FloridaBoy

Lindberg could be so good if they weren't so bad. They "allegedly" stole the molds from AMT on the 34 Ford Pickup, then issued it many many times, thinking we wouldn't know any better. Then they pirated a 40 Ford Coupe, from Palmer, which was a pirate from an AMT kit, and issued it in pink. The plastic is so brittle it disintegrates in your hand, then try to improve it but the mold marks are a disaster. Their 61 Chev and 53 Fords are really good, because they were not pirated, I suppose. But I generally stay away from their kits. I have a modified 40 Ford pink couple which I am doing as a novelty, giving it my same treatment as I would the AMT or Revell kit - sectioning, frenching on the fenders, gull wing doors, reworked front and rear grille quarters, modificed chassis, as the sectioning does shorten it a little, and pancaking the hood. I opened the doors and trunk to this model, but if you pick it up, it is very heavy, and look inside you see nothing but epoxy resin and plastic reinforcement, as this model has disintegrated in my hands twice, pieced it back, molded it back, and it is finally primed and ready for paint. I have had so much problems with this plastic, that I am a little reluctant to work on the 34 Pickup or the 53 Ford until I want to start getting the workshop ready for more body work. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

It is quite obvious why eBay is forcing PayPal on us. It allows them to invade our bank accounts to collect the monthly fees from sellers. Now by eliminating seller feedback, we have nothing to deal with when it comes to bad buyers. I just went through h--- with an extortionist disguised as a fussy buyer. I eliminated him from participating in my future auctions. A true nut if there ever was one. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Some people are doing something about it. In my former neighborhood, the development was bordered by a 4 lane feeder street which was built by imbeciles, because they started at points 3 miles apart, and missed meeting straight on and came up with a little jog, which I named "Dead Man's Curve", and for awhile at least once per month, drunk drivers would smash in to medians, trees, each other, have drag races and bail at the curve, with the drainage lake fences, and homes, mine included to the tune of $50,000 damage in 1998. When I named it "Dead Man's Curve" on a TV interview, I had already lost 3 people trying to save their drunk lives. I got a call from Palm Beach County telling me to shut up, which I didn't. We finally elected out the idiots, (two included the ones who counted the Presidential ballots in the 2000 election) and finally got a guard rail, but drunk drivers, being what they are - stupid, inconsiderate and insensitive - continued to crash into the guard rail and jump it on occasion. Every house has been hit along this section of road. Finally, a group of homeowners, formed a protective group, or should I say vigilante group, within 3 developments. I could not include myself, although I wanted to, because I worked for the government. If a drunk driver smashed into our neighborhood, and tried to get away, he was physically subdued until the weak police arrived, and no one knew any better. These days lawyers, perpetrators, teen gang members are running the show from a law enforcement perspective. And we always say to call the police, and they come and do nothing, and even if they catch someone, they do nothing, and he is out free laughing at them and gunning for us. When are we going to learn. I remember the recession of 1972 when citizens had enough, maybe this one will restore the Yankee American Spirit again. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Matt, Be proud you are building out of the box, and you need not to rationalize it, just enjoy what you are doing. Factory or Box stock are highly contested categories and some of the finest models I have seen come from those areas. It challenges you to work within a very strongly structured set of rules and guidelines, seek what you do best, like painting, interiors, paint detailing, causing effect without mods, and so on. The absolute best paint job I have ever seen in my life, came from a Box Stock category. It was a pearl white, 41 Plymouth, and on the trunk was an airbrushed devil which only became visible when peered from certain angles. With regard to IPMS, my experience is their criteria of judging is focused more on realism, workmanship and finish, rather than the value of a type of car, like hot rod, and really seems not to care about working features, wiring, or overall effect. I guess they focus on the model and its build, rather than the replica or its effect. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Guys, I'll bite!!!!! Considering the level of building and the support and assistance why don't we have an informal competition between our cars, er, at least photos of them. I would consider it an honor and privileged to have my car included in the fleet of cars that guys build on this forum. Let me do some thinkin' and figgerin' and come up with a real SIMPLE format, time frame to put on the table to get some sort of thing going. Right now, I ain't thinking of trophies or hardware, but maybe keep it open in three classes, Stock, Custom/Rod, and Competition and I will supply my judging sheets. What we can do is Judge Ourselves, maybe? And between everything, close the contest when we get 100 entries and fight each other like a pack of dogs, then go out and have a beer. Maybe like NNL pick the top 15 -- 5 each in each category, or a percentage based on the number of entries. Just want to get something started. Gregg, is there someway you can change my available attachment space, as I just used 4 pictures months ago, and I am all used up. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

