mikemodeler

They were developed to help meet the Federal CAFE mileage standards and have a life expectancy of about 100,000 miles, depending on how they are driven/serviced. I have owned/driven 2 Nissans and 2 Hondas with a CVT and have mixed reviews about them. Currently own 1 Nissan but have a lifetime warranty on the trans so should any issues come up, I should be okay.

If adding retro art to a re-issue generates additional income for Round2 to invest in more kits, then I will live with it. I see both sides of this discussion and agree with them, realizing the older modelers may have more disposable income to buy the nostalgia angle being marketed versus younger modelers who may or may not care or have the same budget for purchases.

I'm sure they designed it purposely that way, increase sales. You might be able to use Fireball wheels and tires on the blue version if you are wanting it with the winch and roll bar. I want the stock version with the snowplow, maybe we can work a deal on trading the wheels & tires?

The ACME show in November is on the first Saturday and it is worth the drive. The quality of the models as well as the large swap meet makes it "THEE" show to attend. There are also some shows in SC and Florida, depending on how far you want to drive.

Thanks for sharing. Definitely getting that Z-28, I have some kits those decals will look nice on and one kit has 4 different sets, much cheaper than buying them separate. Hopefully Revell has figured out the tires in that Blazer kit, but I won't hold my breath. The 32? Might get one as those wheels are nice.

I have to ask.......Why did you order it knowing full well it had issues and then complain? And if the seller gave you essentially the kit for free, why complain? You could part it out and make some money, give it to someone who will try to build it as it is, or use it for parts.

Working for the sixth largest OE parts supplier/manufacturer in the world, I think I can say that the interruption in the supply of new cars is not tied to having eggs in one basket but rather the effects having manufacturing plants around the world that have different government regulations. The Covid pandemic had different governments enacting different rules, sometimes regional, that caused massive disruption in production. Many parts in a vehicle are a combination of several suppliers that result in assemblies, and those parts come from all over. When one country shuts down, the parts produced there cannot be shipped to other plants so the domino effect is huge.

Maybe Iceman or VCG Resin by Reese are up to the task? Those look great!

Need to drop the landline. I did and the spam calls are far fewer on my cell.

One thing to remember, no matter who the car manufacturer is, the parts are supplied by hundreds of different vendors and it's the lowest bidder who gets the contract. Some suppliers tend to be better than others but the lower quality ones will fade away if they lose enough business. And they are tasked with manufacturing a part to the OE spec which often changes as the vehicles are on the road in real life situations. And some of the features or content is dictated by Federal Government agencies that lack real manufacturing experience, but are there for the purpose of keeping us safe. And just like when someone says "Military Grade (fill in the blank product)" the military also defaults to the lowest bidder so remember there's a minimum performance expectation with a cheap price. Of course those $600 space shuttle screwdrivers are much better than what any tool truck rep can sell you!

Thanks for the explanation. My reference to "scrapyard" was meant as you made it sound like the chassis was a conglomeration of parts as was the interior. Watching TV shows I know they sometimes adapt stuff from other cars but it sounded like this project the owner was just trying to cut corners and use stuff that looks cool, but maybe not so much without some modifications. I am sure it will be stunning when done, hard to see the completed car when it's in pieces. Now get back to work! I don't think the car owner is paying you to chit chat on the internet!

Wow Bill, sounds like the car owner was either duped by a previous builder, has more money than brains or is clearly undecided about what he is trying to build. Just from what I have seen on TV, if someone was trying to go "modern" on a build you would think they would have had a better vision than what they have, especially for $300,000. I would have thought for that kind of money it would get a LS engine, Art Morrison chassis (like you said) and a full custom interior. I know you are just the guy tasked with making it all work together but what you have shown seems more like something someone is trying to do using scrapyard parts and adapting them to a car for which they weren't designed for. I don't envy you, making stuff work and having to modify it must be hard when it's not your preferred method. Hope you are able to complete it as I know you have said you want to retire and it looks like a lot of work is to be done.

I have always liked 66 Chevelles and that looks like it will be a sweet ride when done. That has got to be a big buck build with all of that custom fab work and specialty electronic work. Do you have someone helping you or are you a one man operation? How long does something like that take? On TV they make it seem like it's just plug and play, run a wire and turn the key.

