CUSTOMIZING A DIE CAST

[E St. Kruiser50]

Back in 1959, my dad bought a 1957 Pontiac Star Chief, two door hardtop. I learned to drive in that car. It was amazingly fast and beautiful.

Fast forward to 1972, and there I am in San Bernardino, Calif. looking in the L.A. classifieds for a '57 Pontiac.

I found one the first day of looking, but it said "SAFARI WAGON". Never heard of it. I called the number and the owner said it looked like a Nomad, only different.

So the wife and I drove to Pomona. WOW - IT WAS COOL LOOKING . I asked my wife what she thought, and she liked it. It would need some work and parts scrounging, but that was fun, so I gave him $500 and drove it home. 3 1/2 years later and it was done.

Back then there were Nomads in wrecking yards to get parts from .

Over the last few years, I have collected some magazine adds of Pontiacs, from sellers on eBay. Pretty reasonable prices for the originals. I am posting one of the exact body style and color of my dads and one of a cool looking Safari.

When I have something like this I want to build, it usually takes me awhile to collect all the parts. About four years ago, I decided to use Danbury Mint die-casts to make the model. I've done body work on customizing some of my 1 to 1 cars I owned, so I figured it couldn't be too much different, and I'd already done a few die-cast customs that I had been commisioned for from collectors here in the area.

As you can see in the pic's, all the pieces are there, and many bagged, just like when I did my real cars. Some things never change . Kinda brings back good memories of dis-mantling my real cars and starting from scratch, like I did on the Safari.

This is just a head's-up on what's coming in the future.

When I get serious and a little closer, I'll start a new thread.

The model I'll build will be the color of my dads two tone Star Chief - creme and burgandy.

This is what my dads car looked like.

A Safari add

This is the car I owned and resto-rodded

Here's all the parts it'll take.

[george 53]

Well you know,Daddy-O, that I'll be watchin this one like free money!!! This is gonna be a REALLY interesting build up. Gonna learn ALOT from this one!!!

[Clay]

I dont really get whats gonna happen... Sorry if I am missing it completely.

[RodneyBad]

Replica stock?

No Corvette chassis?

Looks like a really cool wagon.

[E St. Kruiser50]

  Clay said:

I dont really get whats gonna happen... Sorry if I am missing it completely.

SOME PEOPLE JUST LOOK AT THE PITCHURE'S

[Foxer]

Can't wait for the sparks to start flying!!

(Clay just can't figure how you're gonna make a Studie ot of those...)

[Clay]

Ok I got it now, I thought the blue top came on the white car. I see that it came from the blue car. I see whats happening now. Although I dont see how you are gonna make it into a Studebaker....

[E St. Kruiser50]

  Clay said:

Ok I got it now, I thought the blue top came on the white car. I see that it came from the blue car. I see whats happening now. Although I dont see how you are gonna make it into a Studebaker....

HAPPY EASTER ALL