Lou Lapham

I remember i had both the first issue 58 Impala and the first issue 59 El Camino both light blue,they both had the Darlingtons and real rubber Firestone slicks.In the seventies a friend bought a bag of leftover Darlingtons in a resale store in Downriver Detroit.He said they had lots of bags. Amt also wholesaled their leftover 1/43 scale tires in the 80's.I have a friend who bought several hundred thousand and he still has a bunch left!

I met the guys who work for Ricky Bobby in Tenn. at Detroit Autorama this year.The two cars they had showing ,one of which is the Winner on "Rebel Roads" are very high quality cars.Three weeks from creek bed to finish,not a chance.Their cars are not even in the same state as Rat Rods.I hope Discovery paid them well to fake it on camera.Just another "Canned Excitement" show.

Hobby Lobby $22.99 minus 40% off coupon which is availible online if you don't get a newspaper.$14 i've bought two and will buy a couple more.BTW the valve covers are Lincoln Y-block 317 cubic in style.MEL 383/430 motors did not have two hold down bolts in the top of the covers.You could use old 60s 3n1 AMT Lincoln or even FE style covers for a more realistic look.I like this reissue thou i prefer the original stock all plastic wheel/tire assembly.

Nice job.I remember building the original way back when.The car is a composite of mid to late fifties "Slingshot dragsters" but it draws quite a bit from Don Garlits 50's Swap Rat.Monogram did the same thing with the Long John dragster which also draws from an actual car.I've picked up a poorly built original kit which i am rebuilding with modifications to resemble Garlits actual car. Lou