Thread: FC Holden plastic model source wanted

TRAX TR13 B Holden FC Sedan Apache Red 1/43rd scale | eBay
TRAX TR13K - HOLDEN FC SPECIAL SEDAN - MINT IN BOX | eBay
http://www.jaysmodels.com.au/TO02C.JPG

Originally Posted by _fly_

TRAX TR13 B Holden FC Sedan Apache Red 1/43rd scale | eBay
TRAX TR13K - HOLDEN FC SPECIAL SEDAN - MINT IN BOX | eBay
http://www.jaysmodels.com.au/TO02C.JPG

Hello Peter.

I found those Trax ones earlier - they're 1:43 scale - a bit small and the prices are a bit big. I don't want to pay $185 for a model just to copy the overall body shape.

My main aims are 1:12 to 1:24 and cheap.

Steve,

I found a resin curbside kit. Which is just the outer shell. Doesn't have any engine detail or interior. Go down on the left and click TPB resin kits.

The Parts Box

Its expensive though!

Bret

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Steve,
I found a resin curbside kit. Which is just the outer shell. Doesn't have any engine detail or interior. Go down on the left and click TPB resin kits.
The Parts Box
Its expensive though!
Bret

A fantastic find, Bret. Thank you.
The cheapest so far, at $33 for the body pack. I can copy the other details like interior and underside from photos, to avoid the $77 cost of the full kit.

If I can't find better/cheaper, I'll buy one of these body packs.
(The scale is 1:24): -
Attachment 220050


This is the full $77 kit: -
Attachment 220051

I screwed up. The FC wasn't released until the day after I was born, so I really need to build an FE. There is nowhere near as much info and not many models on the market, though.
They're almost the same, but indicators and a few other things are different. The FE didn't come out in two-tone either, at least not laid out like on the FC. The FC looked much better. I'll have a think about what to do now.

EDIT: I've decided to go ahead with the FC regardless. I like the look better. (What's 1 day?)

I think you'll find the body shell of the FC the same as the FE, so if you start with an FC model shell to get your dimensions, then the minor changes to make it an FE should be a no-brainer.

The two major changes would be the grille & indicator section at the front, which would be simpler for the FE anyway, and the chrome side moulding.

Originally Posted by Yonnee

I think you'll find the body shell of the FC the same as the FE, so if you start with an FC model shell to get your dimensions, then the minor changes to make it an FE should be a no-brainer.

Yep, the bodies are virtually identical. The biggest difference that concerns me is the two-tone paint layout. On the FC it would allow effective use of two timbers, but the original FE 'Special' only had a narrow strip of the second colour. Wouldn't look too good with two timbers. Unless I make an FE, but 'paint' it like an FC. Don't want to go away from original, though.
One of the things that attracted me to doing an old Holden was that two-tone look. They kept it for some years, but it only started with the FC.

Looking at the pics below, the grille on the FC was much better looking, too.

(You know your cars well, it seems, Yonnee. I used to once, too. Started my working life as a panel-beater. Did the apprenticeship, then changed my mind, went back to school and went into electronics. Still remember some stuff though.)

FC: -
Attachment 220088

FE: -
Attachment 220089

Edit: After a little reflection, I can justify the FC easily. Although they weren't relased to the general public until the 16th, I'll bet there was one already on the road the day before. They were in existence and in production the day I was born. Close enough.

Hermit,

You could have had the real thing. A mate of mine just sold his fully restored FC for in excess of $20K. Lovely car to travel in. When he got it is was in quiet reaonsable condition (NO RUST).

Thanks for the link to the kit. I'll tell him about it as he really misses his FC.

Originally Posted by Hermit

(You know your cars well, it seems, Yonnee. I used to once, too. Started my working life as a panel-beater. Did the apprenticeship, then changed my mind, went back to school and went into electronics. Still remember some stuff though.)

You're right. Mechanic by trade, Holden fanatic by choice .

Actually, make that GM fanatic... My dream car, money no object, would be a 1963 Chevrolet split window Corvette.
Attachment 220124

Attachment 220125

And when the Beetle is done, and maybe some others for practice, this would be a car I'd like to do from scratch. I already have been collecting heaps of photos, and can draw it no problem. And I have a dozen or so 1:24 plastic models as well as a multitude of Matchbox/Hotwheels versions, but it's working out how to transfer it to flat timber pieces that I'm not even trying to think about at the moment.

Originally Posted by The Bleeder

Hermit,

You could have had the real thing. A mate of mine just sold his fully restored FC for in excess of $20K. Lovely car to travel in. When he got it is was in quiet reaonsable condition (NO RUST).

Thanks for the link to the kit. I'll tell him about it as he really misses his FC.

Wow. 20K is a good price. (For the seller.)

I think I might have trouble fitting a real one on the mantlepiece.

Bret deserves the credit for finding the kits.
I'll buy the $33 body pack on Tuesday, (payday). The parts look very authentic and I only need to double their measurements for my model.

Originally Posted by Yonnee

You're right. Mechanic by trade, Holden fanatic by choice .

Actually, make that GM fanatic... My dream car, money no object, would be a 1963 Chevrolet split window Corvette.
Attachment 220124

Attachment 220125

And when the Beetle is done, and maybe some others for practice, this would be a car I'd like to do from scratch. I already have been collecting heaps of photos, and can draw it no problem. And I have a dozen or so 1:24 plastic models as well as a multitude of Matchbox/Hotwheels versions, but it's working out how to transfer it to flat timber pieces that I'm not even trying to think about at the moment.

That Corvette would make a great build. I love the shape.
It reminds me of another of my favourites - an 'E' Type Jag.

To get flat patterns, what about taking photos, then tracing the outline of each part with carbon paper and re-sizing to scale?
If the photo is taken in hi-res from as far back as possible, the 'fish-eye' effect of the lens shouldn't be too pronounced.
I'll be trying that method when my resin body kit arrives.

And if you Americans think that the car looks familiar...

Originally Posted by Yonnee

And if you Americans think that the car looks familiar...

Ha ha. Yeah, Holden had a habit of copying the Chev from 2 years earlier for each new model for a while.

Originally Posted by Hermit

To get flat patterns, what about taking photos, then tracing the outline of each part with carbon paper and re-sizing to scale?
If the photo is taken in hi-res from as far back as possible, the 'fish-eye' effect of the lens shouldn't be too pronounced.
I'll be trying that method when my resin body kit arrives.

I have thought that far, but it's working out how to do the roofline where it not only tapers down to the rear, but in from the back of the doors to the centre of the rear...

Let's get the beetle done first.

I am looking forward to your FC though .