1963 Dodge Polara "Max wedge"

[om617]

Oh it`s him with those never ending projects lol. The weather and location makes it very hard to get

some painting done so it takes longer then planned. But it`s getting warmer,also i have made and

deal with my grandparents where i can borrow a room for painting. I cant do it where i live now.

To the subject,it`s an 63 Polara from Flintstone,pretty okay cast but very thick some places so it

an never ending sanding story. Been sanding on and off for two days now and the chassis starting

to fit pretty nice. The donor is the 64 Color Me Gone from Lindberg. It`s got the same 119 wheelbase

and also some goodies as the engine and hoodscoop. It`s not going to any exact replica of an Max

wedge car,but a street machine with factory looks. Obviously the interior will be wrong since its 64.

Not decided on color yet,but it stand between black,red or white,non metallics and steelies. The

headers from this kit does not look like the one i wanted,if anyone know where to get replicas of

the factory 413/426 headers i really appriciate it.

Here is the progress so far.

[slusher]

Great plan you have for your project.

Edited May 22, 2014 by slusher

[hedotwo]

A front end only a mother could love

IMO anyway.

[om617]

Dont worry,the only thing you would see of this car back in the days was the taillights

[High octane]

Try Modelhaus as I believe they have the headers that you're lookin' for.

[om617]

Thanks for the tip. I noticed in the Max Wedge thread someone mention the 49 Mercury from AMT have

the headers. I do have this kit so it makes it a little more easy. I do however consider getting rear plated

bumper and bezels for the taillights from Modelhaus.

I was lucky to snatch this original Johan grill off Ebay.

Did some mock-up now and it sits pretty well,some small adjustments here and there and i think its good.

[TFchronos]

I like where this is going, I'll be watching for sure.

[slusher]

I love Mopars so I will watch your build...

[DrKerry]

Looks good so far...

[Brizio]

Nice project, I will show it to my uncle, he has a few Polaras.

[om617]

Thanks for the interest. I found the manifoils and engine and those are painted. I was searching thru my aftermarket

box,there i found steelies from Scenes Unlimited that fit very nice,they are a little wider at the rear. Will take some

pictures later today.

Thanks Fabrizio,but keep in mind i`m an complete amatuer,so he does not get hes expectations sky high lol

[John Goschke]

Interesting project! Looking forward to more.

[Speedfreak]

I love this project and have been wanting to do something similar for some time. I love Mopar's of this vintage even though when I was young I thought these cars were ugly, I don't see them that way now. Nice score on the grill! I'll be watching this Tommy!

Edited May 23, 2014 by Speedfreak

[om617]

It said not for beginners on the add when i bought it. Should say for those with tons of patience and arent

afraid of some sanding and dust lol. I have removed the radiator support and the original hood mounting

so i could use the inner fenders and radiator support from the other kit. Here is a mock up,it`s close to

ready for paint. Engine is started,needs wires,alternator,carburators and coil.

I noticed the windsheild from the donor is cracked,inside the sealed bag,the box was mint when i recived it

Cant find any logical reason of how it has happend,i told the seller,but he could not have caused it,so not sure

what to do.

Pictures.

[62rebel]

my first Lindberg Color Me Gone kit windshield was cracked right up the middle when i opened the box. very aggravating as the hobby shop i bought it from had a zero return policy. not sure if Lindberg would have sent a new one so i left the car unfinished for a LOOONG time, eventually cannibalising it for parts. grrr.

[Speedfreak]

Looking good Tommy! Hang in there, you will find a way. This model is too cool to give up on! That engine looks superb!

[10thumbs]

Hi Jimmy,

I was looking at that Flintstone 63 Dodge too. I have the 64 Plymouth Savoy, the post door car, and it's pretty rough looking. Compared to the Lindberg 64 Belvedere, the wheelbase and body is shorter too. Maybe it's a 2% altered wheelbase body, at any rate the frame will need some attention to make it fit.

How did your 63 fit? Does it match up the wheel openings on the frame?

Michael

[blunc]

maybe modelhaus or flintstone might have windshields for this body

[om617]

The seller offered full refund or brand new kit. I`ll go for refund and hunt for part out kits on ebay.

The Flintstone has vacum formed glass,but i was not sure if i was going to use it,i guess i`ll have to

sit down and stare at it for a while to decide lol.

Michael,the chassis as for lenght fits really nice after a little sanding. Both the real cars have 119

wheelbase. It only needs a little modification (chop) on the front part,the area where you mount the

front bumper on the 64 kit for the 63 body to slip in place. I`m sure if you shorten this chassis a

tiny bit it would fit the 116 inch wheelbase for the Savoy.

Edited May 24, 2014 by om617

[FASTBACK340]

That was a common problem with those windshields. Fortunately it's a smooth compound curve than can be easily fabricated. Make a paper cut-out the size needed, polish & cut a piece of clear plastic (I use the clear windows in consumer packaging that has the contents exposed) and use tape and/or props to hold it in position and tack the corners and top & bottom centers with a dot of epoxy.

I did a short tutorial in a previous build up. Search the Metal Mistress thread for it.

BTW: My apologies…. VERY cool build. I have a friend that owns a `62 Max Wedge and has a `63 Savoy with a 440-6 bbl.

Edited May 24, 2014 by FASTBACK340

[om617]

Well today was not a good one. I painted the Polara in a nice shade of white (Tamiya racing white) but i got

runs on the sides and some weird reaction on the bonnet. Now i have to strip it down and start all over again.

To top it off,i had this 69 Camaro painted,same happend with this,and to a beetle i`m working on. I really dont

understand,i used tamiya primer. Could it be it`s to cold ? It was 14 celsius ca. I suspect its user error,not

somthing with the paint itself since its brand new.

[Speedfreak]

Tommy, 14 Celsius should be ok, that's a little cool but not enough to ruin a paint job, unless it's also 'very' humid. Sounds like something else is going on. Runs on the sides means too much paint, making the coats too thick. Are you using spray cans?

[om617]

Yes i use spraycans and use good distance and very light coats. Same as i have done on my other

builds,there everything went smooth and the result was pretty good.

[1 bad55 stan]

Hi Tommy,Try and heat up your paint,I boil the jug and let it cool down a bit.then put your can in the water untill its warm.It thins out the paint and makes it flow a lot better.I do all my painting out side on sunny days.Hope this helps.

[om617]

Thanks Stan. Did another attempt and will post pictures later today.