Merkelmodelcars

Hi Guys! I just discovered this forum & the TKM controversy. I usd to know Tom & perhaps I can clear up some of the questions. First, he told me it all started many years ago because he wanted a model of a Pontiac that had never been made. He's a sculpture by trade, so decided to make his own. Remember, we're talking probably 40 years ago now & technology had not yet been invented in the model car world! He said it was the "I told two friends who told two friends" kind of thing when someone saw his finished model, so he agreed to cast one for him, & the rest is history. As for quality, wellll, all of his models are in fact hand sculpted, so I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. If you're looking for a Revell type kit, it ain't gonna happen! But as has been noted, if it's the only thing you can get, and that's always been Tom's goal, then its TKM or nothing. I've probably got 50 or more of his cars in my collection, but i look at them as a parallel to a styling "buck" from back in the day when they used to make clay mock-ups of a new car in the styling studio, and that's how I treat them. I blank out the windows, Bare-Metal the trim & add kit wheels to emulate the hubcaps of the car in question. Out of the box they look like raw chicken, but if you're willing to give'em a chance, some of them aren't all bad, however quality level does vary quite a bit, so be prepared if you order one.

I'm restoring a built Revell 1/32 1955 Mercury and need to replace the hood. I'm using one of my spare Revell 1/32 1956 Mercury kits for a few common parts, but the originol builder for some reason sanded off the leading edge & emblem. So I need to replace the hood. Any help here? Thanks, Ron M