'70 Grande

Sure would like to see a reissue and/or new kit of a 1967 or '68 Mercury Cougar in factory-stock form. The AMT '69 Cougar is okay, but the first two years of the Cougar just "caught-my-fancy" a bit more, and there is such a variety of versions that could be newly-kitted like a GT-E or XR-7, (Motor Trend Magazine's 1967 Car-of-the-Year)!

Oops; just read that the rear suspension came outta the Dodge A-100 pickup... nice.

Simply love this build! I have had this same kit-conversion in my mind for many years, but I never started it because removing all of those awkward door hinges and re-doing the doors for a better fit were too big of stumbling-blocks for me! I really like the integration of the Rally 4-banger and the paintwork looks outstanding as well! Do you remember where you sourced that rear axle/suspension from?

This is one of the best-looking executions of this "tough-to-build" kit that I have ever seen! Your rattlecan paint job looks excellent, and the stance and wheel/tire swap looks just right, too! I've attempted to build this kit two times, and had poor-success with one and never finished the other. This kit is great subject matter, and difficult to make look good; but you sure did! Welcome to the forum!

Has anyone built this 66 Mercury kit yet? Would be interested in seeing some built pics of it or any thoughts on how it goes together.

Really nice build! Has a great look to it! Sure would like to see some underhood pics!

Very cool and unique with outstanding paint and workmanship! I like the added details like the pinstripes on the seatbacks. I'm not certain what is hanging just inside the windshield?

Or Jerry Jardine's law firm is the reason for the different spelling.

Steve, What do you mean regarding the firewall? Does it have some fit-issues, or molded-detail issues, or something else incorrect about it?

Well, I'd start by saying the packaging design looks excellent, (and I'm a graphic designer in my career)! I think you're on the right track by trying to offer products that haven't been offered previously by other model car parts sources. One suggestion that I might make would be to not attempt to offer a huge product-line right from the start. Get some feedback from forum members here as to what parts they'd be most interested in purchasing right away and make sure you have the production of those products "nailed-down" before you start building/increasing the overall product line. I realize this post of yours is an attempt to gather some information from the forum members here... maybe take a look at some of the initial product offerings you were considering getting started with, and ask the members here what their interest would be in those initial offerings. For example, I wouldn't want you to pour time and effort, (and $'s), into that Sprint Car Oil tank item if hardly anybody here would be interested in actually purchasing one. Just my 2 cents... I'll probably post some parts suggestions, but I need a day or two to think about what my suggestions might be.

I agree with the previous comments; very well done, (especially for your 4th build)! Welcome to the forum; you'll be able to learn alot from the master builders here!

Really excellent build and concept! Everything about this build takes the nice little Opel GT into a tight, still-little but packed with a punch muscle car realm! It's fun to imagine what driving a 1:1 version would be like!

Yep; MPC it was... and a brain-lapse on my part!

It was my understanding that these "kits" were handed out to movie reviewers at a invitation-only pre-release showing of the movie in Los Angeles in early-1980. AMT was contracted to supply the model parts to be packaged in those custom printed kit boxes. AMT simply checked their kit inventory at the time and pulled unboxed kits out of inventory and shipped them to California for packing into the custom printed boxes. That's why there's a variety of different models inside these movie-release boxes. There were other movie-promotional items passed out at this invitation-only event. Speculation is there were 100 to 200 of these movie promo "kits" produced, but it's hard to say if those numbers are accurate.

Great looking build! I'd bet that I'm not the only forum member who's interested in finding out some more about your plastic spoon/fender flares trick. Do you have any pics that show that process or any insight about how you did those spoon-flares?

One more quick reference pic:

Not the best angle on this shot.

A stunning build! Exceptionally clean with outstanding paint and decal work! That rear wing looks like it's a mile away from the rear wheels... I wonder how much additional-downforce that "swoopy" rear body work and that wing produced for those rear tires? I'm also curious how they "got to the engine" in the pits under racing conditions... did that whole rear body section pull-off of the car in one giant piece?

And that being the case, this kit might sell well enough and become a "profitable, business-success' for the Salvino's JR Model Company. I honestly do hope this kit is a sales-success for the company. Maybe the feedback on this kit will lead the company to invest more $ into the proper research for more-accurately producing any future kits. I know I bought one, and will build it. I guess that might make me part of the "meh, good enough for me" target audience, but my real reason for making the purchase was to support a start-up, American kit manufacturer. For me, that was reason enough.

A beautiful, beautiful build!

Stunning build!

Wow! That is excellent and tiny work! Are those front fender emblems hand-painted too! If so, amazing detail work. One suggestion; it looks to my eye like you might have mounted the rear bumper upside down. Still a fantastic little Ventura!

A stunning build! Paint and decal work is excellent, and the added details to the engine and engine bay are simple outstanding! Please answer a couple of quick questions for me; how many cylinders are inside that motor, and how many plug wires are there for each cylinder? I can see two different distributors; I'm assuming one for each side of the engine... correct?

Appreciate all of your compliments on my Z28 build! I was always a little too timid to post my own builds here, based on the quality of the work that I see here everyday, and your positive messages have really made my day! Guess I won't feel quite so timid any longer. I have one criticism for this build myself, (and it goes along somewhat with Wayne's comment). Overall, I think the engine compartment is just too clean-looking. I never intended for this build to look quite like a 1:1 trailer-queen, and it sorta has that feel to it inside the engine compartment. Hence, I have changed my approach on all of my current builds; now I throw some grime underneath the hood to make my builds look more like everyday-drivers! Thanks again for the nice compliments!

A few more detail-focused pics: