1/24 DDA HQ Holden Kingswood

[STU111]

Recently I was looking for something else in a drawer and discovered an old photo of a car I had back in around 1984-85. Looking at it bought back a few memories, enough to make me want to try and replicate it in model form as I knew that Aussie kit maker DDA Collectables had released it in kit form. Inspired by other forum members who have built models of their old cars, l set out to create it.The car. A 74 HQ Holden. I had it sitting pretty low and had a set of Centerline style wheels on it. It was only a 6 cylinder, l had plans for fitting a 350 Chev small block in it but I lost interest and sold it to buy the first of several Toranas I would own, another popular Aussie car.The kit.The wheels.Started cleaning up the body. Used some evergreen strip for the stainless trim that separates the white roof from the body colour. These DDA kits are different from say, Revell or Tamiya, l’m lead to believe they are based on their earlier die cast releases and aren’t as detailed, however, I am happy to have a kit of an Australian car. I’m looking forward to building it, although, I already have the Revell 71 Olds 442, the 56 Chevy Del Ray and the 62 Chevy Impala in various states of build. What was that saying about biting off more than you can chew?😄

[Brockc]

This is one sweet looking hq mate. Looking forward to see the progress. 

[Cool Hand]

Good to see you got the build under way Stu. The 1:1 looked tidy, and typical styling from that era.

Being a HQ fan, you know il be along for the ride and also look forward to progress updates.

 

1 hour ago, STU111 said:

These DDA kits are different from say, Revell or Tamiya, l’m lead to believe they are based on their earlier die cast releases and aren’t as detailed, however, I am happy to have a kit of an Australian car. I’m looking forward to building it,

Yes mate DDA run plastic through the diecast mould. All the basic detail is there and with a bit effort and detailing, the models will look the part. The way the kits are designed with sub-assemblies makes them easy to paint, detail and fun to build

I dont get too caught up with the scale accuracy of the kits, as im like you and just happy to have kits of Australian cars to build. Im always looking forward to DDA releasing more plastic kits.

[STU111]

My old HQ Holden was fitted with this strip along the length of the body. A common feature on Aussie cars back in the 70’s, usually dealer fitted, it was put on to ward off car park dents. So, in the interest of building my old HQ as close as possible in scale model form, I’m going to have to replicate the bump strip.Evergreen styrene strip to the rescue. The original strip as seen in the first picture is chrome with a black centre . Not sure how to go about replicating that, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something. Next job is cleaning up the body and getting some primer on. Cheers, Stu. 👍🏻

[Can-Con]

12 hours ago, STU111 said:

My old HQ Holden was fitted with this strip along the length of the body. A common feature on Aussie cars back in the 70’s, usually dealer fitted, it was put on to ward off car park dents. So, in the interest of building my old HQ as close as possible in scale model form, I’m going to have to replicate the bump strip.Evergreen styrene strip to the rescue. The original strip as seen in the first picture is chrome with a black centre . Not sure how to go about replicating that, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something. Next job is cleaning up the body and getting some primer on. Cheers, Stu. 👍🏻

That was super common here in North America too.

I've done it by just adding a strip of black 1/64" Chart Pack tape to the chrome strip and sealing it on with Tamiya clear acrylic.

[STU111]

1 hour ago, Can-Con said:

That was super common here in North America too.

I've done it by just adding a strip of black 1/64" Chart Pack tape to the chrome strip and sealing it on with Tamiya clear acrylic.

Thanks for that Steve! That’s an excellent tip. Looks great on your Chev in the picture. I didn’t know that tape even existed. I’m going to have to get a roll of it. Thanks again. 👍🏻

[STU111]

Got some primer on the body. The bump strips on the side were a pain to do as the revell contacta l usually use didnt seem too want to work real well. I’d heard that the plastic in DDA kits was difficult to glue, and I’m starting to think that’s true. After some perseverance ( and a bit of CA glue ) I got there in the end. This mock up is pretty much how the stance will be. I’ve got the SMS factory colour paints, so hopefully the mild weather will hold out and I can get some paint on it. Cheers, thanks for looking.👍🏻

[lordairgtar]

Looks great so far.

[Badge73]

Beautiful start! Great work on the bump strips.

[espo]

Like the shape of the 1:1 sedan body.

[Cool Hand]

Good to see you making some progress Stu. 

Edited March 31 by Cool Hand

[Can-Con]

So, not to go off the rails too far but ,,

I was just watching a short video on the Holden 308 V-8 on YouTube , Pretty cool. [and kinda sad]

Does any of those kits have an accurate representation of that engine?

[STU111]

5 hours ago, Can-Con said:

So, not to go off the rails too far but ,,

I was just watching a short video on the Holden 308 V-8 on YouTube , Pretty cool. [and kinda sad]

Does any of those kits have an accurate representation of that engine?

G’day Steve, several of the DDA kits have a standard 308, the non modified HQ Monaro GTS and Torana A9X do. It’s an okay representation but as the kits have a baseplate as opposed to a detailed chassis, the sump is not right. Hope this helps. 👍🏻

[Can-Con]

27 minutes ago, STU111 said:

G’day Steve, several of the DDA kits have a standard 308, the non modified HQ Monaro GTS and Torana A9X do. It’s an okay representation but as the kits have a baseplate as opposed to a detailed chassis, the sump is not right. Hope this helps. 👍🏻

How's she goin' , Stu? 

Thanks. for the info. The video was very interesting. That would have been a right deadly engine for our Canadian made Beaumonts in the late '60s. "Commonwealth Cousins" and all that. 😉

I'm thinking I should track down a resin one for my next Beaumont build.

Edited March 31 by Can-Con

[STU111]

Been working away on this one trying to get the stance right. After some fiddling with the suspension parts, I’ve locked it in and glued everything in place. Unfortunately the cold weather has arrived in my part of the world so this one won’t get a coat of paint now until next spring. Also discovered some more photos of the original car.Thanks for looking. Cheers, Stuart.

👍🏻

[Dann Tier]

Nice!...i will be following this.