THDave, As usual, you have prepared a topical and relevant post that is provoking and thoughtful at the same time. I felt compelled to contribute to this thread, as I stongly feel that either I am an incarnate of you, or you of me, and s the rock group said, "you'be got to get through hell before you get to heaven". I am a long time builder and have been an active member of many clubs, some good, some great some average, and some below average. I have entered over 100 contests of every magnitude, local, national, IPMS, those in town and those out of town. I want to state that competition is sorely needed to sustain this hobby. I have seen too many hobbies and sports just wither down when "artists" state that competition violates the progession of the art form. Examples of this are surfing, skateboarding, Hobie Cat sailing, model building of other items and on one era model car buiilding itself. I build for myself, but strive at all times to produce the best I can on each model, which means "contest" or "museum" quality. I do not participate in contests as my day has long passed, and would prefer to display my stuff rather than go for the hardware. i have nothing left to prove. That reflects my upbringing, as I have seen trophy hounds prostitute themselves just to take a trophy home, and it means NOTHING if your car isn't best. Second, I used to enter contests in the sixties, seventies and nineties even before the promoter purchased the awards, so whether it be hardware or a ribbon or placque, the win was the satisfying factor, that my model was relevant, well conceived and well built, in the eyes of my fellow model car builders. I was a member of IPMS Flight 19 in the mid eighties and they had the same problems then down here as we are talking about now. So, one guy developed a 100 point scoresheet (for military or other models) 10 categories, 10 points each, covering workmanship, close to reality, finish, fit, judges wham-o and several other categories, and a few lines for comments by the judge. Several people picked up and copied this system, myself included and adapted it to model car judging, so any fervor would be addressed by the objectivity recorded on the sheets. After all how could one judge remember the details of every model, especially the ones that didn't win. Also, I have seen the BEST and the WORST in almost every contest I participated. I agree that judges should not enter the contest he is judging, regardless of which categories he enters and does not enter and judge. Even when warranted, I judge every car using my personal system if one is not provided, and on one terrible night, I judged 160 cars on my own, contributing a page to every car with points and a narrative. I got home at 8AM on awards day, and fell asleep for two days. During the judging, one of the judges had cars entered in one of my categories, and was constantly harassing me, while at the same time I was doing my best to keep scores from his prying eyes. This very guy verbally attacked me during the following meeting, and I quit the club as the rest of the members stood silent in fear of this guy. I stood firm and produced my score sheets, which left him nothing to argue with except base anger. Now this same club has heard my opinions about ways to cheat, as one member of this club did work, painted, glued and/or assembled the car or components for fellow members, then judged them to give himself credit, and then had the veracity to question me when I brought up the point. This guy actually institutionalized cheating in the club to give himself creds and props. But my presence as a unbiased adult and pioneer in the hobby, led to some changes, so they invented the "audience participation ballot" form of judging. The judges would be the people who attended, each attendee, whether or not entered, were given one ballot and while they looked, they voted. Again, this same guy devised how to beat the system. The other thing they did was to disallow props, or display placques, or even minidioramas and required all participants park their cars in a row like a mall parking lot. These led to fights for the "front" spaces, early registrations to get the primo spots, use of figures, or mini-props, moving other cars out of position, and then during the show, this same cheater guy who travelled from mid state brought his entire club and either predetermind winners, or stuffed the ballot box, or lobbied each attendee as to who to judge. I should know, because I was lobbied,and then my bias showed through, I voted for any car not his. I violated my own conviction. I can sense some incoming and newly developed snobbery within the ranks of model car builders, as they are getting more and more close-mouthed, exclusive and fewer people are participating, even displaying. Patrick Swayze in "Road House" told his band of bouncers that "It'll get worse before it gets better", and unfortunately I believe that. I will not enter any contests between here and Orlando for the reasons stated above, as there are people who were irritated at my judging, know my style, or even cross reference the # and the entry sheets, and have a vendetta. There are people who want to "beat a Willaman car" or just wait to see what I come up with, just so they can criticize it, as I have already received criticism (non constructive type) on projects I brought in process. One guy says he wants the