You CAN polish a tur.....Lindberg!

[alan barton]

As I explained in the Lindberg 34 roadster pickup thread in the reviews section, I got fired up on my Christmas break to slam some old Lindbergs together.I was pleasantly surprised to find that by working on the stance, wheel and tyre issues, steering wheels and headlights, they come out alright.  So for anyone thinking of buying them (cheap, I hope!), here's what they can come out like.

First, the T Bucket.  Very awkward proportions - every other T bucket mould, AMT, Revell, Monogram, MPC or Aurora is WAY better - but it has a certain charm.  If your great aunt gave you one for Christmas, it would still be worth a shot.  This one is painted in Tamiya Candy Lime straight from a rattle can and fitted with mags and whitewalls from the Edmunds supermod.

Second, a first issue red plastic T bucket resurrected from a glue bomb but using some of the fresh optional parts from the green car.  You're not meant to use the front mounted blower with the wedge nose but I wanted to so I did a bit of whttlin'. If you want to build this version, be careful to note that there are two sets of body mounts and engine mounts on the frame to allow for a setback setup.  If you don't want to build the kit you could always use the frame to build a railway bridge! Wheels and tyres from the parts box made a world of difference!  I like this version way better than the street rod.

Thirdly, the 32/34 closed cab pickup with 56 Vicky wheel covers, AMT Firestone whitewalls and Parts Pack slicks and the lights from a Revell deuce.  I had some paint issues with this puppy so don't look too close! Almost box stock apart from an attitude adjustment!

Finally, the roadster pickup with Whitewalls and baby moons, better lights and steering wheel, and the bed cover from a Revell Willys pickup.

[GMCMAN52]

I have a soft spot for these Lindberg kits when they were first available in the early sixty's. You've done a great job bring them to life

[Bernard Kron]

Stunning work on all of them. In their way these kits have great "bones", sort of impressionistic renditions of the style of the period in which they were created. I think it's especially impressive that you managed to keep much of the kit (lack of) detail and chrome plating and still dramatically upgrade them to modern style models. Personally, I especially like the Gilbert & Markin drag car for its authenticity. What kit is it from and how close is it to what's in the box? But the 2 Deuce pickups are true jewels, no doubt!

EDIT: Quoting myself - "What kit is it from and how close is it to what's in the box? " A more careful re-reading of your description and a trip to the DPMCC instruction sheets reveals that the Gilbert & Larkin car is actually quite close to the Lindberg Ford Model T Pickup and that all the parts for it are in the current re-release. Your judicious change of rolling stock and fine execution make a huge difference. Switching out the tires and wheels creates a surprisingly authentic late 50's altered! That's what I meant about the "bones" of these kits. Did the decals come in the kit?

Edited February 29, 2016 by Bernard Kron

[Greg Myers]

Works of art. 

[Agent G]

Nice work!

You made that $#!^ SHINE!

D

[D. Battista]

 I guess you can polish a tur....  Didn't think it was possible...

Great job on all of them...

[Spex84]

Great work! These kits are so cartoony and vague it hurts my brain, but when they're treated with some care and creativity...well, this happens!

 

[alan barton]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the positive comments.  Bernard, most of the decals I use come from the various Slixx Mom and pop series sheets - they really are a must for early drag and short track racers.  As you worked out, the parts are basically in the kit. Fortunately the frame on the altered disappears pretty much - it is really ugly!  I left the side boards off the pickup bed and made a little aluminium tonneau cover.  AS you can see from the rear view, it wouldn't hurt to tweak the fit-up between the bed and the body but that wasn't where I was heading when I first tackled these guys.

One thing to keep in mind - the T bucket in either guise looks pretty big alongside any of the offerings of the other manufacturers.

 

Cheers

Alan

[slusher]

Very sharp models...

[DumpyDan]

Oh yes you can.......Awesome work

[Bob Ellis]

The '34 pickup tird is really a lost AMT kit. Now it's back home in Round2, AMT, MPC Lindberg, ect ect

[Spex84]

Bob, I think you're getting the Lindberg roadster pickup confused with the '34 closed-cab pickup, which is a much superior kit.

[alan barton]

There always seems to be a lot of confusion about the AMT and Lindberg pickups, perfectly understandable when you think that AMT and Lindberg had one each, then the AMT became a Lindberg and who knows might become an AMT again one day.

So to clear things up, here is , first, the AMT 34 pickup in orange and brown (don't hate me, I built it in the early 80s!) followed by the Lindberg in metallic blue/mauve.They are obviously different creatures.  The AMT is an infinitely better tool and the cab of the Lindberg is all rounded off in a way that doesn't really match any factory Ford pickup offering.  It's really more like a cut down 32 sedan (not that that wasn't done in real life from time to time, especially here in Australia where farmers during the war could get more gas rations for a commercial vehicle tan a family car). And in case you are wondering, both these models are built with box stock bodies.

 

Cheers

Alan

 

 

Edited March 1, 2016 by alan barton
Typos

[vintagercr]

Oh yes you can.......Awesome work

I agree!