ToyLvr

I'm a big fan of the Olds Toronado, so I've been wanting one of these for a long time. I got to see the real thing a few years ago in the "Stars Cars" museum in Gatlinburg, TN. I wonder if the museum is still standing? (God bless those folks down there after the tragic wildfires). For you folks who are too young to remember (or who weren't even born yet!), this car was the ride of private detective Joe Mannix (actor Mike Connors) in the hit TV series "Mannix", which was on the air from 1967 - 1975. As you might have guessed, it's a "Barris" custom made for the TV series, and was based on a '66 Toronado. Ironically, they only used the fancy Toronado for the first season, then switched over to a Dodge Dart convertible when Chrysler became a sponsor of the show. Seems like a big demotion to me for our hero detective to go from the luxurious Toronado down to a Dart (with apologies to you Dart fans out there). ? Mannix got a sportier ride in later seasons with a Baracuda, a Challenger, and then a Camaro....

Guys - I remember reading an article a few years ago in one of the modeling mags about doing a chassis swap on an AMT '63 Galaxie promo. The article showed how to use the chassis and other bits from the then-new AMT '60 Galaxie kit, which gave the model a much more realistic appearance. My problem is that I cannot find my copy of the magazine (thought I saved it!), and can't remember what mag it was in. Can anyone help me out??? thanks!

Tommy: i used it on the interior of my T-Bucket roadster. I used white primer. The exterior color is Testors Emerald Green, although it doesn't show up well in the photo. The color combination goes well together.

Nice!?

This is a quickee little project that I threw together about three (3) years ago for a local model club event. Although I posted a few details in the "Workbench" section back then, I never got around to posting the finished build here in "Under Glass". Since one of our fellow Forum members prompted me to do so, here goes. As always, Questions/Comments/Constructive Criticism are welcome (just don't beat me up too badly ?). The engine is the controversial part of the build, but hey, someone had to do it. Build-Up details http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/73425-shamrock-t-bucket/

We had a couple of Fords in my family when I was growing up (approx 1966) that were Arcadian Blue. I like that shade of blue, but like VW's "Vapor Blue" even better. Still, I must agree that it doesn't work on a big car. A more regal color like black, navy blue, bronze, etc., sounds better. Look forward to seeing what Steve comes up with.

Another possible T-Bucket project. Partially built chassis, but otherwise unmolested.

I know that a lot of you guys buy old built-ups and actively look for them. Have you ever had one of your own come back to you, sort of like a boomerang? Referencing the attached pix, a nearly 40 year old built-up of mine has come back to me. I had a friend and mentor named Sam who was a big part of my life until he passed away a while back at age 86. He was a true car nut, and I believe he had 30HD in his veins instead of blood. He was an expert mechanic and body man, and had restored several classic 1:1 to concours standards. The big thing for me, though, was when he helped me buy my first car and fix it up, a rusty and beat-up '62 Corvair Monza coupe. Sometime later, I built this AMT 1/16 '57 Chevy as a birthday present for him, which replicated one of his trophy-winning beauties. It definitely leaves a lot to be desired, both by my current build standards and by those of this Forum, but as the saying goes, "it's the thought that counts." What really got me was the fact that he had kept it all these years. His family found it in a glass enclosed bookcase in his den, along with the original note that had accompanied it in June 1979, as they were dealing with his estate. They contacted me and told me about it, and offered it to me as a memento. Ah, the memories. R.I.P., Sam. I remember a bit of a poem I read somewhere - "If there's a loose brick on the streets of gold, he can fix it. If the hinges on one of the Pearly Gates are loose, don't worry Saint Peter, he can fix those, too. And now he has wings...."

The original MPC #1-7506 kit ('75 Corvette) had the optional rotary engine. I have one of these kits, but used the rotary engine for a little project a few years ago (see http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/73425-shamrock-t-bucket/ I was hoping that the reissued kit would have it, as I had another project in mind for the Rotary ? Still, I'm glad to see the Corvette reissued!

For those of you who have bought the reissued kit, can you tell me if it includes the optional "Wankel" rotary engine?

A couple more goodies....

A recent acquisition. It's like it's frozen in time, perfectly preserved. The original sales receipt was still in the box; purchase 5/6/61 for $1.41!

Another version of the MPC "Sweathog" car, where MPC butchered a nice Grand Prix tool...

R.I.P., Mork...

Revell version of the iconic Beetle...

And another Corvair-powered rarity, the "Mademoiselle L'Agente Secrete 97", basically a reboxing of the "Man from U.N.C.L.E." TV show secret agent car. I can remember watching the TV show as a kid, but I do not recall a lady secrete agent or the red car...