ChrisBcritter

So sorry to hear that. I knew a couple guys that worked with him on the Studebaker team at Bonneville. I also had to call his company, Tune-Up Masters, once on some small business matter for my boss back in '83 or so, and the secretary put him on the line! After I got the business question out of the way, I told him I was a fan of his, and he was real nice about it.

Just remembered this one - the 1966 TV show Thunderbirds, which used a lot of model cars as miniatures, especially the Monogram '58 T-bird. Here's the IMCDb page: http://www.imcdb.org/movie_57790-Thunderbirds.html

The headlights and taillights actually are extended from the body a bit; the headlights can be trimmed back and chrome bezels added. The taillights will work for a '53 if you cut them back almost even with the end of the fender, then use the lights from the Monogram '53. For a '54 you'd need to trim the back of the lenses about 3/32" to countersink them, then trim the edge of the opening a bit from the bottom up, leaving a lip flaring out at the top. A little Bare-Metal will finish the job. Now let's talk about reshaping the top of the windshield... Honestly, sometimes I think Revell was in a real hurry when they engineered this kit.

PM me your email and I'll send the file. Anyone else want a copy?

Question: Were there many changes to the stock SBC engine in these kits over the years? My '67 lacks an engine and if a later-reissue version is the same, it will be easier to replace. I've been cleaning up a damaged set of decals from the '67 Chevy pickup; if anyone else can use them here you go. Might need a bit more work but it's way better than it was: Also have this in a larger version (1965 x 1500).

Only problem is the base for the body is 1/32, not 1/25, plus if you look at old American school buses, it still has a ways to go to be correct.

Forgive me if it's a real dumb question, but can these diecast bodies be soldered together? Or can it be used as filler like lead was on 1/1 car bodies?

I'd like to build up a '57 Ford Fairlane like my uncle's old street racer: He put in a single four-barrel '62 or '63 406 and four-speed out of a wrecking yard. My idea to match this would be to use the engine from the newer AMT '62 T-bird and the fan belt/pulleys and transmission from the Revell '64 Fairlane Thunderbolt. Am I on the right track here? What would be my best source for a correct single 4-bbl carb and manifold - maybe the '60 Starliner? Over to you Ford gurus - thanks!

Christmas 1964. Before: ...And my little brother and me, after. Cars, cars, cars capped off by a Crusader 101.

Just to clarify: Are you using baking powder or baking soda? I've heard of baking soda being used as filler but not baking powder. One smaller thing: The vertical lines on the left side below the trunk lid are for the fuel filler lid; the two on the right are just indentations in the panel to balance out the lid and shouldn't be deepened: (ignore the continental kit, it was the best closeup I could find)

It was actually Silver Mocha Poly (dark brown, like the Revell '57 Country Squire) and Doeskin Tan - my uncle called it the Brown Beast. He said he did most of his racing on the streets of Paducah, but when this was shot the markings were temporary for a trip to the dragstrip in Brookport, IL. He sold the car shortly afterward in 1965 when he went into the Air Force. Here's a closer but blurrier shot: P.S. Just noticed you're from Pass Christian - my mom's from Gulfport. Her cousin (whom I never got to meet) drove stock cars around there - "Tiger" Fillingim, #72. Here's a few photos: http://www.misschicken.com/72-Tiger%20Fillingim.htm

Nice job on this one - especially how you matched the markings. My uncle had a '57 Fairlane 500 four-door pillared sedan which he raced around Paducah, KY in the mid-60s: It ran a 406 four-speed with a single four-barrel (the tri-carb setup was on the 292 it had before). Since it was his daily driver, the markings were temporary. (Which will make it a lot easier for me someday when I build it - I can freehand them and it won't have to be too neat!)

Looks like the rear end is from the AMT '57 Ford, if those rear "shackles" are molded onto the springs.

Color chart: http://www.tcpglobal.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1961-Buick-pg01.jpg How about something subtle, like Desert Fawn Poly? Mary Tyler Moore's ride in the movie X-15. With matching outfit.

Leave one of them. Donut spare on the other side.

Turned out real sharp - especially in black. Well done! How did it go over at the meeting?

Just to clarify, what is the inside diameter of the new tires? MM or inches is fine.

Casting lenses to replace molded headlights?

If you really want to get detailed, you can remove a little of the foil next to the windshield and back window to simulate the rubber gaskets around the glass, since it's already black underneath. Your last photo reminded me that AMT made a mistake - five-lug wheels (should be four-lug).

Boy, I wish they'd sell the new parts as a conversion kit! How do the new wheels and tires measure up in size (inner and outer diameter) to the old AMT or Jo-Han compact car tires? They could be just the ticket for my '61 F-85 wagon.

Yes! Please show us the new grille and how well it hopefully fits. And the new wheels and dog dish hubcaps - plus what kind of tires they have.

Oh man - vandalized or just rifled through? It happened to me just before Christmas several years ago; thank God they didn't bust the models. And the cops caught the bastard as he was leaving.

And while we're at it, we might as well ask for clear red taillight lenses as well (which would have been nice for the '65 Ford reissue).

Oh, you absolutely bet I would - I'm doing it now whenever I can scrounge extra lenses.

Lesson learned: Burnish down your shipping labels! I'll put clear packing tape over them sometimes to make sure.