63 Olds Starfire

[Jantrix]

Thanks to the wonderful world of Ebay, a Johan 63 Olds Starfire hardtop will soon be on its way to my doorstep. This is a grail find for me. It was one of my favorite models as a kid and I want to build it again as an adult.

Since this kit is a former promo, I'm sure you know what the chassis, and engine is going to look like. So here's the question.

What kit(s) would give me the best (closest) representation of a 63 Olds chassis and a 394ci or 425ci Olds V8?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Edited March 1, 2009 by Jantrix

[showrodfreak]

Thanks to the wonderful world of Ebay, a Johan 63 Olds Starfire hardtop will soon be on its way to my doorstep. This is a grail find for me. It was one of my favorite models as a kid and I want to build it again as an adult.

Since this kit is a former promo, I'm sure you know what the chassis, and engine is going to look like. So here's the question.

What kit(s) would give me the best (closest) representation of a 63 Olds chassis and a 394ci or 425ci Olds V8?

Any help would be most appreciated.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Resin-Blown-Big-Block-...1QQcmdZViewItem

[James W]

AMT 62 Pontiac would have a nice Chassis to work with. Seperate floor and frame.

AMT 69 442 has a very nice engine but you would want to get an automatic trans from something else.

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

Since this kit is a former promo, I'm sure you know what the chassis, and engine is going to look like. So here's the question.

What kit(s) would give me the best (closest) representation of a 63 Olds chassis and a 394ci or 425ci Olds V8?

Any help would be most appreciated.

I wouldn't be to sure it's a promo. Half the dingbats selling on ebay have no idea what their selling. I've seen a lot of what they called promos that were annual kits. Even some of the promos had full plastic chassis. The difference was that the promos usually had writing on the bottom explaining what features the car had.

You may be surprised what shows up at your door step.

[george 53]

Quick rule of thought, If it has an opening hood and an engine in it, it NOT a promo. No detailed promos, other than what Bill mentioned, were ever sold/given away at the dealerships, caz they woulda been too expensive! The CHEEPSKATES!!

[Jantrix]

Hmm..........thanks for the info. It does have a opening hood, so I know it is a kit. I thought that most of Johan's models were based on a promo, which is why the chassis and engines were so terrible. I't looks like I'm gonna have to go the street machine/resto mod route with this one. Maybe put it on a cut down chassis from the Revell 66 Malibu wagon. It won't be factory correct but, it will look a lot better than the Johan piece. However I have no intention of cutting into this body at all.

I got some brain storming to do. Thanks for the help.

[Dragon7665]

During the time that the Majority of GM's Divisions were using X-Frames, Oldsmobile was still using a perimeter frame of sorts...

Oldsmobiles Guard-Beam Frame

Oldsmobile added a Driveshaft Box on earlier cars, to for a bit of strength to their Guard-Beam Design when chassis was to be used on Convertible Models... The Addition of the Center Driveshaft Box, and Diagonal supports to connect it to the outer rails, resulted in an X-Beam Reinforced Perimeter Frame Design(something Olds had actually been using since their '48 Converts, and Some Hardtop Coupes).... Cadillac and Other GM Marks also used their own versions based on this design, but Oldsmobile was one of the few that continued the Practice.......

Edited February 27, 2009 by Dragon7665

[Dragon7665]

Also '65 was the change over in engine design, but when in scale, a Later 60's-70 small block engine can be used to replicate the earlier '60's design..... Most noticable differences, is the Valve Covers, and Exhaust Manifolds..... The Earlier Engines had Covers that were boxier designs, like the Buick's and Aftermarket Chevy Covers of the day(Bolting surface was towards the Covers in the Traditional Pattern), whereas the Later Engines had a bit more of a rectangular design that tapered towards the top of the covers(Bolting surface was away from the Covers to give them more of a Positive Seal, which actually was less likely to leak)....

