1970 Nova SS396, Black Cherry (Ertl) Built to match 1:1

I often have to turn away requests to build a 1:18 diecast to represent a specific 1:1. Most such requests require a repaint which require making new emblem decals which requires tons of time which requires the price to be very high for such work. For some lucky folks, however, Ertl or other companies offer a model in the correct color. If they are really lucky, most of the other details match as well. Allen is the proud owner of a very nice original '70 Nova SS396 in Black Cherry. Ertl's model version has a bench seat so he swapped in a bucket seat interior from another Ertl model. I guess I took over from there.

The resemblance to the 1:1 is really quite remarkable. It really helps that the color is very, very close. You can see the chromed fender louvers. We opted for GMP Nova SS wheels over the Ertl items. The 1:1 does not have roof rail chrome so we only chromed the side window frames. The model also got the proper detailing to the SS grill, the trim around the windshield and rear window and the wheels were further detailed. Notice how the color seems to change with the angle of the light? The same holds true for the 1:1 paint.

Here you can see the additional trim detailing on the rear window surround, the trunk and door lock bezels and the side window frames. The fender louver chrome shows up again as does the detailing to the wheels. You can see here how smooth and shiny the paint on this model is. I polished it a bit, but it was excellent right out of the box. Allen really picked a nice one for this project.

You can just see the bottom half of the chromed differential cover here. The chassis details really show well in this shot. The gray shocks, steel springs, silver gas tank and exhaust really stand out in contrast to the black undercarriage. And no, that's not a fancy manhole cover holding the model in the air, that the lens cap off my digital camera! You know, from this angle you can't see the screw heads so this almost looks like the real thing!