prestige that goes with beating one of my cars. Grow up!!!! If it were a fair fight, I would probably go for it. So, I have cut my ties to my club to clean out my brain and get creative again, building what I want to build, and how I want to build it. It is a shame we have reached this point, for we need all of the help we can get, as model car retail sources are slowing drying up. Instead of stimulating the interest, we seem to be killing it in self interest and ego gratification. I like to display my stuff, as well as look at cars at contests, as I learn a ton from virtually every car there, and some times get validation on a wild and crazy idea when I see someone else tried it before me. I want to see more customizing, channelling, chopping, sectioning, and custom fronts and backs, in this age of Coddington and Foose, and others, so I show mine. Contests are great fun, if you open your head, open your heart, and communicate. after all, what are you trying to protect. My dad said to never get full of yourself because there is always someone who does it better. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Man, I feel your pain. A few years back, Orange Blossom Hobbies went out of business due to major stupid decisions. He was in a terrible neighborhood which deteriorated around him, then had to hire full time security guards to protect customers from the parking lot, wouldn't go in for online sales, but insisted his store was the attractive segment of his marketing strategy. Plus, he had legenday Augie Hiscano, unarguably the best modeler in the US back then, as floor manager, cruising the model car and train areas. Often he would display his Salt Lake City and Pactra Grand Champions cars. But Augie remained hi visibility, but then the domino effect took place as in the past 3 years we lost 3 or more major hobby suppliers in the area. And recently we lost Craft House in West Palm which was a major model car hub when the owner died and it was sold to 2 RC guys. The latest report is that half the aisle formerly devoted to kits is now RC. We need to do everything we can to support the hobby shops, as without them our hobby will wither. Considering that K Mart and Toys R Us are no longer selling kits like they used to, and now Wal Mart is following suit, our sources and connection to this hobby is witherning down to solely electronic. As much as I enjoy participating in this forum we all need the retail store to experience that connection. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

If I were a Senator, by now, I would have been so fed up with the way things are going......just give them the money. After we totally wastd the money on AIG, and some banks that deserve not to exist any more, at least we are getting off relatively cheap. I anticipated requests in the hundreds of billions, considering these prima donna idiot CEO's attitudes. I would be there are a lot of discussions going on right now, and we can be assured that bonuses for good management will be no longer issued, some of the featherbedding the unions put on management, and again, I wouldn't be surprised that the Unions may be contributing to the cause. Afterall they are investing money in Las Vegas casinos, wouldn't it be more appropriate to invest in saving their members' jobs. It makes me ill to see AIG take the bailout money then change the name of "bonus" to cash incentive payout while they rob claimants and customers, and not produce a product included in their overhead. Their overhead is cushion overpaid jobs, people sitting around doing nothing, while adjusters, claims and service people actually do the work. Just givem the money. I am sure thier pride and arrogance will take a hit. Afterall, wouldn't they be the first to go begging to the government? Or are they looking at this as "easy money" that they are entitled to...... Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

As a model railroader also, I am a great proponent of weathering to achieve realism. In model cars, weathering a chassis is credible in certain circumstances. For example, if you are modeling a diorama with a beater, or just a junked car, weathering is almost mandatory. Same with rat rods, trucks, off-road, some dirt bikes, and some street rods depicting a daily driver. If I ever model a grocery getter or factory stock, I would add mild weathering to the chassis, as if it were used on pavement only, and not for that long. I just peeked under my Taurus SHO and my dual exhausts are still silver/steel color, the engine paint is still detectable, and the front transaxle is shiny black, as I just had it replaced. But there was this dusty brown road grime on the oriignal parts, so if I modeled my car, it would receive medium weathering underside. I think a nifty way to get some hardware in the box stock class is to effectively and functionally paint the underside Other cars I wouldn't apply any weathering to, such as show cars, show street rods, dragsters as if on display and not run lately, new factory stock, concept cars, tuners, lowriders, donks and other cars that are showroom condition. That is just my take on it. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I never heard these cars referred to as 'Unicorns" but the term is so apt Mine are two cars which every time I tried to build them a catastrophe hit. 61 Ford Styline My firstunicorn is a 61 Ford Galaxie Styline Kit. My first one I built with the styline add-ons way back in '61 when it came out, and painted it my very first two tone, candy apple red on the body and white top. Sounds OK but it looked horrible, so I took it apart, and sectioned it, and opened and hinged the doors, and put in an engine compartment. I even sectioned the front headlight roll pan attachment to keep it proportional, and the body work worked the first time. One Thursday night when my parents were watching "Perry Mason" I got bored and fell asleep on the floor, and rolled over on the car totally demolishing it. I too, was demolished. Then in 63, when hit with the surfing bug, I found another Styline kit in my surf shop which also sold bicycles and hobbies. He was so tired of looking at it, and gave it to me when I ordered my board. Great!!!! Off to a positive start. I again sectioned it, and actually got it painted and built, to enter it into a car contest and it was stolen. Bummer. In 1970, I finally found a third kit, and again sectioned it, opened the doors, and used the more detailed frame and components from 63 Ford, installed a Revell parts 427 motor, had it primed and ready to paint and assemble, and my wife accidentally threw it in the trash when I was hospitalized. I think I found a 4th kit, including the styline parts, but dagnabit I am a little reluctant to usher in a fourth disaster. 59 Ford Craftsman There must be a curse on me with late fifties and early sixties Ford customs, but another one, a 62 Skyliner Convertible did win 2 Pactra trophies and is now in the Model Car Museum in Salt Lake City. The 59 Ford was an old kit I had on the shelves for many years unbuilt. It was a streetside AMT model, crafted by the original AMT 3in1 tool. Still grieving from my 61, I sectioned this one, sectioned the grille and bumpers to make them unicolor with the body, opened the trunk and hood, and used components from the 57 Ford kit which fit like a glove. It too met its end with the Galaxie when my now ex-wife tossed out by accident a number of projects in the garage. I just landed a 59 Ford original 3in1 from Wayne Stevens at a contest, and it is done up, like we used to when these came out, with turnpike cruiser skirts, scoops, glue on louvers, decals all over, moons, scallops and race numbers and continental kit, to really create an unpainted cluttered custom. I am taking photos of it now, before deconstruction, and then will customize it and try to recreate it like I originally intended on the first. It will be sectioned, with sectioned grille area, new headlight lenses, rolled pans, 57 Ford components, and another Ford 427 motor, which will fit into the engine compartment. I plan to make it pearl white, pearl blue two tone, and really make it a smooth looking car, but leaving the side chrome under the spear. So, here I am old guy I am, fighting off the willies when it comes to curses and model cars, wouldn't you thnk? Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I love reading and telling stories!!! Oh, God, guys you opened up a Pandora's Box or a can of worms. So stick with me guys. I was born in Sharon, Penna just a couple of miles east of Youngstown, Ohio, and my family worked at either steel mills, auto dealerships, or on the railroad. My dad did work at a large Westinghouse facility in Sharon where he saw what he wanted to be for the rest of his life. Strangely enough, the highest paid blue collar guy was the plumber and he and my mom formed their own plumbing company. During the struggling years I was born in 1947, and we lived in Sharpsville, and my Grandma watched me with her youngest, my Uncle Bob just 5 years older. Uncle Bob not only was the ultimate car guy, but my idol and we were buds for life. At my earliest recollection, he already amassed a large 1/25 scale model car collection of AMT dealer demo's. We were a large family and would often picnic at the Pymatuning Dam and see the hot rods, mostly 48 Fords, deuces, 49 and 50 Mercs, mostly painted black, with coon tails, skirts, blue dot taillights, and moon caps. Then they would have "peel out" contests in the picnic parking lot, and Bob and I were car guys for life. We went home and started modifying these acetate models with masking tape fender shirts, flame jobs using Grandma's fingernail polish, tape mudflaps, and large antennae from hatpins. We were hot. Then came out the Revell cars, Highway Pioneers, and then the cereal box cars the 53 and 54 Fords. It certainly didn't hurt the family compound of a boarding house, stores, and a few houses and a large garage was right next to the Chevy dealer - Snyder and Freeman Chevrolet, which still exists in Sharpsville. In 1955, my mom and dad decided to relocate to Florida, destination unknown. So this ambitious third grader moved back to the family compound from our recently sold home and I was a curious kid. Back then new model year cars were kept underwraps until the debut date, and hidden all over town. Grandma, being next door, got a 56 Cameo pickup loaded, and the City's first allocated Corvette. woweeee I snuck into the garage and spent uncountable hours just looking at the cars with Uncle Bob, and so we hatched a plan. We would charge other kids in school to see the new cars first, and sneak them inside for a peek. I made a fortune, just charging a nickel a kid a peek. Then word got out, and grown ups were wanting a peek, and soon the two of us almost had a Star Wars movie premier event outside this rickety old garage and cars lined in the alley. Of course the inevitable happened, I was the one who got busted. I almost ruined the event of fall, the debut of the new chevy line because almost everyone in town saw the featured cars. My parents were outraged but I fessed up but didn't turn Uncle Bob. But we were out of business. I got grounded and not spanked because I fessed up. My parents sat me down and told me that if I were to be forgiven, I would have to apologize with sincerity in my heart to Mr. Snyder who lived 2 doors from us. I somehow summoned up the courage and I thought my hands were going to fall off when knocking at his door. I was never a cryer, but I was bawling my eyes out when I did, and he put his arm around me, tuscled my hair, and said it was OK, because the "scandal" actually increased interest and sales. What a lesson I learned, eh? Then we moved to Florida, ending up in Dania (next door to Ft. Lauderdale) and my dad started a business down here. A couple of years later we moved into our new house just as AMT brought out its 1958 line of 3in1 kits, and I was back in. At the same time, I took up tennis (for the ladies), and surfing but when I got home, I still built cars. I even built models in my dorm at University of Florida, and USF all up to 72, then got married, and had no room until 79. My style by then was so out of sync it was time to go on a hiatus, then in 85, I saw a bunch of ERTL/AMT Trophy Series and immediatly emptied Ben Franklin's shelves for about 2 weeks in a row, and set up shop. I converted my garage into a playroom, building a train layout and workshop, joined the IPMS and built like a banshee when I was home to relieve the stress I had at work. I have been building since although taking a few hiatus for divorce, birth and upbringing of my kids, change of jobs etc etc, but always returned. Then joined Treasure Coast Scale Auto Society in West Palm Beach and among the "regulars" were Bob Kuronow (founder/owner of Model Car Garage) and the legenday Augie Hiscano. That inspired me, then the club heard the Cushenberry 40 Ford El Matador was purchased by a local West Palm body shop owner, but in bad shape so we all helped with its restoration. Ultimately the club disbanded over creative differences, and I joined Table Top Cruisers in 96 +/-. You just don't know how overjoyed I was to see on cable - American Chopper, American Hot Rod, Rides, Overhaulin', and other shows about customs and rods, and now I am at 61 still building like a banshee, but retired completely from contests. I build for myself and not to please a judge or another friend, which has given me total freedom. I have had some real great experiences and some negatives which make the hobby seem so vast. I am considered a pioneer down here, have a car in the National Car Museum, 3 Pactra Pegasus trophies, 2 IPMS trophies and a host of others. The hardware helps my memories of some of the great contests in which I participated, win or lose. Now I am struggling with keeping up, such as engine detail, detail painting interiors and chassis, prefab parts, use of aftermarket etc etc. My body work and re-designs (I do a lot of chopping, channelling, sectioning, frenching headlights, molding in roll pans, new headlights taillights, pancake hoods and so on. I will tell you that this hobby is certainly a great way to express yourself creatively. It has given me years and years of pleasure and fun. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

midKnight, If that figures is 1/25, there may be a couple of alternatives. First, you possibly could reconstruct the arm with a piece of plastic sprue and a needle file. Won't be perfect, but depending upon your skill with a file, you could come real close. If the sleeve is a problem, use some spare cloth from a sheet and some paint and cut to suit. I don't recommend using putty of any kind, but possibly at an auto parts store there is two part expoxy putty which molds like clay and perhaps that is more structural and permanent. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Does that mean we can fire up our Hemi's and let loose? That is, if we have jobs to pay these low prices, and more important, if we have Hemi's. I am almost there with my Taurus SHO with the quattrovalve Yamaha V8. It rocks. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willamani

I have been buying AMT kits for many many years, and the kits have given me plenty of benefits over the years. When I was watching the excessive wastes by those firms asking for a handout, I was thinking that if the government rescued AMT with about $30 million, which is chump change in comparison to the other bailout figures, just think how healthy and competitive this hobby would be. And those tools and dies are worth much more than the bailout figure. AMT never took a junket, doesn't own a corporate jet, and is ekeing along on bootstrings leaving such kits as the Phantom Vickie, 58 Edsel and Plymouth un-issued for now. I for one, will drive in my old car and testify to the Senate that had it not been for AMT, I would have gone to the streets and become a juvenile delinquent. Also, building model cars maintained my sanity while taking final exams at college, as it provided a break in the pressure. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Oversteer, Welcome to this discussion group!!! Glad to have you here. I will get the ball rolling. First, for model car sites, I would check the latest issue of Model Cars Magazine and scour the ads for a company that has the stock you are interested in. Many of these etailers sell at a good discount, and some even offer special inventories such as NASCAR, Drag Racing, or Commercial Vehicles, while others handle just about evrything. I use ModelRoundup when I need a particular kit, if I haven't been able to get the kit locally or through my friends. You can access them via www:Modelroundup.com. They also offer many out of production kits and resin, and they are pretty up to date on new kits being released. They also will let you know when these kits come into their inventory and ready to ship. As for tools, there are two sources. I am assuming you do not have a local hobby shop, as tools to me are very personal and best purchased after seeing it and handling it to see if it can do the job you need. Other sources are Harbor Freight Salvage. As for airbrushes, a local arts and crafts store will likely feature a good selection of airbrushes. Last but not least, I also use MicroMark as they offer a periodic catalogue, and have a very large inventory of tools for the modeler. There will be a lot of replies on this thread, but it will take some time and effort on your part to find the etailer most suited for you, and the effort will most certainly be worth it. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

