StevenGuthmiller

I don't think anyone is getting upset. Maybe it's just the way that I see things, but I always feel that every topic has room for expansion and discussion that actually have some meaning. Otherwise it just becomes another dopey list with no purpose. I enjoy digging a little deeper and having discussions with others about their thoughts. I suppose that there are some that come to these boards for some simple mindless amusement, but I can get all of that that I'll ever need from watching television. Steve

noun a person who engages in a hobby, an interest or activity pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as one’s main occupation: I was focusing more on the text book definition of a hobbyist, which would basically include ALL of us who engage in this hobby, regardless of what direction in which we choose to go with it, so I suppose it boils down to more of an objection to how you're defining the term than how you view the subject. I used the term "minimalist" to describe the modeler who's general perspective is to build basically in a box stock configuration as their regular routine, not so much as just a occasional respite from a more detailed direction. My impression is that some of the other terms that you used in your response would be more applicable for your mob name. I think "The Model Sportsman" would be a perfect fit. Absolutely not David! I consider a modeling forum to be a place for open discussion, and if we have no discussion, it's really a useless venue. Steve

"The Styrene Narcissist". The modeler who has the belief that his approach to building is the correct approach, and everyone else's is wrong. This delusion can manifest itself from both ends of the spectrum. Whether from the builder who goes to great lengths to include every detail possible in his model and views those that do not as "slackers" or "amateurs", or the builder who feels that the only objective is something that looks acceptable sitting on a shelf and feels that anyone who involves himself with the finer details is an "attention seeker", "trophy hound" or "braggart". Steve

Sure, but you make that sound as if those of us that enjoy the "satisfaction of the build" precisely by focusing on "details and accuracy" are somehow not "hobbyists". There are all different echelons of hobbyists. Those that get into the minutia of the project, those that do not, and everything in between. I personally get great satisfaction and relaxation from researching and implementing things like correct firing orders and body colors, so the implication that we are somehow not "enjoying the build" is frankly completely inaccurate. I think a more appropriate title for what you are describing might be "The Minimalist". I suppose the opposite of "The Rivet Counter". Steve

I’m the same way with all of the “series” that seem to be everywhere on television these days. I’ve never been big on series anyway, but inevitably, when people begin to suggest the latest Netflix series, or what have you, I automatically subconsciously, (or maybe even consciously) zone it out. Maybe it’s some psychosis about feeling like you don’t want to be told what to do? At least that might explain both the model and television thing. ? Steve

Exactly! If I hadn't done it when I did, chances are pretty high that I would have bypassed it for something more unusual. I'm kind of in the same predicament with the original AMT 1960 Ford pickup that I have. With Round-2 getting ready to release it again, my interest in building it is already beginning to wane. It won't be long after the re-release, and you'll be seeing them everywhere. Most likely that will be all that it takes to kill it for me. Maybe this could be considered another member of the "Model Car Mob", although I'm not sure of what to call it. "The Unconventional Eccentric"? Steve

Be careful what you wish for? I have to admit, I'm kind of guilty of this kind of behavior myself. I'm a vintage kit fanatic, and though I have most of what I want, there were a few that eluded me. At some point, I may have been willing to pay a sizeable price for some of these, but now that Round-2 has began re-issuing some of them, I find that I'm not really all that interested. The '64 Olds Cutlass and the '71 Dodge Demon were always on my bucket list, but since the Olds was re-popped, It's not really all that high on my priority list anymore. As a matter of fact, there's a fair chance that I may never build it. I suspect that the same thing might happen when the Demon comes out. I think it has something to do with the fact that I have a real distaste for working on something that everyone else is doing. I'm not sure why it is, but every time a new kit comes out, and I start seeing example after example every where I look, it's kind of over with for me. Even though it might be something that I thought was desirable just a short time ago, they become real ho-hum for me once you can't avoid seeing them anymore. Steve

I agree Jeremy, and I didn't take it as disrespectful at all. Just wanted to offer my perspective of the whole "rivet counter" connotation. Steve

Maybe we could just call them what they really are instead of "rivet counters". Just very dedicated and particular modelers. Steve

I agree. But it works both ways. I won't insist that others have to be one, if they don't dis those of us that are one. The term "Rivet Counter" is a negative term just by it's nature, and over the years it has become something viewed as an "undesirable" trait, and there are plenty out there that will use it as such in their conversations. I suppose that we, as "rivet counters" could come up with a derogatory term for people that don't do things as we like to do them, but I don't think that it would be particularly appropriate. Steve

I suppose I would have to call myself one of these.......at least currently. Steve

And then whines again because it doesn't meet his standards. Steve

The whiner. The guy who constantly whines about prices, but at the same time demands the most intricately detailed kits ever produced. Steve

Now I want to build my ‘64 hard top! ? Steve

That’s beautiful!! Steve

Some of mine are built promos, and actually not even under the Johan banner. They came from Johan molds, but were marketed by X-EL, so I say go for it! Steve

My only point was that demand may have been an issue. If wholesalers were offering them up for a buck, they apparently weren’t flying off of the shelves. It’s tough to justify a re-pop when the first round wasn’t all that it was cracked up to be. Steve

Probably why it hasn't been re-issued. Steve

From Wikipedia: Mickey Thompson claims the first raised white letter tires in 1970,[7] but many manufacturers put out similar raised white letter tires in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Goodyear[8] and Firestone.[9] Steve

2 part epoxy would absolutely be my choice, but hey...... Steve

I just use slightly thinned white glue, (Elmer's) but there are any number of acceptable solutions. You can also paint the embossing powder once applied with very good results. Just apply as you normally would and then let it dry completely. A couple of thin coats of a flat paint over it does a fine job. For my '64 Bonneville, I sprayed some custom mixed flat enamel over the powder. Worked very well. Steve

I agree. Another one that stands a good chance of revival as there's a good chance that at least a fair portion of the tooling still exists. Another group of kits that interests me that seemed to disappear into the ether were the MPC 1965/'66 full sized Dodge kits. The '65 Monaco and 880 convertible, and the '66 Monaco and Polara Convertible. All very rare kits to say the least. I wonder if the tooling still exists for any of these for a possible re-issue. Something makes me think that any of them could be a pretty popular release. Steve

I tend to think more along the lines of kits that were only produced once and have little, or zero chance of ever being released again. My guess is that something like the Land Rover’s tooling still exists and could be reissued should the market demand. Something like a Johan ‘66 Chrysler 300 was produced only in 1966, and literally has no chance of ever being issued again as a mass produced plastic kit. Steve

Oh, I was more than willing to take a chance on the Demon, but I wasn't paying for it. My dad was a Chevy guy, so I suppose what you describe wasn't on his radar. To him, a lifter ticking meant trouble down the road. But I got back at him. Sometime later, a bunch of friends and I jumped in to the Plymouth one afternoon, and from the back seat I hear, "Rev it up and drop it in low!" Not wanting to disappoint, I promptly followed the instructions and blew the front drive shaft yolk into little pieces! Pops wasn't happy at all. Steve

I suppose that's a possibility as I'm sure that AMT/SMP would have wanted to squeeze every nickel out of those toolings as possible, but I wouldn't categorize that as a re-issue. More of a continuance into the following year. That said, if true, I don't conceive that it would have done them a lot of good to continue for another year. As you stated, the rarity of some of the '58s leads me to believe that they either didn't sell a ton of them, or more likely, the little monsters crashed and burned most of them. Steve