Peter Lombardo

This is a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup I built about 4 years ago. Some of the panels have warped a little, like the tonneau cover, but not too badly. It sits on a wooden base with 5 motors on the underside of the top. The hood, doors and top are motorized and all of the lights work, including the dashboard lights. The tail light runs all the way across the lower back and has 20 fiber optic leads into it. I apologized for the relatively poor picture quality as I had problems with the camera. It is time for a new one. I need at least 10 megapixels next time. Anyway, I tried to post a little movie of the top going up and down, but the camera wasn't having any of it. So, out came the trusty old cell phone with no quality but at least it worked. So I apologize for the super poor quality, but I think you will get the idea of what the truck can do. This truck was pretty heavily modified. I took a pie wedge out of the nose, to lower the hood line, built the articulating top from the stock top and added smoothed sides and rear wheel flairs to the pickup bed. The wheels and tires came from the Dodge Sidewinder pickup and there are ghost flames on the hood and fenders under a HOK Razzleberry top coat. Again sorry for the poor quality, but I think it is a pretty neat build . As usual comments/complaints always welcome.

Thanks Lyle, that is exactly the way I have done it before. I wanted to know how you did it. I figure, if you do it that way, then I must be doing it right. Thanks again, and great build on the roadster too.

You are surely on the right track. I thought that all you guys from accross the pond only do F1 cars? (just kidding, well, sort of). Keep at it, I have only done a few of these beasts, but each time it got a lot easier. My only note on it is, see if you can get a "tighter" weave braiding for the fuel lines. The tighter, the better as it looks more realistic. Other then that slight complaint, i think it looks great. Stay on it.

David, this build is INSANE!! I have no idea how you NASCAR modelers do it! The level of detail in just this chassis is just incredible. Beautiful job, this is sure to make some guys sick when they see this on the closed wheel competition table next to their entry. I know I am glad I don't do NASCAR models and have to share a table with that bomb. Beautiful build so far.

Dauh, it does have lake pipes...my mistake. Sorry, I kept thinking about the metal exhaust tips, forgetting that it also had side pipes. Upon my second look, it is still a nice build.

Great job on it and I guess congratulations are in order as I believe you are the first one to post a completed Revell 49 Merc. I haven't even seen it available yet, so nice going. Question...are those Hubcaps in the kit? and does it come with cowl mounted spotlights, as I think that, and lake pipes are the only missing period correct touches. Anyway, nice build...I am looking forward to getting my hot little hands on that kit.

Hey Ken, don't get so down on the hobby. I think there are many influences affecting the hobby today, and the biggest one is in my hands right this very minute. Computers and the internet are having a tremendous effect on the hobby. Some good and some bad. When I was a kid (early 50's) I had only two diversions from life when I was indoors. Drawing and building models. TV wasn't allowed all that often to me, so this was it. I loved building model cars as a kid. I always thought it was the "golden Age" back then in the early 60's. The great AMT customizing kits, the Johan kits, Revell's series of racing and custom show cars and especially the great parts packs that let us build personized customs. Then, real cars, girls and parties (read that as drinking) came alone and it was bye-bye models. The Navy, College, and marrige (kids) and then the models found their way back. Today they are one of my "happy places" I can go to get away from the pressure of making a living. Today, I believe computers have replaced "building" hobbies as the main past time for American kids. Computer games with the incredible graphics command our kids attention today. The computer, and the internet are driving many local hobby shops out of business. They undercut the prices and ship in one or two days. I try and buy as much as I can from my local guy because I need him. I can go to his shop and browse awhile and pick up all of the little things like paint, glue, metal tubes, rods ( along with some kits) and this kind of stuff. Stuff that is very tedious to buy over the internet. Besides, Fred is a great guy to talk to. I know many think that today is the "Golden Age" of model building. I think that is so. More kits, Resin, Photoetch items, super glue, new paints, huge aftermarket industry and best of all, computers. Computers, which may be killing the hobby, are also saving the hobby. I love having a place to go where I can communicate with other modelers. I love having a place to go and research a new project and most of all, I really enjoy posting my new builds and seeing all of the great builds that you guys posted here. Think about it, a few short years ago, none of these sites existed. Comuters and the Internet have opened up this great big world to all of us. Enjoy the possiblities. I, for one, am not worried about this hobby. As long as there are enough of us building and sharing our experiences, there will be a hobby. As long as we still drive cars and trucks, some one will make models of them. I see more and more contests in the magazines all of the time. I don't normally like the "Judging" environment, chosing to show at an NNL type show, but that is just me. If I wanted to, there are many contests in the NY Metro area (driving distance) that I could enter. No, don't worry, there will always be a model car hobby. Too many of us need to work with our hands and actually build something, other then a spreadsheet or low score on a computer golf game.

