I thought I’d pass along a couple of photos of my just-finished Chrysler Turbine Car. It’s a JoHan kit; essentially a disassembled version of the circa-1964 giveaway “promo” model. The kit only has 20 or so parts (it’s a curbside) but it’s remarkably detailed given its age. The engraving on the body is particularly nice.
The Turbine cars were painted “Turbine Bronze,” which I mixed using Floquil copper. I added red and black until it matched my reference photos. The metallic paint is flat, so I clear coated the model to bring up the shine. All the trim (and there’s a lot of it) is Bare-Metal Foil.
I built this car in the 60’s but it was the complet kit, had more detail in the engine that only god could see. It was by far the best car kit I’ve ever done. Would like to get my hands on it again. Thanks for the memories and the pics.
Matt:
The color on the Turbine Car was actually a solid, non-metallic color. It appeared to be overcoated with a clear glosscaot containing a gold/copper “mist”. Its a difficult color to describe, and damn-near impossible to duplicate. There’s a pretty good depiction of the color at: http://www.productioncars.com/photo_gallery/classics_and_collectibles/chrysler_turbine.php
Great looking job on that on, by the way. It really captures the feel of the original.
Phil Schenfeld - who spent many hours wiping cars at the old Harrah’s Auto Collection
Thanks for the kind words about the model, and thanks for the information on the paint. Researching this project was difficult – the color looks radically different from picture to picture. Matching the color (at least to my eye) took longer than it has on any other project!
An all-white Turbine Car appeared in the 1964 movie “The Lively Set” as a race car, and the kit includes a nice set of decals to depict the film car. I may have to build another one of these.
My brothers and I each had one of the original “hand-outs” from the dealership…my uncle owned it, so he give us each one of the Turbine cars. My one brother still has his. I had forgotten that was 40 years ago.[:0]
Nice work on the model…that copper color sure stands out…[:)]
The first issue of the AMT GMC Astro cab over tractor had an optional Allison gas turbine engine. I believe that is the only truck model that was issued with a turbine.
Carl
I really must get around to my “complete” version of the car to build. I had been after the kit for years (the full detail one) when I heard it was available. I eventually managed to get hold of one a few years ago.
I missed out on that gas turbine Astro. Would have really liked to have built the turbine option!
Very nice work … [bow] … thanks a bunch for sharing … [swg]
I had the chance to see one of the 1/1 scale Chrysler Turbine cars at a Bloomington Gold Corvette Show in Springfield Illinois a few years ago … as much as I love Corvettes … getting to see the Chrysler Turbine Car was, for me the highlight of that years show. I hope to have a chance to see one again sometime. [^]
