1956 Pontiac - WIP

[Ramfins59]

This is my latest project on the workbench. It's a 1956 Pontiac promo that I've had since last year. Plans are to make it a mild custom. So far I've sanded off the name badging, the hood and trunk emblems and molded on chrome trim along with the hood ornament and the rear small side trim molding. I just didn't want to have the hassle of trying to foil all those little tiny things......I guess I've had about enough for now of the frustratingly small BMF work. I made rear skirts from sheet plastic and drilled mounting holes for mirrors, dummy spotlights and an antenna. I drilled out holes for custom bullet taillight lenses and for the backup lights. I gave the grille a blackwash with the Detailer and put some white acrylic paint on the front turn signals. The front wheels will be chromed reversed (I like them) and it will have whitewalls (of course). The body has been primed with Duplicolor Primer/Sealer.

I think I'll paint this car Red......I haven't done a Red car in awhile. I'm using a '55 Chevy bucket interior from my parts box for this car and I'm in the process of modifying the dashboard to more closely resemble a Pontiac's. I'm not going for perfection but it will hopefully be "close enough".

Thanks for looking in on this new project. Further updates as they happen. All comments and critiques are most welcomed and appreciated.

[1930fordpickup]

Another nice model car on the way .

[cobraman]

Cool. Looking forward to your progress.

[crazyjim]

I always look forward to seeing your builds, Rich.

[PappyD340]

Can't wait Rich, looking forward to the progress!!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Yes, this is one to watch for sure. Love seeing rarely modeled '50s rides like Pontiacs too.

Edited August 18, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ramfins59]

Thanks guys. I enjoy doing cars that aren't your "run of the mill" model. Also, working on promo's makes things go a lot easier and quicker......like I've said before, there's no engine or chassis details to worry about. I'll throw in a couple of full detail '56 cars eventually.

[Joker]

Looks good in primer already.

Are the headlite rings going to be molded too?

[Ramfins59]

Thanks James. No, I wasn't planning on frenching in the headlight bezels. My plan is to do the car as a mild custom, in the "bolt-on" style (one of my favorite late 50's style of customizing) with just some minor dechroming and having it "nosed and decked".

[Dan Helferich]

Nice start Rich! I like mild customs too. As an old guy I remember seeing cars like this on the street when I was a young'n. I have 2 of the '55 2 doors, 1 to customize and 1 to gasser. I'll be following along as you build this.

[slusher]

Looking forward to your progress Rich..

[Ramfins59]

Thanks Carl and Dan. Since it's humid and supposed to rain here today, I can't paint the body. Soooo.... looks like today will be "work on the interior" day.

[Tom Geiger]

Great choice for the next '56 Rich! I'll be watching, commenting and poking fun as usual.

[Skip]

Nice, GM had a great Class of '56.

[Dan Helferich]

Rich,

What are you using for an interior? My '55's didn't come with one. The interior bucket from the old tool Monogram '56 Chevy fits pretty good.

[Ramfins59]

Thanks Tom. I know I can always count on you for a good word or two...

Thank you Skip... I love ALL of GM's (and Fords & Mopars) from the 50's.

Dan, I'm using the interior bucket from the AMT '55 Chevy. I added some half round strips to the outside edges of the top of the sides to widen it a bit. I sanded the texture from the seats and will be using some upholstery decals from my

stash. I also added some thin styrene strips to the side panels which I will cover with BMF. The interior will NOT be a "Pontiac" interior, but hey, it's a Custom. I removed the passenger side hump on the Chevy dashboard and am in the

process of filling in the gap and smoothing it all out. As I say, it will not be an "exact" Pontiac dashboard, but what the heck... The paint is drying on it now, and tomorrow I'll be adding foil and some flocking. I also removed the molded on

cranks and door handles, drilled holes where they were and will be installing resin cranks and handles from ReplMinCoMD. The interior bucket is for a 2 door car, and this Pontiac is a 4 door. Fortunately for me, the front seat back will

pretty much obscure where the "correct" door lines should be, except at the very tops of the panels where I scribed new lines. The flocking that I'll be applying will cover the original molded inner door lines. I'll also have to sand down a

new "sweetheart dip" in the sides of the bucket to match the dip on the Pontiac body. Lots of work but so far I'm happy with the way it's coming out, and I'm hoping to be able to put up some progress pictures tomorrow.

[Ramfins59]

Okeydokey...... Good weather for painting today, so I painted the Pontiac body with Duplicolor Flame Red, which came out great. I'll let that dry for a day or so and then give it some clearcoat.

I also finally finished up the interior for this little puppy, and I'm very happy to say that it came out GREAT......!!! The carpet is flocked in charcoal gray and the driver's mat and pedals are painted semi-gloss black. I added some thin styrene strip to the side panels and covered them with BMF. I removed the molded on cranks and handles, drilled holes where they were and installed resin cranks and handles from ReplMinCoMD which I painted chrome silver. I applied seat panel upholstery decals from the Revell '58 Impala kit after which I gave them a coat of dullcoat to knock down the shine. I then flocked the seats and side panels in red. The dashboard and steering wheel are painted body color. I trimmed the dash with BMF and a piece of the Galaxie '48 Chevy's chrome trim. The gauge and radio face are from BestModelCarParts which I covered with clear epoxy for lens covers. The shifter and turn signal lever are pieces of shirt pins.

Thanks for checking out the progress on this build. So far it's coming along great. Additional updates as they happen.

[PappyD340]

OOOOOOH WEEEEEE, that looks georgous Rich!!

[Ramfins59]

Thanks a lot Larry... I'm real happy with it so far.

[Drgon63]

EYE SEARING RED...... wow.... looks awesome rich.... love the interior... looks dynomite....looking fwd to this one being completed... KEWL.....!!!

[Ramfins59]

Thanks Tom. Yeah man, that really is a bright red isn't it..?? I'm thinking that this thing should really pop when I get the BMF on it. Too bad the interior will be hidden in a hardtop... it'd be way cool in a convertible.

[Davewilly]

Great looking interior! Well done!

[Ira]

LOOKS GREAT RICHARD!

Realistic Interior & Real Nice Color...

[Ramfins59]

Thank you very much Dave and Ira. Yeah I'm really loving the way the interior turned out.

[Customman]

Wow Rich, sure brings back the memories, I remember the day my father brought home a brand new '56 Pontiac. Same car a 4 dr. ht. Those were great cars ! Your doing a fine job on it.