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Shane, I got the radiator support and inner fender decals from the Nash Bridges '71 Cuda Convertible kit. That kit also comes with the "Shaker" decal that goes on the underside of the hood as well as decals for the script that is found on the Shaker scoop, rear valence and front header panel. Those little decals actually add alot to the finished appearance of the car. If I could only find a decent way to replicate the fender louvers though. I'm still not happy with the way they turned out.

Thanks for the compliments Bill. It was actually your Daytona that has changed my plans from building just a box stock replica to one with more detail. I want to try my hand at adding realistic looking chassis plumbing and underhood wiring and so forth. I also find my motivation turned up a notch or two with the old Mopars as they are by far my favorite cars, both in scale and 1:1. The decals were an absolute nightmare for me as well but I managed to make them work. I also noticed that they are more orange than they are red now that they are applied to the car. It might be a bit harder finding a good color to paint the wing now. I thought I had the right color before applying the decals, but now I'm not thinking that color will work at all. I may make a trip to the hobbyshop later today with my body in hand to try and find a decent match. I only hope one day I can see your Daytona firsthand so I can enjoy your work in person. After all, it was your work that inspired this build, Bill. Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

My friend Wayne sent me this link and after reading it, I realized this is exactly the kind of publicity this hobby needs to be brought back to the forefront again. Here's the link and have a good read. Maybe we can do something to garner the same exposure in our own regions... http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com:80/inde...logger&id=9

I also got into the same drought you're talking about Billy and it was from being burned out on building the same cars you enjoy building, Nascar. Just like has been said before, they are all basically the same kit now and it gets so damned repetitive and old building the same kit over and over and just adding different decals. I started countless Nascar projects that are now packed away in boxes and God only knows if, or when, they will ever be built. My boredom for that section of the hobby affected my whole desire to build anything, regardless of subject matter. I actually sat in my model room one day and looked at the collection of kits I had collected and saw that over 90% of the collection was of the same subject matter I was totally burned out on. I liquidated my Nascar collection and used the money I got from selling that part of my collection to procure kits I knew I would build. Drag cars, Mopars, Mustangs, a wide variety of different automotive and even some aircraft and armor pieces made their way into my collection. I only have about 5 Nascar kits left in my collection, but that's ok. What I DO have is a much wider choice of models to build and I found that my passion for this hobby came back with a vengenace when I started building models other than Nascar kits. Everybody suffers from the "Builder's Block Syndrome" at some point in their modeling career. It's inevitable and the nature of the beast. Do what is being suggested here. Check out other builds NOT associated with Nascar. With the plethora of new kits hitting the market now, there is an abundance of new work to see on this forum and on many of the other forums dedicated to various genres of modeling. Do yourself a favor and go buy the new 32 Ford kit, or the '68 Charger or one of the new Mustang releases. Just sit down and build one of them straight from the box without worrying about mirror finish paint jobs and making sure each decal is in just the right place. You might actually surprise yourself and enjoy building something to just to build it. Probably one of the biggest sources of inspiration I got recently was from Mr. Bill Geary himself. After studying his '69 Charger Daytona, his work succeeded in relighting my fire to pursue the art of perfection and realistic duplication in scale on something other than a Nascar kit. In the end though, you simply can't force yourself to want to build, Billy. It has to come naturally. Don't force yourself to build. That will only further drive your desire into the abyss. Oh, and my list of "Motivational Builders" are: 1. Wayne Stevens 2. Jeff Marsh 3. Bill Geary Anyways, good luck on overcoming the "Builder's Block Syndrome". It will come back to you enventually. Just give it time and don't rush your return. That will only delay it longer in the end.

Wow Marcus, your Charger looks great to put it mildly. Did you just paint over the adhesive? I am puttering with the Monogram Plymouth Superbird and that already has the vinyl texture on the roof. I am wondering what i should use to paint over that to make it look even more realistic. The Testors setup came to mind first....

I started this kit when it was first released back in the early 90's. After countless moves and digging the kit out and doing small bits here and there, I ended up losing the rear valence panel for the kit somewhere between Arkansas, England, Florida, and New York. After losing the valence, I just tossed the kit in the box for several years until a couple months ago. I had forgotten about losing the valence when I dug it out recently. The paint job on the car was almost flawless and I started working on the car. After working for about a week on it I realized why I hadn't worked on it in so long. Well, thanks to Dave Carnevale, I was able to obtain a rear valence in the molded purple plastic that I needed. Unfortunately, another setback reared it's ugly head and I found out the new Plum Crazy paint from Testors is definitely NOT the same shade as the old Plum Crazy I had used to paint the car many years ago. So, after traveling to Vermont to buy the few remaining cans of the original Plum Crazy, I was able to finally finish this car. While it's not superdetailed or bubbling over with extra detail, it did build up into a decent shelf model. I tried the billboard decals but decided against them due to the poor alignment of the hols in the decals for the rear marker lights and the door handles. Anyways, enough about the history of this historically long project. Here are some pics of the final product. Now I can get to work on my Daytona in ernest.

