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

[Craig Irwin]

The 61 GM full sized cars were quite good looking. Now that we have the Pontiac and the Chevy, how about the Old's and Buick? Did I say I really like the 61 Buick?

 

[unclescott58]

Wow! You got one finished all ready Al! Very nice.

[DaveM]

The 61 GM full sized cars were quite good looking. Now that we have the Pontiac and the Chevy, how about the Old's and Buick? Did I say I really like the 61 Buick?

 

I would buy a few of each of those too.  I might get one or two more of the Oldsmobiles, myself, but they are both great looking cars.

But, I hope they consider the earlier GMs also.  We could still use some good 55-57 Pontiacs,  (Including Safaris)  and the Buicks and Oldsmobiles from those years would make great kits too.  

[Craig Irwin]

I would buy a few of each of those too.  I might get one or two more of the Oldsmobiles, myself, but they are both great looking cars.

But, I hope they consider the earlier GMs also.  We could still use some good 55-57 Pontiacs,  (Including Safaris)  and the Buicks and Oldsmobiles from those years would make great kits too.  

I'd really like a 57 Olds with the J2 setup.

 

[Bob Ellis]

Porcheman, I guess you tinted the windows on the Ventura?

[Porscheman]

Porcheman, I guess you tinted the windows on the Ventura?

Bob, yes. I tinted them with 4 very light coats of Tamiya clear blue.

[Bob Ellis]

Tinting makes a big difference. Much more realistic. I can't see very well, but the top of the windshield had a darker area. I am going to follow your suit when I build my Ventura.

[Porscheman]

Tinting makes a big difference. Much more realistic. I can't see very well, but the top of the windshield had a darker area. I am going to follow your suit when I build my Ventura.

Bob, make sure you spray very light coats. I use a piece of white paper to judge the tint between coats. I found 4 or 5 coats are perfect.

Al

[Bob Ellis]

I imagine you can go too far, quickly

[cruz]

Gotta get one of these for myself and yes.....I want it bone stock.....

[Dwight55]

I just picked up one tonight,    so now I won't be running all over the world looking for another.    From what I see, its a great kit.

[gtx6970]

Ok, This may seem like a silly question.

But whats the difference between a 1961 Ventura,  a Catalina and a Bonneville ?

 

I want to build mine as  the 1961 Packer Pontiac SS car  and I think it was a Catalina,,,Yet I dont see any difference from this Ventura kit other than the nameplate in the side mldg

[Rob Hall]

Ok, This may seem like a silly question.

But whats the difference between a 1961 Ventura,  a Catalina and a Bonneville ?

 

I want to build mine as  the 1961 Packer Pontiac SS car  and I think it was a Catalina,,,Yet I dont see any difference from this Ventura kit other than the nameplate in the side mldg

The Catalina and Ventura were on the shorter wheelbase, the Catalina the base model and the Ventura w/ a bit more trim.   The Star Chief and Bonneville were on the longer wheelbase, with higher trim levels and different taillights.

Edited January 11, 2016 by Rob Hall

[gtx6970]

The Catalina and Ventura were on the shorter wheelbase, the Catalina the base model and the Ventura w/ a bit more trim.   The Star Chief and Bonneville were on the longer wheelbase, with higher trim levels and different taillights.

Thanks,

I knew one was longer , just couldnt remenber which one( I am not a GM guy )

 

I may just wait to replicate his car once the Catalina kit arrives. as I see the seat pattarn is different than the one I want do as well

[Dave Metzner]

Ventura interior is different from Catalina both in pattern and material used. Ventura is all vinyl - Catalina is mostly cloth with vinyl trim only. Door panel pattern is different too. There are lots oif photos out there showing Catalina restorations with Venture interiors - these are probably wrong.. I don't think that the Ventura interior was available as an option on Catalina. Exterior trim is different - side cove  molding - and lettering across panel under trunk lid opening are different.

Convertible was only available as a Catalina never as Ventura -I'm pretty sure that convertibles did have vinyl interior seating surfaces..

 

[unclescott58]

Ventura interior is different from Catalina both in pattern and material used. Ventura is all vinyl - Catalina is mostly cloth with vinyl trim only. Door panel pattern is different too. There are lots oif photos out there showing Catalina restorations with Venture interiors - these are probably wrong.. I don't think that the Ventura interior was available as an option on Catalina. Exterior trim is different - side cove  molding - and lettering across panel under trunk lid opening are different.

Convertible was only available as a Catalina never as Ventura -I'm pretty sure that convertibles did have vinyl interior seating surfaces..

