1972 Eldorado. Still Confused

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

I recently acquired a Jo-Han 72 Eldorado kit, disassembled with no box. It is the one with no side trim.

I've read this old thread a few times but still not sure if this kit is rare (valuable) or not. Ron Hamilton said it's a "rarity" but that's not reflected in what I paid for it, a bit less than the price of 2 new kits.

Since it doesn't represent any 1:1 car, I'm thinking of a full custom. Either lowrider style so I can use the beautiful 13"s I bought from tdanisgarage, shave the marker lights and scripts, covert it to rear wheel drive and throw in an LS engine. Or a 70's Dunham Coachwork style custom. Another option I've considered is to build it like a promo. One color inside and out and just add BMF to the trim pieces.

However if this kit is something only a few people have I'd hate to devalue it in any.

What are your thoughts. If you've built one please post pics.

Thanks

[Ace-Garageguy]

It's rare-ish, typically bringing anywhere from $60-$120 or so on eBay, depending on who's bidding and what day and time the auction ends.

I researched these a few months back when I was working a trade, and there are indeed some discrepancies between the kit and the real production car.

But it's not that rare, and if I were you, I'd build it into something cool.  

[Plowboy]

I always say, "it's yours, do what you want with it." Better to build something cool with it than leave it in a box. I've cut up more valuable kits and promos. Never regret it.

[Claude Thibodeau]

Hi Jay!

If you ever convert it to rear wheel drive, the 66 Riviera chassis (AMT) is a shoe-in. I did it on a 1970 version. See pix below. The wheels are the alternate version on the Revell Caddy Escalade, but with slighly lower sidewall ratio tires. 

Have fun with your project!

CT 

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

Yes Claude! That's what I'm talking about. Beautiful. I tried the chassis from the AMT 69 Riviera but it's a couple of millimeters too short. Was this a direct fit? Thanks for posting.

[Claude Thibodeau]

9 hours ago, Perspective Customs said:

Yes Claude! That's what I'm talking about. Beautiful. I tried the chassis from the AMT 69 Riviera but it's a couple of millimeters too short. Was this a direct fit? Thanks for posting.

Hi Jay!

To the best of my memory, yes it was. The wheels are centered, and I only had to notch the firewall lower center portion to clear the transmission. I chose to leave the front inner wheel tubs out, as you see on many modern customs. It also allowed a lower stance with those fairly large diameter wheels/tires. And I made a short extension to the front roll pan, which is more pointed on the Eldo than on the Riv.

The paint is Testor's Inca Gold, but with a coat of Tamya's Peral clear to tone-down the big metallic sparkle of Testor's. 

Other than that... just a regular day at the office! 

CT 

[Lunajammer]

On 5/5/2022 at 7:47 PM, Claude Thibodeau said:

If you ever convert it to rear wheel drive, the 66 Riviera chassis (AMT) is a shoe-in. I did it on a 1970 version.

Thanks to you, I believe I now own a fully buildable '70 Eldo. Didn't you have to tunnel the otherwise flat bottom interior bucket?

[Claude Thibodeau]

8 hours ago, Lunajammer said:

Thanks to you, I believe I now own a fully buildable '70 Eldo. Didn't you have to tunnel the otherwise flat bottom interior bucket?

Hi Mike!

Well, I removed the "floor" of the Eldo interior bucket, and made a new floor to surround the driving shaft tunnel that was molded to the Riv's floorpan. Voilà!

CT 

[Can-Con]

Keep in mind, a '72 Eldo's wheelbase is almost 6 and 1/2 inches more than the earlier cars like Claude's and over 7 inches more than a '66-'70 Riviera's.

[Claude Thibodeau]

2 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Keep in mind, a '72 Eldo's wheelbase is almost 6 and 1/2 inches more than the earlier cars like Claude's and over 7 inches more than a '66-'70 Riviera's.

Hi Steve!

Thanks for the info. I naïvely assumed they were of the same wheelbase. although longer overall. Now we know why they called them "chrome barges"...

