dragin70s

OK, a couple of chassis pics. And, I'm switching the headers out, before anyone jumps all over that. And, "gtx6970": Paint is Boyd's Dark Green Pearl over Testor's Gold Metallic

Thanks all for comments. Gtx6970: I'm not offended at all, actually, that is a big part of why I didn't like this kit. It was a little hard to get motivated using what I knew was the wrong chassis. I used the kit chassis and built the car, but I have the intention of mating up my body (which I am very pleased with) with the correct chassis in the future. HippieDude: Oh yes mods are necessary. Doghouse modified to fit over linkages at blower hat among others. Seems like every tin is a major pain.

Johnbuzzed: Aw heck, maybe I'm being too picky. It just seemed a little too "simple" for lack of a better term. Never built any FCs that weren't Revell or Monogram, so it was just different. When I get the chassis pics up maybe it will show, maybe not. Thanks to all for the kind comments.

Thanks guys. Chassis/engine pics to come, accidentally deleted all of those so must redo. 'Hippie Dude": Yes, that's the MK Challenger kit. Officially my least favorite kit ever.

OK, many have been done, and many are better than this, but here are a few not so great pics of my version. Hope to put a few more shots up later.

I've always wanted to hit garage sales to see if I could hit a kit or two every now and then, but reeeeaaaalllllyyyy hate getting up early on Saturdays. Well, today I was up earlier as my daughter had a friend over and headed out to a sports card show. On the way home I slowed down for a couple of garage sales I saw, but they didn't look promising so I didn't stop. Then I saw an estate sale sign. Never been real comfortable with those, and have only been to two ever. But, for some reason, after passing it by, I decided to turn around an check it out. Walk in, turn to the right, and first room was a kids room, looking as though after the kid grew up they just left the room as is. A room full of '70s/'80s stuff, and right there on the closet shelf sat exactly what I would hope to find, an original 1972 1/16 Gene Snow "Snowman" Charger funny car kit. Opened it up, looks to all be there, except the tires have melted. There was even a bottle of model cement, with its .21 cent price tag on it. Some minor assembly had been started, but nothing that can't be fixed and cleaned up. Instructions, decals, box in untorn very good to excellent condition all there. Heck, there was even a pocket knife in the box that I found when I got it home. $5. In addition, there was another kit I did not recognize, and MPC Howmet TX Turbine Road Racer. Box a bit crushed but in fair condition and everything seems to be there. I will check for sure later. Some minor assembly started, but most parts still on trees. Again, $5. I may never have such luck again, so am really appreciating my $10 bounty today. Figure I will inventory the Howmet TX and try to sell it. Thanks for the read. Rob

Yes, these are the AutoWorld HO scale top fuelers. You can see all of the various ones available on ebay.

Used a little hobby dough and picked up the four pack of the AW top fuel slot dragsters. Really liking these things, but think I am actually more excited about buying another one and detailing it and doing it as another car. These things, along with the funny cars, could be reeaaalllly addictive.

Those are great. Looks like you found the fun again. Man, I really need to get me one of those Nitro Chargers to do that Prudhomme car. Of course, its 95-100 degrees and humid every day right now so don't know when I could paint.

Wow! It is builds like this that inspire and illustrate the possibilities. Simply gorgeous, and of course, such a great subject.

Jon Cole: Great point! It was from the "Rides" Collection, and it was a 2005 Chrysler 300. It was $12. Kaleb: PM me if you have any drag or Indy type stuff, maybe we could do as you suggested.

I occasionally make a run through a very large antique mall close by, hoping to run across a variety of things, among them models. Finally ran across one, and it was just a darn AMT Chrysler 3000, either '03 or '05, can't remember. Really, I mean really, is that a kit-worthy subject? I know, I know, I guess it fits a niche in the hobby and there are those who would find it interesting, but heck, I just want to find racing subjects.

I used to love Indy. I attended in 1970, including practices, qualifying and the race. Al Unser won it. For my entire childhood, the Indy 500 was a family event, even though all of the other years were just watching on TV. When everything changed, and "Indy" cars were split into two sanctioning bodies, I lost interest. It was like having a World Series, but only half of the teams were allowed to qualify. My interest in Indy is now nostalgic, and I would love to go back to the track and visit the museum, but no real interest in attending the race. However, sorry, but I must say I am much more tolerant than many. Just because it isn't my thing I am not going to dismiss and criticize. Opinions are like.......well, we know the rest. Any competition performed at the very highest levels is worthy of respect.

Great topic. I was a child of the '70s, having been born in '64. Six through sixteen in the '70s, pretty much my whole childhood. Funny, all of the men in my family were car guys, but I was a ballplayer. I had sort of a secondary interest that grew over the years. My uncle had a '69 Chevelle SS, we knew guys with RoadRunners, and my other uncle raced a couple of early '70s Camaros. It was always around. When I think of the '70s, I think simple, colorful, the music (on 8-tracks of course), riding our bikes EVERYWHERE, baseball cards when they were still cardboard, models, man I could go on and on. Nostalgia sets in deep.

Does anyone have a good pic of the body from the old MPC Nitro Charger funny car kit? Much appreciated if anyone does. Thanks.

I have rarely seen kids buying model kits. I have however given advice to adults in the Hobby Lobby model section who were looking to buy for their kids. As a teacher for the past twenty one years, I have not once heard a kid refer to building a model. It's just a different world than it was when us older (I'm 48) guys were kids. I probably got my interest from my father who built models and model rockets. I did both through my teen years, returned to drag subjects in my twenties, before finally getting jumpstarted by having a son. I have never pressed him, but have provided opportunities, and he as built a few, but really likes painting the military figures more than anything. As a teacher, I have often considered leading a model or model rocket class/club as an extracurricular at our school. However, the sad reality is that parents make such things unattractive to do, as someone will blame me for their kid doing something inappropriate with a model rocket engine or something like that. I would love to help introduce interest in the hobby, but its just not easy. How long can the hobby sustain itself with the dwindling youth participation. Only time will tell.

OK, boys, thanks for the suggestions. Did it once and made progress. Going to let it set tonight and see that it stays, and then do it again tomorrow and hopefully get it perfect, or close anyway. Thanks for the help.

OK, I have the AMT Chi-Town Hustler Omni kit. It has a slight arc to the hood/bottom of the windscreen area. I was wondering if it is possible to heat a body to slightly reshape it to eliminate that hump? Thanks for any advice.

Have to jump in and say I'm lovin' the McEwen. Super clean build, and the decals look great. Thanks for showing.

Jumpin' on the bandwagon, lovin' this one. Great subject and great job replicating it.

No help here, but hope you work it out, that body looks great.

Thanks Aaron for the paint info. Never used Tamiya paints, may have to branch out a bit. Came out gorgeous. Isn't it funny how the modeler is rarely satisfied, as we know each flaw. Anyone would be proud to display that one, such a great job on what I think if one of the most appealing FCs of all time.

Great build! What paint and color did you use? Thanks.

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing, love seeing stuff like this.

Interesting about the return lane. Our local hobby shop has a 1/32 road track, but I've never done it. Its a haul over there. It looks like great fun, I always look at the cars they have when I'm there picking up modeling stuff. Never done craigslist before, have to take a look at that. Would be nice to run into a group of stuff cheap. .