most judges sheets down here have a 100 point system with the final 10 points at the judges discretion, called the WOW factor. This bird scores a 100 in that category You "outStarbirded" Daryl Starbird!!!!! Prettiest T Bird I ever saw, and I am an old guy!!!! Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Down here, sunlight is the worst enemy a model car can have. It got to a point in the past that I totally avoided model car contests that displayed the models in the window for weeks and faced either the morning or afternoon sun. The ultraviolet waves activated the solvents in paint and glue although dry. I had a car do what that beautiful Chevy did in just a couple of weeks. When it got put in the window, it was perfect and a week later after being hit by the afternoon sun, it looked all over like the Chevie's rear fender. I learned to be choosy or ask the owner to put my car in the shade and never had any problems. I have a heavily modified 40 Ford Sedan in which I used AMT body putty, no primer (back int he sixties - hey I didn't know) and a lot of silver underbase, then Pactra Candy, and silver black and gold light spray and about 10 years ago, I used it to practice the new poliishing kit. It is still shiny and unblemished after 44 years (built in 62) and a polish job in 94. It is now sitting in my china hutch in my dining room, as I do not display dishes cups and such, I display cars and trains, like i always wanted to do but was married. I have run out of attachment space, but if you email me, I will attach a photo of my two Pactra painted cars one from 62, and a repaint from '72. A little care goes a long way. When I sent my car to the National Car Museum, it was stored in a box and was as if the day I entered it. I have had Testors and Tamiya paint deteriorate on me for cars since 94, is it because there is no lead? Just wonderin'............. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Wow, I never saw that one. The oldest one I ever saw was a 49 or 50 Ford made of metal and closer to the real proportions, and not workable. But now I am remembering back in the early to mid fifties, plastic was starting to take hold, like toys in Cracker Jax, Cereal Boxes, and my first Davy Crockett rifle and powder horn were of acetal plastic. The rifle but bent like a banana one summer when I left it out in the back yard. Is there anyone who remembers the 53 and 54 Fords in cereal boxes which were about Matchbox size, in styrene plastic, with solid white nylon wheels and metal axles. Then in 58 or 59 they came out with Thunderbird convertibles and hardtops, and I still have a bunch of those. My wives all have accused me of being a pack rat, only if they really knew how much I tossed out over the years. I just bought a baseball card I had as a kid, paid a penny for it, of a no name player, the card with the Television Set border, and I paid $8 for it just for the memories. Thanks Mark, for showing that, it made my day. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Aaronw I was not suggesting a snap kit, there are plenty of prepainted full detail glue kits out there, and they hae motors, chasses running gear and interiors, all of the elements. My suggestion is based on my own personal approach. I am also a model railroader, and when I build a new layout, I want to have a train running within acouple of days -- a result. That result gives one confidence to prod on, and not get bogged down, like we all do on a massive undertaking the first time out. I have been building for over a half century and still I go back to a simple kit just to get one done while some of my other projects are waiting to be done, telling me months ahead before a finish. With a prepainted kit, you do not have to build a paint booth or go outside in the cold and spray, or invest in an airbrush, and get a still good result as you will no doubt still add some modifications, such as detail painting, or aftermarket stuff, or trade parts or use parts with another modeler or kit. Please do not classify or prejudge the type of models by their box, I recognized you were an adult, and there is a good book about basics published by a competitor, but I went through it and I got bogged down. I truly want to see as many new faces in this hobby as I personally feel it is one of the better pastimes around. I just wanted to ensure you built a good looking kit and personalized quickly - which is a good starting point. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

