StevenGuthmiller

I agree with that. But unfortunately, that didn't save me from having to do work in the rear seat area. The rear arm rests are virtually non-existent in the kit. Arm rests need to be added and the seat modified for them to fit. Believe it or not, this is a case where ultimately, the rear seat "should" be narrowed! I've decided that rather than narrow the entire seat, I would cut out a section of the seat to allow space for arm rests. No on the vinyl top. I will be sanding the vinyl top detail from the roof. Funny how it always seems to work out for me that kits with the vinyl molded in I ultimately decide to remove, and I often wind up adding vinyl to the ones that don't have it. Maybe I'm just being obstinate! Steve

Dad's got great taste! Steve

I picked up this "barn find" '65 Merc built kit several years ago. It came with plenty of "patina". I hope to get around to restoring it some day. Steve

Don't let this stop you!! Consider it a sort of "dueling Pontiacs" thing. I think it would be kind of fun, and we could could share information and maybe a technique or 2 along the way. How cool, (and confusing) would that be? 2 Steves and their '64 Grand Prixs! Steve

Used to be Hostess. Not so much anymore. They've gotten too expensive, and they don't taste the same as they used to. I used to really like "Suzy-Q's" While we're on this subject, was anyone else as disappointed and disgusted as I was when Nabisco changed their "Pinwheel Cookies"? What a travesty that was!! I loved those since I was just a kid, and then out of the blue, they changed them from a chocolate cookie with marshmallow and dark chocolate coating, to a vanilla cookie with milk chocolate coating! Haven't bought one since! Steve

Thanks guys! I do have a little update on what I accomplished today. Not much!! I spent a good portion of the day at the bench, but unfortunately, it appears that little was accomplished. I'm pretty certain that I spent at least a couple of hours removing original hardware and trim and re-scribing the pleating on one of the door panels for better definition, as well as the same on the GP logo on the door panel. I also added the new trim and puttied up a gouge. Then I spent the remainder of my time beginning the process of separating the seats from the console, and figuring out a solution for refining the appearance of the seats to some extent. Steve

I got lucky and happened to have a Texas sticker to go with the plates. Steve

Let the foiling begin!! Steve

Well, it's on to the next project! This time it will be this original AMT 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix. I have the usual plans for this one, going with a full detail build, including a full engine and chassis swap, a complete rebuild of the interior, and God knows what else at this point! I'll be using the chassis from the AMT '62 Catalina kit which seems to be a pretty good fit, although of course there are some fairly extensive compatibility issues. Engine will likely be a modern tri-power 389 from........where ever. The color is going to be correct '64 Pontiac "Sunfire Red" procured from Scale Finishes. Interior will be white and red. So far, I've begun working on those compatibility issues between the chassis and interior, and so far, I think I have settled upon a workable strategy. The main stumbling block has been the fact that the interior and chassis have completely different shapes and sizes of transmission tunnels. But I think my plan will work sufficiently. Steve

Thanks guys! If you look closely JJ, you'll see a Texas inspection sticker on the windshield as well. Steve

Don't kid yourself Curtis. That '64 Dodge is a true gem! What you have there is one of the original "flat box" '64 Dodge Polara Convertible kits! Very rare, expensive and difficult to find! What makes it unique is the fact that it has the stock Polara trim. Later issues did not. I can see that the rear fender wells have been cut out and the hood is pretty much wrecked, but parts to restore it can be found in the more common Johan '64 Dodge super stock kits. If you're quick, you can check out ebay right now and pick up a fresh hood and a set of minty stock wheel covers. Steve

Looking terrific so far! Keep up the great work!! Steve

Thanks fellas! Steve

I've been using a lot of 2 part epoxy lately. I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work in this circumstance. You can use embossing powder and Elmers glue to get a very convincing looking carpet. In most cases it will look better and more in scale than most materials. Steve

By the way, Thank you Greg, Chris, Luc, Kevin and Eric!! I really value your sentiments!! Thank you all so much! I really hope to get some outdoor shots up in the next few days. I think some natural light will do the model much more justice. Steve

You will notice Snake that I haven't posted in that thread for more than a week. I can "schlub" with the best of them. Steve

I can live with that. I just know that there are people who don't follow WIP threads, and I didn't see any restrictions of any kind in your thread, so I assumed it was open to all who wished to post. But if you would rather that I not do so, I will refrain. It really doesn't bother me either way. Steve

That's pretty neat Eric! I'm diggin' the upholstery pattern! Steve

That's a pretty ingenious idea! I have to say that I wouldn't want to be one of the judges that have to pick winners based solely upon photographs, but it does give people like myself the opportunity to compete in a show that they might likely never attend any other way. I might have to check that out! Steve

Thanks fellas!! This was something that I had never really thought seriously about until a few weeks ago when I saw a discussion about it on this board. So I thought I would give it a try. It worked nicely with the type of tires I was using, although when the model is sitting on a flat hard surface, the front tires appear like they could use another 5 psi. Steve

Great looking Vette Randy! I love that shade of red!! It has a bit of an orange tint to it and I always thought it looked fantastic on the Belairs in '57! Steve

Thanks Peter! I find that continuing on with an "On the Workbench" thread is a great tool to keep me motivated. Steve

I appreciate it folks! Contrary to what you may perceive Keith, I don't believe that there is a single technique applied to this build, or any other I have done, that I invented. Let's just say I'm a good student. Knock yourself out and "borrow" away! Coincidentally, I have been having the same issue deciding on color, But I think I've finally settled on white with a red bumble bee stripe and a darker red interior. No vinyl top this time. And I haven't made a definitive decision yet, but I'm leaning towards a Hemi and Magnum wheels on this one. Steve Steve

I've never been much of a fan of this vintage of Camaro, but I can't argue with the execution of this model! Very nice work, all around! Steve

Thank you Mark! The wheel weights are simply short segments of stretched sprue painted silver and applied to the wheel. The clamp bands are nothing more than dabs of silver paint. Steve