Not being snarky Bill, I was wondering what it was you were waiting on as I know you have mentioned your ability to make stuff that many of us probably wouldn't attempt. I work for an OEM supplier to Toyota and others and JIT for us is to get parts to the factory within hours of them being completed to go on a production vehicle and all it takes is for bad weather or traffic back ups to mess that all up. The supply chain has been severely interrupted these last two years and all signs are pointing at it being another year or more for it to improve. It has caused some strained relationships with customers. Glad your parts showed up, maybe you can show us pictures of what you're working on?

Something you couldn't make yourself Bill? I do remember the "old" days of UPS when you just had to take it on faith that it was on it's way, tracking was not an option. Of course we didn't have mini computers that doubled as a phone either. Technology, some days you love, some days you hate it.

Was at the Toyota dealer this morning for my free oil change (new truck came with free oil changes for the first two years, its a Toyota thing) and noticed zero new cars on the lot. This is a dealer that used to stock 700 new vehicles and now they wait for the delivery trucks to show up with cars that are often pre-sold. When I bought my truck in January it was a two week wait. I work for an OE supplier and we have been riding the roller coaster of plant shutdowns due to lack of parts for production. The forecast for returning to "normal" is still a year off, maybe longer. You mentioned ordering and waiting as being the new business model and you are correct. Many of the manufacturers are looking at doing just that as it helps everyone in the sales cycle, except the buyer. If a shopper has the ability to compare prices by spending an afternoon going to multiple dealerships looking at cars and dealing, then they win. With the "order it and wait" model, you pretty much are at their mercy when you order your vehicle. These mega dealerships with their huge facilities (and property taxes, utilities, maintenance) might become a thing of the past. They still need service bays and a lot for used cars, but they probably don't need space for 500 new vehicles!

Just a guess but based on the bit that I know from injection molding, I would say the parts were popped out while still warm and upon cooling developed the warpage we are seeing. The two deck pieces in my kits that are warped are both thin and flat and if left to cool outside of the mold they would be quick to twist and curl like they did. I will see about creating a jig and then trying the pot of hot water trick I have used in the past to straighten them out.

I got two kits and they have identical issues- warped hoods, ramp base and ramp deck. Mine will sit until I hear what the remedy will be from Moebius/Model King.

One of the first times we met Jamie Pressly.

Squads by Tony has a lot of light bars, might have the correct type. The MPC Deserter would be a good chassis donor to start with, has the option of lifted or stock height 4x4. The Star resin body will be interesting to see, I built an old F&F resin Burban that was a converted pickup with some crude mods. I have a resin printed body on order from Robert Burns and expect it to be much better than that earlier resin kit. Haven't watched the series but always been a fan of 67-72 GM trucks so I will have to check it out.

I have failed him, not the other way around. Don't let that sentence define you. I am sure your father wishes things turned out differently for you, I know mine did. But we can't change what is and what happened. I am the only one of my siblings to not graduate college and that is something I know bothered my dad. Like you, I was headstrong and knew better and when several opportunities to return to college presented themselves, my father was the most encouraging. My dad stuttered his whole life so he did not speak much because he was often teased about it but when he did speak, you listened out of respect and also because he had words of wisdom to share. Work on being a better person in life if you haven't already. It isn't always about the fanciest car, clothes or house, it's how you treat others. Higher education isn't for everyone so accept where you are and work on improving it for YOU. While your dad used his education to be a teacher, something spoke to him about working with his hands and he gave up being a teacher to pursue a career that sounds was more to his liking. Chasing your dreams can be more fulfilling than chasing a paycheck.

I don't recall seeing him here. I will PM you his email address

Robert Burns at Too Many Projects on Facebook has what you need. He also sells on eBay under the name modelerrob. Here's his 85 Dodge Extended Cab I grabbed from him. Comes with your choice of long or short beds.

1. Art is no longer on the MCM Forum (long story). 2. It was a different supplier -SJS? Accu Pro?- that is since out of business. 3. Check out Too Many Projects on FB, he has a lot of Dodge trucks, might have what you are looking for.