FloridaBoy

Fellow Modelers, Here is one of my AMT '40 Ford Coupes I customized several years ago, and now am upgrading it for contests in the Spring of 2008, in Florida and the southeast, that is, if it turns out OK. I did some pretty extensive modifications, including a 4" section, 4" channel, slightly shortened at wheelbase, radiused the wheel wells, fabricated new headlight housings, pancaked the hood, added operating gullwing doors, scribed the new trunk line, fabricated new taillights and added a new license plate housing. I also shortened the front axle to allow for the Arii tires and wheels to fit comfortably under the front fenders. The motor is the Ford 427 which came from an old 32 Ford Victoria kit, which is now being wired and detailed. The color will be as follows: primer, followed by base silver. Then several coats of Testors Metalflake Red, followed by a mist of Boyd's Red, then clear coated and polished. The interior is lighter red flocking, with pearl white panels with wood trim. Every part on the car has either been painted or coated, and the otherwise stock chassis will have fuel lines and brake lines. This model was originally built in '70, which includes the body work. and I stripped it a few months ago, so I could add my newly acquired skills and technology to this model. It is one of my favorite cars thoughout the last 30 something years. Hope you like it. It will be painted this Saturday, then will sit for a month before polishing, then assembled. More models to follow. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

3Men2's and group. The builder referenced above is probably the best air brusher I ever had the pleasure of calling a friend, Jeff Selker. He is truly one of the most underrated artists around. The vehicles he painted are the 32 Rat Rod Sedan which shows sand marks and bare metal through on the chop job, which took first place in the 32 Ford Category. The other cars he did are the red '40 Ford Flatbed truck, with hand airbrushed flames, but also has a working flatbed, chopped top, opening doors, and incredible detail. One of my favorite '40 Fords of all time. The other two he did above were the Semi tractor in black with blue flames, and again, those flames are airbrushed and not decals. It is in display only as it won first in class and best of show at the last show we had. The last car he did was the '40 Ford Coupe, multicolor, which was done years ago. but not entered because it won first in class two years ago. Jeff is a very humble guy, but his airbrushing down here in SoFla is legendary. He has done 1:1 vans, pickups, cars, customs, rods, drag cars, motorcycles, and helmets. Jeff is in my opinion as good as that guy on Rides and Overhaulin, Mike of Killer Paint. The work you see is 1/24-1/25 but on 1:1 he is quite exceptional. Just by showing his cars, and seeing them in progress, I have improved my painting standards a thousandfold. Again, another reason for a contest, for where else would you get inspired to improve? Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

We were real fortunate to have a medium sized successful contest. There are great qualities about small, medium and large contests, but the one thing that makes or breaks a contest is the cammaderie. But it just doesn't happen. The host club needs to extend its welcome to all modelers, whether they entered or not, to join in the festivities, and the club members, should be having a great time, even if they were tired from all of the preparations. We had a few key guys that worked day and into the night, but these guys inspired a great legion of making the contest worthwhile. On Saturday afternoon, the room was crowded with participants, attendees, their families, passers-by (it was held at a busy train station) and people off the street made curious by our street signage. I overheard old stories, stories about the "golden age" deep discussions about adhesives, technology, problem resolution on builds, difficult and easy kits, and the list went on, and everyone was animated in their part of their discussions. On Sunday we had our flea market with two guys, but one guy has well over 200 kits dating from way back to today. By the time the contest was over, and we were all packed up, and starting our cars to leave, I took one last look at the contest area and although I was exhausted myself, reflected that it was worth it. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Our model car club, the Table Top Cruisers out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida threw a large contest this past weekend, and we had about 300 cars. Great turnout of competitors, cars and visitors. The location was prime, as it was a model railroad club in a train station, dead center of town, in Deerfield, and easily accessible from just about anywhere. The contest was everything I expected. Lots of cars, builders, animated and enthusiastic conversations about building model cars. So, what happens when the contest is over, awards are given out, and guys are packing their cars to take back home. I saw a continuation of the former day, only conversations were much quieter and more personal about their love of the hobby. The great combined care of picking up cars from the table packaging them and putting them in the car for the drive home was incredible. Not only respect for your build, but respect for others. Then we gathered some chairs around and stayed a while. There were vendor kits on sale, so we bought a lot, traded a lot, and generally had fun. That is where we shared our secrets involving technique, tools, supplies and other materials to keep our cars together. When I got home, that is when I realized the true meaning of a model car contest. It is nice to have a compeitition, for sure, but the important meaning is the fellowship and cammaderie that only model builders can generate, exchange of parts, supplies, helping each other out, and a million other things. That is the essence of the model car contest. The next time you hear of a model car contest, do not shrug or let others do the moaning and complaining, and avoid the event because it is for competitors or aggressive modelers. Just go and have fun, look at cars, and talk to people. You would not only be surprised by what is new, but was was old and available. Just go and enjoy youself and look at those fabulous cars. I know I will never miss one again myself if I can. I learned a ton even at 60 years old at this contest. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

