Richard Bartrop

Sounds like we'll still need block heaters, only this time to keep the battery warm.

Though to put it in perspective, if you told someone at the beginning of the 20th Century how much gasoline you were going to have to refine and distribute, and how many roads you were going to have to build, they might have gone, "Right, let's stick with horses"

I seriously question anyone who says they can't tell the different between say, a new Cadillac and a new Challenger.

Though like the internet example, you have increased revenue to fund that new infrastructure.

Life-Like: 1910 Buick 1912 Hispano Suiza Revell (ex Gowland & Gowland) 1912 Mercedes 1909 Stanley Steamer 1910 Pierce Arrow 1914 Stutz Bearcat 1904 Oldsmobile The Olds could possibly be made into the Old Pirate, though I'm wondering if you'd be better off attempting a scratch build.

1. I did some rough calculations with some number pulled off Wikipedia, and basically, if everyone went to electric vehicles, we'd have to double the elecrticity supply. On the other hand, our recent experience with rewiring everything for the internet suggest that large scale upgrades to the infrastructure are doable, just so long as we give them some time. If we gradually introduce electrics, and don't insist we swap everything over by next Tuesday, we should be able to handle it. 2. I'm just south of you in Calgary, and I've had the argument with people how bicycles and public transit just aren't going to cut it for everyone. Of course, the population isn't evenly distributed, and there are clumps of population where electrics might suit people's needs just fine, just as long as people don't fall into the trap of thinking what works for them, works for everyone. Maybe plug in hybrids are the short term solution. Use the electric drive for around town, and switch to gas for long trips. 3. On paper at least electric power's ability to deliver full power even at low speeds would be ideal for trucks, and seeing how those monster haulers in the oil sands use electric drive, you would think it would be possible to make an electric motor with enough grunt to satisfy even the most demanding trucker. Like with 2, range is a big issue, though I can see the cost of electricity vs. diesel making electrics attractive for short range commercial vehicles, depending, of course on how much it costs to switch. It'll be interesting to see how Tesla's pickup and big rig fare in the real world. 4. That's a good question right there. Batteries do not like the cold.

What I find amusing is just how long people have been singing that particular tune, and how every so often they bump up the date for when they stopped building "real" cars.

I get that part just fine, which is why I was suggesting hubcaps that have appeared in other AMT kits. They've done a few 1950s vintage cars over the years that came with stock hubcaps.

Yes, those would be even better.

LEDs are your bed bet for lights. They run cool and last way longer than incandescents. Alas, Radio Shack is no longer with us, but check Google to see what you can find in your area.

I'd like to see the stock '49 Merc hubcaps available in a parts pack. Those look good on an old school rod or custom.

Now they just need to do a tree of 50s era hubcaps.

And you get cars like the Rolls-Royce, where the lack of noise was a selling point.

I think one thing that would be very useful is a link to the MCM main site.

I can't see them ignoring the North American market, and it's not like I don't already have plenty of stuff to build already while they sort it out.

Some nice, but now crazy expensive models of some open wheel racers from the front engine era would be high on my list, as would be a decent model of an Auburn speedster. At least two companies thought there was enough demand for a full sized replica, so you would think there would be enough for a scale model.

Also, it you want to separate the paper backing from candy wrappers, apply a little paint thinner, and it slides right off.

I understand the Lincolns were big favourites on both sides of the law because of their V-8 power and four wheel brakes. If you're looking for something big and heavy from that time period, there's Monogram's old Mack kit. It would be nice to see the '27 T come back. Since resurrecting the XR-6 part is probably too big an ask, how about some of the custom pieces from that first issue?

I don't think the Greased Lightning ever made it up here.

GM has teased the possibility of selling just the motor and the battery. Time will tell if this becomes the small block Chevy of the 21st Century.

On the subject of candy-related modeling material, some of the fancier chocolate bars have a foil wrap embossed with a pattern that makes a convincing thermal blanket.

That might be the problem. How many people go right to the forum, instead of stopping at the main page?

Sobering that more time has passed between now and the Interceptor of "today", than between then and the Model T of "yesterday"

Ferruccio Lamborghini with a model of the first production Lambo.

Though imagine pulling up in this crazy over the top muscle car next to some aging flower child in a Prius and going, "Oh, you still drive one of THOSE? Why do you hate our planet?"