MrObsessive

This is a very good question and one that's a little tough for me to answer since I didn't start building till I was 17. As I look around my collection I think I've got pretty much all that I had (and certainly wanted) as a 'kid'. There weren't very many and if I would like to try and build something that I royally butchered in my early 20's, I can think of two. AMT's Sunbeam Tiger MPC's '84 Pontiac Fiero. I've got both of those now sitting in my stash and now this thread brings to mind I should try and build those again sometime. It's been 35 years or so since I last tackled a Fiero, so it might be interesting to see what I can do with it now.

If I'm not mistaken, the hardtop in that kit is pretty much the same as the one in the '59. I can tell from how it looks in a side profile. Yeah, you'd have to test fit it out because in the 1:1 world, the rear window (and quarter windows) were just a wee bit shorter due to the flatter rear deck of that 'ducktail' styling. Then you also had the little 'bump' in the trailing edge of the hardtop rear window frame to clear the rear deck ridge (think Harlow Curtice SR2 with the trunk fin). Ain't kitbashing fun??

Yeah, that AMT (new tool) '57 was tricky for me to use when I was building my Monogram '57 years ago. I chose the windshield frame off of that because to my eyes it has the most accurate shape of all the C1's modeled. I did have to 'stretch' it though because of the different scales. It was a bit of a hassle though to get Monograms hardtop to fit. I'd suggest that one, but it's 1/24 scale and the shape is totally wrong to boot. I had to do a LOT of cutting and sectioning to get it to look right on the body. It might have been easier to start with AMT's '57 to begin with, but I never liked how the front fenders looked especially in the cove area. They look too 'tall' to me as if the front fender wheel wells are too high or something.

I don't know how eBay works over there or if you're able to get our site in the states, but I've seen those from time to time-----just the hardtop. Also, I wouldn't limit yourself to just the '59, you might want to keep an eye out for the AMT '62, or the MPC one that was in their C1 kits. In the 1:1 all '56-'62 'Vette hardtops were the same with some very minor changes for 1961-62. With some slight tweaking it should fit the '58. Hope this all helps!

You could put some melted wax on the end of a toothpick. That should pick up something as light as a headlight lens.

As usual Paul------another stunner! I'm wondering if MOPAR was using Chrysler rear fenders for part of the wagon's bodywork? I'm seeing part of the Chrysler tailfins starting just behind the rear doors and going up at a straight angle and not the 'bump up' that the other '57-'58 Plymouth models had. This is also one that very seldom turns up even at an car show. Many just weren't well taken care of and like many of them back in those days, rusted terribly. When one does turn up as I've seen in the past at a show, it's definitely got a crowd around it as they're just that rare these days.

That's definitely a two door wagon that's pictured. As Bill said, there's no door lines ahead of the rear wheel wells and I'm seeing a slimmer pillar just behind the main front door pillar on the driver's side. If it were me building this, I'd combine the Revell '56 Del Ray along using it's roof section up to the trailing edges of the doors, then use the roof section of the AMT '55 Nomad to give me the roof length I'd need. Of course, you'd have to fill in the 'grooves' on the roof and then you'd need to fashion the C and D pillars a bit more upright and just a bit taller. You would get the correct front doors as Bill mentioned (no 'swoop' down) and the correct roof/windshield height which I'm one of those that would spot that in a heartbeat. You could use the tailgate off the Nomad, but as was said, make it more upright and get rid of its ribbing. Either which way, you've got some work cut out for you as that's one version that's never been done accurately. I wouldn't mind cobbling together a '55 two door wagon someday. Everyone wants the '55-'57 Nomads, but there's something about the simplicity of those 150/210 wagon series that in some ways are a bit more appealing.

To echo what David said, I owned several convertibles in the past and IMO there's not anything much more frustrating than having a top that's ballooning up like a parachute as you're going down the road. I've seen cars like that passing me and that tells me that they either had it done in the cold, or when the top material was installed, the top frame was not retracted a good bit so that when the frame is fully erect, the material is 'taut' and not floppy. It's not a particularly hard job to do, but one that will take up the better part of your day. I remember many years ago replacing the top on a '65 Dart convertible (it was ripped up and broken into) and I was REALLY glad when it was done as it sucked up most of the day (for me). Good luck with the project!

I had to do a double take to see that this WAS a '64 and not the ever present '63! Really super nice Paul and this reinforces my thinking about getting things that you like while they're available, because one never knows for how long it can be had. For whatever reason, I can still remember the car that a teacher's assistant I had when first starting school (mid '60's) owned. It was a triple white '63 Dynamic 88 convertible. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I can remember her parking it right against the window where our classroom was located. At times the top was down which is why I remember what color the interior was. Funny how car memories can stick in your mind!

