customline

Nope. No excuses. ? ( the old lady ain't t here ?) I think it's nap time ?.

Ooooooooohhhhhh.... yeah, OK. Why didn't I get that?.....uh oh....?

Lenny! I have to have that Tasca badge. Is it MCG?

Good idea with that gorgeous tomato, James. Fried green tomatoes are delightful! A great Southern favorite! As far as the deuce goes, I think you should paint it the color of that tomato! ?

I would like you T-Bird lovers to know I just scored a copy of the Monogram '56 from '82 on ebay today for 19 bucks total. I hope it wasn't a blunder. Tell me it was a good purchase, please....? my thought is that its better than the AMT '57 but not as good as the AMT '56. Am I right? don't spare my feelings ? I also snagged an Avanti yesterday. Great fun there. I still remember one in my town back in the early '70s. It was bright solid red with Cragar S/S wheels and the registration plate was "RAT". Awesome . I figure he had a 396 stuffed in It. That's how I will build it.

As an aside, for those of you who may be "alcohol restricted", I would like to save you the trouble of sampling one of the NA brews out there. Today I picked up a sixer of the Blue Moon NA brew to see if it was any good. My honest opinion is that while it is easily drinkable, being smooth with a nice creamy head when poured gently into an appropriately frosted vessel, it lacks the flavor of the alcoholic version. It's a no for me. It seems "watery" and bland. The top of my list is still Athletic's "Golden" variety. It's the best available in the supermarkets here in the southern VA area.... Jus' sayin' ? thanks for your attention, old people!

Oh, tell me, Lenny....where is that coming from ?? BTW, the '41 looks a lot better ?

Awright, that's it! What's the deal with this so called 2K clear? What is it ? and why do I keep seeing it on these pages? It's like it just sprung up in the last couple of months and now it's everywhere I go now. Can someone please clue me in? Am I that ignorant? (Well, possibly ?) Edit: nice job on the rear end work, Lenny, it looks a lot better ?

Exactly! (I thought I was going to be lambasted for that one ?)

The problem with "gunmetal", Alan, is that it sacrifices the happiness of color for the seriousness of utility. It does convey "class". It's business-like. Not celebratory. I like it but not for this type of vehicle. It's a lot to consider. ?. As far as raving goes, you are in good company ?

Pressure, Lenny, I can't take the pressure ?

Wow, great info, Greg. Merci!

Duly noted, Alan. "gunmetal" is gathering support. And I too am liking the "springmist green"

Yeah, "Gunmetal Gray". A bit unusual but tasteful. I have something here that could approximate that color. I wonder if there's a Tamiya rattle can close to the coral. Also, Len, the white roof is (was) an intelligent choice if your ride back in '57 had no a/c, and down south white cars were pretty ubiquitous, for good reason. White goes with everything. It's like O-positive. But for something less common, the gunmetal gray will go extremely well with coral. "Thunderbird Bronze" is nice, too. With a black roof. There's too many choices, it's gonna drive me crazy. ?

Oh no....two of 'em gun shy and one oblivious. That's an amazing color chart, Len. I'm kinda partial to "coral sand" . It's soooooo '50s. Add that to my list. I like the "willow green" too. With a white roof. On both. Gotta check MCW. Edit: that chart is a keeper, Len. I saved it. ? thank you!

Yup. Same weather pattern. Lots of thunder here. At 2:30 it looked like 8:30.

Lenny, that's awesome. Frankenbird! My God, man, you have been busy! I love the body style of this era 'Bird. Originally, I wanted an LTD ll in a two door and the salesman couldn't find one in his inventory. ? I didn't know but he didn't ether. They only came in 4-doors ?. But the T-Bird was only 10 k so I figured "well, it's a two door and I love it. So I traded my '81 Mazda GLC Sport and bought it and then I surprised the old lady. She wasn't real happy. ? It's soggy here too, Lenny, I appreciate the pix. Where are you?

Yeah, I know, Dave. I want to make it a little bit special considering the ridiculous work I've had to endure just to get it in primer. You're probably right, though. Gotta look at factory colors yet. Then decide. I will put my choices up and put it to a vote. As far as I know, we still live in a "Democracy". ?

Your Mom has the good taste of a typical American woman of the 20th century and I cannot argue with it. I have considered a light yellow / white motif and it would be a very nice combination on the very feminine early 'Bird. These cars were suitable, in my demented mind, for late thirties women looking to attract men and 60+ men with fat bank accounts looking to attract younger women. Who really needs a two place vehicle? ? Oh... but there was a kid in my neighborhood that dropped a 390 in one of these. It was in gray primer and was the talk of the gear-heads in the area. He was a real rebel. Probably died in prison. ? I'm sorry....

I've done the clear-over-primer thing myself on a '51 Fleetline and it was a neat trick ?. I think you're right, though, white or black roof to keep it looking factory. I need to check the factory colors; I might want to go "authentic" on this one. I have a bid on a Monogram '56 right now. Any experience with that one?

Thank you, Greg, your opinions are highly valued ?. I'm a sucker for that shade of red. It may be a result of frequent and excessive partaking of inexpensive red wine.? I think the burgundy would look nice on the little 'Bird. (Maybe a gold roof ? ?)

Thanks, DW, it was a learning experience. Yeah.....soon. not another Galaxie, though. Too expensive. I have four cars waiting for batteries and radiator hoses and then there's five waiting for final assembly and.....oh yeah...the '57 T-Bird.....and a half-built '56 custom Chevy and the black '56 Chrysler and....you get the idea ? ...a yellow Mustang.....the Nomad....I won't live long enough. Thanks,Tom, it was kinda fun.

I tried. I really did. Till 2 AM. No dice. Ordered a resin top from Spotlight. Nuff said. After a number of attempts at painting the white band on the wheel covers, I just said "that will have to do". The black around the outside was much easier. Mostly for black-out work I like to use enamel thinned with reducer and after it dries, clean-up with the same. I don't like water-based paints for some jobs and this is one of them. I couldn't get the white craft paint thin enough. It would not "run around" like thinned enamel. But I was a thick-head and should have quit that and used enamel but no....nope.? That trusty Y-block now resides in its final resting place, held fast with 5 minute epoxy. The wheels are a done deal also. I located front and back in the lowering holes that I created myself with no help from AMT. I have not settled on a color scheme but I may use the MCW lacquer I bought for the Tasca Thunderbolt. "Vintage Burgundy" with a white roof. Same thing on the inside. That or Tamiya white pearl with a red/white interior. I dunno.?. As usual, your thoughts are needed and wanted ?

Calling it done. Just need another plate on the back. There's probably some other stuff that I can't remember but I'm done here and I thank you all for your help and encouragement. It's been.....uh.....OK, fun ?

Well, Len, I suppose doing that will occupy a lot of your time. Got pix?