Smp 1961 Imperial Convertible Resurrection. Part One

[Ron Hamilton]

Have you ever built a model of a car that was truly ugly in your mind? The '61 Imperial is that car to me. I was roaming around Carlisle at one of the shows a few years abck, and one of the vendors offered me this for sale. I have the '61 Lincoln Convertible in my collection, and I was wondering what was in this box.

I was curious, so I had to open the box, and this is what I found, a SMP 1961 Imperial Crown Convertible.

Yes, this boy was kind of rough, and filthy dirty, but it was workable.

The windshield frame was cracked in the normal place, and the glass was very cloudy, and I cannot tell you what this goo was on the hood and front fenders.

Take a look at the next post for the next phase.

[Ron Hamilton]

It took a little time, but I got it cleaned up.

I was able to repair the windshield frame, and polish out the windshield.

It was pretty complete, except I needed a convertible boot, tail lamp bezels, lowering blocks, Tires, Wheelcovers, wheelbacks, and axles. I have everything I need thanks to Replicas and Miniatures and the Modelhaus. It's in primer now, and I have a '61 Imperial color chart. After I started on this one, It really grew on me. I'm diggin' those crazy fins. I promise I will finish it this year. Hopefully by the time the Mid-Atlantic NNL comes around this May.

[Ron Hamilton]

I'm so sorry all, but i put this under the wrong catagory.

[MrObsessive]

Great model to restore Ron! I've got a hardtop that needs restored, but the scripts are toast.

Yeah, '61 was pretty much the last gasp for outrageous fins at Chrysler Corp................they would be pretty much "hints" after that.

At least there's no mistaking the year if ya see one comin' down the road!

[Junkman]

Have you ever built a model of a car that was truly ugly in your mind? The '61 Imperial is that car to me.

Interesting. The 1961 Imperial is my favorite car of all times. A true beauty. How different tastes can be.

[RodneyBad]

Very nice find. wouldn't call it ugly tho.

Cleaned up good as new..

Like to see what ya do with it..

[lizardlust]

Appears to be in pretty good shape, Ron. At least yours was spared the usual indignities suffered by built models in that era - glue damage from continental spare kits, "kruzer" skirts and having the trim sanded off with a hunk of concrete!!! I will be interested in this - one of my treasures is a relatively nice built 61 Imp droptop!!

Edited March 1, 2008 by lizardlust

[Spike]

very sweet model you got there. if you ever wanna get rid of it im your man im tryin to get at least one of every mopar kit i can find lol