Lindberg '53 Ford Victoria

[Roadrunner]

As is the case with many areas of my life, I'm drawn to 1953 related items (my birth year), so was looking at some 1953 year car and truck models, and came across the 1953 Ford Victoria by Lindberg. The name Lindberg makes my blood run cold, as I have never had a good experience with any model from that company. Still, what shots I've seen of the exterior, actually look pretty decent. Can anyone confirm, one way or the other, if this is a good or lousy kit?

[Harry P.]

A spectacularly good kit. One of the best ever, from the time when Lindberg was knocking them out of the park on a consistent basis. Lindberg then was what Moebius is now.

[Deathgoblin]

This is one of the outstanding kits made by Lindberg.  They had several that were a modern tooling, the 53 Ford, 1966 Olds Cutlass 442, 1966 Chevelle, Dodge 330.  They're as good as any kit by AMT/Revell.

[Harry P.]

They're as good as any kit by AMT/Revell.

In many ways, better.

[mike 51]

It also came in convertible form (including a very nice uptop).

 Both kits are very well done as others have said.

[Roadrunner]

Awesome news then, so thanks very much, fellas. I'll put one on the old "must have" list then.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's a build thread by Marcos Cruz for some more insight...     http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/48379-53-ford-victoria-custom-project/

...and his finished product. Doesn't get much better than this...

 

[GaryR]

A GREAT, often overlooked kit. I'm building mine as a legal NHRA c/ gasser circa 1964.

 

No major problems.

[modelercarl]

A '53 Ford HT was my second car as a teenager (bought in 1956).  I drove it for about a year before it was totaled by a drunk running into me at a stop light.  I had just finished customizing it a couple of months before.....lowered all the way around, leaded hood and trunk, frenched headlights and tail lights, big bubble skirts, really looked nice.

I have built 3 of these kits in various forms, my favorite is still stock out of the box, and I have 3 more in my stash.  I am still bewildered how Lindberg did such a great kit back in those days as a one shot deal but did not ever produce another kit with such clarity in detail and fit.

[FordRodnKustom]

It's a good kit. So is the convertible. Get several.

[Erik Smith]

Better than even the other Lindberg kits of the time - the "glass" doesn't come across as thick and toyish as their other offerings of close caliber (Dodge 330, etc..)

There is also a really cool woody conversion from Jimmy Flintstone mastered by Jairus Watson.

[junkyardjeff]

I built one about 10 years ago and it was a decent kit if my memory is correct.

[Kit Basher]

I agree it is a great kit. I built mine for the same reason, it is my birth year.

 

 

Edited December 21, 2015 by Kit Basher

[ChrisBcritter]

Excellent kit. If you want dual exhaust you'll have to source it from the convertible. The side trim is all separate pieces that fit into deep depressions in the body, so there's a bit of work if you want to delete the trim. I have one that's a long-stalled project - a mild custom with an AMT parts pack '57 Buick grille and '60 Olds taillights, and a Caddy V8.

[Deathgoblin]

In many ways, better.

Good Point!  I've really had some awful ones from AMT and Revell both.  Also, the 1/20th scale Lindbergs are nice if you can find them.  I just recently built one of the Dodge Stealth kits and had forgotten how good it was.

[Roadrunner]

I agree it is a great kit. I built mine for the same reason, it is my birth year.

Not a bad reason at all, plus it's actually a pretty cool looking old car. I'm also considering a Hornet (probably not though), as well as a '53 Ford pick-up. So far, I have coin sets, US bills of varying denominations (including a mint red seal #2 bill), brochures, catalogs, and a pretty cool book that highlights the events of 1953. Just a sideline hobby of mine really.

[Roadrunner]

I looked at their 330 too. It looks similar enough to the Polara, that I might just grab one of those too, as the Polara was the first car that I ever owned and drove, though I had a '57 Sunliner before that, but never drove it. 

[bismarck]

Here's a build thread by Marcos Cruz for some more insight...     http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/48379-53-ford-victoria-custom-project/

...and his finished product. Doesn't get much better than this...

 

That is a STUNNING build. Words can't do it justice. Wow.....

[Sledsel]

Lindbergh got it right all the way around. I do not believe I ever read anything negative about this kit.

Now, to get Revell to hire the guys that measured the car and tooled this kit.......................... LOL

 

[wayne swayze]

Yes! Two thumbs up on this one! Beautiful kit for sure! And the example built by Marcos Cruz is indeed totally STUNNING !     

[Roadrunner]

I agree, Kev, that model above, is far better looking than anything I'm likely to come up with.

[Junkman]

Lindberg then was what Moebius is now.

One of the best analogies I've read in a while. I hope Moebius doesn't go Lindberg's way.

This is one of the outstanding kits made by Lindberg.  They had several that were a modern tooling, the 53 Ford, 1966 Olds Cutlass 442, 1966 Chevelle, Dodge 330.  They're as good as any kit by AMT/Revell.

Don't forget the '61 Chevy and the '64 Plymouth.

[Jeff Johnston]

As everyone else said, the 53 Ford is a spectacular kit.  One of the best kits of its time.  I've built 2 and I usually don't build anything older than 1965.

Here is mine with some period photoshopping.

 

[Roadrunner]

Very nice, Jeff. I hope mine turns out as nice. I'm guessing I'll go Timberline Green/Seafoam Green with mine, but I'm not 100% sure about that at this time.

[Mike_G]

Model Car Garage has a nice photo-etched detail kit for it

 

Here's mine