customline

I think you DO have 20 projects going now. ? Let me know if you run across a '68 Galaxie.

I gotta say the detailing going on here is quite amazing. That dimmer switch looks exactly like a dimmer switch down to the dimple in the center. Amazing ! ?

That's a great base for whatever you plan to do next. Now you've got me wanting to do another one. ?

Jeff, I think turning this street rod back into a stocker is a terrific idea! I wish I had thought of it ?.

Thanks, Steve and Noah. This was a kit I bought about a decade ago at Hobby Town on clearance along with a couple of other very good kits that day. I agree; it's a real nice kit. Steve, the kit wheels have been rendered in chrome but I believe the stock 1:1 wheels are not. They are probably painted or powder coated alloy. Since this is a mild custom / phantom, I am willing to allow the chrome ?. I have a severe aversion to spending the price of a whole kit just for different wheels that may or may not make a substantial difference to me.

Thanks, John, I plan to keep a fairly stock-ish looking grays / black for the interior scheme. This build is a sort of "proof-of-concept" so I'm keeping things simple. The stock wheels are a done deal mainly because I just don't like the custom rims from the kit. Too blingey

I really enjoyed the first story. I was buying it ( we are all writers here ?) . The second one... ehhh......not so much, but I'm glad you're spending more time in the attic, Len. I'm following this one for sure. I'm going to have Wifey hide my razor saws now before I get any ideas ?

Hello long-roof lovers! This long-roof is finally on its way to completion after a long furlough. You may recall I expressed my opinion that the Dodge Magnum should have been available as a two door. After removing the unwanted doors I got a little frisky and added some side trim to break up the slab-like sheet metal. And then I played around with a different grille treatment, which may or may not been a good idea (you decide.) Well, I got it painted, using Testor's Extreme lacquer followed by some clear gloss enamel, both from the can, and polished it out and here's a quick mock-up. Thanks for tuning in! ? Now I gotta slap some BMF on it and figure out how to put it together

I, personally, would not use the white glue thing based on a video I watched. I think the salt method works quite well. The salt is just acting as a making device. And you can do it over and over till you are happy with it. Layering different colors and using real rust (Sophisticated Finishes) gets you a pretty convincing patina. This is real fun, James. These attempts of mine below are not the greatest but I was experimenting. OK, they're a bit over the top but your first one is an experiment and a learning experience. Watch some videos! Have fun with it!

....cake! ?..... a nap.....yes ? ....thank you!...... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.....

I kinda like the "I just escaped from the crusher" look. The car looks solid enough so you don't need to do a lot of dremel work on the inside of the bottom sheet metal. But that's a lot of fun, though ?. Not much foiling either. That's a plus ?. The "thousand mile stare" is a nice touch.

Oooo....I gotta get my sorry back-side to Ollie's ? I built one of these Monogram kits and it's not the greatest but it's worth the price at the very least. "My" Ollie's had the '57 Nomad kits a couple of months ago so I grabbed one. That one has the fuelly small block. It's gonna make a nice El Nomado. ?. If you're going "patina", get a few different colors of primer down first. Just sanding through different colors makes a nice effect. I've never tried white glue, but I've used salt. Will there be rust ?? This can be great fun. Your engine looks nice,, Jim...could be a 265?

Thanks, Greg. It was more fun than I can handle ?. Yeah, Wifey usually gets her way. The chrome, except for the gravel shields and rocker moldings, is "New Improved" variety and quite old and it handled very well and I don't have much left. I used the "aluminum" variety on the rockers and gravel shields. I got the 2 door MAGNUM painted yesterday and the '58 Belvedere was painted again last week too. Neither will get attention until the '41 Plymouth is wrapped up. Then the two T'Birds, the '65 Impala, the '56 Del Rey, Boss 302, 300 B, ......I dunno, Len.....I'd love to start on the full custom fleetline.....or......or maybe....naaah.... Thanks, Kit! But I dunno, Kit, most of these guys are a heck of a lot better at it than I am. But I appreciate the kind words ?

Interior looks terrific, John. I'm a total sucker for a white interior anyway and yours looks great.

Done and done. Funny thing, though. Wifey indicated her preference for the gray rims, so that's how I'm gonna roll ? ( this is how you stay married for 39 years ? ) As you may recall the thing I wanted to correct was not only the shape of the windshield and the backlight but getting the "glass" out where it looks more like it should. I think I was able to get a long way toward that end with this build thanks for sticking with me on this and I appreciate everything y'all contributed, especially rsschris for providing the grille. Thanks again, Chris! I plan to do some sanding or filing on those outer wheels to get them in closer to the tires and the battery needs to be dealt with but basically, I'm happy with it. The weather here has been PERFECT!. I was able to get some painting done on other projects. See you soon!

Nap time is my new favorite time these days. I didn't appreciate it when I was a 4 yr. old. I sure do now ?.

Sorry, Greg, I lost track of where we were ? . Old men get confused easily ?

Oh, if only I could. I don't even have pictures of that car. I think my ex-wife destroyed them.

I don't think that was the case, Len. I took the grille trim off a 4 doorparts car that I bought for $25.00. It was an original car. Pretty sure there weren't any aftermarket stuff for a 33 year old Plymouth at that time. I doubt if there's much out there now.

You can certainly be proud of this baby 'Bird, Greg. All the elements blend perfectly. Very impressive ?

Foiling looks terrific, John. That's what I've been doing all day on a light gray body. I know exactly what you're talking about. It's hard to photograph when there's very little contrast. But I can see it fine and, when zoomed in, I can tell it's top shelf. I'm a pretty decent foiler myself, I actually enjoy it. Not everyone does. It's painting I hate. ?. BTW, that paint looks super slick too.

OUTSTANDING! Congrats, Greg! Edit: And it's the concept. The way the wheels and the interior and choice of color works.... the whole deal. Awesome ?!

It looks pretty smooth, Dave. Is it from the can or airbrush?

I found yet another difficulty designed into this kit- the hood ornament. You must not paint your hood until you have made peace with your hood ornament. I had not. Neither the hood nor the ornament have any form of locating devices. In fact, the hood seems to be made without any interest in an ornament whatsoever. I decided to pin it, not an easy thing for my arthritis-plagued fingers. It would have been a snap before paint. Too late now. I only mucked up the finished hood in two places. No biggie. Thanks for not giggling.

Is that a '58 hood I see?