mk11

You're right, Brad. That teal Cobra was just being unloaded from the transporter as I was driving by the dealer in Port Huron Michigan in may 93. When I drove by again later, they had a black one in front of the showroom blocked in by three Mark 8s. Guess they knew which car was most likely to disappear... Came across one of those red ones up on a display rack and grabbed the chance to get the new chassis shots for posterity. Don't see these cars very often anymore. Think I've also got pics of the '84 GT 350 and green '90 7-UP car here somewhere. mike

Came across some early '90's special edition pics I had squirreled away...

Nice work on that restoration, Joe. It was about twenty years ago when that car and I crossed paths. I was at my friend's bodyshop in London the day it received a fresh white paint job. Think it was a sikkens rep did the deed. Anyways, I was going through my archives of Ford pics this weekend and came across some pics taken about that time.

Somewhere I've seen a reference to somebody doing a Mack conversion on these (maybe one of Evan's columns?). As for merc stuff, maybe a photo-etch set will eventually get offered; especially since the '69 Moebius shortbox will be virtually identical grill-wise to a '68 Merc (they ended production in april '68). mike

How's this for reference?

Yeah, I know. I meant that figuratively; what comes out is only as good as what was put in... mike

The more I look at those mock-up pics, Dave, the more impressed I get. Your carvers have done a fantastic job! mike

You're actually thinking of the '67 grill, Tom, with all bars having the same spacing. Check out this grill reference...http://fordification.com/tech/67-72ID_01.htm mike

The frame behind the cab was two inches wider from 73-up and the wheelbase was also 2" longer, made up by adding to the cab length not the box like some guys think. They also added 2" to each side of the rear axle to finally get the rear track to match the front. That wider axle is also a popular swap, to get the wheels out further in the back. Ford actually did run that cab tank all the way to '77, but there's not many around. Steering columns are also an easy swap, especially the '78/'79 tilt columns. mike

These two 'generations' share a lot more than most people think, Steve. As the owner of several of both types of these trucks I've done a lot of measuring and comparing. The cowl/windshield areas and floor pans are very close to being identical with two inches added to the cab length behind the doors/seat on the 73-up cabs. Windshields, carpets, seats and most mechanical parts (i-beams etc) interchange between these. The 67-72 dash was still used in the heavier 73-79 F600 and up series trucks and a popular swap into the older trucks is the rad support and galvanized inner fenders from the newer ones, mainly because of scarcity of the older parts. As far as what Tom says about the AMT cab, he's right about the windshield opening being too short and I might add, the tops of the doors seem too high as well. Those mock-ups look great, Dave. Hope those rear side marker lights don't get left on the '69 box (not that they wouldn't be easy to fill in) and the roof looks a little soft but it could be the angle the pics were taken in. mike

Thanks for the tip. I reposted the pic and it only came through once this time... Gotta finish the cleanup and get back to work on the chassis. Thinking of Nascar wheels/tires; any of you guys have ideas on this? mike

Let's try this again... (it came through in triplicate when I first tried posting last night) Here's a project that's been slumbering in a box for almost twenty years Made a good start with shortening up the cab and box and patterning the paint after the 'Nite' package that Ford offered on the '91/'92 F series trucks. Got hung up on stance and wheel choice and set it aside for a while... mike

I've never actually had the priviledge of holding a single copy of this magazine. With the cross-border premium I guess our lhs and bookstores don't think it's worthwhile. Sure am enjoying the forum though. As for sa, my biggest disappointment was the sea change that occured about ten years ago, leaving the magazine basically an empty shell at first. I buy the odd one but more often find a quick scan at the magazine rack will suffice, especially this last year with so much repetition. mike

Just dug up one of my old favorites- Bill Neumann's 'Building Model Cars' from his 'Here is your Hobby' series (ca 1970)... Some aspect of almost every model on that table was touched on by Mr Neumann in his chapters on tool selection, painting, detail work etc. Thought it was a neat pic to get the juices flowing and provoke some nostalgia. I think I've owned or built ninety percent of what's sitting there; how about you guys? mike

Thanks for the illustration. The old album's around here somewhere. I knew it was a coupe but would have bought the vic if it had the wheels. Got a few coupes in the stash. Marty also ran a Charger in the early 70's, found some decals for that one... mike

Thanks for the info on this one. i already have a couple of victorias but was willing to grab this one for the wheels. Been wanting to build the stock car pictured on Marty Robbins 'devil woman' album for years. Just about bid on one the other day. mike

Speaking of Renwall engine kits, my high school auto shop teacher had one of their slant six models sitting in pieces on his bookshelf. I offered to put it back together for him and he let me. Now, thirty-odd years later I'm wishing I'd asked him for it after seeing what guys are paying for them now. And how many of you guys have seen the giant chassis kit that fits around the visible v8 or seen what kind of price guys are getting for them? mike

If you guys are interested in other scale representations of these trucks, check out this thresd... http://www.fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=45618 mike

I don't care what Revell did to that 57 Nomad pic, it's still my favorite, next to the original AMT 39/40 tudor and the Revell 29 pickup box. Glad you guys brought this up. AMT and Revells 60s box art is a huge draw for me. I find myself looking for affordable originals to house some of the newer releases of the same kits I have. Most box art since the 80's puts me off unless I'm just getting a builder or kit for parts; there is some truly cheesy stuff out there. One of the worst box art examples I can think of would be AMTs 1/12 64 Mustang where they used a pic of the actual model to help you decide not to buy the kit Truth in advertising at it's finest... mike

I am inclined to be just as fussy as some of the rivet counters on here but I've found it's not worth the stress. Just do your research and find the kits that match your experience level. R & R's stuff is quite primitive but I'm willing to work with it if it's all there is and it is just plastic after all. Another challenge to improve my skills mike

... the one you just scored is my most favorite kit. I actually did an article on this exact kit in Model Cars back around 1987 or so - IIRC it was pictured on the cover of that issue. I think you'll have a ball putting this kit together. Congratulations on your score. TIM Looking forward to it, Tim, especially after reviewing your excellent gallery. Heck, any of your galleries or buildups are motivating. It unfortunately is a builtup and I can see I might need some parts. Hope maybe you can point me in the right direction for those. Also picked up a hemi hydro as well. mike

Better to be safe than sorry; it costs just as much to manufacture a dud as it does to make an accurate one... Anyone remember the fiasco Lindberg had on it's hands with their '61 Impala? mike

Half the trucks on the line were heading for Australia at this point. Sorry the pics aren't the greatest, just about lost most of my prints to moisture when I put my collection temporarily in the back shed. Moot point now with digital cams but I was gonna say always carry extra film as you never know when you'll get a chance to take unlimited pics like this. Yes, I ran out of film too quickly...

Some pics from the Kelowna factory before they shut it down about ten years ago...

That Revell kit looks almost identical to this AMT kit, like the one I just scored on the big auction site mike