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'50 Oldsmobile Mild Custom -Finished-


W-409

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When Revell's '50 Oldsmobile kit came out, I knew right away that I will need more than one of these. Well last week I went on Local Hobby Shop to pick two Revell paint bottles, Flat Black and Brown for the dash of my '77 Chevy Van project. But I saw this kit sitting on the shelf and when it wasn't expensive, I just couldn't pass it.

I have always thought that these late '40s and early '50s Oldsmobiles are very nice cars, and great starting points for Customizing. My plan for this one is to build a Mild Custom. I think Oldsmobile nailed the body lines on this one so there will be only minor body modifications done. I thought about doing a little Top Chop, but actually it doesn't need any chopping...Maybe for another one then? Basically the modifications I will do on the body are removing some emblems and other chrome trims. Chassis will be lowered and I will use Steelies with kit's Pad Printed WhiteWall tires.

Here are some pictures of the first Mock Up I did. Only thing that needs modifying on the frame/floor is that I have to sand a little groove on the frame crossover to fit that rear axle on place.

The Floor & Frame fit really nicely to the body. This sure is a nice kit.DSCN5290.jpg
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The engine is that Olds Rocket that comes with the kit. I will only add Two Carburetor Intake from my parts box. I found no fit issues so far from the engine. Also I drilled holes on the Valve Covers for Spark Plug Wires. Not the best picture, but you'll get the idea.
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And here is some more work with the engine. I installed Spark Plug Wires on place. Luckily the distributor was big enough to drill nine holes there. Yes, I still need to add the wire for Ignition Coil. Carburetors are cut off from old Ford Flathead intake manifold and they were painted with Silver. Air Cleaners are from Revell's '58 Chevy Impala. Tomorrow is time to make some Carburetor Linkages and Fuel Lines...Stay Tuned.
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Edited by W-409
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Niko, a little heads up for you. One of the guys in my club recently built this and had trouble with the rear side windows popping free when the interior is put into place. Make sure you test fit as you install the rear side glass. Unfortunately my friend didn't notice until final assembly.

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Thanks guys for the kind words, I appreciate them!

And thanks for the tip, Rob! I will do some test fitting before painting, thanks for sharing that info, it isn't nice when glass parts fell apart when trying to do Final Assembly. I've done that too many times, but now I know to check that before gluing anything.

Today I was able to start detailing the carburetors. First time ever using Photo Etch parts and I was really surprised that how tiny they are. However I managed to get them installed somehow, not the best work but decent for first try I guess. Fuel Lines have been installed also.

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Here is a little update. I made the little "Groove" or what that is called to the frame to get rear axle fit properly. I also painted the axle and test fitted it with painted wheels and assembled tires. The Rear Springs need to be cut shorter yet, but that should be no problem. For the front, I needed to cut the spindles to pieces and put together to get the front end lower. Now it fits just like I want so I can move on to the paint shop. I also test fitted the Engine on frame, and it fits perfectly.

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Thanks Andre and James!

The Photo Etch parts are made by Detail Master. There are parts for more than one carburetor linkages, so I think it's pretty good set. It's also available in brass color and then the standard silver.

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I messed up the MultiQuote and two first Quotes disappeared. :(

But Thanks Ira and Dennis too, I appreciate the kind words!

Niko, are you feeling all right?? it's not a drag car! lol, nice to have a change of pace some times, looking mighty fine, nice work!

Umm I guess so. :wacko::unsure::lol: You're right and Rods & Customs have always been really fun to build, so I decided to build one. But I need to get at least another one of these, since those Oldsmobiles were really popular in Junior Stock Races... ;)

Nice progress Niko. great looking engine...

Thanks Carl! Gotta admit, that the engine did turn out pretty good, the quality of it is so nice that basically it can't be built so that it looks bad. B) And I think the plug wires and carburetors turned out pretty good too.

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  • 3 months later...

Thanks, Matt! Somehow I must have missed your comment, but better late than ever I guess... :lol:

I have done some more work while my '61 Oldsmobile STW Mild Custom was drying. I sanded the frame, primered it and after a couple of days I painted it with Gloss Black. Also I removed texts from the floor and put some Bondo in there. After I sanded it smooth, I sprayed a coat of primer on there as well. Tomorrow I should go to the paint shop and pick the body color for this one. That'll be used in the chassis, too.

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Thanks, Julius! I like how the engine is turning out, too. Hopefully I don't mess up the rest.

Today I went to the Paint Shop and bought some paint for the body. It's Maston spray can paint, those have always worked very well for me. Then I painted the chassis with it and I think the color looks pretty good and the body will be painted with the same color, except that the roof will be silver. I will clear coat the chassis as soon as possible and then I can put it together.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Thanks Oscar :) ! I really like the color as well. It will fit nicely on this body, especially with the Two-Tone paint scheme that I have in my mind...

I have done some progress with this one. I clear coated the chassis and started putting it together. I glued the front axle to the frame and it fit perfectly. The springs are original ones from the kit, there was no need to lower them, because I had turned the spindles upside down to get the front end sitting a bit lower. Rear springs are shortened and rear end is lowered more than the front. Once I put the wheels and tires together, I just had to take a couple of pics...

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