Hi Are there any fellow masochists out there who have built and detailed any of the old Hubley car kits? I have built and detailed their Duesenberg SJ Phaeton, and with a lot of hard work it makes up into a nice model. Keep an eye open in FSM as I have submitted an article about building the Hubley ‘Duesie’ as a Golden Oldie article. I have recenly acquired their 1920 Packard Roadster to build, but getting the enthusiasm to get going on it is something else…
I have in the past, but no examples around to photograph. Also have a couple on the shelf in the queue. They build up into okay models, but need a somewhat different skill set than plastic kits.
Requires a somewhat different skill set to plastic models. You are dead right there Don! When I started the Duesie I was somewhat disappointed with the kit when I finally got one! I first saw this kit way back in the 60’s and it was frighteningly expensive here in the UK at that time and way out of my budget. Having got used to making plastic, resin and white metal kits that had improved so much in quality over the years, I quickly realised when I opened the box to this kit that I had a bit of a chellenge on my hands! Everthing looked so heavy compared to modern kits. Anyway it was quite fun to build, plus the fact that there is little in the way of Duesenberg car kits out there in a larger scale. This one is 1/18th scale. I believe that there was a 1/16th scale plastic kit from Bandai of a boat tailed roadster, but I have never seen this kit. That must be it apart from the smaller Monogram 1/24th scale kits and the 1/32nd scale Pyros. I must admit that when Pocher was in business a Duesenberg SJ Phaeton in 1/8th scale from them would have been magnificent and done well in the American Market.
Hi I am very interested in your article,but do not know how find it could you assist me.
Thank you
Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for the interest. I submitted an article to FSM about building the old Hubley Dusie probably about 3 years ago now, and as far as I know it has not been used yet… I guess that it has been put ‘on the back burner’ by the editorial staff as I would imagine that the magazine normally has to give preference to articles about more currently available kits etc. The only thing I can suggest is ‘watch this space’ in future issues of FSM. Naturally I am a little disappointed that they have not used it yet as I thought that a ‘Golden Oldie’ article would be of interest to FSM readers. Hopefully it will get used sometime soon in the future. I don’t know what the availability is of the old Hubley…ne…Gabriel…ne. Scale Models car kits in the USA these days. If they are currently out of production and not readily available, this may have a bearing as to why my article has not been used yet. Sorry I cannot help you any more than this at present, and I value your enquiry.
Hi Michael once again!
I tried to contact Matthew Usher by e mail a couple of times recently about my article to find out what is happening, but unfortunately he has not replied to either of them.
The Hubley Metal Models and Kits are still alive, well, and kicking. Hubley Model Kits (Dot) Org was founded 5 years ago. Visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HubleyModelKits. e-Mail: info@HubleyModelKits.Org.
The original Hubley Scale Model Club (“…send 50-cents”), was recently Revitalized. e-Mail: Hubley_SMClub@yahoo.com. Visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hubley_SMClub. The SMClub also has a branch in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK.
I remember building a Hubley Model A when I was a kid. I’m not sure if it was 1/16 scale, but it was pretty large. It was kind of difficult to build because I had my right hand in a cast at the time, but I could use my fingers a bit. I recall it was a nice model; fairly good engine & drivetrain, but the metal parts needed a lot of cleanup. My cast wound up being sort of metal body colored instead of white. As I recall it came out OK but was a bit sparse on detail. As a kid I didn’t care, but if I was going to build one today I’d try to detail it better.
I recently found some late 1970s Monogram 1/24 scale metal body kits that are pretty nice. They have very nice metal bodies & lots of nicely detailed plastic parts, typical of Monogram classic cars. One in particular, the Jaguar XK-120, is a real beauty. There are six different models in this series; they’re great kits & will fit in well with all my other 1/24 cars.
I mentioned them because I think I heard at one time that Hubley contributed the metal body castings for these kits. Can anyone verify this?
