Opinions on upgrading rare vintage cars

[Jantrix]

Every model kit deserves to have something cool built from it. For you enjoy it. That's as simple as it gets. 

[64Comet404]

In my opinion, rebuilders are there to be built. Sure, there is value to them, but not as much as a MIB kit. Additionally, if you sell it, the likely buyer will either rebuild it or give it a good cleaning for a shelf model, a la Snake. So build it as you like, and enjoy the reactions from the collectors as they see your build on the contest table.

[Snake45]

2 minutes ago, 64Comet404 said:

In my opinion, rebuilders are there to be built. Sure, there is value to them, but not as much as a MIB kit. Additionally, if you sell it, the likely buyer will either rebuild it or give it a good cleaning for a shelf model, a la Snake. So build it as you like, and enjoy the reactions from the collectors as they see your build on the contest table.

Of course I agree. I hate to see a rare, MIB unbuilt kit built unless it's by a master like Steven G (and hate to see one cut up by anybody),  but "distressed" builtups are for the most part fair game. 

As Comet says, I also enjoy cleaning up and restoring or "rescuing" passably clean builtups, like this original survivor '66 Mustang I just did last week: 

[Tom Geiger]

My 63 Valiant modified stocker. I had one guy shaming me for “ruining” a classic kit!

Then I pulled up this photo on my phone....

I don’t think anyone could dispute that I improved it!

 

[Bugatti Fan]

It is only plastic after all.       Consider this...….rarity?         Only of value if you are intending to use kits for trade or as collectables        If  If you want to build and or convert it, go ahead and enjoy it.   Sometimes we forget what the kits were originally designed for!

[styromaniac]

On 5/18/2020 at 11:34 AM, afx said:

I really enjoy taking a much older kit an adding better tooled underpinnings to it. As an example this '61 Falcon I bought that was just body bumpers and glass - turned it into a gasser using modern tooled period parts.

 

That is subtlety swift J.C.

[afx]

1 minute ago, styromaniac said:

That is subtlety swift J.C.

Thanks Steve.  A 427 wedge would propel a '61 Falcon nicely.  Posting these photos has caused me to revisit the build and I have made a few minor changes, re-routed the clunky looking brake line, added a few more sponsor decals and painted the hood semigloss black.  I'll post pictures once the paint dries.

[jaymcminn]

I can't buy into the hype around collector kits. The purpose of a model is to be BUILT. If you want a rare subject and the only way to get it is to build an older kit, have at it. If you want to use modern or aftermarket parts to create a more realistic version of the model you want on your shelf, knock yourself out. Kit instructions aren't scripture.

[alan barton]

Mike, I personally don't believe that  a collector would hunt you down for that body.  They want mint, unmolested.  Yours has already had one or two lifetimes, you are simply going to give it a third!

Or, on a more mercenary angle, if you were to die tomorrow, that body will get thrown out by your family.  Guaranteed. On the other hand, if you had done a nice upgrade, it would be displayed in your memory and may last many more decades.  See, you saved it!

Now stop wasting time and start building!

Cheers

Alan

[Mike Young]

Agree with all, it's getting built! ......some day lol!

You guys will all have to forgive my trepidation. It's been 30+ years since I've touched a model cal. Back then, I wouldn't have thought twice about doing whatever I wanted with these things. I didn't know if the temperature in the room had changed over the decades.

I only just dug all my stuff out of my storage shed back in December. I've now been prowling Ebay and finding all kinds of stuff I couldn't back when. It's been a lot of fun getting back into it, and the timing couldn't have been better, what with being stuck at home and all.

Next up, I need to try and be more conscious about taking photos and posting up some builds!

Thanks for all the opinions, and not flaming me for sounding like a noob.

[Bills72sj]

Build it. It will bring more pride and joy to you seeing it on a shelf from time to time, rather than having a family member unload it on ebay after you are gone. If someone else wants one to do what they want to do with it, they'll find another. PS check out ANY of Steve's builds. He sets an excellent example for those of us learning. Just don't be intimidated. Skillset comes with practice.

[Tom Geiger]

On 5/20/2020 at 6:10 PM, Mike Young said:

Agree with all, it's getting built! ......some day lol!

You guys will all have to forgive my trepidation. It's been 30+ years since I've touched a model cal. Back then, I wouldn't have thought twice about doing whatever I wanted with these things. I didn't know if the temperature in the room had changed over the decades.

I got back to modeling as an adult 30 years ago. From my teens up to that time, probably 15 years, I had bought and tucked away some 25 models for “someday”.  When I did get back and saw the work people were doing, I didn’t think I was up to building those precious models yet skill wise.  So I bought some then current kits to practice on. Over time I did gain skills, but somehow my priorities changed and I never got back to those saved kits! Not a single one of them!