A quick and easy fix for a couple of bucks. If you have a decently stocked hobby shop closeby, go to the model railroad and supply section and purchase a piece of brass rod either the thinnest or next. measure and cut them to the length of the inside of the spring from mount to mount. If it takes more than one piece per side, then cut to fit. Mix a very small amount of two part epoxy, and spot it on the unseen side of the spring and attach the brass rod to the glue spots and wait 20 minutes until dry and set. Then mix a second batch and coat the entire piece of brass with a thin layer of epoxy. It will turn out unbelievably strong. I sectioned and opened the doors to a 50 Ford Convertible, and reinforced under the lower pan on the unseen inside with epoxy and brass rod. It is so strong i have dropped the car on the floor and no damage. I consider the existence of epoxy and brass rod a miracle discovery for us guys who open doors and do a lot of bodywork to cars. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Total agreement. We should all make sure his production runs are completelly sold out, so he can make money, then do more models, then make more money, then buy AMT. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I am a refugee from the sixties when the original model was made by AMT. I NEVER saw that model or even knew of its existence back then, and I was pretty much deeply involved back then. Then in '94, at a swap meet, I saw the model unbuilt, and picked it up for $15, and sure enough, it was an AMT Trophy Series kit which you can make 2 complete models. One was Joe Wilhelm's Winged T, and the other was Tognotti's T. I thought originally before opening up the box, they would be cheap adaptations of the AMT Double T kit, but boy was I wrong. I mocked what parts in the box I could without disturbing the model too much, and they were definitely new molds. I sold it a couple of years ago and got a price for it I couldn't refuse. I saw an article on the history of T models and it was reported by the researcher/modeler that the tooling was sold to MPC. Where it is now, I sure don't know, and if I see it again, I would not hesitate one second and pick it up. For those who haven't seen it, both the Wilhelm and Tognotti models are nothing short of terrific T's to base your own rod upon. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

That is one heck of an illusion. I have looked at it many times and still trying to figure it out. The "table scene" is quite obviously a model, while the bottom two pictures look like a 1:1 scale display, with the "models" and props blown to correct proportions. I still have one "40 Ford Coupe kit from the original run from 1960, and in that box, unbuilt and on the sprues, and it looks like the fender unit on all pictures was modified to cut out the plastic behind the grille and taillights. Got me hornswoggled. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willamani

