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Forum 43
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Topic starter
22/04/2017 6:59 am
PIC - ready for a Mopar Magic quiz?
Here are five non-standard Brooklin Models. Three are complete fabrications by John Roberts which is to say, they never existed in this body style until John did his magic. Two are repaints, one by John White and one by Jim Hardin. Anybody care to hazard a guess at which is which?
Please note that with the exception of the Chrysler at centre, all have aftermarket Scala 43 headlight lenses that I added. These are resin/plastic with photo-etched backings that give the appearance of an outside texture. They cost about a dollar a pair and add many times that to the appearance of the model.
photo no longer available
22/04/2017 8:19 am
Well, I'm not as well versed in 1/43 as some of these other guys but your set-up looks great. Now...
...if I had to guess I'd say the Dodge wagon & the Chrysler sedan are fabbed while the Plymouth & Desoto hardtops are repaints. But did "Brooks" offer tri-tone on that '55 Dodge sedan?
22/04/2017 8:22 am
Quiz
Jim Hardin for the first, John Roberts the three following and John White for the last
22/04/2017 8:39 am
John White for the Dodge, John Roberts for the next three, and Jim Hardin for the DeSoto.
Topic starter
22/04/2017 10:03 am
Rick is right. The middle 3 cars are completely custom...
The Dodge wagon is 1 of 2 that John Roberts made. It comes with suitcases in the rear.
The build process of the Chrysler is featured in "Chrysler in Miniature". It is one of two that John made, this one in "Spring Special" colours - John had to cut up another Chrysler and a Dodge sedan for this model. Subsequent to this Brooklin Models did make a Windsor sedan but I'm not sure if the roofline is exactly the same as this one.
The '55 Plymouth 2dr hardtop is a complete one-off too, John cutting up the '56 Fury 2dr and '55 Plymouth wagon to create this one of a kind 2dr hardtop.
The tri-tone green '55 Dodge is a nicely-finished John White version and the '54 DeSoto was painted by Jim Hardin. I am posting it on the Diecast Zone Auction. Although it shows pretty nicely, it is what some people call a "20 footer". More about this is the auction notes...
22/04/2017 11:45 am
Really detailed question for Mopar experts
I'm working on making a '54 Dodge Coronet four door sedan from a Brooklin '54 convertible. Convertibles and hardtops from '53-'54 were on a 114 inch wheelbase but sedans were 119. This 5 inches only accounts for part of the 9.5 inches of extra overall length between the two. So that must mean the rear quarter panels and trunk lid were longer on the sedans? Any confirmation?
The parts:
photo no longer available
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
22/04/2017 12:41 pm
I found this question interesting.
So I found pix on google images of the 114" & the 119" versions, with side-on view. I put the pictures onto a single sheet on the computer, & scaled the wheelbases so one was 114 & one 119. Then I measured various values. The only difference is from the rear wheel to the back bumper --- just as you said. I guess a bigger trunk for the well-heeled.
Topic starter
22/04/2017 12:53 pm
John, I know what Richard and I have been doing...
John Roberts made a '54 Plymouth convertible using the Dodge convertible and parts from the wagon. It worked.
However, the dimensions vary not only between convertibles and sedans but between Coronets and Royals. The Brooklin convertible is a Royal.
I went to the Automobile Catalogue website to see if I could see differences in the cars' profiles. I couldn't but I see Richard has done a photgraphic comparison.
The Royal has a longer deck for the sedan than the convertible. I can't explain the differences in length between the Royal and Coronet unless they maybe use different sized front clips?
Here are the dimensions:
'54 Coronet conv 191.3 in length, WB 114
'54 Royal conv 196 in length, WB 114
'54 Coronet sedan 201.375 length, WB 119
'54 Royal sedan 205.5 length, WB 119.
I think you are correct. To the Royal convertible, add 5 in in wheelbase and 4 in in rear deck aft of the rear wheel opening and you should have it!
22/04/2017 4:23 pm
They all look fantastic.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
22/04/2017 6:41 pm
Richard and Randall, thanks for your research
I am now convinced of the longer rear quarters on the sedans and am working that into my project. I am still mystified about the differences in the Coronet and Royal though. Would love to see a pic of John Robert's '54 Plymouth conversion.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
22/04/2017 11:28 pm
Pics as requested! This one was a long time ago
photo no longer available
photo no longer available
I used the Brooklin Plymouth wagon as a base and then added the Dodge bits but to be honest I can't remember exactly how I did it. I think it was a fairly complicated conversion.
23/04/2017 12:00 pm
Beautiful job, John. We think alike, here's mine but I think I got the length a bit too long. I used the Brooklin Dodge convertible and scratch created the rest.
photo no longer available
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
23/04/2017 6:59 pm
PIC - Here are the unused bits from JR's Dodge wagon conversion
John took the Plymouth wagon front clip and Dodge convertible aft of the cowl to make a Plymouth convertible! However, the rear is clearly a Plymouth now so, John, you must have switched out the tail lights from the Dodge.
From Chrysler in Miniature:
photo no longer available
BTW - John Q - lovely work. Plymouth wagon may have been stretched a bit but does look very graceful!
Topic starter
23/04/2017 7:07 pm
Thanks, Chris. See Rick's answer below. No, the tri-tone was a repaint.
I think Brooklin did a white and yellow Dodge but no tri-tones to my recollection.
24/04/2017 10:14 am
Excellent John. I didn't think about the wheelbase.
Randy's photos have reminded me that I cut both Dodge and Plymouth around and swapped parts over to create the two models. I would have used Expo circular saw blades with my trusty Dremel drill
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