[Oldcarfan27]

On 5/17/2020 at 7:39 PM, Mike Young said:

In my view, whether it's vintage models or 1:1 old cars, I take the doctors creed "Do No Harm".

That means, don't do anything so radical and severe that it can't be undone in the future if you change your mind.

Decades ago, I found a 66 Fairlane promo, body and chassis w/wheels. No hood, front seats, grille and bumpers or taillights. I loved the shape of the body, so I took the missing parts and substituted them from the new tool 66 GT - modified them to fit the vintage body without damaging it. Later on, I acquired the missing parts from another vintage 66 glue bomb and since the original promo parts were intact, I was able to simply transfer the parts to complete it. Bonus is that I still have the glue bomb 66 that I can use the modified parts on and build another hot rodded Fairlane that would have been junked without them.

The opposite scenario happened when I wanted to modify a Tamiya 90s Jeep Grand Cherokee into a regular Cherokee square body. So I voraciously cut up and sanded down all the details of the body trying to fit the shape of the boxy Jeep, all to no avail. I gave up the project and now I have a butchered body on an otherwise complete and intact Grand Cherokee kit. Those Tamiyas are hard to find and I can't restore it to build one now. So it sits in its box until the day comes when I can find another body to complete it again.

The point is, Don't destroy history just to make something that's trendy for the moment. 

I've seen somebody who took an unbuilt 67 Galaxie kit and "pro streeted" it back in the 80s, when that look was de-rigueur for the time. Now we see it as butchered and can't be undone. 

I say, copy the unique 67 only parts that you have and use them on a common 66 GT. Do with them what you want on that kit, but save the originals for something that won't go out of style. You can make as many copies as you want, but you only have a limited amount of vintage, original parts. 

[gtx6970]

1 hour ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

 

I've seen somebody who took an unbuilt 67 Galaxie kit and "pro streeted" it back in the 80s, when that look was de-rigueur for the time. Now we see it as butchered and can't be undone. 

I know of this Galaxie you speak of.

Know the builder well. That kit turned heads back then.....still does if he pulls it out. 

 

I say build what you want . Its only plastic. And if it makes you happy to modify it.....so be and enjoy yourself while still on this earth. 

Let the next owner worry about when your gone

[Mike Young]

One thing is for sure, I won't be cutting it up for a pro street deal or anything like that. More than likely, this one will be built as an original '67 GT, all be it with some upgraded newer tooled parts here and there. Having said that, the original engine bay is actually more accurate than the new '66 Fairlane where the spring towers are. I don't see me cutting those out.

[Snake45]

8 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

In my view, whether it's vintage models or 1:1 old cars, I take the doctors creed "Do No Harm".

That means, don't do anything so radical and severe that it can't be undone in the future if you change your mind.

Decades ago, I found a 66 Fairlane promo, body and chassis w/wheels. No hood, front seats, grille and bumpers or taillights. I loved the shape of the body, so I took the missing parts and substituted them from the new tool 66 GT - modified them to fit the vintage body without damaging it. Later on, I acquired the missing parts from another vintage 66 glue bomb and since the original promo parts were intact, I was able to simply transfer the parts to complete it. Bonus is that I still have the glue bomb 66 that I can use the modified parts on and build another hot rodded Fairlane that would have been junked without them.

The opposite scenario happened when I wanted to modify a Tamiya 90s Jeep Grand Cherokee into a regular Cherokee square body. So I voraciously cut up and sanded down all the details of the body trying to fit the shape of the boxy Jeep, all to no avail. I gave up the project and now I have a butchered body on an otherwise complete and intact Grand Cherokee kit. Those Tamiyas are hard to find and I can't restore it to build one now. So it sits in its box until the day comes when I can find another body to complete it again.

The point is, Don't destroy history just to make something that's trendy for the moment. 

I've seen somebody who took an unbuilt 67 Galaxie kit and "pro streeted" it back in the 80s, when that look was de-rigueur for the time. Now we see it as butchered and can't be undone. 

I say, copy the unique 67 only parts that you have and use them on a common 66 GT. Do with them what you want on that kit, but save the originals for something that won't go out of style. You can make as many copies as you want, but you only have a limited amount of vintage, original parts. 

Great post! Do you think we were separated at birth? 

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, Snake45 said:

Great post! Do you think we were separated at birth? 

I'd say, probably - Brother!! ?

[Tom Geiger]

Part of the “To build or not to build” discussion has to include the skill level of that builder. 

