Chuck Most

Revell did it in 1:32, but other than that, no kit.

Looks cool, but wow- you'd need to do a LOT of chrome before it would 'pay for itself' with the money you'd save not having pieces sent out for vacuum plating. Then again, if you got good at it, you could chrome parts for other modelers for a modest fee...

Nope! Well... sort of... I've mocked up a windshield and roof from an AMT '56 T-Bird on this kit's body before. Dare I say it didn't look too bad! Forgot one thing- there is all sorts of useful info and links on the 1:1 here- http://www.1966batmobile.com/background.htm

Very, very wrong.

Nice one, Paul! Now... anybody up for figuring out a way to make the fadeaway fenders from the coupe kit work on the Woody?

I just dug out a Revell 302, and an AMT 351 ('93 F-150), and they're very close in size. The '92=95 F-150 kits would be the easiest to source- they all come with an AOD, but if you wanted a passenger-car automatic transmission or a manual, you could graft one on pretty easily. The Revell '94-up Mustangs all have modern five-speed manuals, the AMT '67 Shelby has a nice four-speed (If I recall correctly, it even has a separate bellhousing and shift linkage), and the Revell street rod kits have a late model EOD auto. I've used the F-150 351 block in the past with the manual trans from a '94 Mustang and everything matched up pretty well with minimal file work. (Only reason I did the 'cut and paste' was because I somehow managed to mess up the block on the Mustang casting, but still wanted to use the 5-speed.)

Yeah... as you can see, the kit is pretty simple- just over three dozen parts in total, but keep in mind this kit is as old as the Futura concept itself. As many know, this was the car that later became the original 1966 Batmobile, and before the arrival of Polar Lights' trio of '66 kits, you either had to build your '66 from this kit, or work from a resin kit based on this golden oldie. The 1:1 concept was built in 1955, in 1956 'Lincoln' scripts were added to the front fenders. This kit lacks those scripts, but all the others present on the original car are present and accounted for.\ All chrome is separate- about the only foil trim you'll need to worry about are the scripts, the framework for the bubble canopies, and some of the interior trim. Parts fit seems pretty good from what I've dry-fit so far, and there isn't much flash for a kit of this vintage. The car was originally painted a very pale pearlescent blue (often referred to as 'Pearlescent Frost Blue-White'), but before the car found superstardom as the TV Batmobile, it was repainted red for its first film role and used in the 1959 film 'It Started With a Kiss'. The interior was also redone in red to match. This is the version I'm thinking of building, though it would not be a totallly accurate replica of the car as it appeared in 1959, lacking the 'Lincoln' front fender scripts. Right out of the box, there are at least two variants of the Futura you can build, and of course, you can go crazy with a fantasy build. Years ago Bob Downie built one as a Ranchero. I'm even toying with the idea of using some of the stock concept parts off the kit on the Polar Lights Batmobile to convert that kit back to a Futura, so I can have a full-detail Futura to park next to my still-not-completed '66 Bat Car. The kit was reissued not too long ago in a standard-size Revell box (around 2006 or so if I recall), and even earlier versions are available for very reasonable prices. If you are into full detail or newer tooling, just walk away, but if you have a thing for old concept cars, Lincolns in general, want something to display as a 'bookend' with your PL Batmobile, or just want to experience a model that dates practically from the dawn of the hobby, this one's well worth a lookie-loo.

In additon to what has previously been mentioned, he Revell '32 Fords come with a 5.0 (302) which could be made to work- as you said, the deck height/width issues would be negligable in 1:25.

Blow it up to 1:1 and I'd drive it. Al- if I could steal one model from you... I think it'd be this one.

Lovely!

A plain old golf cart would be way cheaper, though.

Nicely done!

Sweet! First time I've ever seen a model of a glider.

Don't really recall where I found that picture- I think it was in an online article about the subject which triggered this thread.

That is pretty much the same way I approach it. I might even pounce if it's something I already have, but is available at a very good price. That's one of the reasons I have so many Lindberg '34 Ford pickups, a few years back a local guy was selling them for five bucks apiece. Ten '34 Ford pickups for fifty bucks? Don't mind if I do! Normally I try to get what I 'need' for as little money as possible, but there are times when I see something listed at what some might call a ridiculous price, but I don't care because I just have to have it. I figure why not- I'm usually pretty shrewd with my hobby dollars, I have the right to splurge every so often, right? One area I never 'cheap out' on is with materials- I've found that getting name-brand products will most often get you the best results, all other things considered. Of course, I still try to get the name brand stuff at discount rates whenever possible. I spend the majority on kits- the rest is split among building supplies (adhesives, foil, paint and prep supplies, etc.). Now that I'm starting to get interested in diorama modeling, I'm sure I'll be spending a bit less on kits and more on diorama supplies, mostly because I'm lacking that kind of stuff at the moment.

HOBBY BENCH #5 4240 W BELL RD GLENDALE AZ 85308-4027 602-547-1828 HOBBY DEPOT 214 W SOUTHERN AVE TEMPE AZ 85282 480-968-1880 HOBBY TOWN USA 3700 E. SPEEDWAY TUCSON AZ 85716 520-882-8888 ****** Chuck, that list is from last year, I will update it this weekend. Thanks for the gentle nudge and reminder.

Orange... Yellow... (Inca Gold to be more specific) Yeller, with a touch of red...

Ed still had a couple left last I was in.

I don't even get home much of the time, I'm known to rip off the shrink wrap once I get out to the car, or even on the hobby shop counter if there happen to be a couple of other people there curious as to what comes in the kit.

I bought an original built-up example years ago, kind of marvled at all the delicate little parts (that weren't broken) and sold it online a year or two later. I've always been interested in the kit- I like the 1:1, and there are a TON of cool parts in this thing for all sorts of hot rod and racing projects.

^What he said.

I like the 'time capsule' thing it has going- nicely built or not, it's a good example of how kits were built when they were still a somwhat newfangled concept. Really, even if the paint looked better, etc., how many 'contest quality' models built back in the early '60's would stand a chance by today's standards? Not many, I'd bet. I think I'd do exactly what you did, Nick- leave this one the way it is, then find another '40 Coupe and do it up as a companion to display with this one.

I haven't started mine yet, but here's what I'm shooting for-