On my first post on page one, I wrote it without looking at the other posts, wanting to not be affected by what others said. So, this afternoon, I read the other posts, and guys you are a pretty sorry bunch of crazy slobs!!!! Just kidding, you guys are terrific, and I truly am humbled and appreciative that you respond to my posts, and email me from time to time. I look at everyone's work, scan all categories, and you guys are a pretty talended group. When I get in these melancholic moods, I think of my father and the effect he had on my model cars. He was for many reasons not a real expressive type, but I knew he really wanted to tell me what he was thinking and feeling. He was a super Dad who built my train layouts, dressed up as Santa at Christmas to get my list, taught me to use tools, and took me places. Thanks to our times together I am still a fan of professional wrestling. But my Dad gave me those great moments in my car building, although he wasn't a modeler, he was a car guy. When I started to build down here in Florida when I was 12, he would take me out to the remote roads and teach me to drive. As I continued to paint and upholster my cars, he taught me how to change brake pads, water pumps, flush radiators, change all fluids, troubleshoot, and how to really wash, wax and clean out the interior of a car. One Friday night in the 11th grade, before I was licensed to drive at night, I prevailed on Mom and Dad to take me to the hobby shop at midnight to see how I did at the model car City championships. So we made a night of it, and had dinner, watching the fleet fishermen bring in their catch, and then go over to the hobby shop to see whose car won and made the front window. It was mine!! Dad put his arm around me, and said he was proud of what I did. I even had a better moment when I overheard him bragging about me to his best friend. I tried to follow that example with my son, encouraging all of his interests, and telling him I was proud of what he did, and who he was, win or lose. I sure hope I succeeded, as he is one great kid, and he is on his way this moment to come home for Thanksgiving and I can't wait to see him. I hope he feels the same way about me. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I say to use the KISS method. Keep it simple and smart. Get one tube of glue, and also a prepained model kit like AMT and Revell had, or a slammer. All needed is a tube of glue and follow the directions. With each model built, so does the confidence and desire. What I am recommending is that the finished model be display friendly in the home. As the model building progresses, so will paint, assembly technique, workmanship, clean up, etc etc. let the builder grow and evolve. If you overwhelm him with extensive lists and procedures and tips, it will take the fun out of it, make is a "is it right or wrong" task, and take the fun out of it. Sometimes even this old war horse goes back to basics. I am now waiting the paint to dry on an out of the box basic 57 Chevy made by Monogram. No frills except paint and glue. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I am no longer entering model car contests, but I always attend them and spend a lot of time there, mostly displaying my stuff, not because I shy away from competition, but because I've had my "day in the sun" for twenty years many years back, and now I enjoy the total environment of a contest. Every once in awhile my competitive urges overcome me, and I want to enter and get into the thick of it, but I would rather learn and build, and build and improve. You get your best ideas on this forum and during a contest. Even this forum has a contest online "America's Most Beautiful Roadster", as I believe contests and competition improve the overall lot and quality building of the hobby. After participating as a table vendor at this past weekend's model car contest held at the baggage room and train club room of at the train station a quarter mile away, I got a chance to be there from the start to the end. The level of models was nothing short of incredible, and I would be the first to guess that many build but fewer enter, and there is much more to any contest than winning. For example. this contest was judged by ballots for people attending the contest, except for some special categories which were judged. One friend of mine didn't win, but had probably the best engine compartment in his MoPar's, they actually LOOKED like a real underhood compartment of a car. I sat for hours just looking at them as did others, but his cars were factory stock and weren't flashy enough for the win, so he didn't. But he displayed them and was in his highest joy telling others what he used and how he detailed his models. Same with others for paint, for me with body work and hinged doors and trunks. The key is in the competing and displaying, and mostly the communicating. Then on Sunday when the contest was over, several guys dropped by to put their models on the table, including some stunning cars, and none of them wanted to enter or display on the "big day" Saturday. One even said he didn't want to get criticized for his cars. I sure hope we can change that and I personally want to invite people to their next regional contest, IPMS contest, online contest, and get into the fray. Over 100 years ago, President Teddy Roosevelt had the following statement: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt, "Man in the Arena" Speech given April 23, 1910 26th president of US (1858 - 1919) Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

