I was inquiring in the "General" folder about the quality of the '58 Plymouth kit by AMT
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31346&st=0&p=312054&hl=58%20Plymouth&fromsearch=1&#entry312054
Thanks to some great advice and comments, I knew the car was some messed up as is from the box. While it seems there is several "issues" with the kit, Bill Geary really stressed the wrong line or profile.
I cannot fix everything, but I can change the profile. I focused on the body line that starts in front of the rear fin, and goes across the rear quarter, across the door, across the front fender to the front.
That rear quarter, like all the poorly shaped side trim, bows down at each end of the car. It seems like it should be level, at least in the mid section.
Here is a pic of the AMT body with a steel rule resting on the door, note the light visible at each end between it and the car.
I think the body needs to be kicked up in the back half. But first, the roof needs to be removed so the body can be flexed. Once that is cut, the front and the back part ways.
Now to glue in some bracing to join the front and back...
...then glue the two halfs together, and clamp:
Then I glued the roof back on.
Next, I need to fix the rocker panel between the cut, and the rear wheel opening. I am sure there is more, I'm not sure. Some things I can fix, we will see.
More to come... eventually.