[MrObsessive]

During the time that the Majority of GM's Divisions were using X-Frames, Oldsmobile was still using a perimeter frame of sorts...

Oldsmobiles Guard-Beam Frame

Well, that frame out of the '62 Pontiac Catalina, would be mighty close if he wanted a detailed chassis for the Olds. You might have to tweak it some to suit but that's what I would use.

It was nice how each division had much more autonomy in what bits and pieces they wanted to use back then. From frames, to engines, and certainly styling------you knew what was what coming down the road from several blocks away.

Not so much the case these days.

[torinobradley]

you knew what was what coming down the road from several blocks away.

Not so much the case these days.

You know, you saying that brings back memories from when I was a kid (70's) and my dad said the same thing... Back then, I couldn't tell the difference between a 32 Ford, Chevy or Dodge and all the 50's cars blended together, but I sure knew the difference between Mustangs, Camaros & Chargers...

I wonder how long it will be before I say it to my son. All those euro-tuners are starting to look alike to me...

[MrObsessive]

Well, as a little kid in the '60's I saw a BIG contrast between the squared up new cars (circa 1967-68) and the befinned and chromed out '50's beasts that were still on the road then.

I may not have known the exact years of certain cars (until later) but they all sure looked different to me. Mustangs, Camaros and Chargers were relatively new kids on the block so I definitely knew what those were then!

I do have a hard time telling the difference between '30's and '40's cars though...............Of course most of them were on the road and off the road by the time I came along!

[Gray Smith]

Hey Man, good luck with your build..I'm interested in seeing what you do it it. I've got one myself that is/was a rough built up, still haven't figured out how to get the paint off it yet. Mine will be resto modded too, but its going to be done like a many moons ago scetchpad drawing in the other magazine...

Gray

[Ron Hamilton]

I have a few unbuilt '63 Olds Starfires in my stash (including 2 original convertibles) as well as an evergreen '63 Convertible project. I was going to use the '62 Chevy Impala SS chassis and guts for it, making a mild custom out of it, but I was never satisfied with it, but I never tossed it out. Didn't the Revell 41 Willys have a Olds engine in it? That may be a basis for the engine you want to do. I know the original kit had a simple rendition of a 394 Olds engine. The air cleaner and valve covers were accurate, but the rest left a little to be desired.I may try it again, using the amt '62 Pontiac Catalina as the basis, and adapting it to the Olds body, and scratchbuilding the rest.

By the way, I would love to see a '62 Olds Starfire Convertible in scale.

[forthlin]

I also would love to see a '62 Starfire Convertible come out. I owned one of these back in 1972. Junked it because the trnsmission went bad. What I'd give to own that car now.

[Jantrix]

Well the kit arrived today. Oh man.........it's fantastic. This could have come out of the box brand new today. Someone obviously kept this kit very well. The chrome is perfect. The glass is a bit scuffed but nothing a little Future wont fix. There are some issues with the body that will need to be adressed when I decide how to build it. The B-pillar name scripts look like they were added after the mold was cast as there are some wicked mold lines all around the scripts that will be difficult to correct without hurting the script. The interior bucket is very rough (front seats molded in) and makes me glad this isn't a convertible.

I'm still leaning toward the resto-mod idea, but I'll NOT be hacking into that body.

[Jantrix]

Here's the kit. Any ideas on a build style or theme?

[evilone]

Here's the kit. Any ideas on a build style or theme?

HAHA bust out a lowrider LOL.Or atleast a street custom .

[James W]

Demolition Derby Car!!!

Seriously I'd build it low with some fat tires, not 20's but maybe Corvette rims and a pair of 4 inch tail pipes.

I can see what you mean about those scripts. Dose anybody do photo etch Olds scripts, then you could repair the body and replace them.

[MrObsessive]

You could try foil casting the emblems (ala Juha Airio ), do the bodywork, and then replace 'em after the body's all polished out and foiled.

I know of no one that does scripts specifically for a Starfire.