mk11

I've had that T/C Lebaron wagon for a while; been thinking about swapping the Diplomat fascia onto it and smoothing the sides to make a phantom law enforcement car out of it. Far as I know, there were no diplomat wagons made. Now I'm thinking that little reliant might make a good start on a mid eighties Lebaron convertible like mine (think 'planes,trains and automobiles' without the woodgrain) mike

I wouldn't be worried about that. You've achieved a rare combination with those wheels, tires and stance. Couldn't be more realistic and appealing. That puddle reflection pic was a cool idea too. mike

Here's another couple of views of this monster from the pages of the 'Complete Ford Book', published annually by Petersen in the early '70s. These books are an excellent reference for Ford details and historical pics. Can't find my favorite pic at the moment; a color pic of one of these doing a pull on a Ford dyno with the headers glowing almost white hot... mike

Got about fifty here... Great reference for '50s trends and model ideas mike

'nother vote for a wagon here... just missed a deal on a 1:1 a couple of years ago only offshore vehicle I was ever interested in other than a '70 Celica or an MG mike

These pics show the bottom side of a brand new '92 ragtop. Was there certain years they painted the diff housings? http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk417/edsel1_2008/foxbttm1_zps808423e6.jpg http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk417/edsel1_2008/foxbttm2_zps448bb9f6.jpg mike

Daily driver, latest in a string of close to fifty. Mostly old Fords. Also run an '85 Lebaron ragtop for the sunny days... mike

Thanks Casey

'if you purchase ... items UPS or FedEx...' Not gonna happen. If they (model supply or 1:1 ) won't ship US mail, I won't bother. Got bent over once with an outrageous fee and that cured me. On the subject of feedback, the last few positive feedbacks for one clown that stiffed me on payment all had very negative comments on this guy because he had stiffed them too but of course, sellers can't leave negative feedback. Just what are the policy people at eb smoking? I would like to ask a small favor, if I may. If one of you guys is sending out a model car and find yourself with an extra minute or two at the post office, could you ask if parcelpost/first class is still an option for sending north, say Alberta, and what the rate would be. I'd really appreciate the info. mike

Dad (cable tv installer) had been a rabid model railroader and modeler since he was a teenager so I come by it honestly. Could be the small three level model car shelf on the wall over my crib 'imprinted' on me somehow, as I'm told I would stand up trying to reach those cars My first modelling attempts at about six or seven were in the late sixties. mike

I love garage sales That's a good find,Chris. Found an unbuilt 69 W30 for five bucks last week. Sometimes you gotta ask if they have stuff like that they didn't put out... mike

...or the seller was principled enough to stick with his quote though he may have misjudged the shipping rate. To me, that's true customer service. Still sellers like that around despite ebay's strange bias against them, the bread and butter that keeps ebay going. mike

That is true but let's call twelve bucks for handling/materials for an average kit what it is: piracy. There are people to whom money is no object when it comes to getting what they want but I believe the majority of us are um, 'frugal' , to quote a member here. We don't want to waste the extra money for fancy new packing material and express shipping. It doesn't take long to pack a kit and if a guy has done it a few times and plans to keep it up, it's not long before he gets an eye for the appropriate sized used boxes that can usually be obtained for nothing and starts putting a few aside. I won't charge handling and I'm not in it for the money anyways. It's a part time hobby in itself that gives me the satisfaction of supplying something to someone that he/she can't get anywhere else and it helps me get the kits and stuff I really do want. mike

Latest 1:1 acquisition... '68 Merc 350 crew cab tres elegante, no? mike

Thanks for the info. Those decals look like the set I picked up at a hobby shop in Great Falls a few years ago. If memory serves, they were combined with a border patrol set. Have to go dig them out now. I've also found an HO decal set of CPR's commemoration of Smokey the bear's 50th anniversary. When I build my ranger truck, you can bet that Smokey decal will find a place on it. mike

It sure makes an appealing combination. Nice work ! mike

I've been trading on the big auction site for about five years now and have had no problems to speak of when it comes to shipping internationally except for canada post's piratical rate structure. A small package (model car) can hit Florida for less than shipping to eastern Canada. While I realize rates have gone up south of the medicine line what I find really disappointing is the apparent decline in the willingness of sellers to accomodate bidders like myself that are just looking for the lowest rates regardless of shipping time or tracking and are willing to take the chance. In over six hundred transactions I haven't lost one yet with standard shipping and I'm not going to think it's the end of the world if I lose a few dollars on the small packet that somehow doesn't get to me. At least two guys have told me that the shipping quoted is what it is despite the fact that the calculator can be way out. Guess it really is too much trouble to lift a carcass out of a chair and actually ask the post office lady what the cheapest rate really is vs pushing a button and generating a postage tag. With the current average for shipping to me now showing about thirty bucks vs the seven -twelve bucks I know stuff still can be shipped for I just had to vent a little I try to never ask anyone to do something I wouldn't do for them. mike

That's a fine looking kit that will probably end up in my collection sooner or later but I have to mention one caveat... in '63, if it wasn't a unibody Ford was still using the '57-'60 styleside or the flareside box on their pickups. The box restyle shown didn't appear until '64. mike

Thanks. Had another chance to look at it the other day and it's actually a 379 with the single headlights modification. Guess I could grab a 379 kit but I'd like to see what I can do with the old one. mike.

Did they always use that pale green? Anybody have a link to pics of '60s era forest service trucks? mike

Definitely not the Talledega as the red/orange one I saw had the 240/280 headlight style fascia. Thought it was the goofiest thing . mike

Am I dreaming or did I hear correctly that someone was making or had made a more accurate front end for the AMT '67/'68 Mustang kits? mike

In the '70 dealer brochure there's a set of the diecast mag style hubcaps shown, similar to the shelby mustang or Z16 chevelle cars. I bought a couple of sets from missing link a while ago and may just use them yet... mike

Funny thing, I picked up an old 280Z kit at a recent swap meet and was starting to think seriously about finding a torino kit to try mounting the front end on. Then i remembered all the other projects awaiting my attention... About twenty years ago I'm sure I saw one of these on a trailer in Ontario and I even took pics but danged if I can find them. I can remember the four gauge pods in the dash and the datsun-like front piece but sometimes I wonder if I dreamed it becuase I've found no stories yet of an ontario connection to these. mike

Should have done more research on those Firestones; assumed the lettering was molded wrong way out. Other than that, I like the tires. The rally gt and t/a tires are what I was referring to as ugly, they're the first tires I ever immediately threw out upon opening a kit. And continue to do so... mike