Based on a 1966 Imperial Crown, Black Beauty was the ride of the eponymous hero in the 1966 TV series, The Green Hornet.
This curbside 1/32 scale model measures about 7 inches long. It’s basic — just 37 parts — but does require glue, and the 3-step instructions are straightforward with written assembly steps. There are no part numbers, but the parts are described, an unusual plus these days.
The chassis baseplate has the frame, exhaust, rear axle, and suspension molded in place. Detail painting will highlight these features.
The kit offers the option of metal or plastic axles; I used the plastic parts because the diameters of the metal parts were a touch too big for the wheels. They also appeared to be too long. The instructions show the tires as two-piece plastic parts, but they are now supplied as one-piece vinyl items. The wheels are well detailed and will be a highlight with careful painting.
The front and rear seats are molded with the interior tub, but the dash and steering wheel are separate. A separate backseat control panel mounts to the front seat-back and contains a lot of the car’s accessory controls. The accessory switches and controls are areas where a little imagination with a paintbrush will pay off. A clear plastic partition separates the front and back seats, and a rear-seat center armrest is included. The one-piece window glass is crystal clear and fits well.
Fitting the separate rear bumper to the one-piece body revealed the only fit issue. If installed using the mounting flange on the body, it will protrude too far from the body. I removed the flange and pushed the bumper in until it was in the proper position. As a result, I needed to trim the rear of the baseplate a little.
The body required minor cleanup to eliminate mold seams and flash. The flip-down doors for the rocket pods were molded with the body, but the grille, headlight panels, and rocket pods are separate, making painting easier.
The actual car had 30 coats of black and green pearl, but black was good enough for me. I painted with Tamiya spray cans for most of the body and Alclad II White Aluminum on the trim. There are no decals, which means the model lacks Black Beauty’s unique rear license plate, V194.
I spent 26 hours on this build, about 10 for assembly, and the rest on painting. This would be a good kit for a modeler graduating from snap to glue kits, but it could also appeal to experienced builders looking for a fun break from highly detailed kits.