I think I have all the pre-war classic model cars. :(

[LDO]

That I know of...and want...anyway. I'm talking about the coachbuilt cars, not Fords, Chevies, and Chryslers (although I do have some of those too). I recently got some that eluded me for a long time; Heller Bugatti T.50, Delage D8 SS, and Mercedes Lieferwagen (sedan delivery).

The only two I can think of that I don't have are the Monogram Cadillac V-16 and Bandai Duesenberg. I don't have the Caddy because that I'm not crazy about the dual-cowl phaeton body style. The Duesenberg is hard to find.

I guess it's time to start building them

[Mr. Can Am Garage]

Unlike you, I know I don't have them all but like you, I've pretty much got what I want. All I'm missing to make my classic collection complete is an Italeri Mercedes or two.

As for building them, I'm currently working on one of the Johan Caddys..

[Modelmartin]

I also have almost all of the CCCA accepted classic cars that have been kitted. I actually have a few built and several more underway. The old J0-HAN kits are some of the most exceptional tooling ever made. I loved building the 540K coupe and have the Special Roadster started. The only correction needed was ride height. The Monogram Duesenberg is also an outstanding kit. It is accurate and builds well and looks great. I have built the Heller Bugatti T50 and while it has very un-detailed wheels the rest of it is nicely done and built well. The Heller 540K? Nearly unbuildable! The shapes are right on but the engineering is, to quote an old Mark Gustafson article, antideluvian! I think that means that it is really screwed up and illogical. I am attempting it however. The miracle of the Mercedes 500-540K kits is that all 6 out there are different! I hope to get all 6 built. I have 2 done and 2 started. Then maybe I can use one to kitbash and semi-scratchbuild a 770K Grosser! The engine is similar as is the suspension and grilleshell. I would model that as the factory finished it before it got delivered to the Nazi party, thank you very much. I will post more pics of my other finished classics soon in the under glass section.

[LDO]

Andy-

Nice work on the Mercedes and Duesenberg. I built that Mercedes while in Afghanistan. Building models kept me from losing my ming over there. It was that boring 99.9% of the time. It's a really nice kit, but it does have some problems with 1960s mold technology. The door panel detail looks like it was brushed on with thick paint. I scratchbuilt replacements. The chrome trim strips on the trunk lid were a pain too; no locating pins. I'm glad I had calipers for that.

I had planned on building several models and leaving them in primer so I paint them when I got back to the states. The guy who runs my LHS told me about Tamiya spray lacquers so I gave them a try. I was shooting for candy burgundy so I used candy red over grey primer. I shot some Tamiya pearl and clear over that. I was really surprised at how shiny it turned out. I'm not happy with their pearl, because it has blue in it, but I'm leaving the model as-is. I only have a few that I built over there. This pic is before it was finished. It's sitting on a military map of Afghanistan.

BTW- do you have any good photos of real Bugatti T.50 wheels?

You're going to find the same engineering problems in Heller's Delahaye. I just got their Delage and I've already seen problems. The rear fenders are made in two pieces. What were they thinking?! Eh, I guess if Tamiya made these cars we wouldn't be so proud of the finished project LOL

[LDO]

John-

Those Jo-Han Caddys are nice. I have two under construction around here somewhere. I really like the Town Brougham. I sanded the wicker off mine though. To heck with trying to get gloss under it and then paint the wicker without ruining the gloss beneath. My car has a terrible hood; the sides are bowed out. Are they all like this or is mine just a fluke? I hope it's just a fluke. I used my resin Duesenberg hood sides for it; the type with arc-shaped louvers.

[ismaelg]

Lee! Congratulations on FINALLY getting the Heller Delage! I asked around and people didn't even know what I was talking about. Not that I knew myself before talking to you :wink:

[Modelmartin]

Lee,

I try to find early releases of the Jo-Han kits for actual building. Look for the ones with the Gold Cup logo on them. Time wasn't kind to the tooling and all of those 70s-80s reissues are real flashy. The Cadillac Phaeton has the wrong fenders in it!!! I completely redid the chrome -stripped ,reworked the part and had them replated. It's a bunch of work and some expense but it really makes the model. I have wicker decals!!! Dan of Slippery Arts made them for me and I can get more printed real easy. They are way, way better than the wicker decals in the heller Hispano Suiza.

This Mini model is a copy of my Corgi toy I have had since I was a kid!

[Modelmartin]

Almost Forgot. I will scan pics of T50 wheels. I have over 30 books on Bugatti. It is my #1 thing. along with Porsches, Minis, GP bikes, drag racing,.......somebody stop me.

[LDO]

Lee,

I have wicker decals!!! Dan of Slippery Arts made them for me and I can get more printed real easy. They are way, way better than the wicker decals in the heller Hispano Suiza.

This Mini model is a copy of my Corgi toy I have had since I was a kid!

Wow. That's cool. While deployed, I had these made up at the on-post print shop. (I was on a big base. more like a small town!). It's the fleur de lis upholstery for the Bugatti Royale Coupe Napolean, pictured with the Italeri rear seat and body side.

After I had them made, I found out they were not correct for the original, but if you want to make a model of the car at Sinsheim, maybe we could trade.

[Modelmartin]

That is wild, man! H*ll ya, I will trade some wicker for some fleur de lis upholstery! I built a Coupe Napoleon some years ago but would love a do-over with that upholstery. I went to Mulhouse on my honeymoon 16 years ago. I had to see 100 Bugattis in one place! :shock: There were over 400 cars on display including the 2 Royales plus the recreated Esders roadster. 2 words -sensory overload. :shock: :shock:

I will get a sheet of wicker printed for you and in the mail likely within a week or two. Dan is printing up some of my production stuff this week.

[LDO]

Andy-

Is it possible to get the wicker printed a bit smaller?

[Mr. Can Am Garage]

Lee,

You got a fluke. All three of my Johan Caddys are beautifully cast. In fact, I'd go so far as to say those kits were the Tamiya's of their day.

Andy,

Those Deuseys are to die for and I love your solution to the caneing on the Johan Caddy. Sure wish that was within my abilities.

[Guest zebm1]

I just bought Minicraft's 1919 Hispano-suiza "Alphonso" with tha simulated wood fenders. But I'm currently in tha process of convincing myself to convert it into a different Alphonso. Perhaps just a later model with tha metal fenders. Perhaps a road racer....

zeb :wink: