sbm1204 - Scale Auto

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Newport Convertible by TIM BOYD Building a “Mainstreamers” kit IN THE JUNE 2004 Scale Auto we put forth the idea of “Mainstreamers” (see sidebar) as a new model-car building category – added to a list that already includes muscle cars, light commercial, racing, street rods, and so forth. We also mentioned that even though most Mainstreamer cars would be kitbashing projects, a few kits – primarily from the late 1950s and early 1960s – would quality as Mainstreamers straight from the box. Finding one of these kits can be a challenge, but thanks to online auctions, regional old toy shows, and mail-order/online kit vendors, the challenge is significantly less than it was five or ten years ago. If you are willing to buy a less-than-perfect kit, you can acquire your chosen kit for well less than the three-digit price tags that pristine 1960s annual kits can command. And although the chassis and engine compartments are greatly simplified when compared to today’s new-kit tools, they respond surprisingly well to many of the same finishing techniques that have become popular among builders of today’s ultradetailed muscle-car replicas. I recently completed a buildup of Revell’s rare 1962 Chrysler Newport convertible kit. Follow along as I take an unbuilt-butdamaged kit (part of the windshield frame and cowl were broken away from the rest of the body, so it cost $70 instead of $110-120 for a perfect kit) and create a shelf replica that captures the excitement of the Mainstreamers era. Most Mainstreamer subjects are kitbashing projects, but some straight kit buildups can be found, like this Revell 1962 Chrysler Newport convertible. In 1962, Revell produced a one-year-only series of annual kits based on the Chrysler Corporation lineup. The kits were reissued later the same year as the Metalflake Series. Here are the 1962 Newport kits (no. H-1254 on the left, and H-1264). You can read more about this Revell kit series in the author’s book Collecting Model Car and Truck Kits (see References). DECEMBER 2004 • scaleautomag.com 45
The 1962 Chrysler products catalog contained these gorgeous illustrations. The Code Z Caramel Newport convertible occupies a two-page spread; the 300 Special series convertible, finished in Code J Bermuda Turquoise with black interior, inspired the color scheme of this Mainstreamers buildup. 3 4 The interior was finished in Krylon Ultra Flat Black no. 1602 spray, followed by a light coat of Testor’s Semigloss Clear. Although it has just three pieces, the interior captures the details of the benchseated 1:1 car. Bare-Metal foil and flat silver paint are employed to recreate the “juke box” instrument panel of the ’62 Chrysler. I added Ken’s Fuzzi- Fur black flocking to the carpeted areas – an especially appropriate step for convertible models, where the interior is open for all to see. 7 8 After priming the body and painting it with the factory-authentic color from MCW Automotive Miniatures, I finished the paint work by polishing it with a Micro-Mark no. 3600 polishing pad, followed by a mild rubbing compound, Meguiar’s no. 7 Mirror Glaze, and Deep Crystal wax. Bodies from this era require a significant investment of time to complete Bare-Metal foiling of all molded-in chrome trim. The windshield was polished with wax, then glued in place with DevCon five-minute epoxy for maximum strength. The installed windshield also helps to hold the repaired windshield frame in proper shape. 46 Scale Auto • DECEMBER 2004
Page 1: 1962 Chrysler MAINSTREAM NEWPORT? I
Page 5 and 6: 11 12 Detail the front grille area

sbm1204 - Scale Auto

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