1967 Johan Coupe DeVille Question

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Can anyone tell me which is more rare, Johan's '67 Cadillac kit or friction toy model?

[Mark]

I'd bet on the unbuilt kit, myself.

[Snake45]

I just spot-checked eBay. No JoHan '67 Eldos of any kind on now. 

Completed items, last 90 days: 1 unbuilt kit, three or four nicely built (very rebuildable) kits (one missing engine), three or four promos, no frictions. For what it's worth. 

[espo]

My guess is that the friction models would be the hardest to find. Think about all the youngsters that would get that friction motor going and run the car into the wall baseboard. The mortality rate had to be high on those. 

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

7 hours ago, Snake45 said:

I just spot-checked eBay. No JoHan '67 Eldos of any kind on now. 

Completed items, last 90 days: 1 unbuilt kit, three or four nicely built (very rebuildable) kits (one missing engine), three or four promos, no frictions. For what it's worth. 

Thanks Snake. I'm talking about the Coupe DeVille, not the Eldorado but you did give me an idea to check ebay. 

When I checked there were 7 Johan '67 DeVilles, 5 coupes and 2 convertibles.

1 convertible is an actual promo, the rest are all friction. No kits, built or unbuilt.

I was in agreement with Espo until I did this unscientific research.

The reason why I ask is because I have 1 of each, a 67 coupe friction in need of a little of love and a glue bombed kit in need of a whole lot of love.

I'm considering cleaning up the friction model as showroom stock with details. For the kit I'm toying with the idea of a mild custom. Drop in an LS since it has an opening hood and engine bay, lowered stance with updated wheels and tires and a custom interior. Just don't want to devalue something that may be quite rare. Thanks

[Snake45]

Sorry about the Eldo thing. Dunno where I got that from. Senior Moment. 

Promos/frictions are seldom extremely valuable unless they're in perfect condition or darn close to it. That's why I don't buy or mess with them. However, the ones needing a little love, as you put it, I'm not at all afraid to provide some. 

[Oldcarfan27]

My take on them is this.

If they're intact with all of the scripts and trim, I'd vote to preserve the details and either restore them or do mild custom with them.

Observe the physicians creed "Do no harm". You'll always find worse projects that you can be more radical on, but you can't return the good details if you ever change your mind.

However - if the trim and script are already butchered, then clean them up how you wish.

[Jeffcad]

Hi Jay.

The kit is more rare than the promo. Especially if it's sealed. But now almost all Jo-Han's Cadillac kit or promo are quite rare and pricey anyway. Around 130-150 bucks if pristine for the 67 DeVille and Eldorado. A few years ago, it was quite cheap to buy a 1968 Cadillac convertible kit on Ebay, now she's getting expensive too, including the X-el reissues. Only 1975, 1976 Eldorados and 77 to 79 DeVilles are still affordable.

I am also saving and converting one these days...turning a poorly and also glue bombed '67 Coupe into a Sedan DeVille. Will share it soon. Enjoy your restorations, and please share them.

JP.

 

Edited June 26, 2021 by Jeffcad

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

On 6/26/2021 at 12:02 AM, Oldcarfan27 said:

My take on them is this.

If they're intact with all of the scripts and trim, I'd vote to preserve the details and either restore them or do mild custom with them.

Observe the physicians creed "Do no harm". You'll always find worse projects that you can be more radical on, but you can't return the good details if you ever change your mind.

However - if the trim and script are already butchered, then clean them up how you wish.

All scripts and trim are in good condition on both. The only thing I'd maybe, possibly, might do is shave the door handles on the mild custom. Still thinking about that.

 

On 6/26/2021 at 12:38 AM, Jeffcad said:

Hi Jay.

The kit is more rare than the promo. Especially if it's sealed. But now almost all Jo-Han's Cadillac kit or promo are quite rare and pricey anyway. Around 130-150 bucks if pristine for the 67 DeVille and Eldorado. A few years ago, it was quite cheap to buy a 1968 Cadillac convertible kit on Ebay, now she's getting expensive too, including the X-el reissues. Only 1975, 1976 Eldorados and 77 to 79 DeVilles are still affordable.

I am also saving and converting one these days...turning a poorly and also glue bombed '67 Coupe into a Sedan DeVille. Will share it soon. Enjoy your restorations, and please share them.

JP.

 

Thanks for the input Jeff. I'm a big fan of your work and can't wait to see your latest conversion. I had thought about converting one of the coupes into a Fleetwood Brougham. That would take some time, planning and focus which for me translates into another forever project.

Thanks