mikemodeler

Some great ideas for sure once they start shipping those Revell kits. I guess I can use those AMT versions in my stash for some late model stock cars! I am even thinking about using one of them in a diorama seeing how the front fenders are separate from the rest of the body. I was thinking maybe a "before" & "after" scene with the AMT being the beater "before" and the Revell the "after" beauty. Mike

Looking closely and I finally realized that the pool and background are real but the car is definitely a model. The scale size of the pool edging doesn't match the car. I think I might actually be two-for-two. Mike

LMAO ! I think that is funny! (and ironic) Jairus, I edited your post but you are dead on correct about what the swastika (and other symbols) mean to some folks and they get all caught up in being politically correct that they lose sight of what is happening around them on a daily basis. Thanks for the post and glad to see you around here! Mike

Me, smart? Awww shucks Harry, nobody ever associated me and smart! I can imagine how hard it is to come up with new things every week. Mike

I voted "real" . I am not sure but I thought I saw this vehicle on a TV show that featured the cars of Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top fame. Story goes that Billy was at a rod show, I think in Kansas, saw the car and convinced the owner to sell it to him. I guess I will have to tune in on Friday to see if I am close! Mike

Harry, While I have never entered a "contest" or NNL event, I have attended both and went for the atmosphere and chance to view some nicely built models. Not sure if anyone from the NNL East will give you the answer you are looking for, I am not that worked up over 4 or 5 "awards" being handed out at the event. As has been mentioned in above posts, the competitive nature of the human race makes handing out awards almost a given. The Milwaukee NNL is coming up either this weekend or next. Never a big show like the NNL East, it is a nice show with decent turnout. I would suggest that you venture up there and check it out for yourself. Maybe someone from the host club can explain why they have awards at their NNL. I am sure someone from the "other model mag" will be there to cover the event and they might be able to explain it also. My personal feeling is that over time, the NNL has "evolved", much like a lot of things, and somewhere along the line a decision was made to award a trophy. It could have been in honor of a deceased club member, maybe a top award based upon a theme, or has been mentioned, a sponsor was involved to help defray the costs associated with putting on the event. Whatever the explanation is, I enjoy the pictures and am envious of the skills used to win whatever awards are handed out. Not sure I would ever be able to compete on that level, I still look at this hobby as a way to escape my hectic work & family life and seek pleasure in building in miniature what I cannot afford in real life. That is my two pennies on the subject. Mike

I have used Simple Green with great success. The nice thing about the stuff is that it can be re-used after you strain the "junk" off of it. I also use it to strip paint. As others have mentioned, make sure it is well ventilated and wear gloves as the stuff is strong . Also as mentioned, some of us that aren't "newbs" even have dumb questions, so feel free to ask away. Mike

Sure looks like a well built model to me. I was thinking real until I studied the shocks and backing plates on the front. I guess I will know on Friday. Mike

Very nice car and I love the two tone! The pinstripe is a definite must have and really sets the two colors apart! I picked up 4 or 5 of these at Michael's after Father's Day for $4.00 a piece and you have given me an idea of what to do with one of them! Thanks. MikeScheve

This has got me thinking those AMT versions I was thinking of building are now destined for a swap meet or EBay! I too remember some friends having this car in different engine/trans variations and I look forward to building several to replicate them! I guess I better start searching for a couple of donor kits for the big block versions I have in mind. I can see some extra '69 Yenko Camaro kits showing up in the stash. I better get my pre-order in before you guys buy up the first run. I am also excited about the "other" kits that were mentioned based upon this kit. Mike

Kenny, That looks great. I noticed on your website that this is a body you are now offering. Any chance the wheels will be available too? I will start saving my money now in anticipation of seeing you in Salisbury in February! Thanks. Mike Scheve

I found a copy of this last week at a Hobby Lobby during their 30% off sale. I haven't had a chance to open it up and compare it to the AMT version sitting on the workbench. I hope to get it done at the same time as the AMT and maybe even paint them the same colors. I would really like to build a bunch of these and just might someday! Mike

Not that I have seen yet. I haven't started my MK '79 Ford PU kit yet so I am not sure what is required to make it into a shortbed version. There have been a few folks who have taken the kit bed and converted it to the standard wheelbase. Best of luck on your conversion. Mike Scheve

Dave, Another outstanding build! You make it look so easy to create these works of art. The details you include in your builds really makes them unique and realistic. Thanks for sharing and I am sure you have more builds coming. Mike Scheve

Let me get this straight, you went to Venture Hobbies and only bought one kit? In all my years of living in Chicagoland, I NEVER got off that cheap there! Biggest problem I had was figuring out which credit card to use so "The Boss" wouldn't find out! That place is a modelers' heaven and I sure wish we had something close to it here in the Carolinas! Mike Scheve

