RancheroSteve

Cool find, Casey. I'm thinking this means the Black Max and Cobra trikes were issued slightly later? And as far as I know, they've never been re-issued, so finding one of them for a bargain price is probably pretty unlikely, unfortunately.

Getting some color on. Dupli-Color BGM0539. Still needs some sanding, probably another coat, and some clear.

I didn't see it happen, but several thousand dollars in damage (and likely some injuries) because at least one of these guys was driving like an idiot. Be careful out there.

I started attending college in Los Angeles in the fall of '73 - I happened to be walking around Hollywood one day taking photos when I saw this coming down the street: It parked in front of a theater where they were showing the film. This must have been several months after the film came out - towards the end of '73 or even early '74 - but they were having some kind of event to promote it, maybe a re-release already as the buzz grew?

In the grocery store parking lot:

Wow, really lovely! Great stance and color choices, too.

Nicely done, Tim! I'll second what you said about the Retro Hobbies re-issue. Here's the only one I've built from that set - the Taco Trike (aka Wedge Chopper) - pretty much out of the box with just some ignition wiring added.

I'd be inclined to go for that if the price was reasonable. A little while back there was someone who was going to do a more correct version of the Mail Box Chopper (including the Crosley engine) but I guess there wasn't enough interest to make it feasible.

I have the Retro Hobby re-issues - I'd like to get a Black Max, but it seems they are fairly rare and go for pretty big $$ when they come up. As you can see on the box, the Black Max was designed by Harry Bradley, who also designed the Deora, among other cars. http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Harry_Bradley

Great score, Chuck! I think there's one more - the Cobra Chopper: http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/mpc-instructions/motorcycles--atv/mpc-cobra-chopper-1/

This rather sad looking Ranchero has been parked in the same spot for a couple of weeks. The driver's door is held closed with a strap.

Well, those LS wheels are the best Chaparral wheels I know of, so that would make sense.

Here you go, Ed. From the Strada Sports website. Wheels & tires - they look rather nice! http://www.stradasports.com/HRM421.jpg

Hey, thanks guys - I just noticed this got bumped up and that there are a couple of questions. 1. For the number on the back, I scanned the kit decal and made a stencil from it. Not perfect (it's hard to get it to lay down perfectly) but I think it was an improvement. 2. JB, I'll have to check and see if I have any wheels left. Good to know about the HRM wheels. 3. Yes - you're correct - this and a few of the other Monogram sports racing cars of the time did double duty as slot car bodies. The Ferrari 275P and rear-engined Scarab spring to mind. I've built both of those - they're simple curbside kits that respond to a little extra detailing - satisfying enough, especially if you're into that era of cars - I am obviously!

While out riding around today I spotted this "project":

A guy drove up in this while I was waiting for a burrito: By the way "copy & paste" seems to work from Fotki.

I sell model kits and other items occasionally on that well-known auction site. Once in a while I'll say something the effect of "from a smoke-free home". I've often wondered if it makes much of a difference to most buyers, but maybe it does?

Thanks for the photo credit, Tim - I'm happy to provide. Great write-up on the display and contest! Sorry I missed meeting you there - it would have been good to get a picture of you and Keeler in front of the display.

Nothing mass-produced (as far as I know). There might be resin bodies available?

Thanks, Steve. Nothing is soldered - it's all just (the same dimension) individual strips, bent & glued, so I'm guessing it's a camera angle/illusion thing if they look different. I know some guys who electroplate their trim, but that's a little beyond my reach - for this build at least.

This Metropolitan (it's for sale). Looks like it may have some rust issues: And this Pacer:

Larry - I'm just using regular Zap CA glue - it seems to be working just fine. Here's a bit more progress - I've shortened up the interior (as you can see, I'll be using the custom interior panels and seat) and added a package shelf behind the seat. Here it is test-fitted into the body:

Out back, I've added yet more brass strip to represent the trim that runs between the taillights. This isn't part of the kit or the resin body, but I didn't want the taillight chrome to just end and float in space. This will give me two clean strips that I can foil. It's actually a better fit than it appears here - I only need to lightly push the bumper down. As you can see, I've also de-chromed the bumper - I'll Alclad it later. And I think I might as well remove the back-up lights.

Just saw this sad news - Corvette racer John Greenwood passed away: http://vintageracecar.com/john-greenwood-1944-2015/

Yes, I would definitely say that this saved me time over doing it myself, and the price was right (around $15). Another part of my motivation in doing this one is in preparation for a similar conversion I have in mind that I will have to do myself.