Has anyone used the vinyl top spray paint from Testors? If so, what kid of luck did you have and how authentic looking did it turn out? There are a few projects I'd like to add a vinyl top to and was wondering about the success of that paint. I know alot of people used masking tape, but I've heard of the adhesive drying over the years and the tape eventually comes apart and ruins the model. That's why I was wondering if Testors paint system for vinyl top worked or not....

I haven't had much time for the model bench lately, but I did manage to get some stuff done last night after work. The clearcoat was polished out and the rear stripe decal was added. The pics don't do the finish justice on this car as the metallic in the silver just glitters. The car came out nearly flawless in the end. The decal was VERY brittle though and was quite the challenge to apply but I did get it on finally. Now I just need to find a color to match the stripe. The engine will be going into paint today hoepfully. I still need to add a dipstick and a couple other little things to it to make it more realistic. Anyways, here are some more updated pics...

We missed it last year as well due to the rising costs of everything. We have the weekend off for this year's show though and we will be back. It's the only show we attend and I missed not going last year. Talk about withdrawals! \Looking forward to the announcement of the hotel deals from Tom....

Definitely a great looking car to say the least. Many would consider me "fortunate" to having owned an 87 Grand National. However, I can personally attest to the fact the car was a mechanical nightmare to put it mildly. The GN I owned was a money pit just to keep it road worthy. These cars were great for Sunday drivers, but if you had to depend on them for everyday transportation, you were hosed. Parts for these cars were not only expensive, but also next to impossible to find. The turbos had a bad habit of shelling out, which in turn ate up the intercooler. The brake master cylinders also were some of the most unreliable parts GM ever manufactured. The accumulators on those master cylinders were forever going bad. My car had the digital dash as well. When you got to 85mph, the guages started flashing and the speedometer wouldn't go any higher. The car was more of a conversation piece than it was a real performer. I was not the least bit sorry to trade that car for an 87 Monte Carlo SS straight up. That Monte as a million more times more reliable than that Buick. The guy I traded with drove the GN for about 3 months when the engine went sour. He parked it for over 3 years before finally selling it for parts for some ridiculous low price. I drove that Monte SS for almost 8 years with no menchanical issues other than replacing a fuel pump and an alternator. As for your model, you did nail the overall look and feel of that car perfectly. I also built a replica of my car and had fits trying to get decent black paint on the body. Your paint job looks immaculate and you should be danged proud of the job you did on that car. Even in scale, that car is still a head turner. Great job!!!!!

That is definitely a sweet looking greeen on that car. I think that car looks great. I also am not the least bit fond of the molded exhaust on the chassis. I am just about finished with my Plum Crazy Cuda myself. The enxt one I build will definitely be a bit more detailed as well. You did a great job on that car!

I started this car a couple weeks ago while waiting for parts to finish drying on my '71 Cuda. This car was originally going to be a box stock build, but that plan went straight down the drain after seeing Bill Geary's outstanding Daytona model. While this car won't have operating doors and trunk, it will have chassis plumbing and a ton of underhood detail. The color is silver with the red tailstripe, wing, and interior. It's not a common color, yet the combination is very striking. There were only a very few Daytonas built in this color combo and I enjoy going for the obscure Mopars when I build. I am hoping to have this car ready for the NNL East, but we'll have to see how things go. This is the project being built for a CBP though so i should have it done. I cleared the body last night and will polish it this weekend in preperation of the rear stripe decal. The seats are glued and sanded and the engine is now under construction. I'll post more pics as I make progress.

Just ok? He's top notch all the way!

There is no better '69 Camaro kit than the Revell issue. That kit is simply the best one on the market, bar none. Even the 1/12th scale version is aces. As for '66 Chevelle, the Lindberg kit is sweet to say the least. I would dare say that's the best of the lot as well. You can't go wrong with those releases and both beuild up into awesome looking replicas.

Hey Bill, I don't mean to hijack your thread, but I would love to see more pics of your Daytona. From the pic you posted, the detail looks superb and I am currently building one myself and would like to detail it like you did with yours.

