Dad’s model cars

[FLHCAHZ]

Hello all.  Been a while since I’ve been to the bench.  I’ve been trying to get inspired to pull a kit out of the stash and get to work.   Recently, I was going through my boxes and found a box of models my dad started before he passed.  He was crazy impatient and wasn’t big on detail.   Those of you that have seen some of my builds know that I am not a superstar modeler.  My dad thought I was though.  I’ve decided to work on the models he gave me to “see what I could do with them”. Here is what I have:

I started with the one that needed the least work. A 1963 corvette convertible 

I’m not looking to change much, just improve on what he started.   More to come. 

Edited November 25, 2024 by FLHCAHZ

[johnyrotten]

3 minutes ago, FLHCAHZ said:

Hello all.  Been a while since I’ve been to the bench.  I’ve been trying to get inspired to pull a kit out of the stash and get to work.   Recently, I was going through my boxes and found a box of models my dad started before he passed.  He was crazy impatient and wasn’t big on detail.   Those of you that have seen some of my builds know that I am not a superstar modeler.  My dad thought I was though.  I’ve decided to work on the models he gave me to “see what I could do with them”. Here is what I have:

I started with the one that needed the least work. A 1963 corvette convertible 

mom not looking to change much, just improve on what he started.   More to come. 

This is awesome. I'll be paying attention. I like the whole concept, and that's a clean looking corvette 

[FLHCAHZ]

52 minutes ago, johnyrotten said:

This is awesome. I'll be paying attention. I like the whole concept, and that's a clean looking corvette 

Thanks!  He was big on using chrome trim sheet from his model airplane days. He laughed when I told him about BMF.  On this one, I’m going to fix the broken steering column and get rid of the chrome trim sheet , and replace it with BMF, and gently polish it out.  I have no idea what kind of paint was used. 

Edited November 25, 2024 by FLHCAHZ

[NitroMarty]

Cool stuff... My dad was a builder back in the early days of the hobby... Late 50's and early 60's.   Sure wish I had some of the stuff that he built back then, but he tossed it when we moved into a new house in the early 70's.

[Volzfan59]

I really like what you’re doing with these. Please do keep us posted. Thank you 

[fredo84]

Love the topic !

You will do good on then 👌👍

My Dad was a builder too early 80's ,he gave me his build,I had restored some ,the rest is tuck in a box (have to find motivation to revive them !)

[bobss396]

Your dad seemed like a good builder. My dad had an AMT '36 Ford in the box above the kitchen cabinets that he never completed. I have no idea what happened to it.

[rickcaps55]

Your dad looked like he turned out some very nice builds to me just the fact you have them is something special I think I would maybe just clean them up a bit and put them in a special display case as is. I'm 72 and I had two daughters I hate to think what they're going to do with all my models.!

[Bainford]

Cool find, Chaz. He may not be super detailed, but the work is quite clean. The Vette is looking good. 

[espo]

The paint work looks really good and need only a light polish. 

[FLHCAHZ]

Thank you for all of the kind comments!

When I was a kid, my dad had a large scale ‘57 Chevy vert sitting on a shelf  the doors, hood, and trunk opened.  It was really cool, I was never allowed to touch it!  He also had a large scale C2 Corvette that the lights worked - wasn’t allowed near that one either.

As a kid, I’d never seen him build a car model though, his passion for most of his life were RC planes. Cool memories of going to the airfield with him.   Those guys taught me how to pour a draft beer at a young age…..

 

Got the Vette cleaned up and a light polish.  Applied some BMF where it needed and glued the steering wheel back on.   I didn’t realize that the shifter was missing.  I’ll have to source one from the parts box

Once he hit a certain age, he couldn’t fly the RC planes as well, and started building the models in this thread.

 

Thanks for following along.   I’ll update this thread when I pick the next one.

 

[johnyrotten]

Looks great, hopefully you come across the shifter. I think your father would be happy with the revival,  or maybe you're in some trouble for going near his models. Lol. 

[FLHCAHZ]

Haha!  I found the shifter stuck inside the ‘56 Chevy 

[Maindrian Pace]

Your dad did nice work on those cars, and your restoration on the Vette looks great.

[bobss396]

One guy in the model club buys up collections. Some built ups, some kits inbuilt. They come from estate sales, word of mouth from families of guys who are in nursing homes... or worse.

Some are very nice builds. I think that some are built.. go back in the box and are never displayed. Sounds familiar..

[slusher]

Great looking Corvette, there’s a real nice 57 Chevy in green, enjoy fixing them they all look very nice…

[LennyB]

It's really cool that your doing this. My Dad built kits in the early 60's before moving on to collecting die-cast Dinky's and Corgi's. He has given me his un-built kits which I need to build. He still has his built ones. One of his favorites is an AMT 1940 Ford that he turned into a Woody using real wood. I built a copy of it back in the 70's and it won first prize at a local contest. I think he got a kick out of that.

I have also picked up kits from estate auctions, like the mixed up 60's Vette I'm currently working on. Some of these kits I get weird vibes off of and some seem to point you in a direction.👻

[espo]

19 hours ago, FLHCAHZ said:

Thank you for all of the kind comments!

When I was a kid, my dad had a large scale ‘57 Chevy vert sitting on a shelf  the doors, hood, and trunk opened.  It was really cool, I was never allowed to touch it!  He also had a large scale C2 Corvette that the lights worked - wasn’t allowed near that one either.

As a kid, I’d never seen him build a car model though, his passion for most of his life were RC planes. Cool memories of going to the airfield with him.   Those guys taught me how to pour a draft beer at a young age…..

 

Got the Vette cleaned up and a light polish.  Applied some BMF where it needed and glued the steering wheel back on.   I didn’t realize that the shifter was missing.  I’ll have to source one from the parts box

Once he hit a certain age, he couldn’t fly the RC planes as well, and started building the models in this thread.

 

Thanks for following along.   I’ll update this thread when I pick the next one.

 

Detail these models from your father and display them in a way honoring him.

[FLHCAHZ]

Up next will be the 55 Bel Air Convertible.  I found the missing trim. 

[FLHCAHZ]

All glued back together, cleaned and polished. I really like this one.  Hood ornament is missing….

Edited November 28, 2024 by FLHCAHZ

[FLHCAHZ]

Up next the GTO..

[Mattilacken]

Such a nice tribute to your late dad! I wish my dad was doing any modeling before the Parkinson struck. 

[johnyrotten]

9 hours ago, FLHCAHZ said:

All glued back together, cleaned and polished. I really like this one.  Hood ornament is missing….

Very sharp looking 👌. I think the color combo is perfect. Display this one proudly. If the ornament is the same for a 56, I may have one. 

[bobss396]

This is nice that you have something t hat meant a lot to your dad. Often our parents are gone and so is the essence of who they were.

My stepmother took great strides to eliminate and memories of my mom. I have pictures however.

My dad's stuff, my brother has his wood working tools and his WWII items. When dad was in Florida, his crazy wife would hire help that turned out to be thieves. He lost all his Masonic jewelry. I have all his other Masonic accessories. I also have his Kennedy boxes from his Grumman days.

[FLHCAHZ]

3 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

Very sharp looking 👌. I think the color combo is perfect. Display this one proudly. If the ornament is the same for a 56, I may have one. 

I don’t know if it’s the same or not.  I appreciate the offer! I think I’ll leave it alone though