Ok Lyle, great build as usual, but you need to explain the hood to me. Did you cut the louvers by hand or what? The hinges I get, I am curious how you did the louvers. Thanks. P.S. the seats look great, from what I can see of them, also the license plate is a neat touch.

Thank you very much, and thanks to everyone that had kind words to say about this build. I know I always say that I build cars for my own satisfaction, and I do, but it is so nice to hear positive comments, especially on a build that took so much out of me to finish. Near the end, it was becoming a blear. Thanks again.

Not a lot to add to what everyone else has said, that is a great color combination with a different way of breaking the colors up. Not your normal two tone, but better. I like this and look foward to seeing it complete. The chassis looks great. When the 1960 Ford came out I was not a fan of the styling, but over the last 40+ years, it has grown on me and now I find it a very interesting design. Nice build so far.

Nice "period" mild custom. My only hang up (and it is MY hangup, is that when I see turquoise, I automatically think 1950's ) I really love the subtle weathering under the hood. That is just the kind of detail that goes un-noticed but makes the over all model so memorable. Really a wonderful touch that we, as modelers who want everything "showroom perfect", tend to over look. P.S. Harry, you nailed it, That is the 61 Chevy combination that has been burned into my minds eye....triple red. Sweet!

I have to agree with everyone else...beautiful build. Great finish on that paint. I also never thought of this year Chevy in silver. When I close my eyes, I can see a 61 Impala in triple red with white trim. The silver is a nice change of pace. I have a coupe 61 that I am planning to do in deep blue one of these days. P.S. Tom, that light metallic blue coupe looks great so far. I want to see that when it is finished.

First off, there really is no right or wrong way...just build it the way you want. Some would say the rear would have been a more logical trailer, but really, the nose of a Willys is the most distinctive design element so it is most recognizable. I like it as a trailer. Nice job, great color combination.

I just love the way the interior jumps off the page. Beautiful build. Classic, I think works here. Yeah, Classic build.

I think my humor was missed a few posts ago. I have 5 AMT 49 Merc's and I plan to build all of them plus how ever many Revell newbee's I can get. I have such great memories of this kit when I was a kit. I won my first ribbon in a model contest with a 49 Merc. It has a special place in my heart. My older brother owned a stock flat head 2 door ( I wish he still owned it) when I was 15. What a beautiful car it was, even in its tired pale green paint, it had class and always held it's head high, like it knew even then it was a pure classic. I will build all of these 49's, but the Revell version will be easier since it is pre chopped. Kind of like a "Cob salad". Anyway, Since I have been coming to this forum, I can completely agree with Marc's assessment as to the support we all try and provide each other. This is a hobby first. It should bring you pleasure. It is one of the places I go to to get away from the stress of making a living and running a business and dealing with it's problems. It helps to keep me centered. It is also a lot cheaper in the long run then going to the bar every night and drinking away problems. Don't misunderstand me, I am not ready for the anaylsis's couch but this hobby is a great place to go and relax. Look, I love it when I post a new build and hear nice comments, but the truth be told, I build them for myself. I like to try different and stimulating projects, but really, I just want to build something. I love to work out problems with each build, that is why I try and push myself everytime I begin a build. Enjoy your time here, and at the workbench. It could be intimidating to think your builds will not match up to some of the great builds posted here. I say, so what. If you enjoyed the build and did the best you could then that is all that really matters. From what I see, there is great support here....use it to your advantage.

I don't build that many import cars anymore, so maybe I just missed it, but what kit is this? It looks very interesting. It is calling out for a wild paint job. P.S. I agree with the wheel choice....I'd go with the Fujimi's.

