JoHan USA Oldies

[Wm David Green]

I recently got these two complete un-built kits;

From previous posts I gather they're accurate body wise, but with very simplified chassis and interiors.

What kits would be suitable donors for chassis & engines ?

Thank you

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

The DeSoto is one of Chrysler Corp's first unibody cars. One of the Lindberg Mopars should be a reasonable chassis donor, though there will be differences in floor pan stampings and fuel tanks that rivet-counters may find irritating. Somebody here will know exactly which one is closest to being correct.

The Olds is still a full-frame car. One of the full-size early '60s Pontiacs from AMT or Moebius is going to be as close as you're likely to get for that one.

I see you're in the UK. Any of these AMT kits (they're all pretty much the same kit) will get you pretty close on the Oldsmobile chassis. You MIGHT have to adjust the wheelbase. I don't remember right off hand. 

 

Edited July 19, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy

[Wm David Green]

Bill,

This is useful information, I'm in the right direction.

Kicking myself for missing out on the '62 Chrysler 300 from the same vendor, sold and gone.

Many thanks

David

[Mark]

Unless you absolutely must have maximum detail, I'd concentrate on improving the interior and leave the chassis as-is.  One thing to do that will make an improvement is to get the stance right.  The Oldies issues always used plastic rod axles, and the bosses on the wheel backs are short.  The cars tend to sit low with the wheels tucked in (narrow track).  Fix that and they'll look great.  Once it's on the shelf, you'll seldom open the hood, let alone turn the car over.  Just one opinion, your mileage may vary.

[restoman]

I picked up a glue-bomb '60 Desoto with a hacked up original chassis and no engine.

I like the body style, so I used a Color Me Gone '64 Dodge as a chassis and suspension donor. It fits reasonably well and has a decent enough stance to be believable. 

I plan on using the big block from a '71 Charger as the power plant. I'd like to pick up a long tube setup from Harts Parts, but I'm not that far along to know if it will clear the hood.

I'm sure both chassis and power train won't pass close scrutiny to someone with intimate knowledge of '60 Mopars, but it'll work for me.

Hope this helps... 

[StevenGuthmiller]

On 7/19/2019 at 8:30 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

The DeSoto is one of Chrysler Corp's first unibody cars. One of the Lindberg Mopars should be a reasonable chassis donor, though there will be differences in floor pan stampings and fuel tanks that rivet-counters may find irritating. Somebody here will know exactly which one is closest to being correct.

The Olds is still a full-frame car. One of the full-size early '60s Pontiacs from AMT or Moebius is going to be as close as you're likely to get for that one.

I see you're in the UK. Any of these AMT kits (they're all pretty much the same kit) will get you pretty close on the Oldsmobile chassis. You MIGHT have to adjust the wheelbase. I don't remember right off hand. 

 

Unfortunately, all of the current Pontiac kits from this era from AMT and Moebius are based on the shorter Catalina chassis.

The '63 Starfire would use the same wheel base as the Bonneville at 123 inches

The Catalinas and Venturas used a 120 inch wheel base.

I discovered all of this while searching for a suitable modern chassis for an AMT 1964 Bonneville.

There is no chassis from any current modern kit that will drop in to a full sized Pontiac, Oldsmobile or Buick without stretching the wheel base.

 

 

Steve

[Wm David Green]

 Mark, Mike and Steve, thank you for the further information, at least I now know that the basic stance of these models needs to be corrected.

Thankfully I have a few spare chassis and a growing spares box to work with.

 

 

David

 

[disabled modeler]

David....  Those series kits were good ones and the other guys are correct far as I think if one wants to have a better more detailed chassis for them.  I have swapped out a few before to have a better chassis on mine and it worked out ok...just takes careful planing.

[ChrisBcritter]

Just to give you some idea, I widened the track of my Jo-Han '64 Cadillac by 3/8" to get it to look right.