Looks angry! ?

Yeah I saw that at the last NNL East and took pics of it! REALLY nice! I can't remember who built it, but it was very convincing!

Forgot about the Boss part! I don't deal with them until maybe a ½ hour before I'm ready to leave. It's the other poor fellow who follows me for daylight that has to deal with the drama. On what you did to the 'Vette..........I had the crazy idea of doing something like this once, but cutting the car in half and painting the cut areas a different color. Sort of a 3D cutaway drawing like you see in the magazines!

Aaaah! Beautiful as usual Paul! This is another one of those "childhood cars" I saw when I first knew what a car was, but had no idea. My Dad would have loved this one as he was a HUGE Chrysler man through most of his car buying years. Kinda reminds me of my Dad's '57 Plymouth (different make obviously though) as that's the first car I can remember him buying after he let his '55 Savoy go.

I would have thought that the '60 Cadillac would have been a natural follow up to Revell's '59 but no. With the way things are going there now, I doubt we ever see such a model sadly.

Oh yeah! That's a beautiful beast there! 1960 models were the very beginning of Bill Mitchell taking the reins and FINALLY getting rid of the crazy excesses of Harley Earl. Even the chrome was very much diminished and when the '61's appeared, folks knew that there was a DEFINITE change at GM.

You got it! Give that man a cigar! And yes, I’ve heard they were really splendid to ride in......almost cloud like it was so smooth! ??

Wow! I was never real crazy about the 1:1 (especially in black.......reminds me of a roach), but this is lookin' great! OK..........trivia question for you Citroen guys------how did one change the rear tires on this thing especially if you had a flat? No Cheating! There's a very logical answer to this one!

If it were me, I would NOT use Duplicolor clear over ANY paint unless it was fully tested out first! Perhaps try it on the underside of the hood of the GTX or some other benign area, but certainly not over the entire body. As for the others if they're a solid color, I'd simply try to rub them out and polish them. Solid colors normally don't need a clear coat as there's enough hardener in the paint that doesn't warrant that. Your polishing cloths are a better bet with those, along with a mild wax and a chamois cloth to bring out the shine. Metallic paints on the other hand are a different animal as you don't want to polish those directly as it can give the metallic flakes a swirled or mottled appearance. You want to clear those, but be careful what you put over 'em. Rule of thumb is this: You can put enamels over lacquers/acrylic enamel, but not the other way around. Those paints are generally too 'hot' for enamels and will make a mess.

I won't give away too many details, but I'm very seriously looking at getting a 1/12 scale MFH Ferrari kit from a certain vendor (NOT eBay). Hopefully I'll get this soon and it'll be my most "holy grail' that I've wanted up to this point.

I hear ya! And I have to admit, I've bought more than I'll probably ever build. But I don't always buy a model for the sake of building it. I'll buy a particular car because I happen to like that particular car/body style. Sometimes it's just nice to have something I've admired for many years finally in my two hands. I do have some expensive holy grails to get though. I find myself looking at yet ANOTHER 1/8 scale DeAgostini kit. And there's the ultimate grail of getting one of those 1/12 scale MFH Ferrari kits since they won't be doing anymore new ones. I might just spring for that one this year!

Hey Dominick I like that! Reminds of the auto show displays from years ago where they would highlight features of a particular car. Speaking of working nights, I wouldn't have it any other way right now. The last place I worked, the last six years I worked nights till I left there in 2012. Where I'm working now they just offered third shift to me back in the summer and I jumped at the chance! One of the best things I like about third...........................Less people = Less drama. There's only four of us there and each of us are working in different areas. I'm a one man show and I love it!

Bruce that came out TERRIFIC! That's one of the nicest paint jobs I've seen! Also, I really like the engine details! I spotted a couple things I need to remember to include on my '68 Corvette resto.

..........And he knocks ANOTHER ONE outta the park! Those are FANTASTIC looking Paul! The first one I especially like! That color looks soooo good on that!

That's absolutely BEAUTIFUL Paul! You're a braver man than I cutting up those old promos.....X-El's notwithstanding! I have a couple of them I thought about converting ('59 Dodge to a '58 for instance), but cringe at the thought of cutting up that old plastic! Your results were well worth it though...........maybe someday for me.

This is one of those posts where I wish there was a 'like' or a thumbs up icon! Well said and very TRUE!