Tory

Again, many thanks for all the kind words here. Yes Tom, I did forget to photograph it on it's "scale" section of Hot Wheels Track. Thanks for posting that photo. I originally made that section of track for my 1/25 scale Hot Wheels Python model.

Thanks again! Danno, are there any photos online of the builds from your club's contest? I would love to see them! Tory

Thank you all for the wonderful comments, I'm glad it found favor here. I realize that building scaled up Hot Wheels isn't everyone's cup of tea, and glad so many of you "get" what I do! I've done a couple of other scaled up Hot Wheels and Matchboxes in the past, If anyone is interested let me know and I will post them. Happy New Year to all. Tory

Every year my model car club holds its annual Christmas Build Contest, whereby one kit is chosen at the previous year's Christmas party and you can build it any way you see fit. This year was the Revell sort of reissue of the old Monogram Sizzler Dragster called the Slingster. It is basically the same kit, only scaled to 1/25 rather than the original issue's box scale of around 1/20th. It is a sweet little kit with a whole load of optional parts and build configurations. The end panel of the box has an illustration of the Bantam Coupe version finished in orange and it immediately reminded me of one of my favorite modern day Hot Wheels styles, the Way 2 Fast twin engined dragster. So as has become my MO of late, I decided to "scale up" yet another diecast toy as if it were a real vehicle. I was able to obtain a second engine from a fellow club member who wasn't going to use it in his build. The kit engines only have plated valve covers and headers so I finished the block, trans and blower assemblies in high gloss black and gave them a coat of Alclad II Chrome. The top of the body is open in the stock kit form so I filled it to accommodate the checker graphics. The grill and fuel tank are from the Revel '32 Ford 5 window coupe kit, as were the wheels and front tires. The slicks are from an old AMT '65 GTO kit and were slightly opened up to fit the 5 spoke chrome wheels. The orange paint is from a 15 year old pint can of Sherwin Williams orange toner lacquer left over from my freelance days. It was still good and yielded a super bright and very high gloss orange finish. The checker decals were made in Adobe Illustrator and printed on Micro Mark Clear decal film applied over a Tamiya gloss white top. The body and grill shell were finished in 2 part clear urethane. The chassis and under body were finished in Tamiya Gun Metal spray lacquer. It was voted 1st place in the contest, beating out a very well built other twin engined dragster by only 1 vote. Hope you like it. Tory

Thanks again everyone. Danno, I had every intention of wiring the engine but simply ran out of time. I should probably go back in and do it, but have yet another pressing built to attend to. So it might be a while. But I agree, it looks somewhat toy like without some fine detailing like plug wires and maybe a little engine plumbing. Tory

Thank you all for the kind words! Looks like I succeeded! The paint fade on the drive shaft seems to be a favorite! Must keep that in mind for future builds! Tory

This model began as an AMT factory stock 1934 Ford 5 Window coupe. I chopped the top 5 scale inches and channeled the body. The front and rear suspension are from the Revell '32 Ford 5 Window Coupe kit, as is the engine and wheels. Front tires are also from the Revell kit, while rear tires are custom made in Solidworks and printed on a Form 1+ printer. Paint is overall Tamiya Pearl White, while the engine is Ford Orange Crush Pearl. The interior is deep purple, although almost impossible to see. Decals were custom printed on Micro Mark clear decal film using a color laser printer. The graphics were fond online using a Google image search for "flaming skull". They were sized and color enhanced in Adobe Photoshop. The model was built to satisfy the JSMCC's annual brown paper bag contest where you choose a model and a color without knowing what it is. This is the very first street rod I have ever built and it represents a lot of work in trying to get the proportions just right. I never realized how tricky that is and have a new found respect for my fellow street rod builders, both scale and full sized! Hope you like it! Tory

I'll be there as Rascal Resins selling resin show rod kits. I'll also have a few models on display. Looking forward to enjoying another wonderful NNL East! Tory

Thanks again folks! Like I said, she'll never be a contest winner but it sure does bring a lot of smiles and fond waves of nostalgia to everyone that see's it! Ewen, I can relate. Growing up we weren't exactly "rolling in it" but there was always a spare buck to indulge me in a Matchbox. I even had a patch of dirt on the side of our house that was a miniature construction zone for my little vehicles. Good times! Tory

