69 Dodge Polara CHP Cruiser in Queue.........

[Scott Eriksen]

I got the kit from Madman today,,,,positives> the body is beautiful ,came with 2 grille options (one with the "Superlight" and 2 bumper options ,with and without bumperettes ,interior looks good ,engine and wheels ok,,,the bad>>>  the chassis pan is a cross between a pro touring or something GM'ish with coil over shocks and full upper and lower control arms,,,no torsion bars or struts or something that would resemble the "C" body front stub frame with a "K" member ,,,so I'll have to deal with that ,,being 1/24th maybe I can pirate some stuff from a Monogram Mopar kit .Other than that it will be my future California Highway Patrol build with steelies and dogdish caps,,I already have some CHP decals. Any other ideas on the front suspension I'm open for comments .The kits rear leaf springs are ok and something that sorta try's to look like an 8-3/4 ,,,lol   

Edited March 12 by Scott Eriksen

[1972coronet]

I've seen the 1:1 in person a few times - it's a beauty !

Make sure to paint the steering wheel white.

[BK9300]

My Dad had one of these as a company car - ‘armstrong’ steering, plain inside, but a good looking car to me.

[Scott Eriksen]

1 hour ago, BK9300 said:

My Dad had one of these as a company car - ‘armstrong’ steering, plain inside, but a good looking car to me.

From what I've read it was the #1 all time best police cruiser,,supposedly hit 145+ mph on the proving ground 

Edited March 13 by Scott Eriksen

[Scott Eriksen]

I have a Monogram Superbee kit laying around ,,maybe I can use stuff from that

[DJMar]

In the long & distinguished line of Mopar squad cars, the '69 Polara is one of my favorites. It's a beautiful car on it's own but the police spec is really a beast. This is a very cool project.

It looks like there are a lot of good things to work with in the kit, but that front suspension is not even close to prototypical. I'm interested to see if you can swap over some proper suspension components from other kits, like the R/M Superbee. But hey, at least you got bench seats, and what looks like proper wheels!

Following with interest.

Edited March 13 by DJMar

[Scott Eriksen]

1 hour ago, DJMar said:

In the long & distinguished line of Mopar squad cars, the '69 Polara is one of my favorites. It's a beautiful car on it's own but the police spec is really a beast. This is a very cool project.

It looks like there are a lot of good things to work with in the kit, but that front suspension is not even close to prototypical. I'm interested to see if you can swap over some proper suspension components from other kits, like the R/M Superbee. But hey, at least you got bench seats, and what looks like proper wheels!

Following with interest.

 

 

Thanks DJ,,I think I'll be able to come up with something for the front end ,,,actually the whole floor pan and front/rear suspension ,8-3/4 needs revision 

[lordairgtar]

Superbee chassis will work in a pinch. You may have to lengthen it a bit to fit the wheelbase. That will get you all you need including the rear end.

[dodgefever]

Looks like this one:  https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/hobby-diy/automotive/dodge-polara-sedan-1969

Seems there are a few people printing and selling his files.

[Scott Eriksen]

35 minutes ago, dodgefever said:

Looks like this one:  https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-print-models/hobby-diy/automotive/dodge-polara-sedan-1969

Seems there are a few people printing and selling his files.

Yep,,same file

[Scott Eriksen]

I just pulled out and checked the Superbee chassis pan ,,,,it will fly. I think the easiest way to gain the little bit in the wheelbase will be to lengthen the front frame rails rather than section the floor pan ,,I'll take some pics tomorrow.Oh and the 3D print engine is bad,,actually undersize,and the Torqueflite looks like a Powerglide,lol,so I'll use a Monogram 1/24th 440 or look for a better 3D job on the innerweb.I've done a bit more on the Travelall today ,,I ordered some better tires and steelies from Joe at Fireball,they should be here soon

Edited March 14 by Scott Eriksen

[Scott Eriksen]

