'59 Imperial Ghia Crown Limousine

[Biscuitbuilder]

Here's a fairly easy project I am working on right now, a 1959 Imperial Ghia Crown Limousine, using the Model King/AMT Ertl '59 Imperial kit (two of them). The body has a scale 21" stretch, as does the roof.

I used the clear plastic back window to make the rear of the roof, as Ghia used the very same contours in sheetmetal as were in the hardtop rear glass. Amazingly, the "glass" from the kit, once cut to shape, will fit more or less flush, only a bit of filling, filing and sanding needed. All filler used to this point, throughout the bodywork is Goldberg SuperJet CA glue, with Bob Smith Models Accelerator. The upper edges of the side window openings were added, using .060" square Evergreen strip styrene, as are the two B-posts. My personal practice when installing B-posts is to file a notch into the bottom edge of the side of the roof, and a corresponding notch into the upper edge of the door area, so that the posts fit flush with the inside edge at both bottom and top, and being set in notches, the glue joint is virtually indestructible. I did file off the upper portion of the windshield trim, in order to smooth down the roof, then added it back with Evergreen styrene strip, blended in with CA glue, file and sandpaper.

Here's a couple of views of the project, pretty easy one to do, BTW:

Biscuitbuilder

[MrObsessive]

Looks great Art! Some very clever bodywork to boot also!

I wouldn't known Ghia did that to make their limos back then...............Are you gonna stretch the AMT '57 300 chassis or the one that came in the '59 kit?

[Billy Kingsley]

That looks fantastic, Art! I should have my Imperial done later tonight, but it's a horrible build. I might not even show it. Your Limo is great!!

[Biscuitbuilder]

Looks great Art! Some very clever bodywork to boot also!

I wouldn't known Ghia did that to make their limos back then...............Are you gonna stretch the AMT '57 300 chassis or the one that came in the '59 kit?

Just gonna stretch the kit chassis, Bill--as this one is curbside all the way.

Biscuitbuilder