If it is flat, I would use the clear acetate plastic found on a new shirt collar. Cut to fit, then apply with either TiteBond II or Elmer's Yellow, or even silicone. The acetate is very clear and flat, and if you sand the inside of the window jamb, you will get a very snug fit. That is unless the window is curved, and you may have to do some schmoozing with some heat to bend the plastic. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I completely agree with you. I have won my share of trophies, but I am entering to show my cars off, or display them, and see how I fit in with today's modeling trends. Plus, model car contests are a wealth of fun and knowledge, plus it is a great place to make friends with other modelers. It is a great fraternity. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I am an older guy. I have built pretty continuously since the fifties but my current gig has been since '85. When I was a kid, I would enter my favorite cars about 4 or 5 times, which covered about a six month span....back then there were more contests locally. Plus, I would be popping out a new model every month or so, and after six months, the oldest car sort of got overshadowed by my new stuff. Everything was automatic. Nowadays, there are about 8 or 9 contests throughout the state every year. My club hosts two. I have been attending them for years, and see pretty much the same practice generally. Even if I see a car more than 4 or 5 times, I am pretty tired looking at it, unless it is a very special car. A typical modeler down here enters his car about 5 or 6 times before he retires it. Some guys with magazine featured cars, or theme cars, will enter more but that seems to be rare. I build by batch for several reasons. I am inspired by lots of cars or concepts at any time, and it is just as easy to me to putty, sand, and primer and build 10 cars at one time, than one. While putty, paint or glue dries on one model, I just go to the other. Then when the batch is done, I make decisions as to which ones will be suitable for entry. But these 10 cars have been in the mill for about 6 months, and I am wondering if they are really novel and different, should I enter them more often. That way I scratch several itches that happen along the way, and still build my best. Just want to hear your input. You guys have such a high standard of building that I respect each and every one of your opinions. Thanks tons in advance, Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I look at "Make and Takes" as a miracle in our hobby. To get newcomers at all ages to conect with our hobby is a need to survive. I am also involved in model railroading, and the members of clubs down here not only ignore newcomers and youth, but level some real scorn and judgement on them which discourages them. The result is that not only is membership down, but so is participation in club events and meetings as well. I am 60 and have seen the hobby take a suicide dive in the early seventies, only to be reborn in the eighties. Back then I grieved like I lost a relative when I saw the direction of the hobby, the cars, and that mine were no longer in vogue. Now we are faced with decline in hobby shops, decline in department stores carrying models, fewer model car contests, fewer model car clubs, all of which personally us to the hobby. I don't think what happened then will happen now, but we need not to be complacent. I think every model car contest should do something friendly for newbies and for juniors, if for any reason for the sake of legacy. Remember the more modelers there are, the greater demand, and the more new issues will hit the market. I love the computer and the internet, but we all know it is very impersonal. I also love die-cast models, but I prefer to build my cars, as the real joy is in the build and not the finished product. The last one is a very touchy subject. I used to meet fellow modelers at model car contests and in the aisles of hobby shops and department stores. Now that I am 60 if I see a kid who is a potential modeler, I do not invite him to my place like I did when I was a teenager. Nowadays that act by a grown man is taken a way different interpretation, and I want no part of that. But what it does is prevents people from sharing this great hobby. Even if I invited the kid to my club, it is 18 miles from where I shop. So, at a model car contest or any model car event, or at a LHS, promote the hobby, stick around, bring work in progress, you just might inspire a youth. My hats are off to Mike Alvarez, who is a gifted modeler in his own right, as at our last contest, he sat with a group of teens and gave an impromptu seminar. By the time he was into it, you couldn't see him, he was crowded with so many. He was sharing the hobby and not protecting his skills. Way to go, Mike. I try to follow suit to show kids workmanship techniques. Of course they are most interested in shiny paint. I hope the next time you see a kid that could use some help, be there. Remember, they teach each other how to operate and win at video games, we should teach them to win at model car building. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

3men2's, Come Saturday morning on November 10th. I originally announced November 9 in the afternoon, but we will be setting up tables and making ready for the weekend, and if you want to register early then, ok but after 5pm. I would suggest that to have your car put down by 1PM Saturday, if possible. That will ensure the best posibility of getting its highest vote potential. Remember, the 1932 Ford and large scale classes will be judged. If you need any furhter information, please notify me through the message service on this forum. Thanks, Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I used to use blue masking tape on my models for two tone jobs, and still had bleed thru problems here and there. My worst problems were yellow stripes over a black car so what I did was to take a Sharpie pen and go over the yellow bleeds then cleared the job. So far ok. Now on stripes and rather straight divides, I use Scotch Magic Tape (the frosty stuff people use in an office) and burnish it after the paint has dried. I generally put on one coat of clear, because the smoother the surface is, the better the tape sticks, and no bleed through. then paint, then take the tape off quickly. After it sets, clear the paint with several coats, then sand and polish. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

You are not alone, my friends, and if you are building at 60 like I am, it doesn't go away as you get older and more "mature". Tell me if I am or a few of us are alone in these areas. You buy more kits than you will ever build, at my rate, I will need to live about another 300 years, and I know there we are all alike. But i have this hope that every kit I buy will inspire me to have a plan. Some plans are total imagination, some are kitbash inspirations, some are builds to use some spare parts, some are just to scratch an itch, but my mode is to plan a car just like everyone else here does. Only to get it out of my mind from obsessing over it, as I can do, I will take a piece of paper and try to draw or trace the model, do the mods, and write the plan down. Sometimes my plan is written on a paper plate, as when I am eating lunch, I get the itch, and start drafting right there over the crumbs. I am planning probably my ultimate 40 Ford coupe, a ittle beyond the coupe in the movie "The Hollywood Knights", and even farther out of the box than the Matador. It was an incredible itch, so I took a Sharpie and scratched it out right there. Life can be so cruel sometimes. One last thing, and maybe I am a little nutty as I get older. I will blame the meds. Ever since the sixties when I was a kid, it was like going in a Disney ride or show when I opened the box. I not only check the box art. instructions, tires, wheels, body, parts on sprues, and spare parts, but I take a whiff to smell the plastic and vinyl on the tires. Full immersion into a kit. And as hard as I try to force it, not every kit inspires me to a particular build. For example, I bought a Revell '56 Ford Pickup, wanting to make a copy of Foose's ride, but the new Model Cars came out, and I sharpened my knife to build a similar '53/ Why, because Jarius's drawings just hit me like an atomic bomb. At our club meeting last night, I realized I wasn't the only one inspired by Jarius's pickup trucks on the Sketchpad. Every guy there was planning a build, and one of our premier customizers has done all of the body work and is now mocking up the motor and chassis. Those drawings were the talk of the meeting. We sort of informally voted Jarius in our Admiration Hall of Fame, as a designer and a builder, as during the gossip talk we all agreed that Brad was pretty good and came up with some good cars on paper, but Jarius never designed something we didn't like. Hit the bullseye with all of our guys all of the time. Considering our bunch, that is quite a chore. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