That is the beauty of this hobby. You can leave it anytime for as long as you like, and when and if you decide to come back to it, it will be right there and you have to answer to no one. I have my building blocks when I get to a point in a build that I have a hard time to overcome. I walk away from it, until I sit down and figure my way out. Works most of the time, but not all, as can be seen with the multitude of unfinished projects in my workroom. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!! Lots to be thankful of, and I was originally thinking about time to build, the availability of kits, tools, paint and support, but even in these tough economic times, the pastor of my church gave even me something to think about. In this country, even those people in the lowest proverty level are still in the top 10 percent of the world population economically. What a concept. Many don't have the access to a hot meal next Thursday. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Model Car building is a perfect suit for me. It gives me as much freedom as I want to take. I can get crazy and build like a banshee, then walk away from it for awhile, and the only one it concerns is me. Second, I love colors, I love cars, I love older cars, customizing, creativity, and other things like photography or oil painting are OK, but do not give me the complete rush I get when I build a model. Next, it is my Walter Mitty of my life. I was brought up next to a Chevy garage, in full view of mid fifties Chevvies, Cameos, and old Vettes, and always wished I could have one. Even when I could afford them as I pursued my career, it wasn't functional. Last, I was brought up to associate good times with hot rods, as my family would spend time in Pymatuning Dam in western PA at the picnic area, and that is where the hot rodders would congregate in their 48 Fords, with Racoon tails, blue spots on taillights, fender skirts, loud horns and so on, and they would peel off and my Uncle Bob, 5 years older than me, would stop fishing and say WOWWWWW. I always have loved thirties and forties Fords. But back then there were few or no model kits, so we would take early AMT plastic demo's from the Chevy dealer, and spruce them up. But it was real cars that I oriented myself when I was a young kid. Models were just because we were too young to have a 48 Ford. When we moved to Florida, again space restrictions prevailed, so I didn't build until we moved into our first house, which occurred at the same time when the first 1958 3in1 kits came out. I immediately recognized the scale, details and the company name from the boxes from the old friction cars. I was smitten and totally involved from then. But again, now I was a modeler, wanting a real car that looked like the hot rod I built. I can remember in 1959 in sixth grade I wrote a letter to AMT in Dearborn, MI asking them to make a 40 Ford, "because it looked cool". Imagine how I felt one year later. I have built and/0r stocked every 40 Ford model but mostly the AMT and estimate at over 100. I know because I have 15 now in stages of building, and another 20 on the shelf unbuilt. But as I grew in the hobby, I read Carmodel, Rod & Custom, Car Craft, Hot Rod, Model Car Science, Plastic Fanatic, Scale Auto and Model Cars magazines, and wanted to do it all, chop the top off a 49 Merc, channel a deuce, lower a 40 Ford and so on and so on. I couldn't do that if I were into it 1:1 so I released all that energy. As I grew, I either had a conservative job or wife or lived in a home with limited parking. So, when I saw a hot rod I wanted to build, instead of wanting it, I built it. Case in point, Cushenberry's Matador, Roth's Outlaw and others, Winfield's Car, Starbird, Barris, Shine, Foose, and Coddington and the list goes on. Now if I see it I buy it and build it for under $50. However when circumstances permit, I have had my 1:1 moments, a friend's modified Tiger, my bout with an experimental car for Ford, (A Ford Fairmmont with a 427 Interceptor Police Engine and Package), my Supra, and now I drive a fully stocked Taurus SHO with a v8 that is just too mean. I had to quit the hobby in 1974 as it wasn't just any fun and I was surfing full tilt, and playing tennis all over the state. But when the sport rejuvenated in the early eighties and ERTL emerged, I was hooked again, and have been since. This hobby has done so much. I am doing a "frame up" restoration auction purchased junk bicycle and trying to make it into a real custom show model, but will be street driven. I have been given a shot of confidence in my sixties, as I spent a lot of time restoring my old body worked customs, thinking I "lost it' and decided to start some new ones, and at least to me, I haven't at least yet. Right now, after years of building you develop habits of which I am trying to break. I never used "donor" kits because I thought it wasted a model, now I am struggling with using them, and second, I am branching out wanting to go big scale, muscle cars, factory stock, junkers, rats and dioramas, and third trying to break my old style of candy, pearls or other exotics and going to solids, two tones, and getting away from mags only to wide whites and steelies, big rims and low profile tires, and so on. My biggest obstacle is engine detail. I want to be accurate even in my highly modfied customs, but not to elaborate. I just attended a contest this past weekend, and the level of detail was incredible, but I want to have a credible car without it looking like the underside of a computer under the hood. Over the years, I have met quite the range of people from the very great guys to bums, and all are part of the growing process. But in the whole, the guys who model cars share a cammaderie that few interests have. Great group to be a part of. So, now the hobby is giving me goals, challenges and rewarding me when I address them. That is why I am in model cars from the squirrelly little kid in Sharpsville, Penna, to the 61 year old retiree in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman