1955 Buick - - Finished - - Class of '55 - Entry #3

[Ramfins59]

This build went pretty quickly. To recap, it is a diecast 1955 Buick Century by Maisto in 1/26 scale. It started out as the Highway Patrol car from the old TV series of the same name, starring Broderick Crawford.

I took it apart and filled in the holes where the mirror and police spotlights were with bondo and sanded them smooth. I then cut pieces of half round plastic, formed them to curve and CA glued them to the doors for the side trim. I then masked off everything but the doors and where I filled in the spotlight holes and sprayed it Duplicolor Black. It was then unmasked and the whole car was given a couple of coats of Duplicolor clearcoat. I was lucky in that it didn't need any polishing. The BMF work came next after which I reinstalled the windows and the interior. The grille received a coat of aluminum metalizer and the center grille bar was covered in BMF. The taillights got a coat of Tamiya clear Red and the backup lights got a coat of white acrylic. The tires came as blackwalls so I used the whitewall decals from the Revell '32 Ford Coupe kit that fit perfectly with only a few wrinkles. Micro Set helped to smooth and snuggle them down. I added a piece of aluminum tubing for an exhaust tip, and a mirror and antenna from my parts stash.

For the interior I flocked the carpet and rear tray black and painted the seat inserts flat black. I cut the police radio off of the bottom of the dashboard and then spruced up the dash with some BMF and chrome silver paint along with the steering wheel horn ring and shift and turn signal levers.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/aa454/ramfins59/1955BUICKFINISHED101024x679_zpsb5bd1d88.jpg

As usual there are some small glitches but overall it makes a great addition to my 1950's cars collection and looks good on the shelf.

My 1959 cars have been crying out to me for neglecting them, so the next car on the bench will be one of the 9 1959 cars that are in the TO DO pile.

Thanks for looking in on this latest completion. All comments are welcomed and appreciated.

[Harry P.]

Looks like the grille could use a black wash.

[Chuck Most]

Nice job on this! Nice to see one of these given a little care and attention.

[Eshaver]

Fine job young man, I DON'T CARE WHAT THE NEIGHBORS SAY !

[Porscheman]

Looks great Rich. I have catch you now.

[TFchronos]

Very nice, another fine addition.

[Ramfins59]

Thank you for the kind words guys.

Ed, I haven't been called "young man" in a very long time. Thanks.

Al, I think that you're way ahead of me already, but like I've said previously, who's counting?

[charlie8575]

Looks good, Rich.

Charlie Larkin

[PappyD340]

WOW, that came out extremely NICE Rich, looks great!!

[Chris White]

another stunning example. great work

[slusher]

A Real beauty Rich..

[Danno]

Nice job, Rich.

Now you just have to lose the CA Highway Patrol/Emergency Vehicle license plate.

[cobraman]

I like what you did with it.

[bbowser]

Looks great Rich. My buddy's mom had one of these back in the early '60s when it was just a 'late model'. Brings back memories

[Ramfins59]

Thank you all very much.

Danno, I never even noticed that the plate was an emergency vehicle plate. There sure are a bunch of eagle-eyed people here!! I'll switch to another plate, thanks buddy.

[jerseyjunker1]

great job Rich. i would reply to more of your posts but everytime i do you stick your tongue out at me.

[Sixties Sam]

Very nice! Love the portholes Buicks!

Sam