1958 Chrysler Imperial convertible

[gtx6970]

I think this is an old SMP kit, but I am not 100% sure .

I bought it as a builder maybe 10 years ago or so. And about 5 or 6 years back I had a wild idea one weekend to build a model. AKA a weekend project just for giggles.

Main goal was - keep it easy and quick.

Body had never been painted and was real nice as is. So I left it molded in white. with just a light polish and BMF work. Interior was rattle can testors flat red. chassis is just simple gloss black. These are curbsides kits, thus no engine or opening hood.

I am looking for a steering wheel and tail lights ( not sure of the recent 1959 kits is same / or similar.)

Before it goes back in the case I may go over the grille and tail end this weekend with some detailer to help bring it out some.

I've always liked the 50's fin cars of all makes and may have to get one of the recent 59's to go along with it .

Keep in mind this was a quick weekend project. so detail is not outstanding . But it looks pretty good on the shelf.

Enjoy

[John Goschke]

Looks great, Bill. Definitely one of SMP's better efforts and of course the '58 is relatively rare compared to the '59. Interesting to see this molded in white. The '58 kit I had was molded in pale green.

The taillights and steering wheel from the '59 are indeed identical to the '58 parts, though every '59 I've seen, whether original or Model King reissue, has a mold offset on the steering wheel. An annoying but repairable defect.

[bbowser]

Nice!

[TooOld]

Excellent example of nice old kit ! A little wash will look good but leave the rest like it is .

[Rob Hall]

Very nice. Love those old annuals.

[Guest]

That is really sweet!

[Sixties Sam]

Very nice! It's good to see the old annual kits being saved. This one is special to me. The first AMT 3 in 1 customizing kit I built was a 58 Imperial convertible like this one. That was in 1958 when I was nine years old. I built it all myself, no paint. It got me started in model building.

Sam

[realgone58]

Looks beautiful..............just needs a little blackwash on the grille, like you had mentioned.

[charlie8575]

I'm surprised that plastic hadn't yellowed. Very nice, sharp build. I'm planning on doing my '59 in dark green with a tan interior and boot, and will be buying another '59 to build as the Southampton in some subdued shade with the stainless canopy.

[bondo bill]

sweet

[gtx6970]

Thanks all. It's much appreciated.

I already did the blackwash on the grille, painted the sunvisors red and went over some of the chrome emblems with a yellow paint pen to give it the gold anodized look they should have . Also ordered a replacement steering wheel and tail lights from Modelhaus .

I would like to seat the wheels into the tires farther, but the tires are hard as a rock and I am afraid they'll split if I push it.

When I bought this years ago off Ebay , I was pleasantly suprised the body had never been painted and was in remarkably good shape, thus the reason to leave it unpainted . The body was just cleaned up, a slight rub with a polishing cloth and waxed. It's not perfect by any means . But nothing that demanded it be painted to hide any defects. Plus I like a white exterior with red interiors.

I have always thought the 57 thru 59 Imperials were Chryslers crown jewels .And with me being a diehard Mopar fan this one was just a given for my shelf

Thanks again.

Edited March 24, 2013 by gtx6970