour before actually picking up the file and making the first pass. ?? Once I started it was easy to keep going. Despite the modifications, I think it has still retained its elegant lines. Hello Claude! I was cheeky and didn’t photograph the areas that still needed the most work, but it is starting to look close to finished. Hi Dennis, these old Caddy’s really are gorgeous cars. Yes, the hood bulges will come down a touch, probably about 0.5 mm, (or 1/2”) at the front, closer to 1mm at the back. They have been slowly shrinking til I get the “right” look to my eye. I want them to give the car some attitude, but not too overpowering. Thank you for your input on that, much appreciated. Thank you all for taking the time to comment, I always enjoy the input! Cheers, Steve

Updated mock up of my WIP wide body Caddy. Final wheel choice made! I have some different tires for it now, but profile is the same.

As mentioned above, the styrene dust has been flying. Time to “clean up” the body a bit. This turned out to be much tougher decision than I thought it would be. The trim is so beautifully molded and crisp, it was hard to remove it, but all along the plan was to shave most of the trim. Below are just a few, somewhat random before and after shots. I removed the drip edges around the windows, the beautiful side spear ?, and the molding just above the rocker trim. one of the MANY things I have learned on this forum is to mask around areas being sanded, filed etc. to help prevent any accidental damage. This lower trim was a real finnicky thing to remove, as you will see in the following photos there is still a bit more to clean it up. So after that, I felt the need to prime and see where things are at. Getting closer! Still a few touchups on the front and rear flares. As of now, I plan to leave the trim on the rocker panels and put carbon fibre decals on them. I could change my mind on that… The front hood scoops are also close. I will sand them then attach to the hood and blend them in. The tail light repair has been done, and here you can also see the spoiler I fabbed up. It will be blended to the body once I’m happy with the shape. A before and after view of the flares… Yep, time for a mock up ! Next up is blending in the front turn signal covers. I might finally, actually remove the brace at the front , you know, the one that says “remove”! The front bumper and grill area will “evolve”. I know generally how I want it to look, but not 100% decided on “exactly” what it will look like. I will tackle the front splitter once I get the grill area sorted out. I’ll fine tune the rear spoiler and attach it a little later. Getting closer to being ready for some colour on the chassis, and interior parts. On projects like this I tend to hold off on final colour until most of the major surgery is complete, and I know that things are going to fit as planned. I’m still a bit nervous about final assembly on this one. The chassis to body fit is going to be tricky. ? Thats it for now, more soon. Thanks for having a look!

Hi Mark! Thank you, and thanks for remembering my Chevelle. It’s definitely one of my favs. As long as nothing goes sideways on me, I’m pretty sure this will be my new favourite build. Very kind offer for the parts. My stash keeps getting bigger and bigger, I think I’ll be good for a bit.? Cheers, Steve

Hi Tom and Sam, this is a really great story. Fun builds for both of you I’m sure. Both builds look great, and for different reasons. Thanks for Shar the story and your builds! Here’s, Steve

Hi Jim, thanks for checking in sir! I definitely like my builds low, always have. As for the “masterful” bodywork, I have a long way to go, but this forum has taught me lots. I enjoy “pushing” myself a bit to try either new things, or just do a better job of the techniques I already have. There has been more styrene dust than usual on this one!? Cheers, Steve

Did someone say “tubbed” ?! Not sure how I missed this one Greg, but I love it. You’re scratching, casting, bobbing, and probably weaving! Awesome stuff. I will keep an eye out for when this one resumes. Cheers, Steve

Really nice work Bill. Your efforts definitely paid off, that engine bay looks great! Cheers, Steve

Thank you Sonny. I’m trying to do this classic kit justice. I appreciate the kind words. Cheers, Steve

Well darn! They look fantastic, thanks for the reply Tom, much appreciated.

Beautiful build Gerald. Glad to hear it is a good kit, this is the next build in my que. Great paint, and very clean assembly. The wheels, along with the vinyl top give it some extra pop too. May I ask what red you used for the inner front fenders? Looks very close for the factory fibreglass units. Cheers, Steve

Looks great Tom! I would also like to know the source for those wheels and tires please. Cheers, Steve

Thanks guys, I did a bunch more sanding today. I feel like I’ve created more than my share of styrene dust in the last couple of weeks! Hope to have an update this weekend.

Always love your builds Jim. I don’t know how your brain reverse engineers these paint jobs, but they are always amazing. Very creative, and thanks for showing the step by step. The sisters look great together! Cheers, Steve

Hi John, nice start on this. I used that colour on a build a few years ago, very nice colour, and looks great on your Stang. Cheers, Steve

Hi Steve, you build beautiful models, including this 62 Chrysler. Fantastic that it got printed in the magazine, and it totally sucks that someone else’s name is on it. I’d be disappointed too.??

I kinda like it when these old threads get dug up. Thanks Jeremy! I have a few. 59 Impala lowrider… My take on the Tijuana Taxi… Kit bash of a modified pro stock Camaro and the 86 Monte Carlo…

Hi all, not much of an update here but there is some progress. I was not able to paint today, but couldn’t resist a mock up. I started modifying the wheel hoops, and centres. Obviously they are not quite finished, nor painted, but the offsets are close to what finished wheels will be. You can also see where the bodywork needed some extra filler to smooth out the fender bulges. I have also started the repair on the driver side taillight. I have also been fabricating a couple of hood scoops. I will show more info on these later, but basically took a single scoop, cut in half, and then reshaped it. The leading edge will mirror the shape of the hood. Still some finessing to do but they’re close. Here they are just placed on the hood not glued yet. More soon! Thanks for having a look.

Hi Adam, sorry I missed you. The fall guy truck was very impressive! I took six builds over, that was a good and very well attended show. My wallet was a little thinner on the way home as the vendors had some some good stuff… Cheers, Steve

Nice colour combo Steve. Yep, that foil might take while, hope you’re stocked up with a few sheets!? For me, foil is one of my least favourite tasks, but also one of the most rewarding. Great looking wheels, and the windshield tint is a nice touch. Cheers, Steve

Ding, ding, ding indeed! That looks really nice. Perfect floor for a delivery vehicle, it really pops with the black floor. Cheers, Steve

Looks awesome Derek! Those last minute, unforeseen fitment issues are frustrating ?. Looks like you got a handle on it tho. Cheers, Steve

Hi Nigel, thanks for checking in. Yes, you are absolutely right, subtle mods do seem to require a bit more work. The goal now, is to get the “rough” work I’ve done blended and smoothed out. That’s still going take a bunch more sanding. Thanks Jer!

Great looking build. I want to build one of these as a “street legal” car.

Laugh if you must, but the white stuff is no joke, especially when one has a road trip planned.