Johan 1/25 1931 Cadillac V-16 Cabriolet

Fantastic build - wonderful color choices!!

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

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"These old Johan kits are amazing, especially this one.   The only real problem was that I could not get the up-top to fit properly."    Does anyone have any idea what year it may have been made? 

This kit was first issued in 1965, with only minor tooling-upgrades throughout the '70's.   

Jo-Han's "Gold Cup Series"  were the finest 1/25 plastic models available at that time (tooling was based on actual GM & Fisher Body blueprints) and in fact initial kits did include an actual gold-colored trophy cup for display with your finished model.

So, yeah....   I'm not surprised you experienced minor "fit & finish"  issues - your kit was engineered over 60 years ago!    😬 😬 😬 

Side story... it's coincidental you're posting THIS model now.   I was just telling a close friend about these yesterday.

LSS: 100 years ago, on my paper-route, there was an "older guy" - in his 30's (I was 10 ) who built ALL these Jo-Han Gold Series models; they were stunning.   Each one was a perfect award-winning execution displayed after the other all in a lit glass & chrome showcase like a museum exhibit.   I was speechless; I had never seen such quality model builds.   

He told us (me & a few friends ) that if he made even a single mistake - of any kind - he'd simply throw away the entire model and start over.   We couldn't believe it....."All those parts just tossed in the trash?   How could ANYONE do such a thing?   Not to mention all that effort, time & money?"    

To each is own, I suppose and one man's junk is another man's treasure.......     But even back then I thought, as I do today, "parts are parts, waste not want not..... spare parts are ALWAYS nice to have!" 

ANYWAY.......     Glad you enjoyed that kit; it turned out very nice!   😎 😀 

@chris Thanks for the history of this model. I built several Johan models back in the 1960’s, but not this one.

What a beautiful car and model of it. A really great  Cadillac V-16 kit and build !

@geoff-jowett  I remember this one well - it was the first demanding plastic kit I built.  I was about 16 then, so it's really decades old 😎 

That means these kits were probably released in the early Seventies, there was also a V-16 Phaeton in blue and black and

also 2 versions of the 1934 Mercedes Benz 500 K, a roadster in cream and a fixed head coupe in maroon.

These JO-HAN kits were rather expensive, no pocket-money kits.

thanks gents for the great responses! Especially for all the background and historical information. Chris and Ralf I have actually started the Phaeton. I usually dont post pics of my unfinished models because there's always a good chance I'll stuff it up and it will be given away or sent to the back corner of the display shelf! Like the Cabriolet this is taking time, although this time I know what I'm in for.  Theres also a third 1931 Cadillac Town Brougham, although the Gold Cup is only visible on one for sale kit.  The parts all look very similar to my two.

@geoff-jowett   You gentlemen of nibble fingers are impressive, if for no other reason the depths of your patience and fortitude.  My hands would betray me, if I attempted to return to model-building.

@gdh Thanks. I started again after a near 60 year hiatus, looking for something to do in the afternoons after retirement. I'm constantly amazed at how my dexterity has improved in my mid 70s. Have a think about having another go!

@geoff-jowett   Unfortunately, the detail work I used to do with my restoration work began to become more difficult, when hand movements didn't always correspond to intent.  It still causes some problems with my writing (typing), though I am a quick typist and can correct my errors as soon as I create them.  But, I am not kvetching, for I am still upright, for the most part, and can enjoy many other activities.  It beats the alternative.  In the meantime, I'll be over here by the punch bowl admiring your skill and tenacity.