Here are some pics of my room. It's a converted bedroom in our home. The closet was converted into a storage area for at least most of my kits but some more are in storage. I'm always looking for more room though and am constantly sorting through models to make more room. Not a bad little work area but I need more display areas.

Actually Ed, it is your fault that I'm making you think this early in the morning. It's been our conversations that have gotten my mind thinking and posing such questions. I want to thank you for your insightful thoughts and input regarding the hobby. It has helped keep me focused on the important parts of this hobby and not things that can serve to distract us from the true goal of enjoying the hobby. You Sir, are indeed and asset to this hobby and all it stands for!

Most of us here have built models a majority of our lives. During that tenure, surely there has been one or two that stand out in your collection. The ones that, when you look at them, they bring back memories the others don't. Models that hold a special place in your heart. Maybe they aren't the most detailed cars or trucks in the world and maybe the paint has more orange peel than a Sunkist orange, but nonetheless, when you look at that model, you are brought back to a different time and place. What model in your collection holds such a special place and why? For me, it's the Monogram '71 Hemi Cuda that I started back in 1990. I started the kit in June of that year in Little Rock, Arkansas. In August of that year I found myself in a foreign land full of sand and oil. I spent over a year in Saudi and when I came back it was a long time before I got back into serious building again. I pulled this kit off the shelf countless times over the years and puttered with it. I worked on that car in Arkansas, the United Kingdom, Florida, New York, and a few other places as well. When I see this car, I am brought back to specific times from those places that bring a smile to my face and stir fond memories. Thanks to Dave Carnevale and his genorosity, I finished this kit today and as I look at it now sitting on my shelf, there is no other model in my collection that holds the place that this 'Cuda does. For me, this car holds alot of history that no other model could possibly possess. I have alot of models in my collection with better paint, more detailed engines and so forth, but this car and it's memories more than make up for what it lacks in super detailing. So, what car in your collection holds that special place in your heart and collection and why?

I guess one thing I am more sick of than anything else is the fact that today's hobbyshop owners feel as though you owe THEM for being there for you. I know not everyone is like that, but the ones in my area are like that. Plus, plastic is just a necessary evil for some to run their hobbyshops and even though they couldn't care less if they carry it or sell any of it, they do it "just because." It's time the owners of these stores start realizing they need to show some appreciation to US, the customers, for parting with our hard earned money in a shrinking economy rather than stashing it away for a rainy day. I guess I just miss the days of the neighborhood shops where you could go and just hang out and talk models and actually have FUN doing it without the owner taking an attitude and making you feel like you're intruding into his territory. As for computers and tv's, you're right. I'm sure there might be some pervs who might try to access questionable sites while frequenting the store. However, parental controls Do work and I am sure the actual hobbyists would run the pervs out in short order. Basically, if you're not there to enjoy the hobby, beat it and let those who do enjoy it, partake in the luxuries made available to them. I sat down and figured if I wanted to actually open an emporium like the one described above, it would take hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'm not saying it's out of the realm of possibility, but it would take a miracle for it to happen. Plus, I would open it someplace other than here, like Tennessee where the store actually stood a chance of surviving. For whatever reason, there just doesn't seem to be the passion for modeling in these parts that there is elsewhere in this country. But, like Martin Luther King once said, "I have a dream...."

I'm convinced that every modeler is insane to a certain degree Wolf. How many sane people would punish themselves the way we do trying to build replicas of cars and trucks and sink so much money into the process? With the increasing cost of spray paint, it's getting more and more expensive to paint our projects, but it's all relative. It costs about $30 including tax for me to build one kit now. Add to that the cost of bottle paints for detail painting and it can get even higher. Still, I'm not complaining. It's a hobby I love and it just means I have to cut corners elsewhere to play in the hobby. Now..if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go make a sandwich out of that empty model box so I have money for another bottle of flat black paint instead of buying that loaf of bread....

