1961 Pontiac Ventura kustom

[chepp]

Here's what I mocked up three years ago from the Moebius kit and haven't touched since. Unlike my other models, this one will be a curbside without an engine or chassis. Further, there won't be major body mods like chopping or sectioning. However, I'll be simplifying and integrating the bumpers to be rolled pans, the front and rear will be restyled completely and most of the trim will be shaved. It will have a kustom (but tasteful) interior and a wild paint job. I'm expecting to restyle the glued-shut hood, probably with a pronounced "beak" and scoop/bulge, to suggest the appearance of what would become production Pontiac styling later in the '60s.

[RodBurNeR]

looks cool, I personally love some curbside stuff. it's that "curb appeal" that first impressions last!

[skip]

Charley - This one is sooo looow that you're gonna need Curb-Feelers on this Kool Kustom Kurbside!
I like it, fast trackin' right to Koolsville!

[lo51merc]

Hey! I've never seen curb finders on a model here. Somebody's gotta be the first to do it. Somebody.

[cturner]

Ken Hamilton put them on a custom he did many years ago. Made them with very thin wire.

[mack2856]

Those plans should be fantastic, looking forward to a cool build 🔥

[froghawk]

I like this idea! Great for those of us who aren't fans of new tool kits with fiddly, hyper-detailed chassis that are difficult to lower and adjust for stance. Looking forward to more progress on this, one of my favorite cars! Two words you might want to remember as you make your adjustments – "Wide Track!"

[Mr. Metallic]

From my recollection when the kit came out you need to pay special attention to the fitment of the windows in their openings. I believe it was Bill Geary who came up with the best method for massaging the openings. I tried to find the post over on the MCM board but couldn't find it.

[chepp]

Oct 12, 2023 10:31:08 GMT -5 Mr. Metallic said:

From my recollection when the kit came out you need to pay special attention to the fitment of the windows in their openings. I believe it was Bill Geary who came up with the best method for massaging the openings. I tried to find the post over on the MCM board but couldn't find it.

Thanks! I hadn't heard of the problem but I found Bill Geary's how-to on correcting it. It starts here:

public.fotki.com/MrObsessive/tips-for-moebius-19/p1035511.html and continues for several photos following it. I had bought the kit only for the engine and chassis -- that's why this kustom is curbside.

[chepp]

Oct 8, 2023 15:03:40 GMT -5 lo51merc said:

Hey! I've never seen curb finders on a model here. Somebody's gotta be the first to do it. Somebody.

Yes, somebody.....but not me on this one!

[chepp]

Oct 12, 2023 6:04:36 GMT -5 froghawk said:

I like this idea! Great for those of us who aren't fans of new tool kits with fiddly, hyper-detailed chassis that are difficult to lower and adjust for stance. Looking forward to more progress on this, one of my favorite cars! Two words you might want to remember as you make your adjustments – "Wide Track!"

Thanks for the reminder about the track width. I just made these up for the quicky mock-up. I may use Pegasus chrome reverse wheels that have slightly smaller tires than the ones in the photo -- and I'll make sure that they're a little closer to the wheel openings.

[chepp]

After hogging out the headlights and grille I cemented bits of 0.040" styrene behind the grille surround to provide a vertical surface to attach a new grille from behind.  A styrene stiffener strengthens the lower part of the bumper. A 0.005" styrene license plate filler was also added.  Part of the sides of the bumper were cut away to eliminate the heavy wrap-around section between the wheel opening and front of the car. (Top photo).

When the cement was thoroughly set I trimmed the openings smooth, but not finished, and sanded the backside smooth. (Bottom photo).

It's ready for putty. The "beak" and hood bulge were cut from the AMT '65 Grand Prix stock hood and custom nose then sanded to almost zero thickness before being cemented in place. Holes for the door handles and front fender ornaments were plugged with styrene rod. I hogged out the rear panel, filed off the back-up lights and sanded the rear bumper a little to smoothly blend it in with the quarter panel. The open area will have a grille and taillights that attach from the inside the body. The model is mocked up with Pegasus chrome reverses and their no-name tires but they're just propped in place.

[skip]

Charley, Looks like you've got tickets on the Koolsville-Xpress! This one is zooming ahead
with some really well thought out body modifications, they're going to leave the viewer
wondering where and how you did it. It'll be hanging around in some really low places! LoL!!

[chepp]

Filling, sanding and priming are started.

Interior is started. The lower part of the Moebius Pontiac dash was cut away and the lower part of the custom dash from an AMT '65 Riviera was grafted in. The yellow part of the dash will appear to "float." A piece of 1/2" styrene tubing was cut in half and glued to the floor to represent the driveshaft tunnel then the custom console from an AMT '65 Grand Prix was glued on. A couple of styrene strips provide some extra shaping to make the console flow into the dash. Seats are the custom ones from the Grand Prix kit — they will have painted seat and headrest upholstery pieces added. I'll probably customize the rear seat and door panel upholstery but I haven't figured that out yet.

The three separate pieces of chassis sections from the original mockup were finessed to snap into the body and interior to locate everything.This is a left-rear view.

[rickyc]

Really like the direction this one is taking. Looking forward to more updates.