NEW! An advance and detailed look at the final production version of the new Moebius Models 1961 Pontiac Ventura kit....

[MrObsessive]

According to Autocolorlibrary.com the shade of blue on the car that I posted looks to be Richelieu Blue. The lighter blue looks to be "Tradewind Blue". Here's a color chart from their site...............

Obviously, monitor shading will vary and these are old chips for sure, but the idea is there.

[unclescott58]

I like that Richelieu Blue. A lot. Going to try and match that on mine.

[chitownbri]

A Catalina is coming in the spring - we've shown a build-up of a test shot at the last Toledo and the last DAMM shows. It'll be a 421 SD car with the Pontiac script on the grille and parking light lenses engraved on the front bumper..

 

A quick question for Dave;I was just thinking would it be feasible to include an extra grille/bumper in the upcoming Catalina kits to replace the ones in the Ventura kits?

[Luc Janssens]

A quick question for Dave;I was just thinking would it be feasible to include an extra grille/bumper in the upcoming Catalina kits to replace the ones in the Ventura kits?

Not a bad idea....

[Dave Metzner]

Just putting a spare front bumper in all Catalina kits is not something that's going to happen..

You guys need to understand that the bumper does not just come out of a tool all by itself.. Or get chrome plated all by itself..

or that adding a complete second front bumper to the existing tool is not simple either.

 

 

[DaveM]

I wonder if a little bit of tricky work with paint and decal paper could come pretty close to imitating the shallow lenses.  If you could put a dot of paint on the right part of the "Ghost" image on the bumper, then put a rectangle of thin decal paper with a light mist coat and a couple of coats of clear to get a glassy look over it, followed by a touch of foil, could you fake a lens well enough to pass?  It's a fairly small part, so as long as it was close, straight and clean, it should pass the naked eye test.  It might not be perfect in a close up photo, or with a magnifying glass, but I've noticed that if a feature doesn't call attention to itself by being huge, sloppy or crooked, the eye will let it go.

 

Just a thought, I'm still buying a few of these!

[Jairus]

Before drawing up my Sketchpad for the January issue I considered using this kit as the basis.
Went with the Revell '29 kits instead figuring that Brad would take the lead on the '61.
But the more I look at the beautiful lines of this car I find myself considering it's flanks to be like "hallowed ground".  A lot like trying to customize a 1968 Corvette, in that it CANNOT BE DONE!
They are perfect as they stand!  Even if the Ventura looks a little George Jetson.
The 1961 Pontiac Ventura, as will a few other designs to me, remain a beautiful machine that need no improvement.
 

[MrObsessive]

I have to agree Jairus! '61 was probably the peak of '50's jet-like styling. After that, designs became more calm, but were still certainly good looking. Interesting how Chevy was the only division to carry on the "bubble roof" for '62, while the others went with the more formal, upright style. Fins were on their way out with them completely disappearing pretty much after '64 with Buick, Olds, and Cadillac being the holdouts up to that point.

I've bought one of these already, and plan to get another (if they have 'em) at my next club meeting, I also want the Catalina when it comes out later on. 

[jjsipes]

Got my first one in the mail and have to say that it appears to be a great kit. I knew what I was going to do with mine before I got it. Ronnie Sox drove one back in 1961 and it's a beautiful looking car.

http://myfox8.com/2013/11/08/rare-61-pontiac-at-greensboro-auction-has-local-ties/

 

[Junkman]

That'll be Fernando Beige for me, please.

[jjsipes]

What would be the appropriate primer color for the underside of the floor pans? The instructions show red but is that because of the Red body color or did Pontiac use the RedOxide primer? 

 

[unclescott58]

Started doing initial subassembly work on my Ventura today. I'm very impressed with what I'm seeing. Everything fits together well. And I am not see any problems down the road. Another home run from Moebius.

Thank you Dave Metzner. Your doing a great job.

[MrObsessive]

What would be the appropriate primer color for the underside of the floor pans? The instructions show red but is that because of the Red body color or did Pontiac use the RedOxide primer? 

 

Gm used Red Oxide primer quite a bit during the late '50's/early '60's. I would say that would be correct for the floor pan colors. Of course, on any given day the factory could have used another color as that could have run out during a production run. They wouldn't stop a shift or shut things down due to lack of a paint color!

