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Thanks for the info about the convertible kit Si. I am amazed that you remember that Small Talk project Si. I first saw the Small Talk section in Street Machine magazine around 1985 and that was what inspired me to build better models. Without Small Talk my model building would never really have taken off. That red Galaxie was built by Terry Ross - the editor of the Small Talk section. He went on to create Speed Freaks and you can see what he's up to now on his website www.speed-still.com/index.html - its really worth a look if you want to see how abstract automotive art can be!

Here's some of the work on the interior... I've never been a big fan of the one-piece interior tubs (luckily the kit manufacturers don't do it so much with newer tooling). The problem in, my opinion, is with the depth of engraving - or lack of it. The newer kits with separate door panels are so much better. The second problem with one piece tubs is that the door panels always seem to be on a slight angle - never quite vertical. I guess this is due to the restrictions of the moulding process. I have decided to cut off the door panels on this project and I will be scratch building some new ones. The third reason - and probably the most important one - is that the kit interior's door panels seem to depict the ones for a convertible (at the rear). Looking at some of the reference pics it should look like this (above). Did AMT ever make a 65 Galaxie convertible? Because of the inclined door panels I have had to widen the interior floor. I have also removed the moulded in foot pedals as I will be replacing these later on. Before I can progress much further I have a couple of questions and I'm sure someone on this forum will be able to help me... 1) Are the inner fender on the Galaxie structural - can I leave them out? 2) Is the kit interior actually for a convertible?

This is truly stunning work Ray. I am lost for words.

Nice work so far. Will look forward to seeing this finished. I never though of using a Visa card in this way before!

That's a real nice build Sean. I love the colour too. I just followed your link to your website. What a really impressive model collection you have and great photography too. I've added it to my favourites. Keep up the good work!

Hi Daz, Welcome. You are not far from me - I'm in Essex. If you are returning after 15 years then you were probably a model builder in the 1990's like me. Did you ever attend any of the (few and far between) model contests over here? Great Leigh's, Donnington, Watford...

I love this project. Its MAD! Looking forward to seeing more.

In recent years I've averaged about one build per year (although I hope to improve that in the future). That's all I have time for. I can't bring myself to build curbsides, though I have often tried (I get carried away and add more and more...). I see it as a hobby and it has to fit in with the rest of my life/work. I just wish and prey that by the time I retire I still have good eye sight and a steady hand. Right now, model building fills spare time and if I don't have spare time I don't build

Its looking good Mitchell. I notice that the wheels seem to stick out of the arches slightly - is this just because they are yet to be pushed onto their hubs further or is this a problem with the kit? BTW, Nice Aston in the background!

Looks like a cool project Kyle. Please tell me how you opened up the kit grill? That looks awesome!

Thanks for sharing that Jürgen. I will definitely try this on a future build.

Shame about the doors, but it still looks great! Nice job Jonathan.

Nice job Al. It looks mean in black! I built one of these kits when I was a kid (a Cruisin USA kit from AMT). I think you have just inspired me to have another try!

Looking at the bulkhead; I don't think the details here are correct either. I have decided to scratch build a new bulkhead. Here you can see the new bonnet slam panel fitted too. The panel shape in the kit is wrong. I am also adding a inner lip to the front fenders and so I have had to leave a gap at the edges of the slam panel. My reference pics show that the fenders have a lip that runs the length of the inner fenders (as I guess they do on most cars of this era). That's enough works for now.

How cool - two simultaneous builds. Looking good so far!

Nice work Dude! Is all that graffiti air brushed or hand brushed? Its amazing work.

Lovely job Kevin. That engine looks great. On the contest table; maybe it could be displayed with some reference photo's of the 1:1 car to back up the details.

Looks fantastic - great job Tamas! I love that pearl red paint job. Am I right in thinking that this is the Fujimi kit? If so, are the door hinges included in the kit only for posing the door in the open or closed position (ie - they are not actually hinged). I'm just curious as I am thinking of getting this kit and your completed model really inspires!

Some more progress... Removing the trans support bracket will allow access to correcting the floor and I may need to change it for the engine swap anyway. Looking at a few reference pics I see that the inner fenders on the AMT kit are not really very accurate. I decided to remove the kit parts so that I can either correct the shape at a later stage or I may leave them off all together. I don't know if they would be a structural part on the 1:1 car? I guess the inner fenders are not a structural part as the 65 Galaxie has a separate chassis. I may also need the clearance for the bigger engine and the accompanying tubular headers. Looking at pics of the 1:1 chassis the kit looks OK.

Nice one Michael. I love the colour.

Well done. That's a great looking model from a great movie.

Thanks for all your suggestions guys. The Ford Cammer V8 and the 428 Boss really appeal, but then again the 427 out of AMT's Fairlane kit is a great engine too. The exhaust was mostly cut off using a flat ended blade in my craft knife. It works like a mini chisel. I think it is referred to as number 17 - and there is a wider one available as number 18. Mmmmmm. That does look good!

Good luck with this project Mitchell. The old Hasagawa kit is very good in my opinion. I have owned 1:1 924 and 944's in the past and I can say the accuracy of the body is very good. It would make an ideal model to super-detail!

This kit has always had a special place in my memories. I built a Barris 'Cruisin USA' kit when I was a kid - it was one of my first models I ever build. It came out pretty well (by my standard of the day). I wish I had kept it, but many years down the line I have no idea what happened to that model (but I a few of the parts have turned up in my spare parts box!). I found a more recent re-issue of the Galaxie on eBay. It has been started and is missing the engine. I thought it would be great to do this kit again - only this time, I'd like to think I have a better set of building skills. My intention is to build a 'tough as nails' street machine with modern day 'real-world' upgrades. I'm thinking lowered suspension and monster V8, standard bodywork with simple de-badging and plenty of detail. If anyone can suggest a good kit source for a Ford V8 I would be grateful. I know the standard engine would have been a FE 427, but I'm thinking of a monster crate motor. The first area needing attention is the floor/chassis... Although the exhaust could be made to look good with careful painting, I want to replace it with a 'performance' exhaust and I do want to up the level of detail as best I can. ...after an hour or so of scraping, filing and cutting one exhaust is gone. With both exhausts removed, this has left two holes where the silencers were - now filled. Any suggestions for a V8 would be welcome, as would your comments.

WOW! I was never a big fan of the Pocher kit - as I thought it was a bit too toy like for this scale, but with your skill and that transkit this is truly turning out to be a masterpiece. I am speechless! Keep up the good work - I will be watching with interest.