There are builders who turn kits into art and have undisputedly improved the model and increased its value.

There are also adults who lack skill and will make a mess, permanently ruining that kit.
 

[Plowboy]

The way I look at vintage kits is it's mine. I'll do whatever I want with it. I don't care what some shmoe 40 years from now is going to want to do with it. Just as the person before me didn't when they glued every custom piece in the box on the body. I'm going to build it the way I want. If I want to cut it up, I'm going to. Some people think every one is the last one. Yet they pop up on ebay all of the time. What value does a kit have if you never enjoy it? 

I just recently got a '64 Fairlane Sports Coupe and have been in the process of stripping who knows how many layers of paint from it. At first, my plan was to cut the roof off and stick it on a Revell body and use part of the interior, hood and taillight panel. Just like a full scale, I discovered that paint can hide some serious sins. The roof is actually crazed terribly while the body isn't. Not sure if it can be salvaged or not. I may have to pitch the body and try to sell the parts to recoup some of my money. I'll just have to see how bad it is when all of the paint is off. The guy or guys before me didn't consider me when they did what they did. But, they enjoyed it when they had it.

[thatz4u]

71 Cyclone "rare" kit, I found it & restored it, build what you like..

[Muncie]

I'll just leave this here with a couple of notes...

From back in the day - found with at least ten coats of paint, brush enamel and so thick that no sign of the emblems which are intact could be seen.  It is a modification to transplant the Fairlane body on the Mercury Cyclone altered wheelbase kit.  Even the hole in the hood is from the Cyclone. I have one brain cell that says this was from instructions in a how to article in Model Car or Model Car Science Magazine.  That brain cell doesn't work correctly so maybe not.  The Cyclone AWB chassis that came with it was a mess and missing pieces - but Round 2 recently reissued it.  Good to go.

Mike, yes, there are three taillight bezels in the picture - The third one from the left is yours if you need it - just PM your address and I'll get it in the mail.

Edited May 24, 2020 by Muncie

[Mike Young]

1 hour ago, Tom Geiger said:

Part of the “To build or not to build” discussion has to include the skill level of that builder. 

There are builders who turn kits into art and have undisputedly improved the model and increased its value.

There are also adults who lack skill and will make a mess, permanently ruining that kit.
 

Completely agree!

I think I have a pretty good skill set and am confident I can handle just about any type of build. But I know what you're saying, one tour around Ebay and it's easy to find a ton of 'Pro' built models that never should have happened.

[Mike Young]

1 hour ago, Plowboy said:

The way I look at vintage kits is it's mine. I'll do whatever I want with it. I don't care what some shmoe 40 years from now is going to want to do with it. Just as the person before me didn't when they glued every custom piece in the box on the body. I'm going to build it the way I want. If I want to cut it up, I'm going to. Some people think every one is the last one. Yet they pop up on ebay all of the time. What value does a kit have if you never enjoy it? 

I just recently got a '64 Fairlane Sports Coupe and have been in the process of stripping who knows how many layers of paint from it. At first, my plan was to cut the roof off and stick it on a Revell body and use part of the interior, hood and taillight panel. Just like a full scale, I discovered that paint can hide some serious sins. The roof is actually crazed terribly while the body isn't. Not sure if it can be salvaged or not. I may have to pitch the body and try to sell the parts to recoup some of my money. I'll just have to see how bad it is when all of the paint is off. The guy or guys before me didn't consider me when they did what they did. But, they enjoyed it when they had it.

I've been thinking the same thing on a '64. I hope you can get that body to work. That would be a fun build!

[Mike Young]

34 minutes ago, Muncie said:

I'll just leave this here with a couple of notes...

From back in the day - found with at least ten coats of paint, brush enamel and so thick that no sign of the emblems which are intact could be seen.  It is a modification to transplant the Fairlane body on the Mercury Cyclone altered wheelbase kit.  Even the hole in the hood is from the Cyclone. I have one brain cell that says this was from instructions in a how to article in Model Car or Model Car Science Magazine.  That brain cell doesn't work correctly so maybe not.  The Cyclone AWB chassis that came with it was a mess and missing pieces - but Round 2 recently reissued it.  Good to go.

Mike, yes, there are three taillight bezels in the picture - The third one from the left is yours if you need it - just PM your address and I'll get it in the mail.

That's going to be a sweet build when it's done!

I think I'll take you up on that offer. Do you need a dash? I have to pull a copy of mine, I could get one to you as well.

[Muncie]

I have to give credit for the coolness and cutting it up to the original builder when the kit was new.    I'm just taking advantage of the work that has already been started.