khier Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Hi All, Every once in a while I remember TKM kits I bought in tragic moments. I put the kits on the table and start to wonder if it makes sense to try to build them. I mean I may go all the way despite the time and effort if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But each time I judge them the tunnel looks dark as a black hole. I am curious to learn about your experience with "Totally C(K)rap Models" kits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hall Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've never bought one as they always looked horrific in the photos I've seen, been tempted as they do have unique subjects, though they seem awfully rough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixx Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I made that mistake years ago...absolute garbage!!!!!!! Oh yeah, they have neat subjects, but they suck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khier Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 they do have unique subjects This was exactly the reason why I thought I should gice it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Although I don't think that I ever had a TKM body, I knew from the 70's that they were pure "garbage" as that was the word out on the street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer1984 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I've actually been trying to track down one of the TKM '81 Imperials, if only out of curiosity. I've built some of what are considered the worst styrene kits, and there's something strangely satisfying about finishing one off. I just make sure I also have a good kit on the bench at the same time to counter it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimaxion Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I will respond . Ive built 2 and have am third WIP . The first was the '57 Dodge . It is Rough and matched my skills in the '80's when I bought it . I had a 7 year gap outside the Hobby . I will not fix this as it has nostalgic attachments for me . It is a poor example of my First Car I purchased with my own money . It so matches my 1:1 Purchase .. poor ..The second is the '80's Bustle Back Caddy Seville . I got it from a friend . It was a gift as he knew I would be able to build it after the body was broken into 6 Parts . Story was ; "Fell on the floor , sat upon by mistake , crushed by a Pachyderm ........ yeah , that's the ticket" . I manged to fix what ailed it . Instead of my having some parts the next day , he sent me the interior 5 or so years later . I did paint it two tone shades of Metallic Browns . Same color combos offered on contemporary Chevettes . I did make Glass for it . The third is a Mark VIII . It too is a replica of one I owned . I will take all of your castoff TKM's . PM me and see if we are able to trade .. LTWIP's don't intimidate me . Long Tern Works In Progress are the nature of my builds as a fact generally . I disd get these builds Posted on a Model Car Site . Check them out . These fit well in my collection . Just not the Best .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I have a terrible resin '70 Cadillac DeVille Convertible that I will build, just to prove that I still have some sort of skills. This thing is the absolute worst piece of resin I have ever seen in over 50 years of building. It is workable, but it is rough. I will have to wear some hazmat gear just to work on it. I bought it off of Ebay, as I really wanted a '70 Cadillac Deville Convertible. Fortunately, I have an unbuilt JoHan '70 Coupe DeVille to use as a guide in getting this pig into shape. Even though TKM offered subjects that I would love to have, there is not enough time on earth to get one of those to my standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 I had one of his first '72 Rivieras. Never again. BTW, sometimes that light you see at the end of the tunnel is actually the headlight of the midnight freight about to mow ya down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1zebra3 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Does anyone have a TKM 47 Buick they would like to get rid of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
realgone58 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 Never bought one, never will. I think I can do better with Play Doh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jas1957 Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 In the early or mid 1980s I purchased the TKM '81 Imperial because I wanted to build Buddy Arrington's NASCAR stocker. He was the last guy running a Mopar & I was really into what he was doing. After a LOT of grinding ( swear there were places that were a half inch thick ) mixing & matching parts from MPC & Monogram stock cars & Fred Cady decals I made something that is almost presentable. It is kind of lopsided & goofy looking but it has sat for 30 years on my shelf. Good luck finding one, he was selling on ebay a few years ago but not recently. The sad thing about what he was doing is he never improved his product. He was one of the first in the late '70s & the stuff was rough but everyone's was then. When all the other folks continuously improved their product he never did. If you have never seen his stuff in person be aware that he is just using a one piece mold with resin poured in. Bumpers, lights, everything is all one piece. I suppose with a LOT of time & effort something decent can be made but why bother ? If you want an '81 Imp. I would just start scratch building you couldn't do worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted April 2, 2015 Share Posted April 2, 2015 No. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maindrian Pace Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 If you look at them not as models, but as folk art of sorts; they could be neat items to hand paint and display in the garden, kitchen windowsill, or possibly in a fish tank next to the little diver guy. -MJS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kap64 Posted April 5, 2015 Share Posted April 5, 2015 I bought one once and it went into the round file, just chalked it up as a loss. Then a couple of months later, it was like I was haunted by a nightmare, another one showed up in the mail and I didn't order it. This one's up in the attic somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porscheman Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I've have a customer who love these. I have built 11 of them over the past 10 years. They are a pain to get right, but with a little patience and good reference material, a nice curbside can be done. Here's a Ramble wagon I finished before Christmas. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randx0 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I bought one once and it went into the round file, just chalked it up as a loss. Then a couple of months later, it was like I was haunted by a nightmare, another one showed up in the mail and I didn't order it. This one's up in the attic somewhere.Talk about excellent customer service or a model with a heckuva never say die attitude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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