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Topic starter
08/03/2021 11:20 pm
You know the feeling you get when you go to the Soda Fountain and have to make the decision of which Ice-Cream to get? Do I get Chocolate or do I get Vanilla? And you realize that the answer is, you get a creamy scoop of each!
When FRANKLIN MINT presented us with the decision of which of these two cars to add to your shelf, if you're like me, you said, awe what the hell, give me both!
1955 CHEVROLET BEL AIR SEDAN
There is just no way to decide whether the RED or BLUE version of this nicely replicated 1:24 scale diecast model is the better choice, so the ONLY choice is BOTH!
For early FRANKLIN MINT models this really is a great model. Of course it could be just a tad better if the side windows were down to reflect the true feeling of what a Hardtop offered in the day, but it's a minor issue compared to the Continental Kit that is living on the rear end. I'd certainly not have chosen that option, but hey, if I was getting a chance to have the car that drove America in to the modern age of automobile design, my eyes are closed to these minor distractions on the car.
FACT is FACT, and these Chevy's are are sharp!
Okay, so even though I made my decision to get both, what was yours? The RED one, or the BLUE one, or BOTH? VOTE ABOVE!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
09/03/2021 12:54 am
I choose the Blue/White one. About 15+ years ago I bought a kit from one of the model builders on the Site (Paul Kravchak or ?) to modify the '55. It had replacement bumpers and a set of 5-spoke wheels with instructions.
Topic starter
09/03/2021 1:20 am
@pete-rovero, I like it. Good job!
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
09/03/2021 8:26 am
Pete: I like your modification. Do the wheels still roll, or did you have to glue them in place. Could you tell me what wheels you got. I would like to do this to a couple of my cars. Too me those 5 spoke rims really make a difference on a hot rod.
09/03/2021 5:07 pm
Hi John. The wheels do still roll. I'm not sure where these particular wheels came from, other than they came in a modification kit that someone was selling on this site over 15 years ago. As I recall, it wasn't that difficult to do. Each car is different, so you have to remove a tire and see what you're up against. Here's how this one was done:
Front and back of tire
Using a utility knife to remove the whitewall ring
Tire pulls off easily
Splitting the wheel cover from the backing plate. The wheel cover may or may not be glued to the backing plate.
Whitewall ring painted black. This will be on the back of the tire now
Front of tire
Sanding the back of the new wheel for better fit. The backing plate may or may not need to be sanded too
Finished wheel
You don't necessarily need to remove the wheel from the chassis, but it makes it a bit easier, especially if they are screwed on. The wheels on this old tech BelAir are pressed on a straight axle at the rear. This is what the FM '57 BelAir chassis looks like. You can see how the wheels are attached. When removing the front tire on this car you have to be careful not to break the front suspension. A hair dryer helps to heat the tire and soften the tire to make it more pliable to remove.
John Merritt and John Merritt reacted
Topic starter
09/03/2021 5:19 pm
@pete-rovero, OMG! Your educational instructions are incredible! I'm impressed. I'm not inclined to try this on my own, but I admire those that do.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
09/03/2021 7:28 pm
Pete:
Thanks for sharing. I wonder if there is a way that I could copy your link or send it to my email, so I can have it for further study. Tony, any suggestions?
10/03/2021 8:02 am
I’ve had the red one since the mid 90’s when it was first issued.
it’s had a few alterations over the years. Removal of rear windows and
continental kit to name a couple.
David Vandermeer
Corinth, Texas
10/03/2021 10:03 am
Excellent tutorial Pete. Anyone wishing to make these modifications should definitely follow your detailed description.
Pete Rovero and Pete Rovero reacted