Robberbaron

John, great to see those pics with the King. I'm not much for seeking out celebrities, but Mr. Pretty is on the short list of people I would genuinely want to meet. Everything I've seen of him indicates that he's a man of integrity, and quite humble considering his accomplishments. Something that seems to be more and more lacking in new, up and coming drivers, and celebrities in general. Keeping my fingers crossed that they're wrong about the weather forecast here in Indiana on Wednesday: looking like rain all day.

This thing is looking outstanding! Great progress.

The Times had a write-up today: stated that they're guessing they'll start arriving at the fairgrounds around 2:00 PM.

Incredible! Darn near every one of those initial pictures could pass for a 1:1 car, and in my book that is the ultimate compliment. My hat's off to you!

Impressive craftsmanship, what a great tribute!

Sounds like the clapped-out 79 Monte Carlo that I bought as a beater back when I was in college. Every panel was dented and most of the plastic in the interior was turning to powder. Had a set of those sheepskin covers that I was scared to remove, judging by the condition of the rest of the car. Turned out that the front seats were in better condition than any other part of the interior. That car was a mixed bag: solid sheet metal, but dents everywhere and oxidized paint. The frame behind the rear axle was nearly rusted through, but it had a good running 305 4-barrel. It also had the infamous Metric trans that slipped so badly that I had to shift it manually to keep it from blowing up. I bought it in the fall for $500, and at the time I was just hoping it would get me through the winter, so I didn't need to drive my "good" car. Somehow I actually limped it along the rest of the way through college and a year after I graduated, until I was able to buy my Formula, which was my first new car. Really enjoy seeing these Chevettes being built. These things were everywhere in the 80s. One of my sister's friends had an off-white one that they nick-named the Cream Puff, complete with one of those chintzy pop-up 80s sunroofs. My uncle also had one as a daily driver that he got really attached to: a couple times he got in fender benders where the insurance company wanted to total it out. He insisted on buying it back and getting it repaired, including a total repaint at one point. Think he drove that one for a solid 15 years without any major mechanical problems.

I remember my older brother getting and building an Advent version of the 57 Ranchero. That might have been the last version of that kit with the stock height roof before they butchered (rebutchered?) it by severely chopping the top, for the "Saints" version, I believe.

Jason, you have absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed about regarding this model or your skills. Frankly, looking at the fabrication and clean building style that you're displaying in this thread, I would have guessed you were a middle aged guy if you hadn't stated that you were only 15. When I was 15, I was only beginning to step beyond box stock by swapping wheels between kits, nothing like what you're doing here.

Looking great, Bob! The nose looks great with the Monte headlights, and you've got the grille surround contours down, including that inner raised edge. Judging by the cross-hatch grille pattern and the center divider, it looks like that's actually a grille from a 76 Classic. (77 Classics had all vertical bars, that's about the only visual difference between those 2 years) Nice work also on the tailgate with the provisions for the hinges. Really impressed by your progress on this.

Sweet! Closest it's been to us previously was probably in Lansing, but I think that was right after they started it in the late 90s. Don't think it's been anywhere near our neck of the woods for a long time. My first reaction was that it's going to be crazy if they try to do it on the square, but I see they're having the stop at the Lake Co. Fairgrounds. Now I know what I'm doing with my kids that night!

I don't think Hemmings or the owner misrepresented anything, from what I'm seeing. As I stated previously, my hat's off to the owner for everything he has done to keep this car functioning and, from the pictures, very presentable, especially considering the frame replacement and the body panels that have been replaced multiple times. The only issue I took exception with is some people's knee-jerk reaction of "they built ''em so much better back in the day".

One of the resin casters is working on a 73-77 Elco, but I haven't seen anything posted lately about any progress on the master. It's being based on the recent Missing Link 73 Malibu resin, which was mastered by Repstock, one of the members here. Whenever that Elco is completed, I'm guessing it will also be a 73. Bob: great progress. The body lines look great. Can't wait to see this when you get the nose and the rear bumper complete!

Normally when I've seen tri-fives chopped, it didn't work, but this looks killer. I think it's the complete package working together: the severe drop, the chop, the primer, the rims, and I'm really digging those pinstripe whitewalls.