 

Dave your right on the above info. In '62 the Ventura became and optional interior trim package on Catalinas trough 1969. The '62 trough '65 Ventura equipped Catilinas came with very small Ventura badging. The main focus was the Catalina name. Starting in '66, Ventura nameplates replaced the Catalina ones when the option was ordered. Making many assume Ventura was a seperate model those years. It was not. Also some years you could order the Ventura interior on the Catalina convertible. But your right, there were no Ventura convertibles in 1961. Or 1960 for that matter.

[ChrisBcritter]

I've been doing some preliminary comparison between the new Ventura body (thanks Steve!) and the AMT '61 Bonneville. A few things I've noticed so far:

Length: The Ventura is shorter in the right places: wheelbase and rear quarters including a shorter tulip panel and trunklid.

Parts swapping: The AMT front bumper/grille is an excellent fit on the Ventura; rear bumper from the Bonneville seems to be spot on as well (I'd have to cut the tab off to know for sure). The chassis and floorpan will fit with some trimming on the trunk floor (taper it about 1/16" at the rear on each side) and of course stretching it about 3/16" under the back seat. I think the Moebius kit could definitely be used to upgrade the AMT kit.

Measurements: They seem close with a few noticeable differences. The distance from the base of the windshield to the base of the back window is the same; the Ventura's front wheel openings are about 1/16" farther back in the fenders; and most noticeably its doors are about 1/8" longer. The body is a little (3/32"?) wider at the bottom than the AMT kit.

I'll try to shoot some photos later.

[ChrisBcritter]

Finally put the two together for some photos. White body with chunks missing is the AMT Bonneville:

Moebius chassis in AMT body. Note where the rear wheelwells are; the chassis should be extended about 3/16":

So there you go. Thanks again to Steve for letting me use the Moebius body.

[unclescott58]

Great comparison, Chris. It looks to me that Moebius and AMT both did a great job on their kit's bodies back in the day. It would be fun to see how other parts compare.

[Edsel-Dan]

I am Glad to hear that the Old AMT Bonneville Grill & rear Bumers fit the Moebius Ventura body so well

That means the Moebius Parts Should fit the AMT Body equally as well

which is what I need!!

Can't believe how high the rear bumper piece alone goes for nowadays!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Finally put the two together for some photos. White body with chunks missing is the AMT Bonneville:

Moebius chassis in AMT body. Note where the rear wheelwells are; the chassis should be extended about 3/16.

So there you go. Thanks again to Steve for letting me use the Moebius body.

So...is the difference in wheelbase because of a difference in the 1:1 Bonneville and Ventura?

There also appears to be a significant difference in the length of the decklids and quarter panels aft of the wheel-arch. Is this difference also on the 1:1 vehicles?

Edited January 22, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Mr. Metallic]

So, if I wanted to make a wagon out of the new Mobius kit, is there something close I can use to make the roof. I can do some minor work to posts and pillars and lengthen/widen the roof if necessary. I have done some image searching

Out of the stuff I tried on hand here's what I found. I tried a AMT 65 Chevelle wagon, an AMT 63 Nova wagon (Boss Nova) and a Johan 62 Olds wagon. All need widened and other refinements to fit. Are there any other wagon roofs I should take a look at (other than expensive resin bodies that I would just be hacking up?)

[sfhess]

So...is the difference in wheelbase because of a difference in the 1:1 Bonneville and Ventura?

There also appears to be a significant difference in the length of the decklids and quarter panels aft of the wheel-arch. Is this difference also on the 1:1 vehicles?

Yes.  The Bonneville had a longer wheelbase and overall length.

[Edsel-Dan]

The Closest Full Size GN Wagon Kit offered was the ONE Time offered 

Jr Trophy Series 60 Chevy!!!

GOOD Luck on that one!!!!!
Next, And Easiest to find Cheap

would Be Jada's 64 (maybe a 63 also) DIECAST.

A HARD job of Bashing that mix!!!!!!!!

 

Best bet is likely the AMT 65 or Revell 66 Malibu kit.

And Yes you will have to Widen either since the Malibu was a Mid-Size

while the Venture & Catalina were Fullsize, though shorter than the Bonneville & Starchief

[Mr. Metallic]

And Yes you will have to Widen either since the Malibu was a Mid-Size

while the Venture & Catalina were Fullsize, though shorter than the Bonneville & Starchief

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I went a different way with my build, but may keep the wagon idea in my back pocket