sjordan2

Howard, the thing is, that no matter how many cars you look at, there are many ways to draw different conclusions. For example, your single photo would say that whitewall tires would be okay. Maybe okay for some, but authentic, no. And ugly, yes. I think you're trying to make some kind of point, but I can't tell what it is.

For those who know me and think I'm having a heart attack over Harry's non-standard choices, I'll just say the following... The factory offered the ability for buyers to specify any color scheme they wanted outside of the catalog. This included body, interior, and canvas, as well as any color piping for upholstery and canvas. Brown was a popular color for high-end cars of the period, including Rolls and Mercedes SSK fenders. Personally, I like the very Spartan approach of the SS100 factory cars. This means I'm not too thrilled by the wood dash (metal with body color) and the shiny wire wheels (usually silver, body color, black or red), but you'll find these aftermarket touches on restored cars, along with (yuk) engine-turned dash boards. But only one or two cars with black replacement gauge faces to augment the standard white gauges. This is still a typically jaw-dropping Harry build.

The engine is amazing.

That looks like Heller's 1/35 version. Their 1/24 is far more detailed and accurate. I have the 1/24 but haven't built it because i've heard it's very difficult. Nice build in such a small scale, though.

That's the 1938 540K Streamliner Coupe, a one-off that had its body totally dismantled, but "The car's resurrection began in 2011; the unique experimental coupe has been brought back to life by Mercedes-Benz Classic using the car's original blueprints. The first time it was shown in public since its restoration completion was at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance." http://www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/1236937,9097/1937-Mercedes-Benz-540K.aspx

On the earlier Gullwings, the eyebrows were bolted on. You can see the seam and seal if you look closely, and this may account for variations in angles. On the later cars, the eyebrows were stamped into the body metal [EDIT: This part is unlikely]. That's the way one source tells it. HOWEVER... According to the Adler book, "Beginning with the 379th coupe built (1955)' the welting placed between the fender and the "eyebrow" was eliminated and the brow was simply leaded into the fender....this gave the "eyebrow" a more integrated appearance...." That makes more sense to me, and the 1955 parts catalog still shows bolt holes on the fenders along the eyebrow lines. I don't know if there were any further differences in the manufacture of the 29 cars with all-aluminum bodies. It's also possible, as Chuck K. pointed out, that we're seeing restoration variances. Gullwing bodies were assembled from a multitude of parts, and fabricating replacement parts could be tricky.

Spectacular-looking kit. That is so nicely done that any comments might seem ungracious, but there are things to be aware of. As mentioned in earlier posts, the speakers are there in the door jamb, but there's no radio (should be under the center of the dash). Needs carpeting on the floor of the rear luggage deck, and the kit seems to be missing the two luggage tie-down rails (one around the perimeter of the upper rear and a horizontal one just behind the seats -- these are on other kits). Not sure why the builder didn't finish the chrome door handles. And as I've noticed on other photos posted here, the door sill edges look way too sharp and could be sanded down a bit. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered kit.

Wonderful. Great job on realistic light weathering.

Speaking of dashboards, not too long ago I got a mixed bag of old watch crowns in different styles and sizes from eBay. Knobs, buttons, switches, caps, etc, for vintage cars in larger scales.

The horror. The horror.

Also an excellent job replacing the engine crank hole. How did you do that?

Terrific.

Definitely.

I don't know if you can really say the car was totally manufactured in England. According to the RM copy in the link I provided, the Americanized LHD chassis and engine were sent to Springfield (without tires) for completion with Brewster coachwork and everything else.

It's a Phantom II Henley -- A Springfield/Derby co-production. http://www.rmauctions.com/mo12/monterey/lots/1931-rolls-royce-springfield-phantom-ii-henley-roadster-by-brewster--co/1052448

I think you're right.

Just remember that real Rudge wheels have bolts that ring the interior of the wheel hub without a flange. On the factory wheel with Rudge center lock knockoffs, there is a very obvious flange at the hub.

I agree. Hey, it's an "Untouchables" kit, so you've got to have gangster whitewalls.

That's the way I'd do mine, Jesse (with the traditional blue/plaid interior). Just looks even more serious without the bumpers and with the Rudge knockoffs.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=1%2F16&_sop=10&_armrs=1&_from=R10&_pcats=1188%2C220&_osacat=2580&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X1%2F24+monogram+rolls+royce.TRS0&_nkw=1%2F24+monogram+rolls+royce&_sacat=2580

Unlike the Revell/Monogram kit, this one has an opening rear hatch. However, someone posted something a while back about the Bandai and RM kits being the same except for that feature. I don't know -- the Bandai kit is Unobtanium.

The Monogram Springfield is a really nice kit. The thing to remember is that the chassis and engine are mirror images of the British car. I'll be happy to supply factory diagrams.

Just paid and got my order confirmation.

In his first post, he said they were the optional custom wheels from the AMT 62 Thunderbird kit. You can see them on the side of the kit box. Looks like they could be good for a lot of kits.