CT 

[Paul Payne]

Claude, have fun with your build! I have always thought that the engine (8.2 liters or 500 cu. in.) looked pretty small in comparison to other kitted GM V-8's. Stick in the biggest go power you can and make that land yacht fly (mixed metaphore?)

[Claude Thibodeau]

1 hour ago, Paul Payne said:

Claude, have fun with your build! I have always thought that the engine (8.2 liters or 500 cu. in.) looked pretty small in comparison to other kitted GM V-8's. Stick in the biggest go power you can and make that land yacht fly (mixed metaphore?)

Hi Paul!

I will forward your good advice to our friend Jay, who actually started this thread. I just chipped in two days ago, and various "conversations " ensued. 

Keep modeling!

CT

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

Claude, have fun with your build! I have always thought that the engine (8.2 liters or 500 cu. in.) looked pretty small in comparison to other kitted GM V-8's. Stick in the biggest go power you can and make that land yacht fly (mixed metaphore?)

There is no Cadillac 500 ci engines in any kits, or 429s either for that matter. JoHan just put Cadillac scripts on the Olds Toronado engine and called it good enough. 

Actually, if you put those valve covers [which aren't all that accurate either]  on a 428 Cobra Jet Ford engine, it would be closer to the Caddy engine than the JoHan engine. At least the distributor would be on the right end of the engine.

Edited May 7, 2022 by Can-Con

[Bainford]

On 5/7/2022 at 8:50 PM, Can-Con said:

Actually, if you put those valve covers [which aren't all that accurate either]  on a 428 Cobra Jet Ford engine, it would be closer to the Caddy engine than the JoHan engine. At least the distributor would be on the right end of the engine.

Though, of course, the cylinder bank offset will be opposite, if that matters to anyone.

[Steve H]

This a well timed thread. I have a ‘70 that will be getting a pro touring treatment some time in the fall or winter. Thanks for starting this Jay. Claude, you saved me some trial and error to find a chassis my friend. I plan on a “modern” big block and rear wheel drive. Jay, I will be watching with great interest no matter what direction you go with your build.

Cheers, Steve

[Plowboy]

1 hour ago, Steve H said:

This a well timed thread. I have a ‘70 that will be getting a pro touring treatment some time in the fall or winter. Thanks for starting this Jay. Claude, you saved me some trial and error to find a chassis my friend. I plan on a “modern” big block and rear wheel drive. Jay, I will be watching with great interest no matter what direction you go with your build.

Cheers, Steve

If you're doing a pro touring build, maybe check out the chassis from the Foose Cadillac. It's pretty long. I had to shorten it 7mms to go under a '49 Mercury.  

 

[Claude Thibodeau]

17 hours ago, Steve H said:

This a well timed thread. I have a ‘70 that will be getting a pro touring treatment some time in the fall or winter. Thanks for starting this Jay. Claude, you saved me some trial and error to find a chassis my friend. I plan on a “modern” big block and rear wheel drive. Jay, I will be watching with great interest no matter what direction you go with your build.

Cheers, Steve

Hi Steve!

Happy if it helps. On a different note, check my Bonneville Streamliner in the Road Racing & SCTA thread section. I'm curious to see what you will think...

CT 

[Steve H]

On 5/10/2022 at 9:09 PM, Plowboy said:

If you're doing a pro touring build, maybe check out the chassis from the Foose Cadillac. It's pretty long. I had to shorten it 7mms to go under a '49 Mercury.  

 

Thanks Roger! Haven’t even started planning yet, other than the vision in my head. I have that kit in the stash, I might try a NASCAR chassis too, thanks for the input, much appreciated.

[Steve H]

23 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Steve!

Happy if it helps. On a different note, check my Bonneville Streamliner in the Road Racing & SCTA thread section. I'm curious to see what you will think...

CT 

Hi Claude. Heading over to check the Streamliner now. I always love your builds.