unclescott58

Yea, I don't think they were big sellers. Look at the '74 above. That has a face only a mother could love. At least the '75 and 6's got the Gran Torino style front end. But, they were still pretty bare bones cars. For the little more it cost to move up a Gran Torino, I'm sure most people felt it was worth the price. The plain, non-Gran Torino I'm sure were mostly used as police cars, taxis, or in other fleet type service. But they were out there. Here's one you won't find in any of the regular sales brochures after 1974. For fleet use only, Ford continued offering a Custom 500 model. But, this was strictly for fleet only, so you will not find it in the regular full-size Ford or full line brochures. The plain Torino you will. Both the plain Torino and Custom 500 appeared in the seperate police and taxi brochures for several years.

Gee, Dave my Ford factory salesman books show base Torinos all 3 years. So do the sales brochures. '75 and '76 base Torinos took on the same front end styling as the Gran Torinos. But, they were still there.

A little more fine sanding. And another shot. Man, I hate Testor's enamel.

Ford offered Torinos from 1968 through 1976. The upper trim level Torinos were called Gran Torinos from 1972 through 1976. By the way, Torino started off as a higher level Fairlane in '68. And replaced the Fairlane name completely by 1971.

???? '60-'61? Lincoln used suicide doors on their 4-door Continentals from 1961 through 1969. Including their beautiful 4-door convertible offered from 1961 through 1967. I do agree with you on David Holls and Micheal Lamm's book A Century Of Automotive Style. Sad to say I do not own a copy. But a few years back a friend loaned his copy. A very, very good book. Some day I need to hunt one down.

The more I look at the facts, the more I stand by what I stated above.

It may have come off not being logical. But, I've heard of stranger things being true. And I was giving you the benefit of doubt. I like to believe that you were telling the truth or pulling our leg. But, I wasn't sure in this case which it was.

This photo makes me hungry. I love venison.

After sitting in the dehydrator for a day, the Plum Crazy enamel paint looks better than I expected. Not great. But not terrible either. A very small, but noticeable to me, flaw on the nose of the hood that I'm debating on what to do. But, even that's too bad. So I may just leave it alone.

Two things. Done what? And in 1970 Ford did not offer a "Grand Torino." They built Torinos. But the first year for a car called a Gran Torino (note: not Grand) was 1972.

Sorry about the mixed calling the Testor's lacquer "One Step," rather the correct name "One Coat." My mistake on that one. Boy, Mr. Guzman I don't what your doing to get the above results. As bad of paint jobs I've gotten with enamel paint, I've never gotten anything that bad. I wonder if Bill's not correct. I've never used Duplicolor paint. But, if it's an automotive lacquer it's very important to put down a good coat of primer first. The hobby lacquers designed for pastic models is not as hot. So primer is not always needed. I've heard horror stories of "hot" lacquers ruining models in descriptions simular to what you've post here. This is the reason I've pretty much always stayed with paints designed for models. At the same time, I know a lot of people who have had good luck using Duplicolor paint.

The kit looks good to me Mr. Buick. Exactly what I expected. As side, tell me why you picked an Apollo GSX for your icon pic? Being a long time Buick club member, and a former Apollo owner, I'm very curious.

What is your proof on your above statement? Is this a fact? Or something done tongue in cheek. Because I've never hear of this problem before. Nor anybody being called "Stumpy" on a regular basis in the past. Plus, I'm sure many more people lost limbs in both World Wars, than by doors being hit by cars in traffic. If this was a real problem, I would have though laws may have outlawed them. Or insurance companies would not agree to insure cars with suicide doors. Plus in the "old" days, 1950s and before, in parallel parking situations most people would side over, and exit their vehicles curb side. Proof of that? Look at how many cars and trucks in the past came with only exterior door locks on the passenger side doors as standard equipment. The more I think of your above statement, the less logical it seems. I could be wrong on this. But, what are your sources backing up your statement as fact?

Looks great Nick. I'm still hoping I can make a decent looking car using the enamel.

Wow! Amazing detail. I'm impressed.

I'm sorry, but I have disagree with several of Art's premises above about wood framing in cars being the reason for suicide doors. There were many cars that hung their doors from the "B" pillars in the days of wood framing. I'm not sure there is a really good reason why some cars used suicide doors. And others did not. I think it really came down to preference of the builder and/or designer. The fabric roof insert is a simple one. For years, unit GM introduced the all steel "Turret-Top" in mid-30's, most automobile companies and body builders didn't have presses large enough to stamp out a one piece roof. When GM's Turret-Top proved popular, a lot of smaller makes who couldn't afford the large presses, had to replace the fabric area with a sheet of metal welded in its place. Requiring extra leading of seams and sanding. And costing more than GM's one piece all steel roof.

Yea, I'm talking Testor's canned spray paint. And since I hate airbrushes, I mainly use only lacquer in spray cans to paint my bodies. I prefer Tamiya. But, Testor's One Shot lacquer isn't too bad either.

Yea, if I use Testor's enamel it is normally for things you mention. But, I specially wanted the color Plum Crazy. Testor has Plum Crazy in their Model Master line, in both enamel and lacquer. I made the mistake of buying the enamel. Thinking I was buying the lacquer. Bought it through the mail. Too much of a hassle to return it. Man! I hate Testor's enamel. I had to be Plum Crazy to even try it. Back to lacquer. Mainly Tamiya.

Stay away from Testor's enamel. Its nothing but junk. Switch to lacquer. Its more expensive. But, I ended up saving money in the long run. Not having to strip and repaint like I use to. People in our local model car club use giving me BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH about my bad paint jobs. Because of orange peel from enamel paint, they use to joke about nicknaming me Sunkist. Now they complain that they can't make fun of paint jobs, since switching over to lacquer.

With modern door latches they are not any more of a problem than any other doors. Note Luc's comment above. As far as wearing dresses. I don't wear dresses yet I too find it easier getting in and out of a car with suicide doors rather than doors hinged at the front. Also there were horse drawn carriages with front hinged doors.

I'm thinking about picking up the latest issue of this kit. The one shown Hector's above post. Any thoughts other than what's already said here?

Very nice. I like it. Been thinking about picking with kit up myself.

Testor paint. Shooting Curly"s Gasser with Testor's Model Master Plum Crazy enamel paint. I should know better. Never use Testor's enamel for painting model car bodies! Even with a proper primer put down first. The dammed stuff still ran. So out comes the sand paper.

???? So what your answer then? What are you looking for?

I'm not always the brightest bulb in the bunch.That's why I come websites like this. To learn. There is info on just about everything out on the web now. Now if your not smart enough to do the work of searching the web for what you need. Than I can't help you.