Looking for some kit availability advice...

[Matt Bacon]

I've just been re-reading "Car Design America" as a result of being reminded in the latest Hemmings "Sports and Exotics" that "Car Design Asia" is out. At the risk of being branded a heretic here, it did remind me why, generally, I don't build Detroit iron. However, it also provoked a shopping list of US classics I would like to give a home to on my shelves. So I'm appealing to the collective wisdom of this fine institution -- can you give me an idea of if it's possible to build the following, and if so the best route -- and the most accessible one?

1933 Cadillac Fleetwood Aerodynamic Coupe

1955 de Soto Flightsweep

1956 Continental MkII Coupe

1959 Buick Invicta Coupe

1963 Corvette (Corvair? The caption is a bit unclear) Fastback Coupe

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado

1970 Dodge Challenger

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Oh...and if anyone knows of a model of a 1957 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood hard top sedan -- please keep it as far away from me as possible! ;-P

bestest,

M.

(I know there are others that should be on a list of great-looking designs, but I already have several Shelbys, and later Corvettes...)

[jeffs396]

Matt, you can build MOST of these, some easier than others:

1933 Cadillac Fleetwood Aerodynamic Coupe---NOPE

1955 de Soto Flightsweep----NOT that I can find?

1956 Continental MkII Coupe---there was a plastic toy, not very accurate. There is a 1/24 diecast I think?

1959 Buick Invicta Coupe---AMT annual

1963 Corvette (Corvair? The caption is a bit unclear) Fastback Coupe---YES, CORVETTE...just reissued AMT, or nicer bodied Revell snap kit

1966 Oldsmobile Toronado---Johan

1970 Dodge Challenger---AMT

1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1---AMT, MPC

Edited August 9, 2014 by jeffs396

[sjordan2]

The Continental Mk II is an old Revell kit in 1/32 with a multipiece body. Check eBay.

[Nitro Neil]

The 56 Continental was also made as a 1/25th scale promo but finding one that isn't warped is tough.

[ChrisPflug]

If you're looking for a hardtop rather than convertible Dodge Challenger the original MPC is much better and worth seeking out

[Tom Geiger]

Here's two photos (sorry for the fuzzy one) of the Mark II promo in 1/25 scale.

1955 and 1956 DeSoto promotional models. The '55 was a one year car and is rare. The '56 tool lived on for a long while so that promo was sold for many years, as late as the 1980s. So they are fairly plentiful. These came with glass and no interiors. A company called Best Resins made resin interiors for the '56 and I believe the '56 Plymouth promo also. Long gone though. I am told that the Moebius '55-'56 Chrysler chassis fits under the '56 DeSoto body very well... I think that Modelhaus did a '56 2 door and convertible, maybe they'd sell the interior.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Tom Geiger