Johan '58 Olds 98 Four-Door Hardtop

[John Goschke]

Thought I'd share these recent pics of an old unfinished project...

In the early '80s I was sort of on a role for a while with replica stock projects. Then it came to a stop with this one and a subsequent unrelated change in lifestyle when I went to art school. Anyway, all these years later here's where it sits, with a few cracks in the lacquer and tarnished BMF.

Johan/X-el promo reissue of the '58 Olds 98 with interior. I made a several modifications to the shape of the corners of the windshield posts and the vent windows and added a missing molding and weatherstripping to the side window openings. At the time I was fascinated by Continental kits and skirts, so I scratched a set of Foxcraft skirts and a Stylecraft connie kit. The spare cover was pirated out of a mint '61 Olds kit.

The interior really sucked. It was too shallow and the dash was basically a poor copy of the '57 dash. So, keeping the steering wheel rim, I started carving everything else based on info from a '58 Olds color and upholstery book. Obviously that's where it got stalled out.

The body was painted "Heather" with a "Mountain Haze" top, using Duplicolor touchup paint, decanted and mixed, then sprayed with a Preval spray bottle.

What unfinished projects do you have that you regret not finishing? Let's see them!

[59-Desoto]

Wow great looking project and the coni kit really looks nice , love the style and lines of the 58 Olds, Have a few of my own projects from that era need to get back to. Love to see those on the store self some day.

[MrObsessive]

John that is a real BEAUTY!! I'll have to get with you in the future to get some pointers on that dash! I have an R&R resin '58 Olds Wagon that is on my mind for a detailed project, and I absolutely hate the '57 Olds dash in it as it's totally wrong.

As far as stillborn projects, for some reason I have this one sitting on the shelf collecting dust...................

There was an issue with the driver's side door which wouldn't fully shut, but I've since fixed that. Now, other projects have caught my eye and this one has been languishing for the last couple years. I ought to get it done after I tackle the '64 Olds--------at least I'm 90% of the way there with this Ford.

[John Goschke]

Thanks, guys! If I was starting the project now, I probably wouldn't do the Connie kit (if there was ever a car that didn't need extra length behind the rear wheels, this is it!)

Bill, you need to finish that '55 Fairlane! Happy to help in any way I can with your '58 Olds project. The dealer albums I've got (Color & Upholstery and the other one that shows the cars in detail) are invaluable references, but can be heavy drugs for someone with a case of "Advanced Modeler's Syndrome (AMS)!" As for the dash, I kinda look at it now and think "how sick is that!" And all without an Optivisor.

[cruz]

UUMMM! Would love to see you completing that Olds John. And yes, Bill, finish that Ford already!!!

[Jim Gibbons]

Both the 58 Olds and 55 Ford NEED to be finished! I wish I still had my '58 Olds.

[Romell R]

hey i thought since you asked what projects we have uncompleted. I'd post this one , i started this 15 years ago and had great Ideas for it. maybe I'll get some inspiration to finish it. And the second one is my Bug959 that got lost in the shuffle. well I hope you enjoy!

Edited June 23, 2010 by Aftashox

[John Goschke]

Outstanding interior detail work on those two, Aftashox! I guess the problem with the Batamobile is once you put the top on nobody'll see all that great detail.

[sjordan2]

Well, this is just ultra-slick and a fantastic example of the hobbyist's craft. Superb.

[Tony T]

Timely topic! I just yesterday pulled out a project that I started at least 15 years ago. Revel '69 Baldwin-Motion Camaro. I have a magazine article with a green B-M Camaro as the reference (April 1991 Motor Trend!). I killed one body, bought another kit and started another body (Tamiya Park Green over the red plastic), got a coat of paint on it and put it away. Chassis is pretty much done, as is the interior. I need to put some sanding on the body, put the decals on, and clear it. I know it is a pain to get the body on the chassis, so I will have to do a bit of select trimming to get the body on the chassis right. Hopefully, I don't get a major fail in getting the body and chassis together!