Snake45

Oh, my....

Back in the late '80s or early '90s, AMT did at least one "Diamond in the Rough" multi-set which included the '53 Ford pickup, Service Trailer, and a '39 or '40 Ford Tudor with some damaged body panels. I don't remember why I bought one of these unless it was mainly for the trailer, as I have ZERO interest in a Tudor, especially a damaged one, but there it sits in my stash. Were there any other multi-kits in the "Diamond in the Rough" series?

REM, Losing My Religion?

Yeah, but they're not particularly good. They're a little "squarish" as I recall.

Camp Granada, Allan Sherman?

If deep works for you, the Cragars in the AMT '65 El Camino and Chevelle Wagon aren't bad at all. But I believe they're all the same depth. Casey, nice pics and rundown!

If you've seen any version of this kit since 1965, I doubt there will be any surprises. If you've never seen the kit before, you might be pleasantly surprised, also maybe a little disappointed in a few areas. But overall this is a fun build, which can be done in several interesting ways, and really looks like a Corvair when finished. Have fun with it!

By "skillfully," I meant that you carefully didn't show the grille/front end area, which is IMHO this kit's weakest feature. But your photos are actually quite good--I wish I could get close-up pics that good. Yes, I'm on WIX. Mainly in the Skyraider threads, but also a few others. I'll look for you there. Oh, and I don't think Grumpy ran an air cleaner.

I think at today's rates, asking price for that combo would be on the far side of $50. Airplane guys are now used to dropping that on a kit, but I'm not sure that most car guys are...even though this is the equivalent of three (or at least two and a half) kits. Would I buy it? Prolly not. I have two of the Model King Falcons, at least two (maybe three) of the Blueprinter Service Trailers, and one of the repopped '64 Fords, so I already "have" this whole set, more or less. But if I didn't have them (particularly the Falcon), I'd prolly save my nickels and dimes for it....

Again, skillfully photographed! Though in a couple, the too-much backslanted rear panel is apparent. I must say that I didn't notice this particular flaw in this body until someone else pointed it out. Compared with other '67-'69 Camaro and Firebird kits (and pics of real ones), it's not right, but it's not something that immediately catches my eye. I'm debating whether fixing that would be worth the effort when I build mine...haven't decided one way or the other yet.

Yeah, those are nice. I think the best I've ever seen were in the original JoHan '66 Marlin. The ones in the original Monkeemobile weren't bad, either.

I've had pretty good luck with the Duck brand masking tape from Walmart. But I ALWAYS lay it on sheet styrene and cut my own edge before I use it. The "factory" edge is always rough (compared to a fresh razor-cut edge) and will pick up dirt and lint.

I can remember when I could get two whole kits for $5, and still have change left over for paint and glue.

Yeah, mirrors were almost never included in the kits I grew up on in the '60s. The reissues of those kits still don't have 'em. That, and I built a lot of drag stuff in those days, and drag cars don't usually have them, so I'm quite used to looking at models without them. If I mirror is an integral part of the body's styling, as on some late-model cars, or the kit includes them with fairly secure mounting, I'll put 'em on. Otherwise, I don't bother, as I know they'll just get broken off and lost, leaving some sort of evidence of their absence. You know what would be cool? If someone would offer a whole "tree" of various '60s-style mirrors in white metal at reasonable price. If that ever happened, I could be interested.

I think that's Cover of the Rolling Stone, Dr. Hook & Medicine Show, or something like that?

Lately, when I get it "finished" enough to put on the shelf and it looks "done" from two feet away, it's done. I usually leave out a bunch of interior and engine details that "I'll go back and add those later." And then I almost never do. Done enough!

What exactly do you consider "gunmetal"? To me, gun metal is either a very dark, shiny black (bluing) or a flat medium-dark gray (Parkerizing). There have been many, many finishes applied to firearms, including various paints. "Gunmetal" isn't very descriptive.

Lemme see if I can name them all from memory: Dusk Blue (or Black?), Lemans Blue, Garnet Red, Huger Orange, Fathom Green, Rally Green. How'd I do?

Um......okay........

I'll take a WAG with the only two non-English rock songs I know: 99 Luftballoons? Der Kommissar?

But some of them do. I've been building both airplanes and cars since I was a kid. Almost all modelers specialize in one or the other and consider themselves either an "airplane guy" or a "car guy" (or a "tank guy" or a "ship guy"). I've lost count of the times I've amazed friends in Model Airplane World by using some technique that's common in Model Car World, or vice-versa. Even more amazing, I've learned that nearly every tool, technique, or material that we use in Plastic Model World has been used over in Model Railroad World since the '50s, the '40s, even the 1930s. If you ever get a chance to buy a stack of old model railroad magazines cheap at a yard sale or something, take advantage of it, and read through them. I guarantee you'll learn how to do something "new" that you can use on car models.

I don't think you'll have a problem. But then I don't have a WHOLE lot of experience with the Tamiya paints--some, but not lots.

If the full wheel discs in the AMT Double Dragster would work for you, I'd be glad to send you a set.

Dire Straits, Money for Nothing and Chicks for Free.

You sure that's not the AMT '62 Corvette?