RancheroSteve

Whatever it is, I reserved one at my LHS this morning. I want to get my hands on it as soon as it hits the shelves. Their distributor says late November.

All good points, guys! I had noticed all the separate parts, but missed the small fit issue at the hood corner. It's looking very good indeed!

I'm guessing it's a curbside. Maybe that's why the hood fits so well! Also, for the purists - it's missing the "Comet" script from the left front edge of the hood. Beautiful though!

I'm almost ready to put it all together: More decals and various small bits will be added after I get the body, interior and chassis mated.

I believe Replicas & Miniatures sells the lever style harness - part# RM-19B. It's similar to the Detail Master DM-2260.

You know I'll be following this one! I may have to start my own before too much longer.

Here's the box top from the Lola of that series. There was also a Chaparral 2 in the series. I guess if we want to get technical, these were really USRRC cars at the time the models were released, but the Lola T-70 and the McLaren-Elva did race in the Can-Am series. By the way, this site is a great resource for historical info on the Can-Am and other road racing series - entry lists and photos of most of the cars that raced: http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo_canam.html

I don't see it on your original list, but R&D Unique/Mini Exotics made a resin kit of the McLaren Elva Mk 1B that was McLaren's entry into the 1966 Can-Am season.

You've obviously got the market cornered, Ed!

Yes I did, JC - thanks for mentioning it: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/81557-289-hipo/ It's largely based on the AMT SBF from the Mustang. Still not commercially available, though.

The one in the IMC Lola T70 is pretty tiny, but not so easy to find. I'd say the most accurate kit one is the AMT '67 Shelby Mustang (1/25 scale).

The field widens considerably if you include the USRRC, which precluded the Can-Am series, then ran concurrently for a bit. Then there's the FIA endurance series (Daytona, Sebring, LeMans, etc.) and Nassau, which was basically a "run what you brung" event - and I guess one could go on. Basically my favorite era of racing!

Pretty tricky, but I got those little brass hood louvers painted and put together: The instructions recommend white glue, but I found they were a press fit once they've got a couple of coats of paint on them. Very cool that something like this would be included in a (mostly) plastic kit, but definitely not for the beginning builder. Now to get them installed in the hood.

Are you sure that isn't an 8"?

Well done - the weathering is a good touch. That's not such an easy kit to build.

There's at least one pretty good thread about it here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/51578-micromarks-photo-etch-kit/

If you have access to the technology, another alternative might be to make a high resolution scan and then print them onto ink jet decal paper. If I'm working with rare decals of unknown condition, I'll often take the precaution of scanning the sheet ahead of time. Of course, this gets more problematic if the sheet has a lot of white area.

Excellent idea, thanks! I never thought of that, duh.

Thanks, Bill. Yes, the Tamiya paint stand is great - beats the homemade coat hanger stands I used to use. The only thing I need to remember is not to turn it upside down - the top part isn't attached to the base.

Starting to get some paint (MCW #6003 Pelham Blue) on the body and associated bits:

Yes, there are several different versions of these Protar bike kits. It appears that there are a few common parts trees, so you'll end up with a bunch of extra parts. Just figuring out which parts are the ones to use for your particular version is a task! The markings were just regular waterslide decals. Mildly troublesome (because of their age, perhaps), but nothing terrible.

I think the Grand Prix was one up, then the Super Course, perhaps?

Back in '75 I could only afford a Raleigh Record myself - the bottom of the ten speed line at about $125, but I loved it just the same. Funny that you should mention the Professional Mk IV - I have one! The frame at least, and it's a 25 1/2", which fits me just right. Got lucky a few years ago, found it used and in need of attention. It had a bad re-paint, so I sanded it down and painted it a nice light metallic blue - a Duplicolor GM Pontiac color that is close the Blue Mink. It's now built up with nice modern components and is my "good" bike. Good luck with the kit - it's a challenge for sure, but worth it, in my experience!

Says, "not designed to work with the Monogram March kits" for some reason, but I think most of it would work reasonably well - at least the lettering and numbers. I have one of these unbuilt on the shelf, too. Watching, curious to see how it builds . . .

Thanks for the info - I'm always willing to stand corrected. The Revs Institute looks like a great resource! I have to admit I'm not too knowledgeable about some of these fine points, outside of small block Fords. I was basing my engine details off photos I found online - including this one - that seems to show a bypass hose: