1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442------update 12/19/11

[MrObsessive]

Those of you who were on the board around this time last year might remember this one. It's a repop of the rare AMT '64 Olds Cutlass done by Porky's Resin...........now offered (I think) by Bandit Resins. I had lost interest in it after running into some trouble..............but decided to get it back out of the box and start on it again hopefully to get it finally done, as it's really a nice kit.

I'm kitbashing this with the AMT '66 using mostly the chassis and running gear. I'm not worried about 100% total accuracy as this won't be a showgoer (an NNL perhaps), but something nice and rare to put in my collection, as I don't have any Cutlass models to speak of.

Here's some pics of what I've got done so far.........I may have to break this up into a couple posts as I believe there's a still a 10 pic limit per post.

Enjoy!

I'm going to redo the vent window posts here as the model doesn't quite depict the 1:1 as well as I'd like. Also missing is the front windshield header "ridge"------I'm working on that aspect at the moment, and will post pics when it's done to my satisfaction.

The engine was taken out of the '66............it's mostly done, but there are some details I want to add yet. Also the battery and such are not put in place.

The air cleaner was taken out of a junk Toronado kit.........I'll need to strip it and paint it the proper orange. Don't know what to do about a decal though.............

Undercarriage shot.........

Moving on to the interior........I was originally going to convert the interior to depict a full back seat and not the convertible one that the original had. I decided against that as I'm trying to keep this build as drama free as possible! Here I used embossing powder to make "carpeting".

Some tweaking was needed on the body to get the chassis frame rails to properly sit inside the rockers with as little overhang as possible. Looks like I was able to accomplish this..........I have the frame sitting where I want it with the interior in place.

Well that's it for now.............the final color will eventually be Jade Mist which I've already had mixed at a local paint jobber. Updates I may only be able to do on a Sunday............the rest of my week can be very busy with work and all and house stuff. If you'd like to see other pics of the beginning of this build from last year.........just click here.

Thanks for lookin'!

Edited December 19, 2011 by MrObsessive

[oldscool]

It's good to see you building something Bill. I do remember this one from last year.

gus

[DumpyDan]

Looks great so far, what color are you going to paint it? Hope you use the factory Olds mags on it.

[MrObsessive]

Actually I should add that I've had the engine and chassis done for awhile........I ran into a snag on the hood as I believe I warped it beyond use. I let it sit too long in Westley's Bleche White and it wouldn't retain its original shape despite heating it with water.

I recently got a new hood from Modelhaus, along with plated bumpers and taillights, and now hope to get this one done before the summer's over.

[JTRACING]

great start! nice to see some stuff on your bench!

[MrObsessive]

Dan the color will be Jade Mist which is a very dark metallic green. I want to make sure the hood sits right, as well as the front and rear bumpers since I'll need to modify them a bit to suit. I don't like to do final painting until everything fits like a glove.

This will minimize handling the body too much after everything's all nice and painted and polished up.

I'm going to be using the standard Cutlass wheelcovers with redline tires to kind of give it that '64 sleeper look.

[Scale-Master]

That is looking super nice Bill! I really like the engine, and the dash, and the chassis...

[Monty]

I'll be watching this project. I still remember riding in my older brother's '64 442. The seats seemed to sit lower than any other car I'd been in, which made it feel even sportier.

[John Goschke]

Great work, Bill! The engine looks terrific, but I particularly like your commitment to details like the windshield header, correcting the vent windows, and getting the right reveal on the chassis. That's real modeling!

[Space Cowboy]

Bill that is some outstanding work and detailing. It's a shame about the hood but Modelhaus has some quality pieces. Keep us posted on the super build.....................

[RANDY L]

Hi Iam always inspired by your builds,i also learn alot

thanks

Randy Ludi

[roadhawg]

Hi Iam always inspired by your builds,i also learn alot

thanks

Randy Ludi

Me too! It's great to see you building again. I ALWAYS learn something from you.

[charlie8575]

Nice job on the interior and underpinnings, Bill. I'll look forward to seeing what you do with the rest.

