David G.

Hello Everybody! There are a few good things about having multiple builds going on at once. One is that if a particular build starts to become an annoyance, there's always another build that you work on. This can give you some valuable off from the one that's troubling you, allowing you to let that one simmer on the back burner of your mind for a while. So, while I fuss and fume with the frustrations of my Herbie the Love Bug build, I turn my attention once again to the Ford Hardtop. A quick test fit to check the door alignment. This is also a test of the new BMF I ordered. It works well! After cleaning up the green overspray and other masking mishaps I decided to spray another coat of Racing White on the front fenders. This will patch up a couple of areas that got thinned out during the cleanup and even out any shade differences between the fenders and hood. The front fenders came out well enough that after allowing them to cure for several days, I went on with masking for the paint on the rear half. There's actually eight days between these last two photos. The march continues! As always, thanks for stopping by for a look and please feel free to post a comment. David G.

Beautiful color combination and paint, clean and tight build, and a great stance. It's everything a custom Mercury should be! If you still plan on attaching the side pipes you may wish to consider using some PVA canopy glue. I find myself using it in such instances as the one you described. It works well for attaching light-weight nonstructural parts. And it does so without much chance of marring the paint finish. It takes longer to cure but holds fast once it does. David G.

That's one beautiful Merc Greg! I love the interior. The black metal flake dash is a nice contrast to its straight-foreword basic black-n-white scheme. It's like the silk edging on a tuxedo's lapel. The whole build is fantastic! The color combination, stance and finish you chose highlight everything that's great about the lines and style in this car's design. Thank you for posting it here Greg! David G.

Thank you most kindly David! -D-

That's a great color Jim! Nice looking paint too. David G.

Thank you Carl, I was glad to have you along for the ride. David G.

There's nothing like adding some features of personal interest. Those are some nice, faithful scale replicas. David G

I was wondering how those hinges would be mounted and secured. I must admit, I didn't imagine that solution! That method looks like it should be more than adequate for holding those hinges true and secure. I'm impressed by the elegance of it. Your work on this is top tier, as always. This kit is certainly getting the proper attention it deserves. David G.

That's the nice thing about hobbies Jim, they're not jobs. If you're just not feelin' it, put it back in the box and finish it later. Or not. I had one build that took me almost nine years to complete and about a half-dozen I haven't, and may never finish. It's just a hobby. If you're not enjoying it, what's the point? Cheers, David G.

Thank you Len. I have some other options to consider. Currently, I'm kind of working through that part of the build. I usually don't dive into a build like this unless I've prepared at least one fallback position. David G.

Maybe they intended the product to by bought and used by people who are to young to have memories of or much interest in the movies on which it's based? Other similar kits have provided both options. That would have been nice. David G.

Thank you Alan. The good news is that since AMT has released the updated ambulance version that's actually an ambulance, none of ever have to go through this again! I almost feel as if I "took one for the team" as the saying goes. Thanks EMRE, I'm glad that enjoyed it. David G.

I think that that's actually happened to me! 😮 I remember working on a Mustang and I was cleaning up one of the front parking light lenses, deburring it with a file when it slipped from my fingers and just... vanished! I was working less than six inches above my desk, I had a cutting mat down and a magnifier light lighting the scene. As I searched for it I remember thinking "Where the futz did it go?! There's no place for it to go! It should be right here!" Gone. That's okay, I left the other one off and just painted the holes where they went in transparent amber. No one even missed 'em. David G.

Here's my next subject of interest. The multi-piece body will pose a challenge but it doesn't look like it will be too bad. David G.

Wow David, those hinge assemblies look like they would require a keen eye and a steady hand. And patience, lots of patience! I I like your idea of modeling the side window and quarterlight opened. It's a nice added touch of "lived in" character. On the whole, the doors look great. David G.