Could it be done (50/53 Cadillac)

[om617]

Hello. 

Friend of mine stopped by some days ago and we got talking cars and the topic turned into models and i told him 

how it is today with all the vendors and huge aftermarket supply. So now he want me to build hes car,wich of

coarse made me nervous because i`m far from a pro. He looked at some models i have built lately and said i had

to make hes car. Recently he bought a 1953 Cadillac Coupe,this is a 2door hardtop,but there is no 53 avaliable as

i know off. My idea is to use the Modelhaus 1950,and maby if i can find someone who is skilled at casting to maby use the 

bumpers from a Franlin Mint 53 Eldorado? The rest is very close if not identical in many ways. Does anyone know

if there is casters who do work on comission? Also i was wondering if there is correct paint to be bought? 

Here are some pictures . As i understand the Modelhaus 50 is curbside. 

Appriciate any input. 

 

Edited August 14, 2015 by om617

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful old Caddy.

Your plan is entirely possible, but one small problem is that the Franklin Mint pieces will be 1:24 scale, while the Modelhaus kit will be 1:25. This is not difficult for a competent modeler (who can make good masters) to deal with, but it may take some time to make a set of 1:24 parts, and downsize them to fit the 1:25 body, and still look right.

[lysleder]

So..  What is the situation, really? You were instructed by a friend to build a model of his new (used) car, or else what? Is it a commissioned build where you will get paid for all expenses and time used, or is it more like a strong encouragement for you to build yourself a model of his car? -For you to own and keep in your own collection of built models. 

To answer you title question, most anything could be done when it comes to plastic scale models. 

The tradeoff is in the field of accuracy vs time and money.  The Modelhaus kit will get you close ($103.00). Paint it a pale green, and it will look mostly right to everybody except you and your friend. If that is not good enough, then I think you should sit down and consider pros and cons with the whole thing.

At any rate it is a good opportunity for you to grow as a modeller. Whattdayamean you're not a pro? Maybe you don't build models for a living, but the built-ups in your Fotki suggest that you are no less talented than most others. You can do it!

 If he is paying, let him make the decision of the value of a set of correct bumpers. For reworking and fitting of wrong-scale pieces (like Garage-Bill said), it will take time and effort. I do not know of any resin casters offhand, but you could try yourself. I have tried to cast some pieces at work, and it is not terribly difficult to get an somewhat acceptable result. And your castings would have to be cut and shaped and adjusted anyway so it doesn't matter if they are a little rough. I guess sourcing the goods could be challenging for you, but look around. I seem to remember leisure boat supply shops sometimes carry RTV rubber and casting resins. 

For paint color, you could try to mix up some similar shade of green with model paints you have at hand. If you cannot get it close enough, check with your local body shop. I don't know if the service is widespread, but I remember back in the late nineties when I still lived in Norway, my friendly neighbourhood  collision repair business was able to mix up the correct shade of blue for my Opel and put it in a spray can for me.

If he is not paying, then make it as accurate as YOU feel like. If it is your hobby, then it shouldn't be about keeping other people happy.

 

Either way, good luck and keep us posted.

[Mike Kucaba]

Why not just modify the Franklin Mint '53 to as close as possible.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Why not just modify the Franklin Mint '53 to as close as possible.

Seems like a really good idea, but it looks like the only Franklin '53 Caddies are convertibles.

[wku88]

Use the roof off a 54 Chevy.

 

[Ramfins59]

Tommy, try looking through EBAY  listings to see if you can find something you could maybe take apart and repaint for your friend.   There are loads of '53 Caddy diecasts listed there.  While many are convertibles, there are a few hardtops.  If your friend is serious about wanting a model of his car, he should be willing to pay for the cost of the car and shipping.  Whether or not you charge him for your time, labor, and materials to take it apart, repaint and detail it is between the 2 of you.

I have built several models for friends who had no problem paying for the cost of the model and the shipping.  I did it as a favor to my friends, but in several cases, they paid me a little extra for my efforts.

Good luck with your project.

 

[om617]

Why not just modify the Franklin Mint '53 to as close as possible.

I cant use the Franklin Mint because the quarter panels are very diffrent,i`m sure some who is more skilled then me could

pull it off,but it`s to much work. 

 

 Thanks everyone for the input. First,i will not charge for labor and time,i actually looking forward to this,as a challenge for myself it this

makes sense. I see the Modelhaus kit as the best soulution,what worry me is getting the bumpers done,i have no experience

at all myself with casting. There is also no budget on this build.  

Thanks Richard, i`ll look into the Cadillac`s listed on Ebay and see if there comes up some who arent in mint condition. 

If anyone know someone who know someone who has parts or a junker i`ll be very interested,also since it`s not out of my pockets

i`m sure the be willing to pay what ever is asked for. I find it strange the 53 Eldorado never was kitted. 

[Art Anderson]

Use the roof off a 54 Chevy.

 

Unfortunately, not even close!  Bear in mind, GM used three body series back in the 1950's, Chevrolet & Pontiac used the A Body, Oldsmobile shared the A Body for 1949-50 and used the B-body, which was shared with Buick, Buick also in a few model years, used the C-body which was shared with Cadillac.  Cadillac used the C body only though.

Art