You beat me to it, Tony! My thoughts exactly. That doesn't make this Ford any less impressive in my book. Nowadays any original-owner car from 1950 is impressive, but the work that this guy has done is just monumental, and notice how much of the work was done in the first 20 years, when these were just used up old cars to most people. This just isn't the example to use for the argument "things were just built so much better in the old days".

I'm normally not too into the first gen Chargers, but this one is done the right way - has that "all business" street racer vibe to it. Very nice!

Wholeheartedly endorse this! Definitely a 180 degree departure from the original intent of a Volvo wagon. There is an inordinate amount of 1:1 Volvos that get converted to American V8 power, for some reason (usually Chevy 350s). Never seen one taken to this level, though (that is a compliment).

I think you have the stance/wheels/tires nailed down perfectly, wouldn't mess with it at all. Impressed with the cage you put together, too.

Looks great! The white bumper/mirrors/wheels really help create the look, along with converting to the round headlights. Really gives it that barebones "all business" look.

Awe-inspiring work! After seeing your Clark Station and Photo Booth, I already know how incredible this is going to be!

Absolutely gorgeous! Everything you post is a standout!

Impressive work, Bob. You really seem to have the dimensions nailed down on this one. Are you planning to do the original 74 front end, or duplicate the 77 nose that you installed? Really would love to see the 77 front end done. I own a 1:1 77 Malibu Classic, and one of my to-do's is to convert either the AMT or the MPC stocker into a duplicate of my 1:1. Bill, I agree with you from personal experience: the 73-77 A-bodies get very little respect, but I love 'em all: Chevelles, El Caminos, Montes, plus all the B-O-P versions. Definitely going to be keeping an eye on this build. From your 60 El Camino build, I've seen what you're capable of. I'm assuming you will be starting out with an interior from the Revell 77 Monte, since that has the dash you will need? Can't tell from your pic of your Elco had swivel buckets or a bench seat, but the 77 Monte has the buckets if you need them, too.

Chuck, gotta agree with you on all the points you make regarding the 67 - 72 GM trucks. If planned out correctly, there are so many possible variations off the basic platform, as you described. If Moebius' bumpside Fords turn out to be hits, (and looking at the current 33 page discussion thread in the truck section, I think they will be) I'm crossing my fingers that this could be their next light truck subject.

I picked one of these up at Hobby Lobby last week, and was also struck by how crisp the engraving is on both the plated tail panel and the grille/headlight assembly. Fortunately, the chrome on mine is fine as well. The only place it looks a little wonky is on the Hemi valve covers, but it looks like those might actually have some engraved texture beneath the plating.

Had to look that one up - now I can say I learned something today! ? And here I thought we were all speechifying instead ? Harry, that's the reason I admitted in my original post that I had some reservations about starting this thread. I'm resigned to the fact that some folks just aren't going to get the gist of what we're trying to discuss, and you then get the resultant posts like "I drove an '84 Plymouth Reliant in High School, they really should make a kit of that". But it seems like at least half the guys posting in this thread "get it". It's not necessarily a personal wish list, it's more a matter of looking at how much interest there is in certain 1:1 vehicles, and wondering why there's not a decent kit of that vehicle in 1/25. Model interests and trends tend to follow the 1:1 car world. I think there is some information of real value, specifically the certain subjects that are being discussed repeatedly, especially the concept of a new Model A coupe. I really believe several of us have made a very good argument on why it would make sense to tool one of these up. I'm not conceited enough to think that any manufacturer is going to make that decision because of this thread. But we do know that several people "in the industry" browse this forum. So if they read this thread, at least some of these ideas have a better chance of getting at least a little bit of consideration.

With that wide fiberglass grille opening beneath the protruding headlights, I've always thought the 58 Packard Hawk would win the prize for the car that looks most like a catfish. Totally destroyed the elegant design of the Studebakers. I've got to admit, there is a "so ugly it's cool" factor to these, which is helped by their rarity. But there's a reason the 1:1s didn't sell ( actually several reasons), and as a styrene kit I think there's zero chance. I think a case could be made for the actual Studebaker Hawks, and if that happened, a resin caster could step in with a Packard version.