While I haven't built mine yet, there was an article awhile back in Scale Auto or Fine Scale Modeler (can't remember which) that showed how to build a booth using a sealed Dayton blower motor from WW Grainger. IIRC the motor went for about $80 but it is designed for this type of application and I think is listed as "explosion proof", which would make it better than a bathroom fan or computer fan. The beauty of building your own booth is that you can decide what size to make it and add features possibly not found on the ones commercially available. My holiday project is to finally build my booth and the plans on this thread are most helpful! HTH, Mike

I would like to see some new truck kits (light and medium duty) along with re-issues of kits from the '70's. This would allow me to build some kits I screwed up in my younger years. Mike

I believe the Model King re-issue of this kit is due out in mid-December, if I remember correctly. I think there are several MK re-issues of old AMT kits due then as well. I too am looking forward to this kit being out and have my eye on a few others. Mike Scheve

I subscribe to the magazines (Model Car & Scale Auto) to have as a reference at a later date. The information in them, whether it be a how-to or history of the hobby or whatever, is invaluable when doing research or trying to answer a question. The ask G&J column is a page too long for me. I appreciate the how-to's, kit reviews and what's new sections and would like to ask that they be expanded when possible. The more useful information that can be added will make it even better than the "other" magazine. The idea of taking a newly released kit and having it built and reviewed by several modelers seems like a great idea to me. The article a few issues back about the Hobby Shop on Long Island NY was very interesting as a lot of forum members travel and might be inclined to stop by a shop they read about in the magazine. I will agree with Harry in that you should develop a list of possible changes and put it to a vote. We will fill pages and pages of "I would do this..." and "If it were up to me...." and the list would be huge. I enjoy reading the magazine as it is but change is always good and I welcome the idea that there could be more information in coming issues. Just my two pennies 'cuz you asked! Mike Scheve

When I was in high school I worked as a porter for a Mercedes Benz/ BMW /Alfa Romeo dealer that also had a Chrysler /Peugeot dealership next door to it. Talk about your gamut of vehicles to choose from! All the new car salesmen got new cars to drive and most of them chose light colored vehicles as they were easier to clean. The used car salesmen (just two) drove whatever was on the lot and switched off about every three or four days. These two hucksters always drove dark blue or black cars and insisted they always be cleaned daily "just in case someone comes in to buy it". That was bad enough but I honestly think they lived in them because the cars were trashed everyday! What should have been a 10-15 clean up was always 30-40 minutes because we were shampooing carpets, cleaning windows and deodorizing weird smells! The only upside was they were good about getting us 12 packs of beer on Friday nights as "payment" for a clean car. I would say the owner of this used car lot would drive just about anything that was available and it might depend on what his evening activities consisted of. If it was "date night", I am sure it would be the nice Caddy or Lincoln that just came in on trade. If it was "helping a buddy move this weekend", it would probably be that van or pickup that has been sitting in the back row for a few months. If it was taking the kids to the drive-in movies, a station wagon would be in order. Can't wait to see it! Mike Scheve

If you are looking for the pieces to convert the front end of your kit to a 2wd version, see if there is a Big Lots outlet store nearby as many of them have the AMT LRE kit on sale for $5.00. This kit should yield the parts you need to convert the front end over. If you don't have a Big Lots, check out www.plastic-models.com, I believe they still have a few of the LRE kits available. Good Luck! Mike

Much of what I feel is the problem has been stated here-broken families, too many distractions, "McDonalds' Mentality" (instant gratification),lack of 1:1 cars to draw interest, lack of general automotive knowledge. Back in my youth (I am 44)my friends that built model cars generally were car nuts and like me, liked working with our hands building the car of our dreams. We also were the ones that could take our bikes apart blindfolded and searched out the neighbor who was tinkering with a car,truck, motorcycle- you name it we were there! Now, I buy snap kits for my kids (10 yr old girl and 14 yr old boy) in the hopes that they will join old Dad for some building fun now and then. They typically enjoy it, but given my hectic schedule (and theirs), we don't get to build that many kits a year. My older child likes airplanes more than cars, and he has tried to build glue kits of both, but his skills need work. He understands that it comes with time, but he also has ADD so it can get difficult to have him sit still long enough to build sub-assemblies, let alone a whole kit. My daughter likes building cars but is into playing with her friends and other activities so I guess I have to hope that she marries a car guy! Not sure what the solution is, or if the model car companies can come up with something to spark the interest of youngsters. I do know that I have enough cars and trucks to build without another new release or reissue but truly hope that the kits keep coming! Mike Scheve

I figured this was the place to ask about the August/September issue. I haven't received mine yet and didn't know if the mailman has been reading it or if it wasn't out yet. Really looking forward to it as I am in need of reading material for some upcoming road trips. Thanks G & J ! Mike Scheve

I like to visit here and occassionally post replies to topics that are of interest. The different "view' that is present here is refreshing. I also like the sharing of tips, builds and news that relates to the hobby. My main reason for visiting any of the forums is to learn more about model car building and to see what others are doing. MIke scheve

Very nice model, well executed build and attention to detail! Captures the feeling of 1968 all over again, when it seemed like all Pontiacs were green! Thanks for sharing! Mike