carbuilder1950

Years ago many of us were putting incomplete kits together using Modelhaus pieces before they went out of business.. At the time I never dreamed that would happen. Many of us are glad we stashed these parts to restore the kits we collected. To bad their gone. What a gift they were to the car modeling community for years. Lot's of fun because of that little cottage industry, and were still getting to enjoy their contribution many years later. Thanks Modelhaus

@NOBLNG my model building friend. No pinning needed. Years ago when I was in the custom machining trade, I had to make fixtures and stops for machining custom one-off parts from stock metal pieces, but the fixtures and stops I made had to be able to be disassembled from the vise holding the parts. It took a big carpenters metal hammer, and a big hefty swing, sometimes a couple times to drive the parts loose that were CA glued to the vise. I knew I had stumbled onto something I could use in my model building, and the rest is history. Some solvents leave a residue, so I use acetone to clean the parts before gluing, as acetone leaves no residue. You could probably use alcohol possibly too, but I would check either one after cleaning on a scrap to make sure all is clean the way you want, before using it on a "Keeper". If they are cleaned properly, and you glue parts together, you'll need a chisel and a BIG METAL hammer to drive them apart. Dave

You live in a world in your head that doesn't exist for the rest of us, and that's what makes model building so much fun, and so cool, when there is such a variety of imagination, talent and skills. Your work stands out here and really grabs our attention. I love how we all have different ways to approach this hobby and make it so much fun for ourselves and others. Beautiful work on everything my friend, and a real treat for me to enjoy. Dave

@Daxman I love it when people think outside the box. Sounds like this isn't your first here like this. I'm a "newbie", so I'll keep my eye's open for more. Great idea and execution. Love the colors and the whole look is just "Killer." Dave

Thanks everyone for the nice comments for a "Newbie" here. Much appreciated .

Hi @Kool Kat I am a "Jimmy Flintstone" fan and the "Light Pearl Green" background piece in the case you mentioned is one of his resin creations. Not finished, but it sits directly in front of me at my model bench for me to enjoy. Have a great day. Dave I added headlight pods from a Lindberg 1953 Ford kit to give it that Bugatti Atlantic look. Someday I'll finish it

I love wagons. Had a few back in the day. I like planning ahead on my builds, so this was no exception. I like to subtly mess around with designs but keep the basic design in tact. I used 2 diecast bodies to create this. A 1957 Franklin Mint Bonneville convertible, and a Danbury Mint 1956 Chevy Nomad. This is a "PHANTOM" because it's a "Bonneville" Safari Wagon, and Pontiac never made such a beast. The Safari was a "Star Chief" body style, but I love the chrome Bonneville rear quarter molding, minus the ribbed chrome behind the rear tire. I modified that area with body filler for a cleaner, less busy and less heavy look. To me it's a beautiful body style, and I'm a "Bling Freak" and love all that chrome. NO PLASTIC here. Lots of metal cutting with a bandsaw and hacksaw, but worth it because the Chrome pieces and detail are just fantastic. Lots of super-glue to hold the bare metal pieces together, and lots of body filler to shape the car, and a lot of jigging and fixturing to make everything align and work properly. Rear tailgate and glass work smoothly also. I do all the "Jam painting" and other area's, and then assemble the car and spray paint it as a complete assembly, so there is no difference in depth or tone of color between pieces. All comments welcome ?.

@rickcaps55 Thank you so much Richard ?.

@1959scudetto WOW!! That is one pretty car. Those are the colors I was going to paint mine. Now I will for sure. Nice detailing on EVERYTHING!! BEAUTIFUL MODEL.

@Koellefornia Kid Thank you. It was fun building it.

@Bills72sj Thanks Bill. Yeah that "Gunsight grill" really grabbed me the first time I saw it. I've built cars before because of just one body part that really drew me in. Must be a mental thing or something . Dave

Hi @michelle Yeah, these grills have been as extinct as hens teeth for a long time. That's why I bought mine from Modelhaus years ago and just stashed it. I have never seen one on Ebay. All the best on your modeling Dave

Thank you Mike. I'm a "Newbie" here so I got some help and it worked ?.

Hey les @stitchdup Your instructions worked perfectly So so easy to use. Love it. Thank you so much for your quick reply and simple directions ?. I owe you one ?. Dave

I had problems uploading pics from my image hosting account and was told that MCM has it's own pic uploader. I haven't a clue where it's at or how to use it. Could someone please show me where the link is at so I can begin, and also how to use it?? It would be so appreciated ?. Carbuilder1950

I like the roof line on a '69 Torino, and the body of the '70 Torino Cyclone Spoiler, and that grill is so incredible to me. So I decided to build a car around that bumper/grill. I had a grill/bumper from Modelhaus for some time, just waiting for all the right pieces. I eventually got the rare body pieces I needed from a 1970 Mercury Cyclone Spoiler. I cut the roof off both cars and married the '69 roof to the '70 body and used a little body filler and WALLA - A phantom Torino with some decals from a NASCAR Torino. I wanted the rear window and the "SHADES" from a mustang, so I took a donor Mustang body and cut out the rear window opening and molded it in to the torino, so I could use the 'Stang rear window slats. Used a Mustang rear deck spoiler too. And the "Billboards" on the tires came from an online vendor. Aren't model cars fun. I'll figure it out.

Yup!! Your so right TooOld. That's the girl. I saw that pic years ago and the ol' girl just grabbed me. Had to have 'er. Got a pretty nice resin 4 door hardtop wagon version too, but not by Modelhaus. It's a fairly new kit with interior and un-chromed bumpers, so I hounded Ebay for brand new chrome F&R bumpers and '60 Plymouth glass until I got 'um. Patience and determination paid off. Isn't that one of the prettiest cars you've ever seen? The wagon version is really pretty too, and is a nice conversion from the Modelhaus body. Even has separate fender ornaments' and "POLARA" script on the body - Pretty cool. Needed a little more cleanup than a Modelhaus kit, but she cleaned up nice with a little patience.

It always warms my heart to see any body style of a 33/34 Ford. I love all the small details of silver and chrome that help the reddish/orange "very shiny" paint just "POP." I'd like that on my display shelf ?. Great job.

Thanks much guys. Love there's other's here retired. You guys also understand the importance of "NAPS" .

Thank you. great to be here ?

Thanks Mike ? I think I can learn a lot here to.

I'm a bit new here and when I saw the title, I had to dive into your thread and see what's happening. I have a couple 1960 Polara's unbuilt in my stash, and have been eyeing them lately for my next "Chop job" ?. I love that this is a WIP and you have shared some great tips and ideas for converting and modifying parts like I enjoy doing. I read all your posts and will continue to follow along, GREAT JOB so far?!!!

Good day gents. Nice to be here. I've been a model car builder for a few years now. Belonged to some model car clubs, and did a few contests long ago, but now just build for the fun of it in my man cave model room - Fun stuff ?. I used to build a lot of mild customs and some street rods, but now after collecting a handful of some old plastic keepers over the years, and a few older resin kits, I've settled into some milder things I've been wanting to tackle, and spend less time finishing. I need my naps now that I have gotten older and retired .