Monogram SuperBee chassis pan in the Polara,,pretty close ,,,might have to add some strips to fill the rocker "frame" rails to body too. I think I'll just add to the front frame rails a tad for that little difference,,,what do ya think ?  I would just make some longer torsion bars . The trans mount would be shy a bit too,,Or section the pan in front of the rear frame rails and add a bit there? OR section it right behind the torsion bar sockets ??  I think moving it forward to where the control arm/spindle would be centered in the wheel well add the difference in the pan and move the rear section so the axle is centered 

Edited March 14 by Scott Eriksen

[Scott Eriksen]

...................started getting serious on this one today,and the 361 Brockway and the B-61 Mack came from Karl 

[Scott Eriksen]

Any vendors out there have a 1/24th scale pump shotgun?  Or any police car accessories ? (besides lightbars) I've done an ebay search ,,,none found plenty of 1/35th 

[DJMar]

16 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Any vendors out there have a 1/24th scale pump shotgun?  Or any police car accessories ? (besides lightbars) I've done an ebay search ,,,none found plenty of 1/35th 

I think I might have some leftovers (shotgun, etc from the from the Lindberg CV and radios from the Revell Caprice) in the parts box. I can take a look if you want. I'm not sure what's there but I am sure I've got something floating around.

[Scott Eriksen]

On 3/28/2025 at 1:47 PM, DJMar said:

I think I might have some leftovers (shotgun, etc from the from the Lindberg CV and radios from the Revell Caprice) in the parts box. I can take a look if you want. I'm not sure what's there but I am sure I've got something floating around.

Thanks DJ..let me know I can send you a Paypal

[Scott Eriksen]

Super nice day today in the 80's ! Cleaned up the yard a bit.........some more progress on the cruiser ,body prep-added side spear moldings ,shoot some primer tomorrow,,,chassis is now the proper wheelbase

[Scott Eriksen]

Shot the color,,,(ok black and white) ,decaled and hit with clear ,,some faint 3D print lines are visible which I didn't see with primer but showed with the black mostly on the hood. Next will be some BMF and make the glass with the bucks

[BK9300]

Looking good, Scott!  Resin printed items sure open up the modeling possibilities, but it's also very frustrating to work with!  (did you ever find a shotgun?!)

[Scott Eriksen]

14 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Looking good, Scott!  Resin printed items sure open up the modeling possibilities, but it's also very frustrating to work with!  (did you ever find a shotgun?!)

Thanks Brian,, yeah DJMar had some nice radios and a shotgun in his parts stash,,,on the way!   Thanks again DJ !

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Excellent work Scott, the paint looks great and it's a good choice for the floor pan despite the small modifications you have to make to make it fit perfectly. 👍

I especially like the grille and taillights of the '69 Polara, it's a very recognizable design of the Dodge brand, I can't wait to see the photos when you have them installed in their place. 😁

[Scott Eriksen]

7 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Excellent work Scott, the paint looks great and it's a good choice for the floor pan despite the small modifications you have to make to make it fit perfectly. 👍

I especially like the grille and taillights of the '69 Polara, it's a very recognizable design of the Dodge brand, I can't wait to see the photos when you have them installed in their place. 😁

Thanks Francis ! Hit the grille and bumpers today with Revell Chrome,, in the dehydrator now then detail the grille with Argent Silver

[Scott Eriksen]

A little more progress....BMF done....... grille and taillights painted and installed , started assembly of the 440 and cobbled up a dual snorkel air cleaner thought I had a Fred Cady air cleaner decal but I must have used them all,,had to improvise on that. Made headrests for the bench seat ,started on the dash,,from what pics I've found online most are black dash with blue seats but a lot of other combos out there correct or not thats what I'm going with  .Fireball wheels/tires and hub caps done .Might start on the windows tomorrow. I also remembered that the 71 Duster kit had the Airtemp A/C compressor so I have that to fit on the 440

Edited April 9 by Scott Eriksen

[Scott Eriksen]

...........got all the glass cut from Evergreen sheet and installed , I made some A-pillar spot lights from parts bin stuff and brass and aluminum and made the package shelf mounted red flashers ,dash is done , made sorta an old school Motorola radio with the parts DJ sent me and mounted the shotgun ,made a report light and nailed it on top of the dash .

[BK9300]

Great job with the foil work, Scott.  Your interior is going look like the real deal when your done, too!