I just finished this Hubley Packard(see the build thread$ 2 Flea Market find below) 
Pete: Of the total 17 model which Hubley produced the Scales are: 2 Duesenbergs-1:18, 3 Packards-1:22, 3 Chevys- 1:20, and 7 Model A Fords-1:20. The Indianapolis 500 Racer, and the 1932 Ford Custom Hot-Rod were both 1:20. These two models were discontinued after only 1-1/2 years of production and are now highly prized. Cleaning off the casting “flash” and prepping for paint was all a part of the “Hobby-ist” factors… simply a part of building the model. JFB, HMK.Org
Philo: Obviously, your Hubley Packard Roadster is well “Master-Crafted”. If i may be pwermitted to posture my critique, the color-scheme is excellent and the photo is well composited. Your model is a credit to yourself and to Hubley. Especially notable is your treatment to the side-vent windows. With your permission, i would like to post your photos on our Hubley Scale Model website… it would serve as an inspiration to our novice and intermediate skilled hobbyists. Best regards, JFB, HMK.Org
Sure!Go right ahead!It came out quite well!
Hi again Michael NYC Ref my Duesenberg article. FSM Editor Matthew Usher has still not given me the courtesy of a reply to my earlier emails, so I’m afraid that I cannot give you any more information at present. Sorry.
I could use some advice regarding Hubley models. I built the Packard touring car and the Model A victoria in the 1970s using automotive paint and had no problems making them two-toned. I’ve recently built the two Duesenbergs and the 32 Chevy roadster. In two-toning the Duesenbergs, I used Tamiya paint, primer and masking tape. Several times the tape pulled the paint right off the metal. I had to redo one Duesenberg hood four times before it came out right. I tried using auto paint on the one model but it pulled off also. I washed the models in laquer thinner before painting. Any reason why the paint pulls off? I am going to be building the Model a woody soon and would appreciate any help out there.
I’m pretty new to putting models together. (I put together a motorcycle a few years ago for a friend that came out pretty well.) my father passed away a few weeks ago and, being the creative kid that likes making things, I got to bring home his collection of unassembled model kits. I’ve put one together (it’s rather therapeutic when I’m missing him) and it came together quite nicely. This one I am starting next is the Hubley SJ Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton he was working on last. This will be the first metal model I’ve ever done…(and while this may sound daft) the instructions have no information on colors that the “underneath” parts need to be…? I’ve fully read the instructions on priming the pieces and using steel wool between coats, the meticulous filing and all that. I want to be sure the engine and base pieces are colored correctly though…in searching for guidance I have read how “fiddely” this project is apt to be…some of the comments have scared me a little (haha!) but still hope to succeed. Can you offer any advice or direct me to a more detailed source for directions or suggestions? I’m a relative newbie but I figure if I worked out the spark plug wires and gas lines on the last one, this might be doable. Any pearls of wisdom you can offer would be much appreciated.
As far as the paint pulling off, what kind of primer are you using? I’d use Duplicolor or Plastikote. Also, id get low tack tape like they used to sell at art supply stores.
In response to Vern, the engine is apple green, and has a lot of polished aluminum on it. Cars were custom built, so body colors are owners choice. Like anything that can be mixed. They did a Maharaja’s car, orange & black as an example.
I’m just joinin. There are 5 more Model T scale 1:20
Hi. I’m painting with lacquer. The primer I use is a epoxy one. Two components plus acrylic disolvent. That helps a lot. I paint everything wit aerograph
I just started the LaGrande SJ. Given that it’s 50 years old, the tires have hardened quite. Any suggestions on softening old rubber?
Hello:
I’ve used this technique with excellent results on old model car tires, both rubber & vinyl. Warning: before trying this idea, please, please examine each tire very, very closely to make sure there are no little cracks or splits anywhere on the “bead” (inside diameter).
I would suggest that you simply soak the tires (just one at a time) in very hot tap water (not so hot that it’ll burn your fingers) for a half-hour or so & see if they’ve softened enough to press onto the rims (the tires, not your fingers…ha). If they still seem to be inflexible, increase the water temperature & time proportionately until the tire softens without distortion. I’d stay on the safe side & increase soaking time while using hotter water as a last resort. Don’t be tempted to use boiling water or put the tires in a microwave.
Best of luck! Please let me know if you have success.