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1959 Buick - - "Class of '59" - - Graduate # 6


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Posted

I just finished this up tonight. It started as a partial gluebomb that I got on EBAY back in Sept. 2013 for the bargain price of $36. It had holes and blobs of glue where mirrors, spotlights and antennas were. The windshield frame was split in the center where a glue blob was. While removing the windshield the frame split again in the center of the driver's side visor. I repaired it using a combination of liquid glue and CA glue. Fortunately no skirts were glued on the car, and the body was never painted.

I sanded the mold lines, filled all the holes, and sanded it all smooth. I used a polishing kit to get the scratches and glue off of the glass as best I could. Modelhaus supplied a replacement grille and rear bumper.

The body was painted with Tamiya Pure White. The wheels and tires are from the Moebius '56 Chrysler kit. It took several hours over 2 days to apply and trim the BMF on this barge. The windshield frame split in the center again while I was foiling it. I wound up having to install the glass using non-fogging CA glue to give the frame some support so it wouldn't keep splitting at that weak spot.

The grille received a wash with The Detailer and I gave the headlights a light coat of white acrylic paint followed by a coat of Elmer's clear school glue applied with a toothpick. The taillights got a couple of coats of Tamiya Clear Red. I added interior and exterior mirrors and exterior door handles from my parts stash. The antenna is a cut down printer pin.

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The interior bucket was first sprayed with Tamiya White primer, then flat, Red, model railroad paint was brushed in in several coats. Holes were drilled for the resin cranks and handles from Norm Veber which were painted chrome silver. Carpet was flocked in Maroon, gas and brake pedals were added, and the dashboard was painted Tamiya Pure White with BMF trim and The Detailer. Clear epoxy was used for gauge lenses. The steering column has pieces of shirt pins for a shifter and turn signal lever. The "snaps" on the convertible boot cover are PE pieces.

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This was a fun rebuild although I wouldn't look forward to doing BMF work on one of these cars again.

Thanks for looking in on this latest "graduate". Any and all comments and/or critiques are welcomed.

Now to pick another one out of "the pile".

Posted

Hi Rich, what a cool old sled! A '59 Buick convertible. Love it, and you did a great job, the white/red is perfect for this flashy car.

Question: The "snaps" for the folded down top, could you show me a link? I've been looking for these for my current build.

Michael

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