RancheroSteve

I think I remember reading that they are F2 cars with different bodywork to make them look like F1 cars.

I think that's just pretty much the silver plastic that it originally came molded in. Many of the single seaters I've built have the issue of a very visible and distracting seam because of the nose section being in two parts (mainly due to the limitations of injection molding). I usually try to solve this problem by cutting the front suspension off, gluing the body sections together, filling the seam, and then remounting the suspension after painting. So if the body sections were chromed, the builder would have to accept this seam. In the case of the MP4-25 that I'm currently building, I was able to leave the front suspension arms intact, but separated the upper arms so that I could mount them in from either side.

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I've had this one around for years. It actually came with another built-up that I purchased on eBay (a Falcon, I think). Neither the seller nor myself knew what it was and it took me a while to figure it out. I never considered it as particularly rare or valuable, maybe until just now, ha. Missing the steering wheel, but otherwise apparently complete. It just sits on a shelf with some other built-ups and future projects as I never have figured out what I should do with it. Restore or use as the basis for an unusual hot rod/special? In any case, I will be watching your re-build with interest.

Thanks, didn't know about the newer McLaren - that's a good one of the current generation to do, they've certainly gotten it right. Wasn't suggesting I'd expect to see a 2026 car that soon, just hoping that they continue kitting F1 cars as possible. I've still got plenty of the older ones to build, anyway!

Yes, first issued in 2010 with Hamilton and Button liveries (separate kits). The only real difference in those is the numbers and the driver's names on the decal sheet. I'd like to see them do some contemporary cars - or wait until next year and see what the "new rules" cars look like.

I'm actually building one of these now. The livery is giving me fits! Decals over chrome is a tough combo.

I've got three books by Dr. John Craft that are all quite good: "Classic Stock Cars", "The Anatomy and Development of the Stock Car" and "Vintage and Historic Stock Cars". All of them look to still be in print and readily available through various sources. They all focus mostly on NASCAR rather than short track cars. "Anatomy" has the most technical detail, if that's what you're after.

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The Tamiya kit is (naturally) a joy to build. Here's one I did about twenty years ago:

I surely hope it is going to be great, although I'm wondering if this is intended as a factory stock kit? Now that we can see the mechanical details, there are a few things that concern me. I realize these are 'renderings" so I don't want to jump too hard.

Remember, kids - your transmission has a "neutral" position and your ignition has an "off" position.

Good summary, Bob. There's lots of "my brother/neighbor/friend had a HiPo Comet", much of which comes from the K-Code confusion and is nearly always anecdotal. The Durability, African Safari, and drag cars are well-documented of course, but those and maybe a few other HiPo '64 Comets were purpose built/special order cars. I think it's pretty safe to say that the average Joe Public couldn't just check a box and get a HiPo in their '64 Comet.

Right you are, Mark. Also bigger brakes and a 8" differential. I can't imagine a six cylinder Falcon platform holding up very long to the stresses of a V8 without those changes. A further bit of trivia on the transmission hump issue: to put the four speed T-10 in the Falcon in late '63 (like my Ranchero), Ford just rather crudely hacked out a part of the tunnel and riveted in an extra piece to clear the shifter. When I stripped that part of my car down I was kinda startled to see how rough the cut was. As far as I know, they continued to use that piece in '64-65, but I'm not sure if they did it any more cleanly .

True, but this pro street version looks to have a Mustang II type front suspension, which eliminates the shock towers and frees up a lot of width in the engine bay.

Haha, apparently we're both members! Seriously though, I don't want to be piling on or going out of my way to find flaws with this kit before it's even done - as I'm glad to be getting it - but figured what's the harm in pointing out what I see. Maybe someone is listening. So while we're at it and as mentioned earlier, if this is being marketed as a pro touring version, a more contemporary powerplant might be in order when the time comes.

Here's the name brand version by Beuglar - they still make 'em. A little more expensive now though.

Looks good, although a couple of quibbles: 1. Although I guess it looks racy, I don't see much reason to have that twin scoop hood on there unless it's ducted directly to the carbs, like it was on the A/FX cars. Just more unnecessary aerodynamic drag on a touring car. 2. Is that a single reservoir brake master cylinder? Seems a little archaic, hmm? Sorry if I'm picking nits here . . .

Chartpak graphic tape works well for me. Comes in a variety of widths. Make sure you get the crepe stuff if you have a curves you want to go around. Here it is on a 1/25 scale body, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work on a larger scale.

Yes, that would be Juha Airio, who also build the Thunderbird Italien in this photo. Both are outstanding!

Sorry to say, I don't think Fred Cady is making decals anymore. The ones I used were custom made:

Or more like a Bill Stroppe feel, whose shop built Comets for the African Safari Rally and Marauders for NASCAR:

Excellent artwork, but if you'll allow me to get a little nit-picky here, the "K code" engine in a '64 Comet was not the HiPo 289 that people associate with Fairlanes and Mustangs, but rather a more normal 210 HP four barrel 289. Mercury used different code system from Ford, which has lead to a lot of confusion over the years.

If someone were to provide a high resolution scan, these wouldn't be too hard to home print, especially as there's no white portions involved.

I realize a lot of people do everything on a phone these days, but for me it's folders within folders on a computer, all organized by type of vehicle in a logic that makes sense to me, at least. I got in the habit in the early digital photo days of labeling every photo, which makes searching much easier. When I'm ready to start a build, I'll pull a folder out and park it on the desktop, maybe search for additional reference or inspiration. Just as in the physical world, if you can't find something, you may as well not have it.