Lets take a quick look into the future. It is late winter 2009. Chevrolet is getting ready to launch their brand new 2009 Camaro coupe. They have promised a convertible version once the coupe is up and selling. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car, Chervrolet Division and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway announce that the 94th running of the Indy 500 will be paced by the brand new Camaro Roadster. A special limited edition run of 500 uniquely painted Camaro's will be produced in Vanilla Creme Pearl with Burnt Orange Rally Stripes with a flame design up front and Special Door Graphics noting the date of the race. The interior replicates the 1969 version with orange leather and plaid inserts. Ok, back to reality, this is a Camaro coupe that I converted to a roadster, I added headrest flairs to the back seats and a Corvette style "waterfall" between the rear seats. The front has a new lower air dam with vents for the front brakes. I made the rally stripe patterns on the computer and cut them out on my brothers vinyl sign making cutter. ( I love this piece of equipment). The side door decals are modified from the 1969 Revell kit to reflect the future date and number of Indy 500 race. I painted the Camaro with a solid GM beige topped with Clear Effec's to give it a pearl sparkle and the used HOK Dark Orange Pearl for the stripes and HOK Yellow, Light Orange and Red for the flames. The plaid seat decals came from Scale Motorsport. Other then that, it is a Camaro coupe build. The 1969 Camaro Convertible in the background was built about 6 or 7 years ago and the only modification to it is the 3 part Nissan Snow white pearl top color (base white, pearl overcoat and clearcoat with hardener). Thanks for indulging me and as usual Complaints and or Comments are always welcome. Next up will be a Charger that you may have never seen or heard of before.

Harry, I just looked at your posting from 7/17. (I don't look at all of the headings all that often) We are thinking the exact same way. I have started to build almost this exact same car. I converted the 4 dr to a 2 dr. and was planning almost the same front end treatment (which is taken from the beautiful 68/69 design). My rear end design uses the 69 Charger style tail lights rather then the lights that Chrysler chose. Now I will have to move the build up on this one as I want to see it finished after seeing your great rendering of what Dodge should have done.

Ken, they look great. I have been thinking about doing a Mustang hardtop that would look basically like you have done. Now, I know how it would look. I tend to agree with you that Ford should make that car. Surely, it would be cheaper to produce and appeal to a different group of buyer. Nice execution. I really like the roof line on the Cougar with the reset rear window treatment. Nice work....Very cool.

Very nice. I really think Chrysler should have either produced a 2 dr version of the 300, and/or done the Charger as a coupe. I did a 2 dr 300 and have started a 2dr Charger, which is only waiting for more free time on my part for it to be finished. I like the "Hurst" idea, the colors should really look good on that car. Keep it going. I want to see more of this one as it moves toward completion.

Oh No, there goes my allowance for the next 3 months. I will need a few of these, but then what will I do with the 5 AMT 49 Merc's on my shelf? So many kits, so little time. Thanks for the review, when I saw this kit displayed at NNL East by Revell, I knew resistance was futile.

I love the color and the wheels look absolutely perfect for that period car. Curious though, what color is the roof going to be. Is it going to be vinyl and is it black or white? ( or maybe something else.) (remember the "Mod Tops" vinyl roof coverings?) Either way, looking good so far.

Very interesting idea. A little shading to the smoke will help quite a bit. But I think it needs one more touch to add a real note of realism to the photo. See if you can place a driver figure in the drivers seat. Even if it is just the upper torso and arms for the photo, it will make it look that much more realistic. Neat picture and idea, though.

Thanks Bill. The windshield fit problem is because the AMT 300 nose clip has a different lower windshield radius then the Revell body. So the Revell windshield that otherwise fits fine, leaves a gap at the bottom. Your Magnum should be fine should you decide to use the kit supplied windshield. I thought about using acetate for the windshield, which is what I did on the 4 dr 300 that has a chopped top that I built, but opted for the kit windshield for the sake of speed. By the way, I really am looking forward to seeing your Magnum build as it nears completion. I tend to be impatient when building so I don't always take the kind of care I need, certainly not as careful or precise as you are.

You hit it right on the money. I had the same problem with the windshield gap. I also filled it with clear epoxy. I then painted it black. The windshield wipers cover most of the problem area. But with all of the problems I encountered with all of the doors and hood and things and stuff fitting properly, the windshield was the least of my problems. Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate it.