Dave, The entire contingent of the Table Top Cruisers, the model car club located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has requested that you seek investors so that you can buy AMT/Ertl/RC2. You seem to have the innate seventh sense of what we modelers want and need at any particular time. We all bought lottery tickets last week in Florida, so in the case we won, we would be your investor. But in the meantime, keep those fabulous cars coming!!!!! Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

parki, I am 60 and was extremely active in model car building in what you guys term "the golden age" of modeling in the sixties. I was there still have a lot of those magazines, and several people in my club, mostly the younger guys, ask "what it was like". For pure model building and availability of kits, NOW is the Golden Age. Granted when new Trophy Series Kits, Drag Racers, Funnys, Special Editions, and such, it was quite the stir. And there were what seems a lot more clubs, hobby shops, and contests. But because of the times, we did not have that much aftermarket, selection of paints, glues, tools, and it took a lot more work to make a model back then and keep it together, then you take it to a hobby shop, the afternoon sun hits your car, and the putty and glue ridges and marks wash right through the paint. I still will not put any model in the sun or even near sunlight after some nightmarish experiences. But I am pursuing the hobby with the same level of enthusiasm, zeal, and gung-ho attitude at 60 than at any time of my life, only now, I have the choice of models available now that I only dreamed about back then. So, yes, us guys laid the groundwork, and then we died in the late sixties and early seventies, only to be re-born in the mid eighties. Only now the level of building is much better, cars are better detailed, and model car contests are more of an event now which they should be. I remember winning 7 contests in '64, but in '90, only entered two, and placed in both, but learned more then because we modelers in the old days didn't get to hang at a contest. The cars were just on display for weeks at the hobby shop, and there were only a few at a time inside when it was time to reclaim your cars. Appreciate the old days, like you appreciate oldie goldies in music. But please listen to a guy who has been at both places and times, this is the Golden Age. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

parki, I am 60 and was extremely active in model car building in what you guys term "the golden age" of modeling in the sixties. I was there still have a lot of those magazines, and several people in my club, mostly the younger guys, ask "what it was like". For pure model building and availability of kits, NOW is the Golden Age. Granted when new Trophy Series Kits, Drag Racers, Funnys, Special Editions, and such, it was quite the stir. And there were what seems a lot more clubs, hobby shops, and contests. But because of the times, we did not have that much aftermarket, selection of paints, glues, tools, and it took a lot more work to make a model back then and keep it together, then you take it to a hobby shop, the afternoon sun hits your car, and the putty and glue ridges and marks wash right through the paint. I still will not put any model in the sun or even near sunlight after some nightmarish experiences. But I am pursuing the hobby with the same level of enthusiasm, zeal, and gung-ho attitude at 60 than at any time of my life, only now, I have the choice of models available now that I only dreamed about back then. So, yes, us guys laid the groundwork, and then we died in the late sixties and early seventies, only to be re-born in the mid eighties. Only now the level of building is much better, cars are better detailed, and model car contests are more of an event now which they should be. I remember winning 7 contests in '64, but in '90, only entered two, and placed in both, but learned more then because we modelers in the old days didn't get to hang at a contest. The cars were just on display for weeks at the hobby shop, and there were only a few at a time inside when it was time to reclaim your cars. Appreciate the old days, like you appreciate oldie goldies in music. But please listen to a guy who has been at both places and times, this is the Golden Age. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I have been around this hobby for a very very long time, and visiting Bob's website really brought back some old memories and some inspiration. I can remember the days in the sixties when Bob's cars were featured, and I personally looked forward to the next issue of each, in the hopes he had something featured. Back in those days, there are as like today, a lot of gifted and talented modelers, but Bob to me had that "something special" in the imagination poured into his models. Thanks for the inspiration, as it put me back on the workbench, right now, as I was taking a little break, but got all inspired just looking at the creations. Way to go, Bob. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I have a friend and fellow club member who attends model car contests and events and brings his son. He also brings Snap Tite Kits to keep his son occupied during lulls in the action. Recently, Jeff brought Tyler the '64 Plymouth Polar Lights snap kit, so while Tyler was gone, I started fiddling with the kit, and discovered that despite good reviews, snap kits are not easy nor are they builder friendly, as I have used snap kits for body panels and made some mantle models with them. Plastic is an acquired taste to work with, and it seems to me, that practice in the use of pre assembly mockup and gluing are skills that need to be learned. There has not been one kit in the last 40 years that built perfect right out of the box. Plastic kits inherently do not fit well and the best reason is some hurried engineering, and finish that is applied to plastics make the fit more difficult. It is a parent's duty to build at least one or two kits with their prospective modelers to get their feet wet. One local hobby shop promotes "Make and Take" Saturdays and I have been there helping kids who show up without parents, but it is comical that we all struggle with the kits provided, even if they are planes, boats, and or cars. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

