traditional Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) This modified Moebius plastic kit is somewhat unusual for me because, now-a-days, I prefer building using predominantly metal model bodies and details….more time consuming to modify than plastic, but generally resulting in a much more durable finished product. My other hobby of collecting high quality diecast models over the last 25 years has, unfortunately, made me unsatisfied building most curbside plastic kits because I now expect to be able to open hinged engine hoods, trunk-lids, doors, and even fuel -filler doors, etc. I’m surprised that, after six decades or more, plastic kit manufacturers, for the most part, still expect models to be displayed with the hood off to see the engine detail. I really love the styling of ’61 Pontiacs, but since there were no metal versions available in 1/25 scale, I decided to use one of Moebius’ attractive plastic kits as starting material and attempt to add all the usual detail to which I’ve become accustomed. The Mobius kit is really nicely molded although, like most high detail plastic kits, it has a few fixable minor issues…..poorly fitting windshield and back-light, thick bolt flange detail on the otherwise gorgeous Pontiac 8-lug wheels, as well as a slightly awkward front fender opening as well as bulky front bumper side and depth detail). I also found that the ‘wide-trak’ was a bit over emphasized compared to 1/1 reference. Test fitting should be done during assembly of any model car, but this Pontiac model has an interference fit to most tabs and slots making drilling or trimming especially necessary to allow painted parts to fit. I also found that I had to trim back the leading edge of the engine hood so it wouldn’t protrude when closed. Cutting open the doors and trunk lid is relatively easy on plastic kits compared to metal, but the down-side is that the body becomes quite flimsy as the molded-on structure is cut away. I found it necessary to epoxy on a stiff brass wire frame to beef up the inside of the a-pillars and rear posts, helping to keep the body relatively straight. Armed with lots of photo reference, I also cut down the bottom edge of the front bumper, and shortened its side detail at the same time as softening the radius on the front of the fender opening. The molded-on fuel door was easily cut out and a hinged filler-door was formed in soldered brass to keep it looking relatively thin while maintaining integrity. Using styrene sheet, I fabricated the inner trunk detail depicting a slightly wrinkled vinyl floor mat as well as forming the typical complex underside structure of the trunk lid. To the chassis, I added parking brake detail, rear axle brake-line, aluminum tubing tail-pipe, poseable steering, and fabricated wire coil springs to raise the ride height according to most reference of high performance 1/1 Venturas. I also found a way to hinge the engine hood while retaining Mobius’ simulated Pontiac hood hinges at the sides. Hinge structures for the opening hood, trunk and doors were formed using stiff piano wire mated to styrene and aluminum receptacles, and the main ‘Ventura’ side-trim was formed in thin stainless wire terminating in tiny holes drilled into the body. The main paint is automotive two-part basecoat/clearcoat with Humbrol , Tamiya, and Testors used to pick out many small details. I also added Model Car Garage photo-etch for some of the nameplates, etc. Edited February 1, 2019 by traditional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastown Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Outstanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhuntsman Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Wow! I am impressed. That is some might fine work you have done there. Do you have a WIP thread on it? I want to step up to this level but i havent been able to bring myself to cut up a body yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Darby Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Oh lawdy that's nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Goschke Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Stellar build! All the working detail is out of my league but I'll definitely be following your advice on the wheels and the front wheel opening and bumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoom Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Wow, very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classicgas Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 (edited) Stellar build, but unfortunately the doors are not hinged correctly. they should tuck into the front fenders not swing out, but kudos for the effort., one of the best I've seen.. Edited January 29, 2019 by Classicgas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Nicely detailed and SHINY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Very nicely done Clif! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traditional Posted January 29, 2019 Author Share Posted January 29, 2019 18 minutes ago, Classicgas said: Stellar build, but unfortunately the doors are not hinged correctly. they should tuck into the front fenders not swing out, but kudos for the effort., one of the best I've seen.. I would have thought so as well, but when I was building ,I googled pics of '61 pontiac open doors and, wonder of wonders, they open out on two dog-legs. see pics below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Fantastic looking model ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglia105E Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Opening hood, boot lid, doors and fuel filler flap...... brilliant work there Clifford..... I just wish I could do that. I did an opening door on a Bedford truck cab, but it wasn't very strong. Very nice Pontiac. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldr-n-drt Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 clif...on the 4th. picture, doesnot the wire yall added to the roof an window areas,do the windows still fit properly?? oldr-n-drt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnslow Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 Cliff , your attention to detail , no matter what the medium is fantastic . Beautiful car . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryR Posted January 29, 2019 Share Posted January 29, 2019 HOMINA HOMINA HOMINA!-Ralph Kramden Remember ( if you can ) how working everything was a huge deal in the 60's?Working hinges everywhere, I even recall a dipstick that measured real oil! OUTSTANDING, it looks very right! Did you measure and photograph the structural details? I'm building a "Rat Packer" and was lucky enough to have a real Chevy 2 to copy gutted details. Sources for such stuff would be great! ONE AMAZING MODEL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMBENNA Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 great job, looks fantastic, awesome custom work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charger74 Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Superb !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill lanfear Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 That is beautiful! Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mod3l Lover Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 I love it soooooo very much! I was not all that interested in this kit when it came out. (and I like Pontiacs) But now your build has changed my mind for sure!! The car would work well with many custom styles also!? David S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Breathtaking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrObsessive Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 BEAUTIFUL! And a very good idea reinforcing those A and C pillars! I'll have to keep that in mind if/when the time comes to build mine. Great job on the wheels too......that's something that stuck out to me like a sore thumb when I first opened my kit. 8 hours ago, Classicgas said: Stellar build, but unfortunately the doors are not hinged correctly. they should tuck into the front fenders not swing out, but kudos for the effort., one of the best I've seen.. AFAIK, all GM B and C bodied doors swung outwards on gooseneck hinges through 1966. There were some exceptions......the Toronado for instance used gooseneck hinges through 1970! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom99 Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Awesome build!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixties Sam Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Outstanding build! You did lots of great work on this. I like the fuel door feature. I could see this model on a gas station diorama with a uniformed attendant holding a fuel hose in that door, fillin' it up! Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewetwo Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 That is a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 It's a good kit....but I'd not call it a easy build. What you did is amazing. Congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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