RancheroSteve

Wow, that is really impressive! Can we see more photos?

I recently read that spherical bearings (rod ends) were first invented by the Germans and used on Messerschmidts during WWII. When the Allies shot one down and disassembled it, they were amazed at the technology and quickly copied it. Of course, that technology made it's way into Indy cars shortly after the war.

My car turned 50 today! A photo from slightly younger days:

A fun and simple build - with just a few added touches - from a Gunze Sangyo kit that caught my eye a few years ago. Here's a video clip that might help explain some of this madness: Comments & questions welcome - thanks for looking.

I believe the Prisoner car has Lotus Elan wheels, correct? (I think you may have told me that yourself, Mark). I've wanted to do a Prisoner Lotus forever - I've got the Tamiya 1/24 kit and recently picked up a Gunze Elan for the wheels. I'm going to end up casting at least one wheel (for the spare) - or maybe five if I don't want to end up with a wheel-less Elan kit. And by the way, what's the correct color for the Prisoner car?

I managed to dig out the instruction sheet and parts list that came witht the R&M trans-kit: As you can see, it's quite a few parts, but many of these have probably been restored and are contained in the current Revell version. Keep in mind that none of these parts are chrome plated - I sent mine out to ChromeTech when I built this almost ten years ago. It also came with an annotated copy of the original instructions and a couple of pages on how to use all those parts. One cool thing about the R&M kit is that it allows you to build the car in a few different configurations - I built mine as the early Roth version.

I just took a quick look through the most recent R & M catalog that I have (2011) and I don't see the Tweedy Pie parts listed anymore, but as you may know, it's a big rambling document. The best thing to do is probably to contact Norm and ask him.

Thanks for the compliments! A few WiP shots to give you a little more of an idea of what was involved: This: Plus this: Plus some plastic stock and a lot of putty equals this: I had a few moments when I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull it off, but I'm glad I persevered.

The idea for this one got started a few years ago when - on something of a whim - I picked up a set of decals for the Porsche 917 "Pink Pig" with the thought, "I can do something funny with those some day." One day it occurred to me that the combination of the VW and a Porsche might be particularly pig-like. It's not a completely original idea - I've seen a few other very well done phantom VW racers - but this is my take on the concept. Not easy to see, but there's whole detailed engine and driver in there. Markings for the driver were made by making a reduced version of the decal sheet. Thanks for looking - comments, questions, etc. welcome.

I still don't want one. Better to spend your money on an old AMT builtup or a Modelhaus resin kit, IMHO.

At least with the Supermodified kit you are actually getting what's pictured on the box.

Here's a scan of the two page article that's inside the issue of Hot Rod that John posted above.

So it is! Thanks for the answer, Mike. Did you already know the car or just figure it out somehow? Skip, I couldn't look on the back too easily - it was screwed to the wall, haha.

Based on some of the styling cues, my speculation is also late 60s GM.

I built this one as a kid (it first came out in '67) and I remember enjoying it. I know it was packaged in a set with the Kurtis Indy roadster sometime back, but as the older versions have become somewhat scarce and pricier, I was hoping it would get an new reissue. It turns out my wish has been granted - Dirtrack Racecars recently put it out, apparently without much fanfare. I picked up a copy last week from a seller on EBay. What follows is my first Model Cars forum review. First, the box, which is similar to the original: And a shot of the original box for comparison: Inside, everything looks pretty much as it did back in 1967, at least to the best of my recollection. First, we find a copy of the vintage Monogram instructions: A decal sheet with the stripes and few other markings (you have to paint the nose red): The body, which with the exception of the lower nose and tail, is one piece: A couple of white parts trees: As you see, a rather simplified drive train and chassis. A chrome tree: The chrome is thick and shiny, the knock offs are molded as part of the wheels. And finally some tires, in slightly soft rubber: As you can see, hollow on one side for the white wall inserts. The tread area of the rears are a little concave, but I suspect most builders will replace them anyway. Overall, a simplified kit that reflects its vintage origins, but one that has potential and could be easily improved and detailed using today's methods and materials, or just done as a clean and quick retro build. If you like the subject matter or have a nostalgia for 60s kits, you'll probably like it. I for one am glad to have it back!

I saw this on the wall at a local watering hole. Looks to be a Detroit concept car, '60s vintage, but unfamiliar to me. Anyone?

Any progress on the Facel Vega? I'm definitely interested in that one!

Yes, I'll second that - and sometimes two coats are needed. Also excellent to use if you're making your own decals using an inkjet printer with some of the popular decal films.

That's kind of odd - I built the 1/32 PL Batmobile a couple of years back (not long after it came out) and had no problem at all with the decals, as I recall they were kind of tough and thick, but finally laid down well with a lot of setting solution. Sounds like maybe there's a lot of variation in quality?

Wow - great and unusual build! Like others have pointed out, the wheels are extraordinary - where can I find more info on how they're done? I'm building a 1/9 scale bicycle and this might be just what it needs.

The R&D issue of the Lola T70 Mk IIIb Spyder I have is kit #2851.

I also used the MCW blue on the one I built:

Really gorgeous!

Mine arrived last Thursday in perfect shape. Excellent issue - I especially like the salt flats stuff!

You've done it again, Ira!