My dad was a car guy, and so were my uncles, cousins, and every other relative up in western Pa where I am originally from. I learned to build in that community of car guys, and we lived in the central part of downtown (very small town) and many people parked their cars next to our family compound. Plus, it didn't hurt that a Chevy dealer was right next door, so there were always plenty of trade in cars sitting alongside the alley between the dealer and our property. Plus, I idolized all of my uncles as well as my dad, and would watch them for hours when they performed repairs in their driveways. That led to my lifetime affair with THE CAR. Even though I always drove Nerdmobiles, I did that for survival, and built the cars as models I always dreamed of, deuces, merc, 40's, etc etc etc. Then when I was in my 30's I had my own house and did my own repairs on my wife's Toyota and my Maverick and Comet. Those were easy. But they provided me an intimate relationship with the car, which transcended over to my models. But the kids of today do not work on their own cars, except to add rear spoilers or big wheels. It is impossible to get to even a spark plug these days, so everything is farmed out, and there goes the intimate relationship. I have seen models built by teens that just don't have a clue what a radiator does, or where spark plug wires go, and I don't blame them. That is my $.02 Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I use Tamiya flat white paint, and have had no problems yet. I also make sure I clean the tires very completely before I apply paint to the dry tire. I have used acrylic based flat white house paint with success in the past, as well. Never use any enamel or lacquer to a vinyl tire or you will get much older than I am waiting for it to dry. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

I'm also a model railroader, and am lucky enough to live alone, now, so I have a very well stocked work room which used to be a spare bedroom. I use a variety of air brushes, spray cans, bottle paints dry brushed on, and detail paints with fine brushes. I also use Sharp Tipped Markers for some detail work that is way too fine for any brush I may have. When it comes to interiors, I am experimenting with everything now, including texture paints, metallics topped with dullcote, tans, bone colors, etc, all for that suede or leather effect. I always use flocking on the floor pans, except for funny cars and gassers, hahahaha. I am just now getting into molding my own parts from resin and would like to start to learn to photo etch soon. Believe me, I have been around for a long time, and to me with everything that is available out there, it is so good to build a strong good looking model car. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

The 1940 Ford is my all time hands down favorite car, from the grille to the taillights. I estimate that I have built over 100 of these cars mostly the AMT, but have a Lindberg, built and old MPC curbside, 1/32 Pyros, and the 1/43 AMT Sedan. Plus I have about 20 diescasts, too. This car is already off to a good start, as it looks like a lot of attention is paid to detailing the engine, and the design of the car accentuates the engine compartment. Keep up the good work. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman

It is still good to be a model car builder in South Florida. I live in Deerfield Beach, smack inbetween Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. In Ft. Lauderdale, there are two generally well stocked hobby shops with cars, Warrick SuperHobbies and RC Hobbies. Both have a good supply of models, paint, aftermarket, and other supplies, except that Warrick got rid of the counter and the expert, and left a shelf full of cars to help yourself. In West Palm Beach, there are 2 well stocked hobby shops, and both have experts on hand to help you out and order stuff not in stock. Then throughout the counties, there are Michaels' all over as well as about 5 Wal Marts. I tend to buy at LHS's more even though a little higher, as hobby shops are the backbone of our hobby, and they direly need our support. Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman