torinobradley

I am interested in trying to make a working steering box. I have seen one or two in 1/24-1/25th scale but can't find any how-to's or such. I have a rough idea of how to do it but would love to see how others have made it work. Now, I am not talking about a little hook on the steering shaft that goes into a little groove on the tie rod and moves the wheels a few millimeters one way or the other... I want gears! I want to turn the wheel two or three times to the lock and have the wheels aiming in the right direction. I got a bunch of ideas burning the few braincells I have left from all that spray-painting but want to see others that have done it and, more importantly, how they did it. I mean, it's nice to see a pic of a model that has working steering but without seeing how they did it, all you can say is "nifty!"... right? Can anyone offer help or suggestions?

Well, Looking at you guys' collections and hobby/storage areas, I don't feel all that bad about mine... I have a 12X20 hobby room and my kits lined three walls to the ceiling and the 20' half wall to the shelf. Trouble was, I didn't have much display area other than the boxes. I have since began the boxing and cataloging process so they can go in a corner of the store room (no basements here in texas and the attic would produce boxes with puddles in em...). Ideally, I should be able to find a kit as I need it... Though I have been selling off my Sci-fi, aircraft and figure kits and the model kits I know I won't build.

Oh, yea, Fishing... Seems that me and all my fishing buddies are all in the same boat when it comes to time to go fishing... Where we used to have time to go a few times a year, now we go every few years... That's okay though. My son is starting to get into it so I am sure I will be going more and more as time goes on. Just with a new fishing buddy...

I'm game, let's throw out a couple of places and dates and see what works best for all of us. That intersection at Culebra and 1604 has Bill Millers, Taco Cabana, Waterburger and Chili's. I would think Bill's would be the best place considering the openness of the room but any would be good. Weekends and nights are good for me with a bit of forwarning.

Other than collect and start models, I play games on both the PC and PS3, mostly sci-fi, strategy and race with a few fantasy and shooters mixed in (PS3 name is same: torinobradley), running around with my 7 year old who is now into car shows, monster trucks and card games, I also collect die cast from little bitty ones up to the 1:18th. Remodeling the house as my wife's whim, keeping up with a couple of rentals, making props for Halloween (yea, I'm the scary house in the neighborhood), working on my 1:1s (Chry Van, F150, Focus and 68 Torino). I used to collect non-sport cards, comics, collect and play Magic and a couple other card games, board and role playing games, and just neet-o odds and ends. Oh, and keeping up with all you fine folk and the wonderfull work you do...

Modelhaus has the 66 Wildcat dash for 3.00.

For chromed headlights, I have added little dabs of paint to represent reflections of horizon, sky and ground (remember, sky on bottom, ground on top) to the chrome lenses and then painted one or two layers of elmers white glue over it for a milky translucent look. Then a bit of gloss for that shine. If anyone needs, I can try to get a picture for you. This would work for the signals and reverse lights too. I guess you could do the same with the foil trick on the integrated taillights. That, or just do a quick cast of the red taillights in clear resin and tint the red, leaving the clear, clear...

You should be able to use the chassis from a dually pickup like the Ford or even the phantom dually street rod... I don't remember them making a Chevy but I could be wrong. I believe there is also a resin COE out there you might look at to see if the cost is less than the work you are going to put in. I have wanted to do one of these but just never got the ambition... yet...

Hey CnB! Actually, the front end came out just a tad further than that and it does look just plain doggy. Got just about everything rigged and ready for paint so, once I get a part or two thanks to the USPS, I will put some spray on this bugger and see just how mean she can get. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks... As a truck, this thing hauled everything but as a rod, it hauls nuthin but...

Hello there, all you plastik heads. Just wanted to share my latest. It started out as a .25 cent garage sale find missing some parts and is well on it's way to being a very mean bulldog. Most of it is from the kit with a few things added like the quick change and other details. The needed missing parts are on their way, thanks to other generous modelers (thanks!!!). As always, comments are welcome. Haven't made any color choices yet but leaning toward matte black and gloss red for the details. A green and yellow might go good too. Have a good one!

Hello! I am in need of a Mack Bulldog Hood Ornament and the only one I found online is in Australia. Does anyone have an extra one they'd like to trade for? I don't have many truck parts (I don't build trucks) but will try to work something out. Thanks!!!

I, too use both dependant on the object I want to cover or replicate. I also have the cruch bar wrappers and glue for it in my stash. Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses so use what suites you or your project best. All we need to do is find some Dynamat decals and we got some great looking deadener using the furnace tape. Many of us have so many different items and materials in our model building arsenal. From items from craft stores, fishing, hardware, dime-stores to every day parts out of pens, lighters, tire valves, electronics, toys, bubble packs, coffee stirs and so much more. If your like me, every day you see something that can be used some way to build a model.

After reading this thread, the one thing that sticks in my mind is aren't we all originals? Don't we all build what we want? If any of you build to make others happy (without being rewarded, monetarily or otherwise) then you are not in this for the hobby of it. Besides, who's to say if the original Packard was not built today, with today's tech, trends and opinions, that it would look much different than that??? Aren't those tires state-of-the-art performance, like when the original was built way back when??? While I do see classics as classics and would probably not do a full custom Packard like this, I respect those that take on the challenge and as it was done here, pull it off wonderfully! This is a terrific example of the exception to the rule! Kudos my friend! Build to make yourself happy and if you have something negative or derogatory to say, I challenge you to find someone who cares and post it there. You know what... I got a Bugatti that is begging for some "26 spinners and a 540 crate motor... You know, in trunk flat screen and wicked skull paint job... The whole nine...

Just my 2 cents... I never met the man, only what I saw on the tube. I admired his talent and innovation. His designs will always be a part of hot rodding and have martyred him. What I didn't like was how the show portrayed him. He was always at odds with his crew and ex. And those deadlines, hey, enough is enough. Give the crew a reasonable amount of time to do the car! It's not good to have to have your crew work long days and weekend on every build because you want it done sooner. Of course, I couldn't understand why he would let his best talent slip away like Chip and Charlie. I know, bad blood and all that... But hey, let him go paint the riddler and come back. At least that way, you may not have the riddler winner but you got the painter of it... I wish I could have met him and known the man behind the cars. And I understand the show will paint whatever picture they think will get the most ratings. I mean, how many of us watch American Chopper to see them build the bikes? (okay, maybe a few of us) Long story short, good man, wonderful cars, nice kits, a legacy, fond memories and a huge, unfillable void in the hot rod community.

There are some people out there putting the ecotec motors in them... Banks did one that pulled about 500hp and 50mpg out of the 4 banger, if I remember right... The last year was the only one that was a true Fiero from the ground up, the others had Chevette front suspensions and Citation rears... I think...

A friend of mine knows the former owner of the blue on in the pictures... It has a V8 and was a beast...

I have used soldier, plastic tubing, aluminum tubing, aluminum tubing inside plastic tubing, copper wire, aluminum wire and any mixture of all media for exhaust. I made a real decent set of block hugging headers for my big block, tubbed El Camino SS out of aluminum house wire that came out real nice. This is the thick black cables that carry the main power to the house, stripped and unwound. They looked great worming through the frame and block. I do remember they were a bit difficult to bend at times but didn't crack or stress on tight corners. I have some bonsai soft aluminum wire that I'd like to try on my next set as it seems softer than the house wire. Plus, the bonsai wire is copper plated/colored. As for colors, long ago, I started painting the cast manifolds and exhausts of used cars flat tan with a light ruddy brown primer overspray. Headers are steel for ceramicoat or white with rust and black speckles and a gray/black wash. These are what work for me.

I like using the cheaper (.99 at wallyworld) clears and have had lots of success using them over the duplicolor paints. The good thing is because it is low in solids and drys very thin, it is fairly forgiving if you get a little happy with the spray. Plus, it doesn't seem to build up so much on panel lines and receed from edges. I just make sure to put on a few extra coats to prevent burn through when I polish out the paint. And, because it is thin, it doesn't affect the fit and finish on final assembly. Hope this helps...

I don't know that 5 extra minutes will be enough. That will only affect those that watch the auction close. There is still that segment of bidders that may not have the time to watch the auction end. Would an hour or a few be more in line with the theory of the auction, given the media (internet as opposed to live auction)? That would at least give the folks that can't watch the end of the auction a little bit of time to get somewhere they can re-bid and maybe get that holy grail or treasured item... But, that is just my opinion...

I have a 1:1 '68 Torino GT Formal that is complete but, for lack of a better term and in keeping with this forum, a "Glue Bomb", but has lots of potential. Got the 390 for it in the garage... I just wish I had a parts supply for this one like I do for the little ones...

I have a few I would love to find (again) that I built as a youth but unless they re-issue them or they were rebuildable bombs, I would probably never build the vintage kit. The few I have are Gunze High Detail Cobra Daytona. This one is still in it's little bits of vinyl, brass, pewter, stainless steel and plastic. Pantera (the Japanese Cannonball one with the opening doors, electric motor and working lights) Built in White with tan/black interior. 68 Ford Torino Formal (resin body). Still a kit. Cougar II (re-pop). Kit, still. I would love to find a GT40 from Those Famous Fords series but would like the re-issue or a bomb so I could build it.

I figured I better jump on this badwagon... My daily is a '97 F150 XLT extended cab, white with 2" drop, Harley wheels, billit grills and got some Shelby blue stripes to put on it when I get a day free. Of course, I have the obligatory 2 X 10" subs in a downfire box under the back seat, upgraded speakers, head deck that even plays MP3s off disk or jump drive (USB port) and a 12 disk CD changer for a few more songs. And no, I am not one of those guys that cruises around with the moaning bass. I like the bass to hit, not buzz the hair on your body... My current project used to be my daily driver is a '68 Torino GT Formal (like the little picture under my name). It is red and even though it came out of detroit with a 330 hp 390 FE and a 4 speed (I didn't get either of those when I got the car ), it now has a Mustang 289, 3:89 gears, C4 and .478 lift Isky (along with Hooker, Holley, Edlebrock and a few other names). It's got a top end of 110 but it sure gets there fast... Near future mods are an AOD to at least get it to two digit mileage... Long term is punching the 390 I have in the garage to about 428 and maybe a T5, late model IFS swap, and TBI.

Oh, BTW. A question about your workbench... Is it true that A1 makes everything taste better? Even plastic???

Where did you get the camper shell on the tow rig? I had made one out of wood with the intent of vacu-forming them but never built the vacu-form machine. So, I have a big block of wood in the shape of the camper shell.

Well, hello there! I had given up hope and completely stopped checking on this thread and see what happens???!!! I am also on the SeaWorld side of SA! I am currently into hot rod and pro touring style muscle but also have lots of exotics in the pen. I am also know for occasional excursions into the prehistoric realms. Not much into F1 but do have a few kits. My collection is very diverse to include not only cars and dinos, but also ships, sci fi and a few other unique items here and there. My current projects are a Lindberg '34 pickup that has been roadstered, bobbed, z-ed, channeled, suicided in more than one way, drilled and dropped, an AMT '57 Corvette gasser that has been dropped, tubbed, pro streeted and the mouse has been replaced with a blown rat, and an almost box stock Boyd Coupster that just has a few plug wires added. Maybe I can get these done by the next Model Fiesta... Then again, maybe not... Now we are three... Any more??