StevenGuthmiller

The red line tires in the AMT '64 442 kit look like this. I assume that the whitewalls in the Cutlass convertible would be the same tires. What I would really like to find is a set of the Moebius 1965 Plymouth Belvedere whitewalls! I still think these are some of the nicest early 60s whitewalls ever produced! They just look "right"! I think I'll inquire about those in another thread. Steve

A 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Model-J that I've owned since I was 18 years old in 1980. Needs cosmetics, but runs like a champ! The hood on this beast is approaching the length of my wife's Honda S-2000! Just for some perspective of how long I've owned this car, here is an old photo of me in a tux, standing next to my "get away" car at my wedding in 1987! Steve

I don't have one of the '64 Cutlass convertibles, but something makes me think that the convertible has white walls instead of red lines like the hard top. I might very well be mistaken. But if it is the case, I would love to trade a set of the red lines for a set of the whitewalls, or a set of similar smaller thin whitewall tires. I need a suitable set for my current 1964 Pontiac Lemans project. Thanks!! Steve

Good lord! Please stop! As if my faith in humanity wasn't already at the lowest point possible!!!! Steve

An "explanation" makes sense to me, especially if the model in question is a total fantasy such as your example David. Someone viewing the model would probably be curious as to what your MO was for building the model. I can also understand a back story if it's an actual factual or historical account. If someone is building a replica of a vehicle that exists, or has existed at one time, and there is a legitimate story behind that vehicle, whether it be a famous custom or race car, or even just a family vehicle that has an interesting history behind it, then I'm all ears. I don't know. I guess it's just me, but on the occasion that I do see a model with some extensive fictional story attributed to it, it really doesn't interest me much. The model itself is the focus, and it's just my opinion, but a made up story about it's existence really doesn't do anything for me. I don't want to stir up a hornets nest, but I kind of feel the same way when I see guys that name their models. Not so much just calling it Betty, or Veronica, but the ones that conjure up some fantastical name that they somehow feel enhances the model in some way, like a bright yellow street machine called "The E-Lemon-ator" or some goofy sh-- Sometimes I feel that their just trying to promote their model as somehow something better than it actually is. In any case, much like the backstory thing, it doesn't really bug me. It just kind of makes me chuckle. But hey, we all have our little idiosyncrasies, and in the end, whatever floats your boat is good I suppose. Steve

I think I'd try some .010x.030 strip, laid on edge. Use some thin rod or strip vertically as your background mounting members, and possibly some .020 or .040 strip for spacers to ensure that the spacing is correct and even. Use a thicker strip for the horizontal center grille member, and the upper and lower outer moldings. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm way behind already on my current project, I'd sit down in my shop for a couple of hours and test this theory, but That's the approach that I would take. The parking light bezels could be done with some plastic tube of the correct diameter, but I'm not sure if I would try to do them before the grille members and butt them up to the bezels, or more likely, add them after. Steve

Nope. The only thing I’m interested in while working on a project is the history of the subject itself. I get all of the back story I require just from researching the subject and trying to translate that into the model. I suppose if you consider building a model that represents a vehicle of a certain age, mileage, etc, or a car that may have been owned by an individual with certain vague personality characteristics a back story, then yeah, I guess. But I’ve never felt the need to create a detailed scenario or narrative around a project. Maybe I just don’t have that sort of imagination. But, I guess if it’s something that helps you, go for it. Steve

Try using this technique. It works for all of the moldings, not just wheel openings, and will not only help give you perfectly straight moldings, but will guard against any slippage of your blade and prevent any paint damage. Steve

I always order mine directly from BMF. That insures that it's fresh, and not the stuff that they were producing a year or two ago with the adhesion and thickness issues. Steve

Use the foil. You're never going to find a better option. Chrome on silver is always a bit hard to distinguish, but if you use the right materials, you'll get a pretty good distinction between the two. Learn how to use BMF and you'll never look back. Steve

I agree with the Johan Cadillacs being nice kits, but I wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of the early AMT kits. Along with Johan, if it were not for the AMT annuals from the late 50s throughout the 60s, representation of American automobiles from that era, (with a very few exceptions) would be nearly nonexistent. They may not have been engineering marvels, but in many instances the accuracy of body shape and proportion still puts many modern kits to shame to this day. It’s my opinion the there is much more that constitutes a good kit, and what’s required to make a nice model, than just the number of parts contained in the box. Steve

The AMT 1956 and ‘57 Ford Fairlanes, and the AMT 1958 Chevy Impala. Steve

Yes, but the question was, "what is our opinion" on 3-D printing. Not what do we think of every individual dumbbell that gets their panties in a wad because they think everyone else should think like them. And yes, I believe that's a two way street. Steve

I don't speak for everyone else. I can only speak for myself. I understand that stupidity abounds, especially on some of the Facebook groups. Heck, I had a big argument recently with a guy on Facebook who although he claimed to be a model show and contest enthusiast for 55 years, had no idea what the NNL was and what the letters stood for. But that doesn't mean that everybody that has little or no interest in 3-D printing has an agenda against it. Are there nuts out there? Of course. But my guess would be that there are a great deal more that just don't have much interest in leaping on to the latest band wagon every time a new one comes along. We're happy with where we are. Steve

Or, to be a little less abrasive, you could just say that some of us older modelers have evolved our way of doing things over many years of developing techniques and the use of certain materials that are comfortable to us, and at this juncture in our lives and modeling careers, are completely satisfied with that, and don't feel the need to start all over again with a whole new genre of technologies. I don't think that you can call that "closed minded". I think of it more as "disinterested". I don't have anything against 3-D printing, and if I ever happen to find a part or two for sale that I can't live without, I'm on it, but it's not likely to ever be anything that I'm going to go out of my way to embrace, and I certainly won't be doing any of it myself. I don't necessarily think that makes me a knuckle dragging neanderthal. I'm just not all that captivated or fascinated by it. Got by just fine without it for all of these years. I think I can do just fine without it for a few more. Steve

As Trevor stated, not an unusual kit at all. It's the AMT 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible kit with the optional custom wagon top added. Been around for a loooooong time. I have one of the "Prestige" versions. Just a few pics of others built in the same wagon configuration. This is the latest version of the kit as it's available now. Steve

I can see that I'm definitely not missing anything by not having an Ollie's around. Steve

Micro-Mesh pads. ? Steve

I’m really liking this idea for the reflectors! I’m always looking for ideas on how to do those. I might try an alternative method for the lenses, but the reflectors look great! Steve

Of course, everybody has their own interests, but I think with the recent revelations from Round-2 of kits that were all but expected to never return, ie, the ‘64 Olds, ‘63 Nova wagon, ‘68 Coronets, ‘71 Demon, ‘64 Chevelle, the Ford trucks, etc, I think the only conclusion is that they’re exceeding all expectations. There will no doubt be more surprises in the future, and I’m certain that everyone will find something that they will be exceedingly happy with. Steve

You can replicate slightly rusted iron manifolds simply by spraying them with the metal finish of your choice, (I use Alclad) and then spray a very light mist of red oxide primer from a spray can from several feet away to create a light speckling of rust. I use this same technique for many rusted metals, including exhaust pipes. Steve

That might be correct. I know some makes and models jumped back and forth between manufacturers. It can be hard to remember what went where. In any case, the ‘65/‘66 Barracudas were produced by AMT, not Johan. Steve

This is the story that I have heard. I have heard nothing to make me think that it’s untrue. When Johan began struggling, probably as far back as the late 70s, employees began to go unpaid, prompting some of them to steal parts of some of the molds to hold for ransom. How much of that is true, I have no idea, but it gets worse from there. As the company began it’s downward spiral, molds were sold off and melted down for scrap, and whatever remained wound up in poorly maintained storage, where it rusted and deteriorated, rendering most of what remained unusable. To compound things, it’s my understanding that the injection molding equipment used was exclusive to the Johan molds, and vice versa, meaning that any remaining molds were useless without the specific equipment needed to make them usable. So, it appears that the entire situation was destined to be a disaster once the ball began rolling. In other words, with the exception of a very few items, the bulk of Johan’s inventory is gone forever, with virtually a zero percent possibility that it can ever be resurrected. The Barracuda kit spoken of was originally offered as a full customizing kit, with a stock body and all other stock parts by AMT in 1965 and 1966, as well as the ‘67-‘69 Barracudas. My guess is that there is a very good possibility that Round-2 might resurrect the ‘66 Barracuda at some point through their “reverse engineering” process. Steve

There are a number of reasons why Johan kits are not coming back, but the bottom line is that they’re not coming back. Steve

I guess you learn something new every day. ? Steve