I was replying to Ed last night when I got home and the topic of hobby shops and their evolution through the years came up. After I went to bed last night, I laid awake and put some very serious thought into the very subject I just pm'd about. When I was growing up, I remember the hobbyshops I used to go to. The owners genuinely cared about the customer and making sure they were satisfied with the kits they were buying. The bottom dollar wasn't the driving force behind their motivation to be in the business, but rather, a genuine passion and love for the hobby itself that we seem to be missing today. Through the years, it seems shops like these are getting harder and harder to find. And when you do find them, it seems they are sucking in their last breath and the writing for survival is already on the wall. So, I want to pose a question to everyone here. If you had the capital and the resources, what would YOU build for a hobbyshop in today's economy and world to make it stand out above the rest? Here is a list of ideas that I would employ in a shop, if I ever had the means and opportunity to build one. First and foremost, I would make it customer friendly across the board. If hobbyists just wanted to come in and hang out, they'd be more than welcome. Purchasing something wouldn't be mandatory like it is at so many stores today. There would be a seperate room built specifically for modeling. There would be work benches, sinks for cleaning kits, washing hands, etc., paint booths with exhaust fans for those wishing to utilize this method for painting their models but maybe don't have the space or abilities to do so at home. A tv for entertainment as well as a stereo for listening enjoyment. Computer and internet access would be available for access to sites such as this as well as research sites for automobiles, armor, aircraft, etc. complete with a printer to print off images, tips, etc. The inventory would consist of a wide range of kits from all the different manufacturers so everyone has a choice of kit to fit their tastes and wallets. How many times have we gone to a shop looking for something in particular and either left empty handed or ended up settling for something else that wasn't what we were really wanting? I would also stock aftermarket supplies ranging from resin to decals to flocking. The shop would literally be a one-stop shop for the modeler to make it easier obtaining the kits and supplies needed to build what they wanted. A weekly build night would be held as well. Hobbyists from the area could come and build, socialize and have fun. Coffee, soda, pizza and sandwiches would be provided free of charge to those attending and the store would stay open for those wishing to purchase items, but it wouldn't be mandatory for people to buy things to attend. A seperate evening set aside for the youth would also be designated. Also, every couple months a "Build it, Take it" night for our young people would be held where kids could come in and build a kit supplied by the shop and their parents and other experienced modelers could help them build the kits. Display cases would be abundant in the store as well so modelers of all ages and tastes could display their work for others to see. A bi-annual show or contest would be held as well with various classes to cater to everyone's tastes. Gift certificates to the store would be the prizes rather than another ribbon, trophy or plaque. Let's give a prize that gives back to the hobby instead of handing out cheap trophies and awards that will only collect dust and end up being packed away due to lack of space. These are just a few ideas I thought of last night that would go into the mix of building the "Ultimate Hobbyshop". So what ideas do you have that would help make a hobbyshop that is a mecca for modelers? I wish I could strike the lottery to make this dream a reality!

I'm also not so sure about the builders being paid money to build the kits. They may get a little, but I think in return for their efforts they get a kit or two for themselves. I could be wrong but I seem to recall someone saying that once. Shoot, I'd be happy to build them just to be able to build them!

This is true Peter. For whatever reason, it has been since Craig's pretty much taken the reigns that he's gotten the publicity on Speed and so forth. As for the volume control, it's kinda hard to mute everything when they are telling what options each car comes with and so forth. And, for as boring as they can be sometimes, I have learned quite a bit about different cars from the commentary of the guys who narrate the auctions. I enjoy seeing the bidders who win who are genuinely happy that they won the car they've been searching for. You can tell the ones who are sincerely appreciative of the car they just won and the looks on their faces as they shake the auctioneer's hands after winning. To me, that's what it's all about.

Thanks for the article in the November issue of Model Cars Bill. I got alot from your article but still have a couple questions regarding hinging doors on cars newer than the 50's and early 60's. How would you fabricate hinges for, say a '70 Roadrunner and still have them work and function in a decent manner? I was kicking the idea of taking a block of styrene rod to make that style hinge, but was wonderign what your thoughts and take might be on the newer hinges...

Realistically, unless you got your musclecar back in the 70's or 80's when the prices were actually reasonable, the days of getting a decent muscle car to restore and enjoy are over. I have seen some cars on BJ that I thought should have brought in more money than they did, while others I wouldn't have given a wooden nickel for go for 6 and 7 figures. There's no rhyme or reason, it's just the way the ball bounces. Case in point, I couldn't believe the money that rodded Lincoln Zephyr brought in a couple years ago, but it just goes to show, something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. I can't stand Craig Jackson. He's a pompus idiot no matter how you slice his rolls of fat, but you have to give him credit. He saw an opportunity to capitalize on the automotive collector market and he has made himself a nice living doing what he does. However, I can see his auctions declining in both popularity and participation in the coming years with the economy what it is now. People will soon find other more meaningful ways to spend their millions and I doubt it will be on collector cars. Then and only then will the day come when the average joe can once again afford the great musclecars and vintage cars we remember from our youth.