SMP 1960 Valiant 4 door restoration

[rsmodels]

Here's one I finished a few weeks ago. It was a built kit with glue damage, especially from the fender skirts, and holes from mirrors, etc. I used Modelhaus bumpers but cleaned up and kept the original headlight surrounds so it would have clear lenses like it came with. I used the original tail lights and  Modelhaus  promo rims/hubcaps as they are more accurate than the hubcaps and trim rings that came with the original kit. The trim around the spare on the trunk is wire as the separate chrome kit trim is way to thick. And, of course, I polished the glass as always.

I cut the sides off the interior, which I do often, to make the detailing easier. After painting the seats I used decals over the inserts to show a slight pattern. I left the blue tape on this one after gluing the interior back together.

The tires are NOS originals from my stock of parts.  I know there are better looking tires I could use including Modelhaus copies, but I like to use original tires when I can. I do use other tires on later  models that came with tires that eat the plastic.

I built all these kits as a kid when they first came out and I just like using original parts when possible. I guess I'm nostalgic. I like working with the original plastic , there's just something different about it. I almost never build reissues. 

Feel free to comment and thanks for taking the time to read this and look at my model. I plan to post some rare and different ones this week.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Rich

 

[ea0863]

Super nice rebuild. I like the stately look of the color combinations.

[rsmodels]

5 minutes ago, ea0863 said:

Super nice rebuild. I like the stately look of the color combinations.

 

5 minutes ago, ea0863 said:

Super nice rebuild. I like the stately look of the color combinations.

Thanks so much, Emre

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[Kah puts]

Another treat, your going to spoil us! These are so addictive, keep em coming 

[Tom99]

Excellent!!

[espo]

Thanks for the memories. Like you I built on of these once upon a time, it never looked this good.  Another sharp rebuild and the wide white look at home on this. The trim and interikor are all cleanly done. 

[thatz4u]

nice restoration of an economy car from back in the day...

[Bainford]

Very nice Valiant. That has to be about the nicest build of this kit I’ve seen. I have a clean, unpainted built-up of this kit, and I wasn’t sure a stocker as good looking as yours could be built from it. Very well done. 

[happy grumpy]

Always nice to see a restauration of rare models and rare subject mater. Excellent work saving this model for us to enjoy.

thanks for sharing.

[Rob Hall]

Sweet...I don't think I've ever seen one of these early Valiant kits in person.

[rsmodels]

2 hours ago, Rob Hall said:

Sweet...I don't think I've ever seen one of these early Valiant kits in person.

 Tkanks, the SMP 60 was a 4 door. Subsequent years (SMP/AMT)  were 2 doors. The Revell 62 Valiant was also a 4 door.

[rsmodels]

Thank you all again for your comments on this one. -Rich

[slusher]

Wonderfully done!

[ewetwo]

Looks fantastic.

[gseeds]

Beautiful looking build!! 

[unclescott58]

Stunning job. It looks beautiful.