1/24 Monogram ’53 Chevy Bel Air

Gallery Article by Jerry Hawhee (Old Blind Dog) on Feb 6 2012

 

This is the old, ever-fine and familiar Monogram 1/24 ’53 Bel Air hardtop, built pretty much from the box with only slight modification. 

I replaced the kit-supplied tires with wide white sidewalls from the Revell (ex-Monogram) ’53 Corvette kit. Wheel covers and grill were highlighted with a wash of The Detailer Black. 

 

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The engine compartment got the most attention. The 250 cid Stovebolt Six was wired and plumbed with a six-cylinder distributor from PSF Hobbies, The fuel line was scratched from copper wire, with a small role of metal tape to simulate the regulator. Various bits of wire and insulation were employed to represent the heater hoses and throttle linkage. I sourced a period-correct looking 6 volt battery from the spares box, and cut out a small part of the firewall detail from the AMT ’51 Chevy Fleetline to dress up the Monogram kit, which, to begin with, was about as bare-boned and plain as it’s possible to imagine. 

The main exterior color is Polly Scale US Gunship Gray; I shot about eight thin coats through my Badger 360, then buffed it to a high sheen with Micromesh graduated abrasive cloths. The roof and side trim were done with Polly Scale Reefer White. Bare Metal Foil was applied just before a coat of Future. 

Hope you like it!

Cheers

Jerry Hawhee (Old Blind Dog)

      

Photos and text © by Jerry Hawhee (Old Blind Dog)