Ron Hamilton

That is not a bad model to start with. From the description of the work you plan to do, the model should be magnificant when you are done.

Here are a couple more shots of the '67 Corvette Red interior. I plan on doing another '67 Corvette in the future (my third), this one in White with a red stinger, White Hardtop, and Red Interior. This one is going to be a replica of Ms. Mitchell (wife of GM VP William Mitchell)

Anne, You are doing some fantastic detailing on this one. One suggestion, on the '67 Corvette, the vinyl had a very rough grain. Also, the interior photo is of a '65, not a '67. Here is the '67 You are nailing it so far.

I like the idea of the '74 Kingswood Estate. On Memorial Day, 1974, Mom made the decision to replace her '71 Duster (Basic 6 cylinder car in Dark Sherwood Green). We rode around to the different dealers in the area, which at first she was going to get another Plymouth. The salesman tried to sell her a Valiant sedan (well equipped 6 cyl), but we came to the conclusion that if she bought that one, she might as well hold onto the Duster a little longer. We left the Chrysler dealer, and headed to a Chevy dealer, where se had the intention to look at a Nova Sedan (V8). When we walked into the dealership, on the showroom floor was a Spirit of America Impala in White, trimmed in Blue. She walked over to the car and jumped in, giddy like a little child. We then looked at the Nova, and proceeded to make a deal on it.During the conversation, I asked the salesman "How much is the net dollar difference between this Nova, and the Impala in the corner?" When the salesman told her the difference, well to make a long story short, we rode home in the White "Spirit of America" Impala. In my stuff, I still have one of the original license plates from the car. Mom's 80th birthday is next June, and she would be estatic to get such a gift, and I think I could do such a build. Here is the '71 I restored from a Terrible Glue-bomb.

I am going to enjoy this thread. My first car was a '65 Malibu with a lot of road rash. When Revell first brought this kit out, I had wished that they did it as a non Z-16, but we have what we have. The contour of the rear quarter windows kind of bugged me, so I built a phantom Z-16 convertible out of mine. Do yourself a favor, and buy a Model Car Garage '65 Chevelle Photoetch Ser. It will give you the emblems to do the car you wish to do. The detail work you are putting into your build will be enhanced with this kit. In my stash, I have a R&R Resin '65 Malibu SS 2-Door hardtop, which was not a bad re-pop of the AMT Craftsman Annual Kit, with an opening hood. I may do my Malibu SS 2 Door Hardtop using a Craftsman Built-up that I have. The project is a little ways off, but this is how I plan to do it: The Craftsman kit body is fantastic, in that the hood has to be opened, and components added. The old cratsman kit also has a correct set of "SS" wheelcovers. The promo style mounting bosses have to be removed from them to work with the wheelbacks. The absolute best '64-'67 GM "A" chassis in scale is from the AMT '66 Olds 442, and that is the one I am going to use. It has a separate frame and floorboard, as well as all of the underhood components. The engine will come from the AMT '66 Nova. With the exception of the oil pan with the front sump, if you are going to do a 4-speed car, this is a great powertrain, requiring only a correct rear sump oil pan to work. The air cleaner has to be modified, but a the best unit shapewise is in the JoHan '65 Cadillac. The oval snorkel(s) have to be added. The Revell '64 Impala has a nice 327/300 V8 with a powerglide. The center console has to be modified to adapt the automatic shifter and quadrant. The Revell '64 also has a beautiful set of Goodyear "Power Cushion" tires. The AMT '65 El Camino had some nice interior parts for the project (Bucket seats and console). Now I could also go the way you are going, and use the Revell Z-16 kit, and do the mods you are doing to the kit, which is far more cost effective, and satisfying. I may take mine, and do a '65 Malibu 2 Door Hardtop. I'll have to scratchbuild the front bench seat, as well as the side mouldings, which I will pattern from the AMT wagon, and I will use a set of wheelcovers from that kit. I want to do a set of '65 Chevelles, including an El Camino, Malibu Wagon (AMT Kits), a 300 2 Door Wagon (Jimmy Flintstone Resin), and a 300 2 Door Sedan. I did a phantom '65 Sedan Delivery from an AMT '65 Wagon back in 1997. What color are you going to paint yours?? I know it is going to be great judging from what I am seeing so far.

Jonny, When MPC re-did the Chevy Caprice body after '73, they made a mistake by not adding the raised area on the windshield pillars. One of the projects I have to do in the future, is my Mom's '74 Impala "Spirit of America" . I bought this "builder" years ago, and I am thinking that I am going to go one of four ways with it: 1) Restore it to a '72 Impala Custom Coupe (Not likely as I have another one to re-do in much better shape) 2) Turn it into a '72 Impala Convertible (likely) 3) Turn it into a '72 Caprice Hardtop (most likely) 4) Turn it into a '74 Impala "Spirit of America"(Very Likely) The '72 "builder" I have is actually closer than the '74 Caprice builder I have to do the conversion. Your build is one of the absolute best examples of this kit I have seen in scale. Period.

You would do this one, John. I have a couple of Valiants in the stash, which are to built as Replica Stock projects, but your build are making me rethink the project. This '61 Hardtop has been restored and enhanced(mould lines removed and body separation lines added), and is ready for paint.

Very nice work. If I were to have one of those, I would try my hand at a LTD Landau. My grandfather had a '73 Mercury Marquis Brougham, which I would love to take a stab at. I have an idea on how to do the body on it, but that project would be years away.

Very Nice!!!! I'm working on a similar project. Seeing yours may make me get off my duff on this one.

Nice!!!!!

Very Nice build!!!!! Can I make one suggestion? Foil the "A" pillars. They were stainless steel on the '71-'76 GM full sized cars. MPC missed that detail, and made the pillars look like they should be body color, as that area should have been raised instead of depressed.

Excellent!!!!!

I would like to take a ride in that.

Oh Yes!!!!!!

Sweet!!!!

Excellent!!!!!

You did a wonderful job on that one. I hope that mine comes out half as good!!!!

Thank you for saving this valuable piece of plastic!!!!!

This version of the kit is better than the old annual as far as detail, and you get a set of skirts in the bargain.

Excellent!!!!!

That is beautiful!!!!!

Looks excellent to me!!!!!

Very Nice!!!!!!!

Sweet!!!!!!

Lookin' Good!!!!!