Claude Thibodeau

Hi! Had no source for a "snorkel" type air intake to put on a Pro-Mod. So, I built one out of 3 sections of angled sprues, with round tubes and butterlies. throttle shafts, barrel valve, distribution block & al. Even the AN connectors and braided lines are scratch. As you can tell, most of the car is also scratchbuilt: chassis, roll cage, interior, seat, etc. Hours of fun with styrene! CT

Hi! If you are positive they are promos, I suppose they are made of the same "mystery" material. Of course, the Johan glue kits were styrene, as I can testify, because like many of us, I've built my share, both back then (early 60's) and nowaday. CT

Hi Snake! That, I haven't tried. Who knows? Is there a chemist in the room to guide us? On a side note, that Javelin you mention is the exact same car I made into a Pro-Touring. See the before and after pix below. Good luck with your project! CT

Gentlemen... If I may... Since I happen to have seen many of Francis' exquisite creations firsthand, and having discussed with him about his "production pace", may I suggest we settle for the term METICULOUS ? Time is not of the essence in those circumstances, isn't it? CT

Hi Christopher! Yes I did, both acetone and MEK... But to no avail. Still a mystery to mer! CT

Hi Snake! Thanks for the supplemental infos. Much appreciated. A few relections based on you latest posts: Yous are right, most promos are NOT styrene. I built a Pro=Touring out of a 68 Johan Javelin promo, and upon opening the hood by cutting with a scriber in the "seams", I broke the cowling at the base of the driver's pillar. NOTHING could glue it back! NOTHING: styrene, super glue, epoxy, whatever: dud. I finished my built, and decided to mount an exterior shift light (scratchbuilt) to hide the hairline crack. It worked, judges commented on the "nice shift light", and never saw the crack. Go figure... Yoy may see it in this pic, if you look closely... Finally, Molotow is not a PAINT, it's technically an INK. That explains why it remains fragile and easy to mar later on. CT

Hi! Your idea of the flares is great! It will make it even more distinctive of the Deora... If not already! Did-you use a second kit, or more likely upon looking at the pix, with simple styrene sheet forming? CT

Hi! Thanks for the infos. You stated you used it without any primer. However, many kit manufacturers spray a "clear" coating on their parts about to be vacuum plated. It shows when you remove chrome with, say, Easy Off. It is the yellowish stuff that remains in some corners of the parts after the removal chemical is done with the shine. I read somewhere that they go to the expense of doing that clear coating to provide a "smoother" surface for the vacuum chrome to "flash" on. Therefore, my question: would your excellent results be even more chrome-like if you first "cleared" the parts with a light coat of a clear compatible with Krylon Foil? Presumably Krylon glossy clear? Curious... CT

Hi Joseph! Thanks for the comment. Actually, the fuel system almost drove me insane while building the car. But I survived! CT

Hi Snake! That Krylon Foil seems very convincing. How many coats would you say you put on those bumpers? Light dusting or medium or heavy coats? Just curious... CT

Hi! Speaking of moving things around... tried it on a Stude Avanti, I called Avanti INVERSO. Hours of fun! CT

Hi Mark! Having been an advertiser for a few years in some street-rod magazines, I was always puzzled by their sales "tactics". Every year saw a reduction in pressed copies (net press run), and SOLD copies. However, to be able to INCREASE their advertising rates and hopefully maintain their revenues, most editors claimed that "yes, we are selling fewer copies of each issue, BUT, we estimate (?!?) that each copy is read by MUCH MORE DISTINCT READERS... ". Therefore, they claimed that it was logical to increase rates for advertisers. Now, I want to be a "faithful believer" in the strenght of certain brand names (let's say Hot Rod, for example)... But to claim each issue is read, ON AVERAGE, by many HUNDRED of readers simply defy intelligence. So, in the face of declining copy sales, hence readership, and ever increasing ad rates, it is not surprising that many household names advertisers put their ad budget elsewhere. Faced with shrinking markets, editors do some research, and determine that SOME of their titles still enjoy enviable "brand recognition". Hot Rod is more of an icon than say, Custom trucks. That explains why they put their bets and promotion money on the remaining titles they deem the most likely to "survive" in the current environment. Like it or not, it's the world we live in... CT

Hi! An acquaintance of mine told me that he simplifed his finishing or "smoothening" af 3D printed parts by lightly (emphasis on LIGHTLY) air-brushed them with pure acetone in numerous successive light coats, and that it "melted" or "flooded-leveled" the surface ridges in a very efficient way. Now, I've never experienced those printed parts, much less the acetone "surfacing". Anyone in the room had any experience with that technique? Just curious... CT

Hi Mike! Elapsed Time was a gold mine of references for those of us who replicated older race cars. Having been in the media biz all of my professionnal life, I saw that it was a "low cost-high return" approach to recycle years of photo archives from Hot-Rod & al. albeit very interesting Even at that, it lasted only a couple of years. I cherish my copies, and frequently refer to them for research. In the age of 3D printing and technology, colateral damage to the publishing industry appears to be terminal, I'm afraid... CT

Hi! I buy the Rodders'Journal at my local newstand at every issue. Unique product, very focused editorial policy, masterful writing and photography. And lately, they returned to printing in USA. The only reason I don't SUBSCRIBE is the long delay to get most publications trough mail, which is frustrating to say the least. I remember dropping at their offices in south San-Francisco many years ago. They were located close to the airport, in an industrial park. I think they were sharing a building with a header company, or was-it Roy Brizio street-rod? That's the price of getting older, isn't it? You forget stuff. Anyway, I wish them a long and fruitful continuity. Reading their fine publication is good for the soul. CT