RancheroSteve

Well Bill, you certainly set the standard, so I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with this one! I need to take another look at that windshield header - I hadn't previously noticed an issue there.

You're welcome, Bill. I think the glass might be the part of the kit that has impressed me the most so far. Separate front and rear of course, but also separate wing window glass. I'm going to test fit it soon, but it looks like it will drop nicely into the channels. The body looks good overall, but one aspect that appears to need a little correction (and was remarked on earlier in this thread) is the curve of the roof over the rear passenger windows. I'll have to agree that it should be a little less rounded. I think I've figured out a relatively easy fix.

Yes, I'm funny like that! And right, the "BPD" is out in front of Burbank's House of Hobbies.

Yes, black was definitely available. It was called "Onyx" on the Comet.

Ron, I've got about three things going already, but at the same time I am kind of tempted to start on the Comet. I just can't promise a lot of fast progress. We'll see . . . I most likely won't be building mine box or factory stock, either.

Pedaled over to my LHS and picked up my Comet today. And as promised, I took a bunch of photos (too many to put in this post, so here's the link to the Fotki album): https://public.fotki.com/Roullier/model_cars-1/moebius-1965-comet/ So I'm just throwing a few in here: I'll start by saying that this is a highly anticipated kit for me and admittedly my expectations are high. Having owned and wrenched on a '65 Comet Caliente with a Super Cyclone engine for several years, it's a car that I have I feel I have a fairly intimate knowledge of. I'm glad to have it and I commend Moebius for their choice of subject. This is the first Moebius kit I've purchased, so I don't know what's standard design and engineering procedure for them and where this kit might follow or deviate from that. I haven't test fit anything yet - my first impressions are just based on looking at the parts and instructions. There are some aspects of the kit I really like, some things I might have chosen to engineer differently, some things that disappoint me, and a few inaccuracies that I anticipate wanting to correct when I build this model. Time is short so I'm not going to do a full review here - plus I don't want to muddy the waters by going into great detail about my likes and dislikes with the kit right just yet, but I suspect there will be several aspects of this kit that will provide fodder for discussion. If you have questions or comments about the photos, fire away. Otherwise, let the games begin!

I got the call today from my LHS (woot!), so I'll be heading over there tomorrow to pick up my Comet. I'll post some photos and a few quick impressions as soon as I can (unless Tim Boyd or someone else beats me to it).

I guess this is how international commerce works - I'm assuming that the kits came over on a boat that docked about 30 miles from here, now my LHS tells me they'll be getting them from their east coast distributor in a few days. That Comet is going to have a lot of miles on it by the time it reaches me!

Photos, we need photos! The suspense is killing me and I need to start forming opinions. Gonna call my LHS tomorrow if I don't hear from them by noon.

I've got one on pre-order at my LHS. Just waiting for their call and I'll rush out there.

Yes, the Ford Racing engine of the period is essentially a Windsor block with Cleveland style (canted valve) heads.

Thanks! Yes, I went back and looked at the instructions again and I see that now. I even have the jack stand from that step, but I still can't find the brake.

Well, I've scoured all my parts boxes to no avail - I'm going to put a post up in the "Wanted" section. I even pulled out the instruction sheet from the AMT '63 Galaxie. Interestingly, it shows some other custom display parts, but not the disc brake.

Thanks for all the responses, guys! I built that '63 Galaxie years ago - I should have that disc brake around here somewhere, hmm . . .

I seem to recall a kit (or kits) coming with a chrome disc brake as a display item - I'm thinking most likely some AMT kit from the sixties. Can anybody help jog my memory?

I seem to recall that I used the engine from the Craig Carter IMSA Camaro on this one. It's only a curbside, so not much of it shows. Are you building yours "full detail"?

It appears to be basically the stock suspension, although they did some major surgery - narrowing the shock towers and moving the lower arm mountings outward - to accommodate the big block cammer. The small block Ford is a tight enough fit in the engine bay to begin with. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some extensive re-fabrication of the individual components, as well. The spindles look to be taller than the stock items, for example.

Close - it's actually Kinsler fuel injection: https://www.kinsler.com/ A Monogram NASCAR Ford engine would probably provide the closest basis for building a correct Ford powered sprint car, but you'd probably have to scratchbuild the intake and some other parts.

More progress: I re-painted the frame (more orange), painted the engine & trans, and installed it in the frame. I'll add all the remaining engine parts later, as it would have been difficult or impossible to get it in under the cowl framing if it had been fully assembled. I made a drive shaft and painted it and the rear end with Alclad. After a few adjustments to my rear suspension parts, everything fit together! Thanks for looking.

Indeed they do - thanks for the tip, Mike! I was planning on using the Parts Pack wheels (which I have), but I still need to decide what to do about the 4/5 bolt issue. I suspect I'll end up "re-drilling" as needed.

Good to have you here, Paul - you make some excellent kits! I used your McLaren M6 to build this McLeagle:

I should qualify this by saying that I'm one of those people who's "intimately familiar", i.e. a few bloody knuckles over the years. So I'd say it depends how much of a stickler for accuracy you want to be - if you're dropping a V8 in I suspect you're not going for factory stock. The Mustang is close, the new Comet should be closer, the Fairlane is acceptable, I'm not familiar with the Cougar kit so I can't really say. So perhaps go with what fits best and what you can get your hands on. Here's a detailed history of the platform: http://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/automotive-history-fords-falcon-platform-from-falcon-to-versailles-in-18-different-wheelbase-lengthtrack-width-variations/

Maybe jumping the gun a little here, but since we've already started talking about the A/FX version - yes, there were different valve covers over the years, some plain, other had the 427 "Bird" logo. Like it's been said, looks like the blue oval logo came a little later. Keep in mind also that during this period, the A/FX and match race cars were in constant evolution - different suspension set-ups (a-arm, straight axle), wheelbases, and engine set-backs. The restored Nicholson car (which I suspect Moebius is basing their version on) was up for sale in 2013 - lots of good photos here: https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0513-154193/1965-mercury-comet-427-sohc-afx-super-cyclone

Thanks for the interest, guys. I've made a little more progress. Most of the rear suspension was broken, missing, or melted from too much glue, so I am am doing a low-buck scratch build of what's needed. I made some coil-overs from pen springs, three different diameters of aluminum tubing, and straight pins. Suspension links were made from 1/16" aluminum tubing. I was able to save the center section of the rear end, and made new axle tubes and ends. I added a bracket for the Panhard bar (which I'll make later). The brackets for the four link came from the front end of an old Monogram "Snake" funny car that's in my junkyard. Most of this (except part of the coil-overs) won't be seen on the finished model, so I'll be holding it all together with pins, rather than fancy bolts.

Clone, indeed! Looks like you got all the stuff - big & small - exactly right. Fantastic!