The chassis does respond to detailing even if it's pretty basic:

[Snake45]

On 7/20/2019 at 7:20 AM, Mark said:

Unless you absolutely must have maximum detail, I'd concentrate on improving the interior and leave the chassis as-is.  One thing to do that will make an improvement is to get the stance right.  The Oldies issues always used plastic rod axles, and the bosses on the wheel backs are short.  The cars tend to sit low with the wheels tucked in (narrow track).  Fix that and they'll look great.  Once it's on the shelf, you'll seldom open the hood, let alone turn the car over.  Just one opinion, your mileage may vary.

Preach It, Brother Mark! Can I get a AY-men from the choir? 

[StevenGuthmiller]

3 hours ago, ChrisBcritter said:

Just to give you some idea, I widened the track of my Jo-Han '64 Cadillac by 3/8" to get it to look right.

It's relatively simple to widen the track on these old models.

A short length of plastic tubing glued to the wheel back or the suspension will do the trick.

I recently had to do this on my '65 Fury.

 

 

Steve

 

 

[randyc]

Many years ago, I used the DeSoto on the AMT RoarRunner Pro Street chassis.  Used the RR interior as well.   Everything matched up pretty well.   And it was ProStreet so it could all be explained as "because Pro Street".  Kinda like "because Roadkill" if you're a fan...  Wish I woulda known the "now ME" back then and bought up more JoHan stuff.   They look great on a shelf and you never miss the chassis detail when they are on the shelf.  No one I know cares if I have the correct firing order or if my models even have engines.   My wife likes Mint diecasts because she can open the doors.  She's afraid of plastics becasue they are so light.  

BUT... Johan models have great bodies and look great on the shelf.  

[Tom Geiger]

I bought a bunch of the Lindberg 64 Plymouth and Dodges to get the slant sixes.  That leaves me with complete chassis for early 60s Mopars.  I'd like to try that chassis under some of the Johan bodies.  I do have a '60 Desoto that's not doing nuthin'  !    

[randyc]

welll what's the worst that could happen?   I have a LOT of RR stuff and a couple Lindberg Dodges and NO JoHan bodies.   LOL  

[Wm David Green]

Thanks to all you good people for your information and opinions.

Chris, your '64 Caddy is great.

And yes I agree that the stance is important, if it looks killer that's half the battle.

David

 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Wm David Green

[MrObsessive]

Well, I'm one of "those guys" that likes a detailed chassis, especially if I put a lot of detailed work into a WIP with working features, detailed engines, etc.

I have a TON of Johan stuff that's yet to be built/restored, but I have to admit if I ever get to building one, I'd like to have a better chassis underneath it. I never cared for the molded in stuff and yes, I'm one of those that displays the underside of a model particularly at a show.

I'll repeat what's already been said.........Johans are THE BEST (for the most part) when it comes to correct proportioned bodies and let's not forget we're talking stuff that was originally tooled from the '50's through the '70's. There were some gaffes that I could point out, but for scale fidelity and "that look" they couldn't be beat.

That says a lot compared to today when they get so much wrong at times. Never mind the use of modern photography, CAD systems, etc. I'll keep saying if you come across those Johan kits/rebuilders for a decent price and you want it, BETTER GRAB IT! If it's on the 'Bay, guaranteed it won't last long and some can go for insane prices.........especially Mopars.

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 hours ago, MrObsessive said:

 I'll keep saying if you come across those Johan kits/rebuilders for a decent price and you want it, BETTER GRAB IT! If it's on the 'Bay, guaranteed it won't last long and some can go for insane prices.........especially Mopars.

Can't argue with that!

I'm really glad that I have already found most of the Johan stuff that I really wanted.

They get more expensive and tougher to find every day!

 

 

 

Steve

[Danno]

JoHan kits are much like Trophy Wives:  Great looking, excellent bodies, perfect proportions, but shallow inside, weak on the details, and overall very expensive.

[MrObsessive]

16 minutes ago, Danno said:

JoHan kits are much like Trophy Wives:  Great looking, excellent bodies, perfect proportions, but shallow inside, weak on the details, and overall very expensive.