Ragtop Man

I think it is a fair comment - when the parts are WELL done, then they become a commodity item within the kit that can justify purchasing that second or third one. "I can use the webers on the Cobra... and..." That said, revising the parts would be a layup for the 3D universe (Fireball, hello?) to really nail the intakes and the HP exhaust manifolds / headers. In the meantime, a builder could do a lot worse than to track down the AMT '65 Fairlane modified stocker, or a Surf Woody (pick your version) Both have very well engraved 289s that would bash just fine and be period correct. SW has the only correct C-4 in scale that I'm aware of, if that is a boat-floating issue. Yes, the Fairlane 289 requires the block hole to be filled, but the rest is very good and 'of the era'.

I haven't read all the replies, but the mild custom f/r pans are in there, and the vertical quad headlights. Alas, no DeSoto grille bar, which really makes a custom version sing. As much as I love the wild, full-on f/r pans, they need a lot of work to fit (and look) right. It has been done... a builder on the SH board sectioned and cleaned up similar parts for the '57 Chevy Trophy and improved the look 100%. Now if someone had a scanner, and the chops, they might be able to look at those original parts and 3D tailor them for a 'wow' factor.

Go Green, Go White!

Really like it. Funny that Revell and AMT did nearly identical cars. One thing I can see for sure is that both kits need the wheelwells stretched to suit the tires. While I'm far from a Pro Street fan, I keep squinting at it thinking a GTO would look great sitting on there...

FWIW, there are some pics on the internet of the original '64 Comet hood and ducting. I don't recall if they were from the Petersen archive (with the "P" watermark) or that Fran Hernandez' son posted them - he was a photo enthusiast as well.

Bingo. Now you know exactly how the kit company leadership thinks, and why decisions get made the way they do. When they color outside the lines... they are taking a calculated risk with their distributors, retailers and customers, pretty much in that order.

100% had me with the street art background. Fantastic build AND photography!

Make sure that dump valve works - revenue man gets a sniff of it and it's seven years in the federal pen.

They look all the business! Great job by MW for the master, and MLRC for the casting.

As a kid who grew up in a house with TWO 1:1 '72 Torinos at the same time, including a FB coupe, get the JoHan stock car, not the ex-MPC. They are out there in the usual sources, and considering modern pricing, not super expensive. The JoHan body was clearly intended to be a traditional annual kit, with all street trim, bumper/grille, open hood, etc. the best proportion and engraving in the business, even to their last work. It will be another full generation of 3D before anything off a printer bed will match it. At some point, though, the concept broke down and their '72 became race-only (this narrative also applied to the S&M '71 Barracuda.) Add in the curbside interior (might be spendy) and bash the rest with the Starsky + Hutch '76. It's been done by a few modelers with some very credible skills and looks fantastic.

100% understand the desire not to have an orphan kit laying around. But, if you are really looking at the $$$, a kit is usually cheaper than the enhancement parts for a quality, detailed engine. Not bashing 3D at all, they get my nod when there's nothing even close, or not reasonably available.

I'd say that's just about right for keeping a fella out of Chillicothe.

Have both in queue, I hope they turn out half as nice as these. Great work. Any watchouts in either build?

Thank you for posting this - solutions rule.

(Drops mic) Tom, I remember when you showed me this a while back - absolutely staggering work.