Muncie

Perry's business probably does OK - it's difficult to beat 100% profit... In July 2010, I called to ask about the availability and lead time for a 1965 Coronet body - In the back of my mind, I was already planning to cut my losses and order just one. But he told me no problem, several in stock because he was getting ready for a show. So I rushed to the post office and sent a money order for two. Got nothing... Called and wrote a couple of times - always had a story. One time Randy told me that the fire department had shut down his casting operation at home - too many chemicals. Another time he told me he couldn't cast at the shop because customers needed attention. Told me he sent it, told me he would send it, told me he couldn't find the order, told me he found the order, told me he would send it again... Last time I called he even said he would send some extra goodies for my trouble. I followed up with an inquiry to the post office and he did receive the money order. I’ve received nothing. One of those guys that make you really appreciate the good resin casters.

check the build diaries at www.landracing.com There are some good post there with detailed construction photos.

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act of about 1982 changed the market almost overnight. Prior to the STAA, state regulations limited the overall length of the combination tractor and trailer - shorter cab equals more trailer. New federal regulations went into effect for vehicles operated on Interstate Highways, connecting roads, and roads built with federal money - the STAA requirements only restricted the lengh of the trailer. Of course there were many other details and exceptions in the regulations. It instantly made the conventional more popular when the length of the tractor was no longer a factor in the size and weight requirements. yeah, that's kind of dry, but it's late and it takes at least two cups of coffee to get through the regulations...

If this is an older kit with the 1980's Monogram dull chrome, a dip in brake fluid for 5 minutes will remove the dull and leave the bright chrome underneath. Overnight will remove all of the chrome. Experiment on a a couple of pieces of sprue. gloves to protect your hands and good safety precautions with this stuff

I have to join this party. Great Service - Every order has arrived just as quick as he said it would. Heavy into NASCAR and decals - has some things that you won't see anyplace else. It's fun just cruising his web site. And if you're in Charlotte or Mooresville, it's a pretty drive through that part of North Carolina to the store.

Go for it - I have the Modelhaus 1956 Chevrolet sedan delivery kit for the Monogram '56 Nomad and it is very good - like everything from Modelhaus. It's a good piece with seats, interior panels, cargo floor, and hub caps. Wouldn't expect anything different from them for a '55 sedan delivery. I have a '56 2-door wagon resin body from somewhere else with the lower roof - not as good. oops - sorry, posting at the same time again...

An interesting and challenging project... Although the Nomad and sedan delivery chassis are the same, there is a substantial difference in the body. The Nomad roof and tailgate are cosiderably different with the Nomad's shorter roof and more fastback slope to the tailgate. The Nomad roof is also two inches lower than the sedan delivery and wagon roof. It may almost be easier to start with the '55 sedan than the Nomad because that will give you the correct roof/windshiled height with everything from the back of the doors forward and the rear quarter panels. Starting with the Nomad gives a headstart on sedan delivery with a two inch chop so it's not a bad plan either. I've seen a couple of AMT Nomads buit with the windows glued in and painted - makes a cool phantom Nomad delivery. (edit) oops, posting at the same time - the picures tell the story...

Leo, good observation. Take a Freightliner COE - make the tunnel narrower and about 2" high, add a cowl and hood - presto Freightliner FLC conventional cab. It's amazing how many parts are common between the COE and conventional. Tim, you are also correct. More info... Freightliner offered two COE cab series in the 70's. The "raised" 61 Series cab model was offered in the early 1970's and was discontinued in the early 80's - it can be identified by the single vertical bar in the center of the grille. The AMT kit represents a 61 Series cab at 90.38" wide. As available horsepower increased above 350, the size of the engine tunnel limited space for the larger radiators and cooling packages that were required. The 71 Series Stretch cab was introduced in the mid 1970's with the Super Cooling Power Package. The 71 Series had a 4" wider engine tunnel making the Stretch cab 94.38" wide. Stretch cabs can be quickly identified by the two vertical bars in a stamped sheetmetal grille. The FLA replaced the 71 Series and carried over the basic cab dimensions of the Stretch cab. So - 61 Series - 90.38" wide and 71 Series cabs - 94.38" wide. These dimensions are from the Freightliner Sales Data Book - I suppose 96" looks better in a sales brochure. The Powerliner was also 94.38" wide, but had a different cooling package and was a very different vehicle. That's about as good as my memory is. Just measured an AMT cab - 3.57" or 1/25 scale 89.25 " get the cab stretcher!

Truckabilly, The nominal cab width of a Freightliner FLA is 94.38" excluding the lights, mirrors and grabhandles. The AMT White-Freightliner COE kit represents an early 1970's cab which was 90.38" - unfortunately this difference in width is noticeable in the width of the grille and in the front wheelwells around the tires. Freghtliner also made other changes to the COE cabs between the early 1970's and the FLA in the late 1980's. We're talking 15 to 20 years of evolution, enhancements, and new design. Changes include the doors, cab structure, cab steps, dash, shifter, heater/air conditioner, grille, and one-piece windshield opening - as well as chassis, supension, front brakes and crossmember changes (plus many that I've missed). The Italeri conventional would give you some of the pieces that were common between the FLA COE and the FLD conventional. A conversion would be a challenging but interesting project. Hope this helps

www.wallesdator.com - click on the Foose oval

Not feeling so great that this is my first post... would have liked the subject to be something better. Sent an order to Time Machine Resins for a ‘65 Coronet in December 2009 and still waiting… At first, I lost the paperwork so I couldn’t follow up on it. Sent a letter when I found the paperwork in March 2011 and Jeff called me back. One problem, enough time had passed that he couldn’t verify whether he sent it or not but if I would split the cost of a replacement… somewhat agreed with what he said and sent more money. He mentioned some family things were taking his time. In October 2011, still no Coronet - called again. Exchanged emails in April 2012 and Jeff said OK to a refund. Never got it. I can cut somebody some slack when life happens - but when it starts looking like someone takes money for orders that they never intend to send, that’s something different. UPDATE - 11/18/2014 Received my 3 year old order today - good to see Jeff is getting these taken care of - no issues with the quality of the product