Mark

The originals aren't as nice as that. The clear glass usually isn't clear, as it reacts with the acetate body. Some X-EL repros are styrene, later ones can be ABS. Since it's a repro, go ahead and detail it to your liking. The "new" Johan and/or Best Models may have made a resin interior but I'm not certain.

IF it is an original, then I'd leave it alone. That said, are you sure it's original? The X-EL reproductions have plastic pins holding the chassis in.

Salvino got stuff they wanted, that Atlantis likely wasn't going to do anything with. Atlantis seems to be doing the "easier" items first (no plating or vinyl tires, though they have done a couple of kits with plating). Hopefully those do well enough that they can dig into any automotive items they got.

Atlantis got everything the "new Revell" didn't want, that was over here.

At most swaps and shows I have set up at, the first table comes with two admissions (seller, one helper). Most times I split the table with the "helper", as did the vast majority of people setting up. And never did the person putting the show on object to this way of doing things.

I can't remember ever seeing one in resin, not even a copy of the wagon.

The Skylark was the Buick version of the Tempest/F-85. AMT made one, but it was a wagon. For a two-door sedan or convertible, I'd look at the AMT '62 LeMans body (Jo-Han F-85 is a bit wider as I recall). Second choice would be to get the roof from the '63 Tempest altered-wheelbase funny car, and rework as needed. The AMT '61 Tempest has a four-door sedan roof. With any of these, the trunk lid and taillight panel will come in for a bunch of rework/scratchbuilding on the builder's part.

I just heard about a couple of knuckleheads getting into a fistfight at a grocery store. Probably fighting over TP or hand sanitizer. Likely the same people who get into fights over toys at Christmas time...

Only a handful of people might think it's going to "just go away". But if we handle it properly here, things should go better than everywhere else so far, as we've got the benefit of seeing what worked (and what didn't) in all the other places where this flared up first. Don't treat it as a joke, but then again don't panic either. Neither extreme will do you any good.

Good guess maybe... I thought it could be a 'Vette, but I never had an MPC '64 or '65. I remember another sheet I have that I thought was from a '65, because it had '65 license plates that I used on something else. Now it will bug me, what kit is that one from?

Though some of us spend much more than others, over the years I have found that pretty much everyone I ever met or spoke to in this particular hobby tends to live within their means. They all seem to have their priorities in order too; that is, they aren't spending money on this stuff that should go to the mortgage payment, or have huge credit card balances or other debt. Maybe on average our vehicles aren't as new as others', or we don't go on vacations as often (and stay out of the casinos too). Is it that the type of person we are in those respects, is the type who gravitates to hobbies?

"I like your approach.... ....now let's see your departure!"

I once told a lady that I worked with..."I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you walk away..." Can't do that anymore...

If it is MPC, the BM/SP classification would point to a sports car. Corvette, maybe? But the surfing related stuff would go in another direction altogether...

Why is divorce so expensive? Ask the people involved, they'll tell you it's worth it! I'm here all week, folks...try the veal, and don't forget to tip your waitress...

The promos are not styrene. Not having a 'Bird promo, I'm not certain which material was used other than "not styrene".

I seem to enjoy the parts box and rebuilding projects more. Tearing into an old kit in mint condition is nice too, but the cheap stuff is fun too.

Cheap compared to something like golf (guys seem to replace their clubs every couple of years, even if they are hacks!). Greens fees, practice range costs (last time I hit a bucket of balls, it was $6), things like that. Having season tickets for a pro sports team? How about an evening at the casino (HINT: they don't build them places that big and fancy by losing money!). I'll stick with this, thank you!

I can go with "cheap". I've never heard a military modeler complain about having grabbed a can of household spray paint, using it on a project without first testing it, then having problems with it damaging whatever it is they were working on...

The military and Gundam modelers usually spend more per project on average than the car guys. Car guys tend to have larger collections but tend to want to spend less per project.

I'd go with the '65 wheel castings, but not with a chrome or chrome-like finish. Maybe matte black center areas, or a magnesium finish.

I wouldn't hang my hat on a Vista Cruiser...those are on a longer wheelbase (longer rear doors than other four-doors)...different chassis would be needed. Might be a good idea for a conversion, or a resin body.

Swapping chassis and engine compartments between GM cars, you do have to watch little details like radiator hoses, fan shrouds, and battery location. If I remember right, when I mastered an Olds 442 body using a Revell '67 Chevelle engine compartment, I had to cut the battery (or battery tray?) out. I do know the battery is on opposite sides of the engine compartment in a GTO versus an overhead cam six Tempest.

Sadly, not so minor that they could be restored to stock. Lots of trim and detail engraving wiped from nearly every part, in most cases only the engines were left alone. The Torino fastback was one notable exception. The Chevelle got more rework than the others because it had been altered once already, for the altered wheelbase funny car. I remember seeing these kits when they were first issued. I didn't know how the alterations were done, but even then it was pretty easy to see that the original stock versions were unlikely to ever come back. But then again it wasn't a big deal for AMT to have done these. The previous issues of most of these kits hadn't sold well. I had prior issues of a couple of them that I picked up on clearance after the Modified Stocker issues appeared. So at the time, these were probably looked at as "let's get one more hit off of these tools before they hit the scrap pile". But eight of the nine still exist (with the GTO having been converted back to stock years ago).

Still cheaper than NY...