StevenGuthmiller

That was what confused me. After 1959, I don't understand why they would produce separate convertible and hard top kits in 1960, then go back to producing a combined convertible/hard top kit again in '61, and then return again to the separate hard top and convertible kits in '62, especially being as all 3 years shared the same roof design. Usually there's some sort of pattern that you can follow with these old annuals, but apparently not in this case. Steve

Just an old fashioned "Dust Buster", or as in my case, a "Dirt Devil" power sweeper works perfect. Everything goes into a small receptacle smaller than your fist, making finding tiny parts simple. Steve

Just a couple of things that might possibly help you in your search Rich. First, there are several kits that you listed parts wants for that will do just as well with parts taken from more modern kits, especially things such as wheel covers. For instance, the '58 Chevy, '59 Edsel, and '60 Impala all have modern counterparts that you can take wheel covers from. (The '58 Edsel "spinner" wheel cover was an available option in 1959) A few of the other parts, such as the '61 Impala chassis, (should be interchangeable with several other annual style Chevrolet chassis from '61-'64) and the '61 Galaxie fender ornaments can be found in the AMT '61 "Club Coupe" reissued in recent years. Another one to scratch off of your list is the '62 Pontiac Bonneville "stock wheel covers". The AMT '62 Bonneville kit never contained stock wheel covers. Only "8-Lug" wheels, which can be found in numerous other kits. I'll scrounge through some of my stuff to see if I can help you with any of the other stuff Rich. Good luck! Steve

Tried something new tonight. Moroccan Harissa-Garlic shrimp with grilled bread. Steve

Well, in retrospect, I suppose it’s possible that the ‘61 may have been offered with the separate top. I may have been too hasty in my observation, as I don’t have a ‘61. But I do have 60 and a ‘62 Imperial hard tops, and they’re molded to the body. I guess I just assumed that they wouldn’t produce a dedicated hard top in ‘60, revert to the separate top in ‘61, and then back to the molded in top in ‘62, but I suppose it’s possible. Steve

The ‘60 and ‘61 Imperial kits had separately tooled bodies for the hard tops and convertibles. There were no separate tops. Steve

Calling it “Molotov” is a very common screw up that I see on Facebook all of the time. Apparently for a lot of guys, Molotov is the correct spelling. 😊 I’m no “spelling Karen” but I do find it amusing how so many people that swear by the stuff still think it’s called Molotov. That would be like if after using BMF for years, I were calling it “Bright Metal Foil”. 😁 Steve

Correct. A Molotov is a bottle filled with gasoline with a rag stuffed in it. 😁 Steve

It’s not that the ink transfers to your fingers. It’s that the finish dulls if it’s handled too much. Steve

You absolutely can use Testors “Wet Look Clear”, or standard Testors “Clear Top Coat” lacquer over enamel. I do it often for chassis and engine parts. My understanding is that “Extreme Lacquer” is hotter, so I would pass on that, but the others should not cause an issue, as long as the enamel is completely cured. Steve

I was thinking about it last night and some names came to mind. Many of them are members of this board. Bill Geary, Dominick Filbotte, Rod Maskew, Bob Jernigan, "Yura1961", just to name a few. They don't all build factory stock exclusively, but they're some of the best builders I've ever seen! (Sorry if I messed up any of your names!) Steve

Strange. Some of the best models I've ever seen, and some of the best modelers I know, build factory stock. I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing. Steve

Well, there you go. Steve

He probably would have gotten a chuckle out of it. Being an “old guy” like most of us, and an observant student of the human condition, he most likely would have thought to himself, “sure, now that I’m gone, they all love me”, but what he might have missed is the fact that many of us honored and respected him while he was here, even though we may not have expressed it. I think that we could all agree that the same sort of reverence could be applied to other past members of the board. Roger Hayes and Richard Manson come to mind. (I hope I got those names right. My name recollection skills are pretty horrendous!) Steve

Chalk it up to experience and move on, right? This is part of the reason why I like to do extensive build threads with my projects. I haven’t built a model in the past 10 years where I didn’t learn something that I wasn’t aware of, and in most cases, in time to correct it on this forum. Build threads have proven to be an invaluable tool for me. Steve