mikemodeler

Like others, I tend to build more over the winter months, although not like I did when I lived in Chicago. The Midwest winters offered a longer building period but now that I live in North Carolina I am usually mowing grass by late February/early March so free time is less frequent. The humidity has dropped so there will be a few more painted bodies but in reality, I still have last year's batch to get to before any more for this years!

Haven't been in a few years but IIRC, some vendors actually sold stuff, mostly small items. There once was a section where local hobby shops would have a booth so attendees could buy some stuff, not sure if they still do that. Kind of a bummer that Revell won't be there, hopefully we learn next weekend at the Toledo show what they are bringing out in 2014!

Outstanding work as usual Tom! Looking forward to this being available someday soon!

Nice find! I personally would get it road worthy and enjoy it, the body doesn't look too bad unless the passenger's side is where the wreck occurred.

I have only bought new kits from him, I leave vintage kits for swap meets or this forum where deals can be made.

That appears to be a cleaner resin cast engine than the other one Rusty. Keep us updated as to price and availability.

That plagues several magazines that I know of.

I knew it looked like a Ford Corsair, just couldn't come up with exact year or model. I remember Matchbox having one similar to this when I was a kid.

Nice to see you back building Marc!

Dave, Google sleeper nova, you will see his green nova that was in Hot Rod magazine a few years back. It probably was a better ride than some, but still not ideal way to spend a week driving, although he did say the drag strip part was fun!

Depending on what you are looking for, there are different answers to your question. The Modelhaus makes a lot of tires and wheels and most of them are replacements for kits and promos from the 60s. Chief Joseph has some nice BFG tires and has great service. Alan from Ma's Resin offers up some real nice tires but there is a wait for his stuff, mostly because of demand and he has a busy day job. There are several members here who do resin cast wheels and have nice products. There are more, just really depends on what type of wheel and tire you are in search of.

I recently bought a couple of these Ford vans on clearance at Hobby Lobby with the idea of a box truck and also a motorhome, thanks for the post, maybe I can get motivated with your pictures here! Nice job, should look good when it's done.

I have a friend who participated a couple of years ago. Not the most fun according to him as you are driving a car that typically doesn't have many creature comforts in the heat of the summer in the middle of the country! Add in a car that isn't designed to pull a trailer and it becomes tiring real fast. The trailer is necessary for the tools/parts one thinks they might need so guessing/packing correctly influences how the vehicle handles and performs.

John, I have stopped at Hobby Stop and picked up some Tamiya paint and Evergreen, but their prices (kits and supplies) are higher than the HTU in Pineville. I bought there only so I didn't have to drive out of my way to Pineville. Will have to remember the Monroe location next time I am out that way. I did stop in the HTU in Richmond today and was disappointed. Walked in and the clerk at the register was more engaged with some sea story with two customers, didn't even acknowledge my presence. Spent 10-15 minutes looking over the kits and paint/supplies aisles and still no acknowledgement! After walking both aisles 2-3 times, I left without buying anything and even on my way out I stopped at the magazines by the register and I was ignored as the clerk was now talking to a young mother who was there with her son playing with the wooden train table. I was taught years ago to always acknowledge the customer when they enter your business, and help them as soon as you can. I just might have bought something tonight but not if they can't even say hello. And before anyone says anything, the clerk looked to be in his late 50's/early 60's!

Not sure what the cost of sponsoring the Nationwide series is but the MWR sponsorship ran about $18,000,000/year for NAPA. Considering how poorly the Nationwide series is covered, I think you will see NAPA stay with a Sprint Cup team. I do think you will see Martin Truex take NAPA with him to another team and that team is .....................................Stay tuned, I predict an announcement by next weekend, if not sooner.

My sentiments exactly Harry! He is providing a service to some and offending others, much like many businesses either on the internet or in a brick and mortar location.

Before I moved south 8 years ago, this was one of my "go to" places. Can't remember walking out of there without SOMETHING, ever! It really is a throwback to the old days of the LHS, I wish there was more places like this. The fact they have such a large selection and friendly people working there has a lot to do with why they are still in business.

That would make for a great wedge style hauler, I like the way this is going.

When can I place my order ? I see a need for several sets.

Tom, If my 6 numbers pan out in tonight's lottery drawing, I will set you up in business, as long as I get a discount! As far as a viable business, not much in life is a sure thing, so I would say if you can afford to open a store and not count on it to pay your bills, then it could be a fun way to spend your day at work. I work with people every day that have their life savings invested in their business and I can say it makes for interesting conversation!

A couple of comments on others comments here: 1. Yes, Hobbytown pricing can be high, but I do see variances depending on locations. I have found the one near me to be even with what I can get them for online, sometimes a dollar or two higher. The local HT is family owned and they are nice to deal with. Was in there yesterday and they have shrunk their kits section as they are gearing up for Xmas with the RC. They are not a big store to begin with, so I understand why they reduced the kits. Still the best place for miles around for paint and Evergreen! I joined the HT rewards club and get coupons in the mail. The store that I signed up at is in Richmond VA. I went to use the coupon at the store by my house in Charlotte NC and the clerk turned me down, stating "We don't honor those" and the owner looked up and saw it was me and he said "Yes, we will for him!" He saw that I was buying another $40 of kits and supplies and he knew that $5 off meant I would return, which I have! 2. One way to beat the higher prices is through online shopping. Tower Hobbies is constantly offering free shipping on $25 orders and that is a good way to get several kits at a good price. 3. The franchise thing will vary for different industries. For example, at NAPA, while it would be in the best interests of a store owner to buy everything he could from them, there are times when a customer's needs are better served by going outside the system. Also, some owners are better able to have a bigger store and larger inventory, and while there are suggestions on what to stock, in the end it is up to the owner. There are some big market stores with $1,000,000 of inventory and small town stores with $100,000! In the end, I support BOTH the online and LHS as they offer different things to me and sometimes it is about needing it now versus saving a couple of dollars.

Don't know if NAPA & Truex will land at RCR, but that could happen. Bill- in regards to JGR and mystery "accidents", I think all teams are guilty of it, MWR was just blatant and got caught.

Andy- Most of the Chevy teams are at the NASCAR max of 4 drivers- Stewart-Haas, RCR & Hendrick all have 4 drivers. There is Furniture Row, which receives support from RCR, that could add a driver. I think NAPA and JGR make a good fit as Coach runs a tight organization and could easily add a 4th car if the sponsor was there. NAPA hung around MWR for a long time and got through the fuel additive scandal and lack of qualifying in the early years, mainly because of Michael's appeal as a spokesman. I think this incident was more about appearances and public perception than looking to get out of racing. I think you will see something happen withing the next week or two regarding 2014 and beyond.

Fox Sports is reporting that Michael Waltrip has stated that he would let Martin Truex leave his organization and go to another if an opportunity were to present itself. MWR is in search of another major sponsor to replace NAPA and possibly 5 Hour Energy Drink as they are "evaluating" their deal with Clint Bowyer. I think you could see Martin Truex & NAPA show up together at another team, the question is..which one? My money would be on Joe Gibbs Racing.

I just was on the Tower Hobbies website www.plastic-models.com and they now show a February availability date, kinda bummed! Sure hope they are wrong and we see these sooner than that!