Harold

Here's an older build (four years) that I took out of storage last month. I looked everywhere, but the rear window was nowhere to be found. I had thought of buying another kit to raid for the window, but I have enough kits that I've bought for parts. So, taking a cue from the W- body Cutlass convertible from the mid- 90's, I decided to do the same to my W- body Pontiac. I first cut the roof away from the top of the b- post. I then cut behind the windshield header and then the c- pillars. I rough- shaped the header to match the contour of the windshield. To pieces of sheet plastic were cut (one .020, one .030) and glued across the b- pillars to form the targa band. The boot was made from .020 sheet and .020 x .040 and .030 x .125 strip. The side bolsters were made from .020 sheet and .030 x .100 strip. I had never clear coated this one, so it received several coats of Dupli- Color Clear Top Coat. I did most of this between Friday and Saturday evenings, so now, once I polish it out this weekend, I can have it back together in nothing flat.

Nearing completion. As you can see, I opted for the gray boot. The tail lights were an annoyance to paint (two hours with a toothpick, jeweler's loup and a truckload of patience). I had to finagle the 302 headers to work on the mod motor, and I made a new driveshaft from the kit part and some aluminum tubing. The electric fans came from the parts box. I have to pop the windshield out and raise it up a tad bit higher. Other than that, I just need to make some intake runners (I'll route them into the fenderwells nearest the core support), polish and install the hood and detail and install the headlight lenses.

Brian Vickers has been sidelined indefinitely for the rest of the season due to blood clots. Replacing him in the #83 car will be Casey Mears. Its a shame, because Vickers is a relatively good driver, though his finishes never seem to reflect it. Heck, he got a 10th place at Darlington Saturday evening.

I'm not sure about the engine's origins- it came my way four years ago in a box of parts someone gave me. I was polishing the hood, and burned through to the silver base in one tiny spot, so....I mixed some Medium Blue Metallic (Plasti-Kote) and Universal Black (Dupli- Color) and dry brushed over it. Now I'll clear that and the tail lights, detail the tail lights and clear them again. I need to also whip up some plumbing for the blower intakes. As for the top boot, I've been agonizing over dark blue (to match the top) or gray. I've decided on gray.

Q. Why did the blond trucker drive her rig off a cliff? A. She wanted to try the air brakes. Please drive home safely....

I'm still trying to sell my Healey- I can't tie up any more cash at the moment (darn it ).

Great job. Odd color (for me, anyway), but a really nice build .

Nice Olds. Was that based on the Monte Carlo or the Buick Grand National?

Looks great, but where's the grill?

I went and checked the October '08 issue of Collectible Automobile (it has an article about the '64- '66 Imperials) and the value guide pegs this one, in the condition its in, at 7- 10 grand (and I'm being conservative interpreting the value guide). Maybe he'll take my ex- wife in trade .

Nice work on your Shelby. Can't wait to see more of your work.

Nice bunch of cars. I like the Challenger and your 'Urban Assault Vehicle' .

Saw this one Saturday in Flint Township for sale. This one has 72,000 miles on the clock. Yeah, if I had the money, it would be in my driveway right now.

Here's one I started two years ago. This is the Monogram '89 Mustang. I decided that I was going to be using the seats from a newer Mustang, and last mont, I dragged this one out and altered the rear seat to match. Yhe color is Polly S Reefer White with a hint of Polly S Tarnished Black to get the gray I wanted. The inserts and dash top were painted with some Polly S dark blue I had, and the flocking was a custom mix of light blue and black. The outside was painted two years ago, so all I can tell you is its Dupli- Color (I clear coated last week with Dupli- Color clear). This is from two years ago...

Here's one I started last December. Its the old Revell EXP, painted with Testor's Fiery Orange laquer and covered with Dupli- Color Clear Top Coat. I swiped the Mustang TRX wheels from a set I bought at Dean's. The interior uses he front half from an '89 Probe and the back section from the EXP. I also swapped in the Probe subframe and made spindles from sprue and brass rod. I didn't like the fact that all the clear parts were heavily tinted, so I commandeered the lenses from a Monogram Bronco, and the windshield was made from a 2- liter Faygo bottle. The motorcycle and trailer are from the MPC '80 Monte Carlo. There's a few rough edges on this one, but this was my first ambitious build in two years (just trying to get my chops back ).

Dupli- Color Clear Top Coat works very well. See my EXP thread in 'Under Glass'.

Use the chassis and engine compartment from the AMT '62 T-Bird (a direct swap, though you'll have to alter the interior bucket from the '66). Paint the whole thing black and use the custom wheels from a Dodge Stealth, along with a set of AMT Gatorbacks.

Yikes- that thing is horrid . It makes my many failed attempts at casting look almost professional...

It was rough deciding between you and the two women, but you got my vote.

Detroit Lions- a rusted, burned- out Pinto on cinder blocks .

Nice dio, Ed. How'd you do a stock Willys? Cool. Also, people on E- Bay seem to suffer from delusions.

This should be veddy eenterestink...I know you'll do this one to a t. I have asoft spot for these cars, as I once had a '64 F-85 post sedan, 330, Powerglide and a low gear- this thing would fly off the line. The best part was, it looked like a school teacher's car. What a Q- ship .

Nice A- bone. Is that a flathead I see in there? First- class.

Nice Pon- T- ak. I really like that big Poncho between the frame rails .

That's real purty .