Thank you all for the kind words, glad you like it. While 3-D printing is amazing, you have to master the digital modeling end of things in order to have something to print. I think a lot of folks are missing that minor point! Tory

When I was just a young lad, I loved Matchbox cars. And one of my all time favorite Matchboxes was my little "BP Exploration" vehicle. It was just the coolest little amphibian. Well recently I was looking for a subject to serve as my entry in my model car club's "Heavy Commercial" theme night and also needed something to use to up my digital modeling skills. It dawned on me that the little 6 wheel vehicle would be a good fit for both. Not overly complex, yet still providing some challenges in areas I hadn't had much experience in, I proceeded to model it in 1/24th scale. A quick search on the internet provided all the information I needed. Armed with photos of the actual vehicle, some decent line drawings and my little Matchbox I still have since childhood, I proceeded to model it up and print it out on our 3-D printer. I then finished and painted it up to display at the club meeting. It was an instant hit, almost everyone remembering the cute little Matchbox from childhood. While not a contest quality build, it is certainly a head turner. The cover over the rear is removable just like the little Matchbox and the wheels roll freely. There isn't any documentation that shows this vehicle in these markings, as it was pretty exclusively used in the British Army. But it sure is cool in this color scheme rather than camouflage! Tory

Thanks Shardik, I'm hoping it will be!

Hey Tom, yeah like a bad penny I turn up in the darndest places! And yes, my dad did in fact work with Jim Keeler at Aurora. That would have been back around 1970-75-ish. And thanks again to everyone for the very warm welcome I have received here. I'm likely to become a regular, you are all forewarned! Bwahahahah!!!!

Wow, that's amazing! What scale is it?

Thanks guys! Hey John, good to see a familiar face (?) here!

Thank you Jason (or do you prefer Zarana?) I was truly inspired by that fine piece of art and wanted to stick with it as close as possible. It just seemed to have the right combination of armor and weoponry. Unfortunately that meant some serious scratchbuilding! Tory

My wife "Oprah" and I thank you for that heart warming welcome! Thank you for the kind words regarding my Zombietle!

Thank you all for the warm welcome! I just posted my latest creation over on the Community Builds 2012 POST APOCALYPSE/ZOMBIE HUNTER COMMUNITY BUILD

Sipari, thanks for the kind words. I started with a Revell 1/25 snap together VW New Bettle kit. The machine gun and gas can are from the MPC Hogan's Heroes Jeep. Everything else was scratch built. Chillyb1, I can't take credit for the concept as I used a rendering of a Hyundai Veloster as my inspiration: As for the name, all I can say is great minds think alike! Tory PS I am such a clod, forgive me for not complimenting you two on some really cool builds yourselves! Sipari, love your finish, very cool choice of colors and textures. And Chillyb1, I keep thinking about a zombie impaled on one of those augers spinning around with body parts flying off in all directions and can't stop chuckling to myself!

Great build Eric, you had my vote! I keep going back and looking at all the details you put in it, the more I look the more I see! Also, you really got the proportions just right on it. No small feat. Tory

Hello, I am new to this forum, though I've been around this hobby for what seems like forever. My name is Tory Mucaro and I have been an active model builder since I was 7 years old. At 52, that comprises about 45 years of sniffing glue and paint fumes, accumulating little boxes filled with injection molded plastic parts awaiting assembly and utilizing and even inventing every combination of swear words in the history of the hobby! I am currently the model shop supervisor for Fisher Price Toys here in NYC. I have been a professional model maker for the last 35 years, having worked for such companies as Mego Toys, Buddy L and Tyco. I am actually a toy industry brat, my dad bringing me into the industry when I was just 17. However, my first and true love is plastic model kits. I build in almost every category, automotive, aircraft, figures, ships, sci-fi, pretty much everything but armor. I love to build in the path less traveled, and almost always have something humorous about my models. Hope to share some fun projects with all of you, while enjoying your work and learning some tricks and techniques I am not aware of. Tory

I just completed this little punch buggy Zombie Survival Vehicle. I call it The Zombietle: Hope you all like it. Tory