Charlie Larkin

[george 53]

I remember when you got this kit, caz i got one too! GREAT to see you back posting Bill, we've missed you! I cheated and used the AMT 65 GTO for my chassis and sundry parts. Yours is gonna be NICE!!!! :lol:

[MrObsessive]

Thanks for all the nice compliments fellas! I'll try to keep regular updates on this one as I REALLY would like to get it done! It's too nice of a car to let languish.

In the future, try easy off oven cleaner. I've used it for over twenty years and it's never warped any resin part.

Yes, I've used Easy Off before..............This particular day I was out of it, and decided to use the Whestley's as I've used it on a 1/43 resin before with no trouble. I think the thickness of the hood (which in scale isn't very thick) and the fact I soaked it too long is what did it in. Now I know!

[Greg Pugh]

I'm watching this one for sure!! I LOVE these cars!

[Romell R]

Good to see you back on this one Bill , I remember when you started it last year looking forward to seeing it completed. keep up the excellent work. Romell

[Junkman]

Superb job!

I also have that resin body and I know exactly mine will never be as good as yours.

Which colour did you use for the engine? Am I correct that it should be Oldsmobile Engine Bronze? I couldn't find any proper reference photos and hence have no idea what it is really supposed to look like or what can be used to replicate it.

[MrObsessive]

All of the '64 Olds 442 engine pics I have show the engine as being gold. I'm not sure when Olds Bronze was offered...........Anyone out there know when?

I airbrushed Alclad Gold as it's pretty durable.............I did use some Parafilm around the trans while handling, because as tough as Alclad is, it can eventually wear away from over-handling.

[Junkman]

Now I'm really glad to have raised the question. I always thought Olds bronze is actually gold and I don't doubt for a second that you chose the correct colour for yours.

Too bad I never saw a real one. I mean, I did see two real Olds 442 engines in my life, but they were all grimy and rusty and no trace of any paint was left on them.

[Tonioseven]

Good to see you building again!! I look forward to your progress as I always learn something cool from you.

[jeffs396]

Looks great so far Bill!

Can't wait to see her finished

[charlie8575]

All of the '64 Olds 442 engine pics I have show the engine as being gold. I'm not sure when Olds Bronze was offered...........Anyone out there know when?

I airbrushed Alclad Gold as it's pretty durable.............I did use some Parafilm around the trans while handling, because as tough as Alclad is, it can eventually wear away from over-handling.

I think the bronze started to appear around 1966-'67. I found Testors gold with a little bit of copper mixed in does a pretty nice job of replicating it.

Charlie Larkin

[MrObsessive]

Just a quick update as to what I needed to do so far...........while I was working on the A pillars/vent windows, the crown of the roof just didn't feel right to me. It's as if there was a slight "dip" in the roof which I hadn't noticed before.

Sooooo..........I got out the primer and just sprayed a small bit on the roof..............

Normally I block sand such suspect areas, but this time I could actually see the slight depression in the roof, so I went ahead and mixed up some Dynatron and spread away.

After letting it sit for a spell, then I went ahead and block sanded the roof...................

Yup! Just as I suspected-----there was a dip in the roof. I don't think it was this way originally, but probably a result of letting it sit in the Whestley's too long which also did in the hood.

After some more sanding, the roof looks back to normal............I haven't built many (actually very few) resin kits, so this is teaching me some things here!

I'm going to shoot some more primer over the roof again as sort of a "check coat" to make sure there are no issues with final primering and color painting. BTW, if you take a look at the first pic, you'll see where I did lower the windshield trim by a scale inch at the header, as well as get the chrome "ridge" on top of the A pillars.

I'm working on the vent posts at the moment, (they'll be brass) and get those in place. Hopefully, I can get this thing painted by the end of the weekend if certainly by early next week.

Thanks for checkin' in!

Edited July 28, 2011 by MrObsessive

[charlie8575]

Dynatron? Not familiar with that putty. How do you like it?

Charlie Larkin