Modlbldr

Here is another project that I have been working on between 3 other projects. I get to a point on one when I have to let things dry or I'm waiting for the right day to paint, so I switch back and forth. These are the first photos of this project I've posted and I am excited about finishing this.....as I am with all of them. This is the Lindberg 53 Ford Vicky kit that I added a roof from the 66 Mustang kit to. I opened up the side windows for hardtop look. I also sectioned the body of the Vicky and pancaked and leaned back the front of the hood a bit to make it more modern looking. I think that it has a nice look to it. I also am adding the interior and chassis from an old 06 Mustang that I had done the chassis work to and painted the body. Then during my move in 2007 something happened to the Mustang body that ruined it. So, it is a good use of some parts that I had already painted and assembled. More to come... Later-

Man, you can't go wrong with a model like that. Ain't nuthin' lackin' when you're Cadillacin'! I'll be watching this one for sure. Later-

NICE!! I wouldn't figure those colors would work well together, but they do. I love the fading in the paint. Keep it up. Later-

Frank- That is amazing work on a kit that is such a piece! I'm sure you know what I mean. I had two of them given to me years ago and the detail was so bad that I thought it was only good for a replica of a fiberglass drag car body. So I used the second kit to stretch the body behind the front wheel wells. That's as far as I got!! Yours is going to look great. Later-

Jonathan- Great job so far. I really like that interior. Nice mix of colors and parts. That front definitely needs lowered a bit. The build is looking good so far. One question though. What are thos white wheels in the photo from? They look like some that I need for a build. Later-

Beautiful paint job. Keep it up. Later-

Dave- That IS a nice one. I feel you. Where does the time go?? I remember my brother and I building many different kits when we were kits(53 Vette, 55 Ford Panel, some van with Kangaroo decals and two of the Monogram Classics series that we got for Christmas from my grandparents were among a few of them) Glad to see this one is still in your possession. It'll be nice to see it done....again! Later-

One of my favorite colors!!! Can't wait to see what you do with it. Later-

Andre- Looking good so far! really dig the color. Did you find your other two Fujimi tires? If not, PM me. I may have some that will work. Later-

That is a great idea with the prescription bottle bottom. Looks perfect. Nice work in fixing all of the small problems in this kit. I really like the early 50's Corvettes. This will be an interesting replica. Later-

Steve- Way to persevere. Don't let it get the best of you. This is such a beautiful body style and what great work on this paint job, the interior and the engine. Way to go! Later-

What year was the Dream? My dad has a '65 305 Dream. Someday I'll get it from him. Later-

You and me both. Sure wish I'd have kept that kit. Later-

Dragon- So far your work is looking good to me. Pretty adventurous work. I still hate doing opening doors on a model, and I've been building for years. I only have one suggestion. You may want to see about getting a higher quality of putty. That green stuff tends to shrink as it dries, and it takes a looooonnngggg time to dry fully. You will probably end up with sink marks in your model in the next few months due to it. It is a great way to ruin a beautiful build. Ask me how I know!! If you can afford it I'd go to a automotive store (Napa, or the like) and buy some Evercoat (I think it was glazing putty). I think last time I bought some it was around $16- $18 but comes in a large container. I'm sure other guys here can give you some other ideas of good quality putty. Fortunately for me I build so slowly and usually have a few projects that I rotate through that any shrinkage is caught before I hit the paint stage. LOL! Later- Later-

Eelco- I think that you might be wrong about the wheels. Back in the late 80's- early 90's when this style of truck (roadster top) was hot those wheels would have fit the style just perfect. Especially painted white or a pastel color. Nice job so far Madman. don't forget that the seats should have headrests that stick above the top of the doors. And some paint splash graphics. Later-

A little bit. The first one I tried I foolishly removed the straight bar at the very bottom first and once i cut out the bullet I had two halves. It was too dificult to line the two halves up because the bars are not the same thickness as they curve up to the center. Once i realized I needed to leave the bottom there to hold it together then it was difficult to cut the bullet out without breaking the bottom bar. Later-

I'll second that! Later-

I am unaware of how the Fujimi or Aoshima kits are so I won't make any comments either way on them. So far this kit looks to be very well designed, fit wise. I haven't gotten into putting much more than some of the sub assemblies (engine block pieces, front suspension, etc) together or test fitting things. I glued the custom front end on and had test fitted the chassis in before reading the instructions. Then I realized that the headlight buckets were supposed to go on first (requiring taping them off before painting or painting the front end separate from the body). Having thought that I would need to do some major mods to get them in, I was happy to see that they will slide into place just fine from underneath. Whew!!! Dodged that bullet. Hopefully the rear taillight panel will be as easy. I am still contemplating cutting the roof out in a T-top style. I have opened up the screened areas in the front end. I need to remove mold lines from the body and then I can primer. I have some custom wheels from the parts box that I am putting on mine. I just need to get one more aluminum ring for the front wheel from my buddy this week. I'm really excited about the wheel combo I came up with. I really appreciate everyone's input on this kit. I really like the silver one with red seat inserts. And I like the custom wing on that white one also. Where did it come from? Later-

Hey Daniel- I wanna see this one!! Get them pix figured out, please. LOL. Later-

Shawn- That is a real beauty! Very nice work. I love the decal work and the gold line tires. I can't wait to see more of your work. Later-

What happened to this idea?? Later-

How much is one? This is funny. I just had a friend of mine give me her late husband's '53 4-Door. Sure wish I had the money to do something with it. I had to turn her down. Better to clutter up her yard than my 10 acres. It was the only Hudson he kept before he passed away. I asked her the other day when was visiting what she was going to do with it. She told me "take it, if you want it. I want it gone." I would like to do a model of it for her. Later-

Thanks David. I did a little more touching up on it yesterday and it looks better. The underside of the top bar was not straight on the driver's side. I think I have it fixed now. Just a quick shot of primer and it is off to my buddy's for Alclad. Later-

Here's the point that I'm at now. I realize that this is'nt the right place to post this so I'll make these the last photos. I'm just proud of the results so far and have to show it off. LOL! I still have a bit of touching up to do and then I'll take it to my buddy to Alclad it for me. I do appreciate the info on Modelhaus. I have a JF resin 49 body and two older 49 kits and a 50 convertible that I only have one grille left for. I'll need a few. Later-

Yes, that's them. Z series. I think that they are sharper and, so far, they stay sharper longer. As a matter of fact, the one I have chucked up is still the first one. I also used it today to cut contact paper to put on my cupboard shelves under the sink and I am still using it tonight to cut parts from the sprue, with ease. I don't know how much more expensive they are than regular though. Later-