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Post by fireguy14 on May 1, 2009 14:20:47 GMT -5
Here is another project I hope to get to this summer. My best friend from high school, who gave me his entire collection when he got of building, picked up this real nice Riv a couple of years back, and I've been trying to get a kit for some time.  Finally scored this built up from ebay for around 9 bucks. I couldn't believe how much the original unbuilts go for!!   Complete for the most part, as far as I can tell. Didn't get instructions with it, so I'm kinda shooting from the hip here. Hood is messed up at the rear corners, kinda looks like someone glued it open, and I know if is missing the chrome surrounds for the taillights. Already checked with Modelhaus and orderd the parts! Not sure about the bumpers, but will probably try Alclad first, then rechrome if need be. I could use suggestions for a good NailHead (this one has a bunch of custom stuff on it), and would like to get a set of mirrors for it. Thanks for looking. Dave |
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Post by The Mad Modeller on May 1, 2009 22:02:06 GMT -5
I know one of the AMT kits had a nailhead. Not sure which one.
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Post by roadhawg on May 2, 2009 7:00:24 GMT -5
Oh, man, that is beautiful! I'd love to have one of those to build Jimmie Vaughn's Riv. I'll find out about those Nailheads for ya!
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Post by roadhawg on May 2, 2009 9:23:16 GMT -5
Ok, Sully...got some Nailhead info for you. I asked my buddy Bill, who is an expert on this sort of thing.......and he said......ummm, tell you what, I'll just copy and post the email he sent me. Here ya go.......... "re: nailhead Buick V8s - in my opinion, the best basic nailhead ever done in 1/25th is found in AMT's '66 Riviera - either the stock, or the lowrider-version (which also has some neat alloy wheels and large low-profile tires, plus a low-rider style bicycle - why??). As far as I recall, however, it doesn't have any speed parts in the low-rider version. I have the 'stock' version, and I just looked inside the box, and it has a bone-stock 425 w/ 2-4's, and no chromed pieces, and it's molded to a GM Hydramatic (prob a Turbo 400). AMT also did some Buicks as annuals from '58 thru the '60s, and they may have speed parts in some of them, but also a big gaping hole thru the side of the engine block, most likely. AMT's much earlier (and no where as nicely done) '63-'65 type Rivieras have a typical so-so detailed, and typical for the era - type of nailhead, but it does have some speed equipment, incl a Latham style axial-flow supercharger and (4) side draft Carter carbs on top (just like the setup on AMT's older '57 Chevy kits, and the vintage '23 T bucket kit w/ the 430 Lincoln engjne. (as an aside, for some reason, Buicks & Pontiacs were often seen w/ Latham blowers back in the day, perhaps because they fit under a non-scooped/OEM hood if used w/ sidefrafts) The Latham blower can also be found in some of the AMT '23 T kits, esp the roadster/pickup releases. AMT's '40 Ford coupe, avail in a zillion releases over the years, had always included a nailhead Buick that was even more so-so / detail-wise than the '63-'65 Riv's, but it did come w/ headers, a 3-2 barrel manifold, an option of a generic GMC-type supercharger & the often used by AMT generic chromed belt-guard covering up the not-modeled & hidden frm view, blower belts, plus some nice rocker covers w/ breathers. It came w/ clunky looking headers, but when dechromed and the dump can collectors molded on the ends of them are wacked off, they are usable if one details the header flange areas. (the engine was molded to a lump that was supposed to be a 3-speed Ford tranny) Other sources for nailhead Buicks - someone (probably Revell, a long time ago), kitted one of TV Tommy Ivo's Buick powered T-buckets. Also, Revell did Ivo's wild 4-engined nailhead powered all wheel drive show dragster that was kitted in the same box as Mickey Thompson's (4-Pontiac engined) Challenger LSR car. I believe that Ivo's dragster was also re-released separately, as was the Challenger. . .It had 4 very well detailed/but very finicky to get right, unblown, but Hilborn-injected engjnes, etc. Revell also did a front-engined rail dragster w/ a nailhead some years back, but beyond that, the details are too vague for me to recall in the far distant corrners of my brain this AM, esp w/ only 1 cup of coffee thus far. lol fyi - I think that the last yr for the nailhead being in production was '66. see this for more stuff about nailheads: www.carcraft.com/thehistoryof/65502_buick_nailhead/index.html A hot-rodded nailhead would still be easy to do using some non-Buick speed parts. Just use a valley cover like one found in some of the better Buick kits (or one from an early Cad or Olds engine (the Stone, Woods, Cook Willys had an Olds in it), or make an aftermarket style one which were usually finned aluminum - EZ to do using Evergreen styrene. Cobble together a log-style 6-2 barrel manifold using one out of AMT's dual dragster kit or from one of Revell's engine parts packs such as their early Cad ohv V8, or again, make one from scratch out of sprue or Evergreen. (many 1:1 log manifolds were essentially made from scratch, also). A blower manifold could easily be made using a piece of flat styrene on top of a single or dual quad manifold. Hilborn injection would not be difficult, esp if one used the valley cover off of the Olds V8 in AMT's '40 Ford Tudor kit. The Ala Kart kit also has usable Hilborn injectors off of the Dodge hemi in that kit, or just make some nicer ones from aluminum tubing and some bits of wire. Headers from the '63-'65 Riviera could be used in a sedan, or modify the ones found in AMT's 40 Ford coupe. Except for the odd-ball spacing of the center 2 cylinders - they're further apart than they are to the ones at each end of the block, one could modify most any headers easily. The other details are basically the same as other GM engines, so parts off of any of them from that era are usable." Whew....does THAT help any? lol!! |
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Post by fireguy14 on May 2, 2009 9:38:34 GMT -5
Is that the best you could do Tommy?!! HAHAHAHAHAHA. That is great info, thanks a ton for the effort, and tell your buddy I really appreciate it! I'm gonna try and source a 66, should be easy enough. My buddy's is pretty much stock, so that is what I'm gonna try to go with. Thanks again, will be posting pics when I get into it.
Dave
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Post by The Mad Modeller on May 2, 2009 20:16:05 GMT -5
Im sure a have one Dave. If so its all yours buddy.
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Post by willysurvive on May 14, 2009 14:11:47 GMT -5
Gonna be a cool project Dave.
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Post by fireguy14 on May 15, 2009 22:58:59 GMT -5
Thanks Will. Well, it is now stripped, interior is soaking, and have ordered some replacements parts from Modelhaus. Have been working on getting the glass out, but it is proving quite difficult. Have tried the freezer trick, but no go. Hope to get back on it after vacation. Later yall.
Dave
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