The Diecast Zone · Model Car Club Since 1997
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Forum 18
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Topic starter
18/07/2022 9:07 am
I bought this 1956 Mercury Montclair in 1963 when my father "checked it out" and approved. It came with a blown head gasket, crudded up valves, a leaking rear main seal and by the time he drove it home all the tires had ballooned because they were retreaded bald tires! It took a few months to get it on the road as I tore it down to have the heads re-milled and everything cleaned up with something called "Varsol" (undoubtedly carcinogenic), He decided I should hand grind the valves (which took forever!). It turned out that it wasn't the original 312, but rather a 368 Licoln V8. The 3 speed automatic was in great shape and once I completed this marathon rebuild, the old Merc really hauled butt. The only slight difference between this Sun Star model and mine is it's Persimmon rather than my Carousel Red.
18/07/2022 9:22 am
Yes, I remember this story Rich.... I tried to help you out a bit. LoL I did "a little bench work" thus, providing a closer representation of your car (without the red paint & baby moons or steelies).
18/07/2022 12:27 pm
Great starter car Rich. It certainly helped you learn a lot about car mechanical maintenance. Strange to have a replacement Lincoln motor in a relatively young car, but then, vehicles in that time aged fast.
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted
Topic starter
18/07/2022 1:24 pm
@david-green Yeah, my old man was an old school, John Wayne badass with very little patience, but I learned a lot so I could tune and maintain my cars with just having to pay for parts and with those era cars, something always needed fixing. Everytime I contemplate buying an old car, I have to remind myself that I had to get greasy at least once a week for some ailment. Solution to that problem... a restomod!
19/07/2022 1:44 am
I miss Sunstar. They sure hit some home runs.
Steve
Jack Dodds and Jack Dodds reacted
19/07/2022 9:18 am
I miss Sunstar. They sure hit some home runs.
Steve
Well, not all were home runs...a few were triples, may one was a double w/a stolen base.... 😏 😏 😏 BUT I am surprised there's nothing new other than re-paints. Surely, they have the resources for a few more 1/18 1950's "Platinums." They all sold very well.
How cool would it be to see a 1/18 1956 Buick or a 1952 Mercury or how about a 1958 Oldsmobile? MONEY is waiting Sunstar! (hint, hint.. 😏 😏 😏)
19/07/2022 9:20 am
...or even tool up some 4 doors from their existing 2 door molds. Why not, right? (hint, hint... 😏 😏 😏)
Steve Jacobs and Steve Jacobs reacted
19/07/2022 9:06 pm
My favs are their '56 Pontiac and Mercury. I still kept the '58 Buick cnvrt and have 2 Continentals in states of customization. If I'm lucky they'll be done by September.
Steve
20/07/2022 5:32 am
@100ford2003 Cool! Can't wait to see them Steve.
Steve Jacobs and Steve Jacobs reacted