KUSTOMIZED 1953 CHEVY IN PROGRESS

[METALFLAKE]

Started with a 1:24 scale die-cast 1953 Chevy Hardtop by JADA. Haven't built a model since I was a kid, but did win a few first place awards back in the days. Decided to try my hand at a die-cast model. Picked this one up at a local TARGET store for $3.24 in a close-out . After total disassembly and removal of all plastic chrome trim used aircraft paint removal for a clean fresh body. On this die-cast model there are groves in the body where the trim goes so I super-glued the trim back on and filed smooth to the body and added putty filler. Working on the front I cut the front portion of the hood for that pancake look and molded it to the body. Frenched the headlights (these will have working LED LIGHTS). The front rolled pan was made from an AMT '49 MERC front bumper. The left front wheel well was modified by using scrap plastic and shaping it to form and doing some putty filing. The lower part of the drivers door was cut,filed and reshaped. The bottom half of the door was clued in place and molded in. The rear quarter was reshaped to follow the form of the skirt (skirt came from some '60's vintage kit). Rear part of fenders was filed and reshaped and a rolled pan was made from scrap plastic and a AMT '49 MERC rear bumper (the holes are for RED LED working TAILLIGHTS). The other side (right) of the model is different from that of the (left) side. Remember it's only a model. After filing and reshaping the rear quarter a SKIRT was made from a PLASTIC BOTTLE. The pass door was cut,filed and reshaped and some molding was required. The front (right) fender wheel well was reshaped with use of scrape plastic. The rear seat area was covered with a piece scrap plastic and molded in. The windshield will be chopped and a fabric interior will be used. After photo's were taken decided not to put the ON/OFF switch for the lights in the seat. Will be located under side of model. Up-dates to follow. Comments are welcomed.

[clow68]

Started with a 1:24 scale die-cast 1953 Chevy Hardtop by JADA. Haven't built a model since I was a kid, but did win a few first place awards back in the days. Decided to try my hand at a die-cast model. Picked this one up at a local TARGET store for $3.24 in a close-out . After total disassembly and removal of all plastic chrome trim used aircraft paint removal for a clean fresh body. On this die-cast model there are groves in the body where the trim goes so I super-glued the trim back on and filed smooth to the body and added putty filler. Working on the front I cut the front portion of the hood for that pancake look and molded it to the body. Frenched the headlights (these will have working LED LIGHTS). The front rolled pan was made from an AMT '49 MERC front bumper. The left front wheel well was modified by using scrap plastic and shaping it to form and doing some putty filing. The lower part of the drivers door was cut,filed and reshaped. The bottom half of the door was clued in place and molded in. The rear quarter was reshaped to follow the form of the skirt (skirt came from some '60's vintage kit). Rear part of fenders was filed and reshaped and a rolled pan was made from scrap plastic and a AMT '49 MERC rear bumper (the holes are for RED LED working TAILLIGHTS). The other side (right) of the model is different from that of the (left) side. Remember it's only a model. After filing and reshaping the rear quarter a SKIRT was made from a PLASTIC BOTTLE. The pass door was cut,filed and reshaped and some molding was required. The front (right) fender wheel well was reshaped with use of scrape plastic. The rear seat area was covered with a piece scrap plastic and molded in. The windshield will be chopped and a fabric interior will be used. After photo's were taken decided not to put the ON/OFF switch for the lights in the seat. Will be located under side of model. Up-dates to follow. Comments are welcomed.

[Guest rick r]

I have a good friend who worked for Jada, he says their entire design program is really 'approximate' so your comment on the unevenness between the sides will warm his heart. Looks likeagood challange for a returning modeller. Good luck! rick rothermel