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⏫ That enthusiasm, keep rolling with it! I built another kit of that mold, kitbashed with a GMC General semi truck for a cab. Used the chassis for a custom body van, it's in my junkyard. I was surprised that Dodge vans are raced on circuit tracks in Japan, so is that the goal?

We have become conditioned to "put an LS in it". This pickup deserves the original treatment, the original Pontiac engine needs rebuilding, would rather sneak in today's technology there. But need to see how the Small Block does, and go from there. Challenge is how to get that engine into the bed, truck has not run for 20 years. Blue Cloud pulled it out to get washed, his Jeep got it back under the roof. Got the air compressor for dirt road camping, tires were still holding air! Blue Cloud has a 350 H.O. crate engine, so I'm set with POWER. 😁 The load of ABC and flagstone had to be over half a ton, no problem. After it's first bath in decades. Grey primer are the usual rust areas fixed by a bodyshop decades ago, in trade for a vehicle. Driver door has a little dent. I have the AMT '57 Chevy Cameo kit, is there a transkit for doing a GMC?

very cool build-who did the decals

Asleep at the switch depends on..... you know.

, back to polishing

Here's where we're at today - I polished out the roof and I've been fiddling with the dash, with mixed results. I hate this dash. It's kinda weird and the '54 and '55 were strange too. Anyway, here's some mock-ups for your curiosity 🤔 I want to show what a great fit of interior assembly to the body. I went off script with the package shelf. They show it gluing to the body. I didn't think it was a good idea. I glued it to the back seat. I was extremely careful with the assembly of the interior. The glazed body is supposed to be dropped over everything else. Everything depends on the interior. It has positive fit elements molded into the interior floor and the chassis. They fit together perfectly. But there are problems. The chassis has a slight upward bow in the middle that is messing with the fit of the front fender to splash pan. It's gonna need a clamp. I wish I had spotted the warp before I put it together. Note to self: oh....forget it. The things I am very happy about are the great fit of interior to body and the fit of the firewall to the body. The firewall is a glued-on part of the interior. It is a very precise fit and a lot depends on it. So far, so good but I must have goofed on the front suspension because the right front hits the splash pan which is integral to the chassis. The kit has some fit issues but it goes both ways so it is basically a pretty decent kit. Thanks for the drive-by 😎

Deal is the same as with all the colored (other than white and amber) lights on the front of the cars, like purple, green, blue, red, etc. halos on many Jeeps aftermarket headlights and other cars. I remember when just installing tiny "blue dots" in the taillights would get you stopped by the law enforcement. Same with dark tinted windows. Why do we have so many crazy drivers totally ignoring traffic rules? Because law enforcement seems pretty much non-existent on the roads and in inspection stations.

Here's a couple of early Mustangs

Getting That "Unicorn" Kit Some kits are just plastic and instructions. Others are history, heart, and time travel. Back in 1977, I was ten years old—bright-eyed, glue on my fingers, and too impatient for paint. My first kit ever. Straight from the box: no modifications, no weathering, just decals and raw enthusiasm. It ended up as a Fourth of July firecracker of a build. Flashy, chaotic, unforgettable... and, if I'm honest, a source of regret for the next 48 years. That kit was my introduction to the hobby, a spark that turned into a lifelong passion. I never forgot it. I chased it like a ghost, always hoping one day it’d reappear—not just as a model, but as a second chance. Then it happened. At the Heartland Model Car Nationals, surrounded by craftsmanship and community, there it was. My unicorn. The same kit I built as a kid, waiting for a proper welcome into the present. This time, it won’t be just glue and decals. It’ll be everything I’ve learned since—precision, creativity, evolution. A tribute to beginnings, growth, and the wild journey in between. To new beginnings... and to finally doing it right.

Beautiful tribute build to your dad! Wonderful level of detail!

LOVE the creamsicle color combo on this 50's beauty! It belongs right in front of Arnold's Drive-In with Fonzie and Richie checking it out

Very kool kustom! I don't believe I have ever seen a car like this, and love the ingenuity!

Wonderful detailing on your great Jag!

Beautiful build, especially the lighting! Best of luck at the show!

I use Turtle Wax “Scratch and Swirl Remover”. Steve

Golden Olive is a great color and a good choice.

Awesome paint work and the LED lighting along with the operable wheels make it seem like the actual car. Always liked the mid 70's versions in orange.

Well the tread of the tires are wrong. I’m going to have the tread going the wrong direction. On one side. The tires are off. The inside of the tire is very different than the raised letter side. So I cannot switch them around. Bummer. Oh well another imperfect model.

I've been using the Novus fine scratch remover for years (and I'm slow to change) but would appreciate some info on final rub-out products. Something to remove the ones that the Novus leaves behind.

I spotted this '39 Plymouth coupe while at the grocery store.

Thanks Bob. And much appreciation again for all of the kind replies.

Apart from the front suspension this is the part I was most concerned about making, the headers. They're making good progress as you can see. Dave B

I picked up two NASCAR bodies on Etsy. A Granada and Fairmont......lots of clean up....but nice

Since it's taken me 40+ years Mark you'd better start now!!!! Dave B

I've purchased from JackModeling several times - top notch guy.