ChrisBcritter

Try 600 grits?

Doug, could we see a shot of the '37 Buick? I don't think I've suggested this before - how about a Stutz Blackhawk coupe that would fit the MPC Pontiac Grand Prix chassis? Or a '50 Plymouth that wasn't cribbed from a crude promo (ditto '50 Studebaker). Or a thoroughly corrected body and glass for the AMT '58 Plymouth. Or '62 and '63 Rancheros, preferably with a correct engine compartment (can't believe nobody's done this).

Stopped in at Deerfield yesterday evening and spotted three Plymouth Prowlers on the clearance shelf for $7.99. (They have the Atlantis airplane kits in as well.) Went to Michael's on the way home, and they had a Revell snap-kit '57 Chevy for $8.99, and an opened '67 Shelby for $28.99 (SRSLY?).

A battle well fought and won!

GreenLight beat them to it with a 1/24 diecast; I suppose that took a bite out of potential kit sales.

Yep, we got rain here too this afternoon. Went downstairs and I could see water on the basement floor (In the words of that great philosopher Joan Rivers, "OH UCKKO!") . Turned out the sump pump had a bad switch; luckily jiggling it got it restarted before any real damage was done - years ago I made sure all my models were at least 6" to a foot off the floor. Looks like the damage was limited to some empty cardboard boxes and the carpet around my workbench; the plumber replaced the switch and backflow unit and didn't charge too much.

the Light Brigade

That poor '57 DeSoto convertible... it would be considered a "viable project" today.

Just got back from the funeral home. There was a nice memorial gathering with a very moving service; Tom had been cremated earlier but they brought a container with the ashes for the altar. There were a lot of family photos and displays of a couple dozen of Tom's amazing models, plus his brothers performed Bruce Springsteen's "Terry's Song (They Broke the Mold)", and I pretty much lost it at that point. Many members of the LMMCC were there to offer their condolences. R.I.P. my friend.

Guys - I spoke to Tom's wife this morning and got the full story. It is with a heavy heart I must tell you Tom took his own life. Please, if you ever have any feelings or intentions toward that yourselves, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. This is the second friend I've lost this way in the last year and a half. Please don't give up - help is there if you reach out for it.

Thomas James Piagari 1965 - 2019 I'm sorry to report on the passing of one of my closest friends, master modeler Tom Piagari. I received this email from the president of the Lake Michigan Model Car Club today: "To All, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but as Newsletter Editor of the Lake Michigan Model Car Club, sometimes that is my responsibility. It is with shock and sadness we must report the passing of Tom Piagari. Tom didn't just build plastic kits; he was a professional Modelmaker/Rapid Prototyping for Paradigm Development Group. One of our finest modelers, Tom joined the LMMCC in 1987 and had been our Contest Director since 2003. All of you in the AMG Milwaukee are sure to remember Tom as one of your NNL award winners. His work appeared in almost every national hobby magazine. To say that he will be missed is a gross understatement. We will have a biography and more information in a future issue of our newsletter, but for now, here are the current details: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/thomas-piagari-obituary?pid=193710895 Thomas Piagari age 54 of Prospect Heights, IL passed away August 20, 2019. Loving husband of Leslie. Memorial gathering Sunday, August 25, 2019 beginning at 3:00PM to 7:00PM G.L. Hills Funeral Home, 745 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016. For details please call (847) 699-9003 glhillsfuneralhome@sbcglobal.net Take care and God bless all of you, James E. Zientara Dory Zientara" I last saw Tom Saturday evening when we went together to the LMMCC meeting; he brought along his newly-completed '72 Rally Nova. It was a little jewel like all his builds were. He was a great help and inspiration to me as a modeler; we had many good times together in the six years I knew him. I loved him and will miss him very much. P.S. He was on the forum under the name feretzrus; he wasn't big into forums like me but you can see some of his fine builds posted under that name. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/profile/18167-feretzrus/

Marvin and K-9

"I do NOT!"

Keep fighting the good fight, Bill!

I'm enjoying this build - the TC kit is one of those I never got around to building but always wanted to. How's the parts fit in general?

troo da nose

$Ouch, but I finally got the darn thing: '63 Pontiac Bonneville. So many of these have broken taillight bezels (easy to see why), so I'll cast up some copies of just that portion. Now I just need a driver's side lens. Remember how I picked up a set of resin lenses on eBay, and the seller sent two right ones? The seller apologized and said they'd send a new set, and they did - two more right ones . Sent all four back.

(don't tell Mommie)

use wire hanger

I see a lot to like there besides the grille!

it up the

Great score on the Bearcat, Jeff! Been hoping one of these would fall into my lap someday. At the LMMCC meeting a few hours ago I donated the GTX kit to the raffle; happily it went to someone who will build it. My ticket was pulled for this El Camino, plus I paid a whole dollar for the mortal remains of two '60 T-bird convertibles: Between these and an el-warpo '60 coupe promo, I have nearly enough to make a start on that stretched-wheelbase T-bird flower car I've been thinking about:

I have an older model Dremel with a speed control knob built in, plus a scriber tool between the bars, plus a lot of careful whittling. Lately I cut open a '65 Nova grille which was a real challenge to avoid breaking any of the bars. I keep the Dremel at its lowest speed.

the glamorous life