mikemodeler

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!

I think when you are spending upwards of $16,000,000 per year on sponsoring a race team, not to mention countless millions more entertaining customers and employees at the race track, you have to consider what the actions of MWR means from a PR perspective. I don't believe NAPA was looking to leave MWR, they have had several chances over the last 8 years to do so and have stood by them through thick and thin. This had more to do with perception of fair play and the image it portrayed. Cheating in NASCAR is a given, although the France family would probably prefer to say " Gain a competitive advantage ".

I will state that I am an employee of NAPA and think they did the correct thing as the intentions of MWR were certainly intended to alter the race results. Yes, NAPA pays a lot of money to MWR and expects results and exposure, but this is not what they had in mind. Having personally met the two drivers they sponsor- Martin Truex Jr. and Ron Capps- I can tell you they are some of the nicest people I have met in motorsports and I feel bad for Martin as he was not aware of the team's actions.

So yesterday NAPA announced that they were dropping Michael Waltrip Racing at the end of the year due to the "scandal" and subsequent fallout/penalties from the Richmond race. On their Facebook page, there were many responses, good and bad, to NAPA's decision. My question is- Does NAPA's announcement affect where you will purchase parts for your 1:1 vehicles? Without starting an argument over auto parts suppliers, please keep your responses to my question above.

Those BFG All Terrains would look GREAT on a CJ-8 Scrambler.......

I believe you can also find a styrene version in the recent Revell 72 Cutlass model. VCG, M.A.D. are two vendors that I have had great experiences with in terms of quality and service, highly recommended!

When can i place my order???????? Very nice, as usual!

Donn, I think you have some leads on DVD sales with this thread! LOL In all seriousness though, your DVD is helpful, I just need to slow down and get some patience and my problems will be greatly reduced. BTW- nice poetry!

Wanted one of these in the worst way but the insurance rates for a teenager were too much !

Jeff is re-working the master, he was not happy with some aspects of it. I have bugged him about it but life has been busy for him lately. Hopefully he will get some time here soon to fix it and get it off to the caster!

If Moebius does not offer a 4x4 version, I am sure there will be someone who comes up with a resin conversion kit. I have an extra Midnite Cowboy bed to do a tow truck and Modelhaus has the utility bed. I also have one of the Model King re-issues of the camper & ramp bed kits so besides building a couple of pickup versions of this kit, I am set for 4 more variations!