Edited December 29, 2015 by MrObsessive

[Danno]

Before drawing up my Sketchpad for the January issue I considered using this kit as the basis.
Went with the Revell '29 kits instead figuring that Brad would take the lead on the '61.
But the more I look at the beautiful lines of this car I find myself considering it's flanks to be like "hallowed ground".  A lot like trying to customize a 1968 Corvette, in that it CANNOT BE DONE!
They are perfect as they stand!  Even if the Ventura looks a little George Jetson.
The 1961 Pontiac Ventura, as will a few other designs to me, remain a beautiful machine that need no improvement.
 

Pontiac probably drew up the finest "custom" version ever done of the '61 Poncho's rear elevations.  

And, I can't recall anyone doing anything to improve the front end, other than replacing the headlamps with a pair of oval-rectangular Cibie headlamps and the grille with a fine horizontal tube grille.

Major body mods?  Why?   

[charlie8575]

Gm used Red Oxide primer quite a bit during the late '50's/early '60's. I would say that would be correct for the floor pan colors. Of course, on any given day just the factory could have used another color as that could have run out during a production run. They wouldn't stop a shift or shut things down due to lack of a paint color!

Or, in my case, I paint it flat black because anything around here would have had undercoat applied. 

If I were restoring a car today, I'd probably paint the floors with POR-15, followed by a correct coat of red oxide primer. That way, I get the best of both worlds- looks right and rust protection.

Charlie Larkin

[Art Anderson]

I have to agree Jairus! '61 was probably the peak of '50's jet-like styling. After that, designs became more calm, but were still certainly good looking. Interesting how Chevy was the only division to carry on the "bubble roof" for '62, while the others went with the more formal, upright style. Fins were on their way out with them completely disappearing pretty much after '64 with Buick, Olds, and Cadillac being the holdouts up to that point.

I've bought one of these already, and plan to get another (if they have 'em) at my next club meeting, I also want the Catalina when it comes out later on. 

It's interesting to remember GM Styling's rationale for that square-rigged hardtop roof as used in 1963-'64 on Chevies and Pontiacs:  If you look at that roof closely, you can see a pronounced "crease" which runs across it from the leading edge of the C-pillar (sail panel) and then the square-rigged angle between the rear panel and the upper part of the roof.  That was styled that way, to make those hardtops more closely resemble the shape of the then current GM convertible top when raised.

Art

[Dwight55]

When will these be in stores?    I've been searching all the hobby stores with no luck.

[tim boyd]

It's hit several online suppliers like www.spotlighthobbies.com, and I got a call today from my favorite local hobby store...the Model Cave in Ypsilanti, MI, that their shipment came in today (they also do mailorder).   If you order today, you can probably have the kit by early next week....hope that helps.   TIM 

[Rob Hall]

I got mine from Model Roundup a week ago..they are out there at various online resources. 

[Brett Barrow]

We got ours Dec 23rd. 

[charlie8575]

When will these be in stores?    I've been searching all the hobby stores with no luck.

Mine was at my local shop Sunday.

Excellent kit. The only issue I have is the box. It's nearly impossible to put all the parts back in due to the quantity. Moving to a slightly bigger box would be a good idea.

Charlie Larkin

[Rob Hall]

Mine was at my local shop Sunday.

Excellent kit. The only issue I have is the box. It's nearly impossible to put all the parts back in due to the quantity. Moving to a slightly bigger box would be a good idea.

Charlie Larkin

Yeah, I opened one of mine...only way I could get the box to completely shut was to take some parts off the trees..

[DaveM]

I have mine ordered.  I can't wait to get it!  Should be at the LHS in a couple of weeks.  I haven't picked a color yet, but I am going to go with something factory stock for this one.  I was thinking of doing this one for the 24 hour build, but I want to spend more time with this kit.  The kit looks great.  Hopefully we will see a bunch on the workbench thread soon.

[johnwitzke]

I have one ordered as well.  Mine will be Arnie Beswick's Bristol Blue Super Stock car as I have a set of decals for that car.  An interesting fact is that Arnie's 1962 SD 421 Catalina was painted the same 1961 color from the factory.   

[kingiguana]

Yeah, I opened one of mine...only way I could get the box to completely shut was to take some parts off the trees..

Yep, mines still not shut all the way...but a lot of new kits are like that. I think I may start taking pics or videos of the unboxing. The manufacturers must hire people to plan the packaging.