Modelhaus 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix

[THarrison351]

I want to build this kit. My dad had a 1:1 brand new until 1966. I have no memory of this, and other than a few pictures not much else. I have seen the Johan kits and warped promos sell for ridiculous prices on eBay. My question is has anyone on this forum built this kit and can they comment on the content? I have purchased lots of parts from Modelhaus and never been disappointed, so I'm pretty confident this kit is nice. I'm just not sure if I,m ready to shell out near $100 for the car.

Thanks,

T

[Art Anderson]

I want to build this kit. My dad had a 1:1 brand new until 1966. I have no memory of this, and other than a few pictures not much else. I have seen the Johan kits and warped promos sell for ridiculous prices on eBay. My question is has anyone on this forum built this kit and can they comment on the content? I have purchased lots of parts from Modelhaus and never been disappointed, so I'm pretty confident this kit is nice. I'm just not sure if I,m ready to shell out near $100 for the car.

Thanks,

T

Well, one thing: When Don Holthaus casts up a reproduction of an old kit, such as that Dodge, it will be just as nice as the original styrene kit, and at $100, probably a lot less expensive too.

Art

[StevenGuthmiller]

The '60 Dodge phoenix that Modelhaus offers will be an exact replica of the original Johan kit. Don does nice stuff but you might want to keep your eyes peeled on ebay for an original built up. Some times you can find a pretty nice one in styrene for less than $100.00. Of course, then you may be looking at finding some missing parts or re-chroming some, but if you're anything like me, you'd rather work with styrene than resin. Just look around a little. You may get lucky! I spent around $100.00 on this one. Steve

[THarrison351]

Well, the online description says it's not a direct replacement for the Johan body. Several cast in chrome parts were removed from the master and cast separately. The more I think about it, the more I'm ready to take the plunge. By the way Steve your model is stunning. My dad's was red with a full white top and had the fancy multicolored interior.

Edited November 23, 2014 by THarrison351

[StevenGuthmiller]

Well, the online description says it's not a direct replacement for the Johan body. Several cast in chrome parts were removed from the master and cast separately. The more I think about it, the more I'm ready to take the plunge. By the way Steve your model is stunning. My dad's was red with a full white top and had the fancy multicolored interior.

Looks like he just did separate castings of the hood & fender ornaments & the tail light bezels. Those tail lights are a bear to foil! Just be aware that working with resin is a little different than styrene, but as far as quality, I wouldn't be afraid to buy from Don & Carol. I've bought a few kits from him & for the most part, have been satisfied. Good luck with that interior Tim! It's a lot of fun!! steve

[gtx6970]

I have always prefered plastic to resin if I can get one for similar or even slightly more cash outlay

I had been looking for 1961 Dodge and really prefered to get an original kit. But,,,,,The original kit kept selling for more than I was willing to spend . ( built or unbuilt )

Ended up finding a pretty good deal on a slightly distressed promo. I ended up using a Lindberg 64 Dodge chassis under it

[1972coronet]

I have always prefered plastic to resin if I can get one for similar or even slightly more cash outlay

I had been looking for 1961 Dodge and really prefered to get an original kit. But,,,,,The original kit kept selling for more than I was willing to spend . ( built or unbuilt )

Ended up finding a pretty good deal on a slightly distressed promo. I ended up using a Lindberg 64 Dodge chassis under it

1961 ... the year that set Stock on its collective ear ! Torqueflite-equipped cars were the first automatics to win class !

[W-409]

I have always prefered plastic to resin if I can get one for similar or even slightly more cash outlay

I had been looking for 1961 Dodge and really prefered to get an original kit. But,,,,,The original kit kept selling for more than I was willing to spend . ( built or unbuilt )

Ended up finding a pretty good deal on a slightly distressed promo. I ended up using a Lindberg 64 Dodge chassis under it

What's your source for the rear tires, Bill? They look like they're narrower than 9" slicks that would be too wide for a Stocker from that era. I'm building also the Ramchargers car and I need a few sets of those narrow white wall slicks on my other builds too.

Edited November 25, 2014 by W-409

[gtx6970]

What's your source for the rear tires, Bill? They look like they're narrower than 9" slicks that would be too wide for a Stocker from that era. I'm building also the Ramchargers car and I need a few sets of those narrow white wall slicks on my other builds too.

My parts box,,,with no idea the original source . I just found some slicks that looked the part and fit the wheels I was using. And hand painted the whitewall.

They are probably to narrow ,I think they are about 1/4" wide ??????

but 100% accuracy is not my goal. as long as it looks the part I'm good with it and I dont do contests.

Edited November 25, 2014 by gtx6970

[W-409]

Oh okay, I guess I'll have to keep on looking then, thanks for the reply!

Yeah 100% accuracy is not my goal either, but when building a relatively expensive and a really rare resin kit (Cast by a friend of mine, and he didn't do many of them) and trying to replicate an 1:1 car I think I'll have to pay more attention on little details.

[gtx6970]

I would say it's pretty typical Johan interior .

Once assembled it looks pretty good though.

Like I said ,,, I don't do contests.

My builds are for my shelf and if I can look in my case and see what I was trying to replicate,,all is good

[StevenGuthmiller]

I would say it's pretty typical Johan interior .

Once assembled it looks pretty good though.

Like I said ,,, I don't do contests.

My builds are for my shelf and if I can look in my case and see what I was trying to replicate,,all is good

Everybody freaks out about these old Johan interiors! I don't get it. These are kits that were produced at the "dawn" of the model kit era. Most of the promos prior to this didn't even have interiors. Yes, I get it, the floors were shallow, but the detail & engraving were every bit as good as the other kits from the period. I guess if I have to decide between building a vintage '61 Dodge with a shallow interior, or "another" '49 Mercury, I'll go for something different & build the Dodge. Besides, with a little work you can make these interiors look very nice. Steve

Edited December 9, 2014 by StevenGuthmiller

[Danno]

Great project, Tim.

I love these old Mopars.

Good luck with it!