Spex84

I'm convinced the whole "Millenial" thing has been fabricated by the media to generate page-clicks and ad revenue There are snippets of truth woven through it all, but a lot of it seems to be wishful opinion presented as fact. Maybe the conversation needs to be about parenting...it's not necessarily about "making kids like models"...it's about exposing them to the opportunity and seeing if it sticks. So in a roundabout way, I'm back at the "make and take" concept--which happens to be a good one, and I hope such programs continue as long as possible. If all older people said "I don't really give a darn if kids build models"...well, guess what, they aren't going to build models, unless they learn about them from Instagram or something.

I've already commented on this subject on "the other" forum, but thought I'd chime in here too....I agree that it's disappointing that kids are not building models the way they used to. Many reasons have already been mentioned--the closing of hobby shops, the fact that model cars are now a specialty item that you have to seek out, the difficulty in buying glue and paint as a minor, the rising cost of kits...etc. When it comes to models vs. video games, games offer replayability and can provide entertainment for months. Sure new AAA console games might be $70 here in Canada, but two kits and some paint/glue will run the same price, and most kids who are new to the hobby will probably build those kits in a weekend and then be bored. Video games offer instant gratification because it's literally built into their structure. A good game leads players along a learning curve and rewards them for reaching certain goals. Building model cars is a much more self-directed pastime, where builders must set their own goals. It's a different kettle of fish. Young people still love to build--LEGO is re-configurable, and offers replayability and almost endless creative re-combination. Video games like Minecraft (immensely popular with young people right now) offer a similar sort of thing in the digital world. Kids are building some fiendishly complicated stuff in the digital world these days. Why would a kit build a model car that sits like a lump on the shelf and gets dusty when they could customize a photo-realistic car in a video game, choose a different paint scheme every day, drive it, crash it, and race with their friends? Some video game/collectible franchises, such as Skylanders and Disney Infinity, have been combining the digital realm with the physical--you purchase a figurine (like a plastic action figure or collectible), and then that figurine unlocks a playable character in a digital world. Imagine if the Revell Ford Raptor model kit came with a chip or code that unlocked the same truck in an online racing game. Would I bother? Probably not. Would it attract younger builders? They'd probably just use the chip and leave the styrene in the box. But I could be wrong....maybe it would work. Maybe it would spark an interest. Most video games lack the physical "zen" of cutting, shaping, painting etc, and also lack real, tangible results. I think the main problem is that modern culture has drifted away from celebrating the value of tangible results, working with your hands, etc. We're awash in a sea of "likes", digital media, "consultants", trending memes, etc etc. The dominant media narrative these days is about how everything is dynamic and shifting, and to stay relevant you have to be ready to shift, too. Models seem curiously inert in that context. I think eventually, people will realize that making something real is valuable. We already see this with the "Maker" trend, craft marketplace websites like Etsy, and the 3D printing movement. Where models fit into this, I'm not sure, but the future of modeling is going to rest with convincing young people that it's not about the end result (a lump of plastic), it's about the skill and knowledge it took to produce that result. Kind of like how it might be cool to be in a band...but it's way cooler and more rewarding to be a musician. With that in mind, I agree that encouraging any kind of building is a good idea. I sometimes come across rants and screeds against tuner cars, lowriders, and especially donks....guess what, you might not like the 1:1 cars, but if they're inspiring young people to build models and be creative they're a good thing!!

Nice work so far...I like those engine mounts and the frame cleanup looks good. I wasn't a fan of the Rat Roaster's frame, so this is much better.

From what I understand, model car contests of the day gave points for working features like opening doors, steering wheels, or even roll-up windows. The connotation was that more detail (and more modifications) were better. So the model manufacturers were probably playing into that by suggesting that their parts were the most complete and detailed available, and could give builders a leg up. Not many years earlier, model cars had blob-like engines and lacked undercarriage detail, so the new, more detailed and accurate kits must have been exciting and the parts packs capitalized on that excitement. In addition to the internal detail (rocker detail, crankshafts, etc) they paid a lot of attention to including real-world brand names and speed parts. So a kid could say "I built this with a 392 Chrysler hemi, a Weiand Drag-Star intake, Isky full race cam, six Stromberg carbs, Vertex magneto, B&M Hydro transmission, M&H drag slicks, and Halibrand magnesium wheels...just like my uncle's race car!" There's a certain pride of accomplishment in creating something recognizable. This reminds me of a scene from one of the "behind the scenes" DVDs for the Lord of the Rings movies....one of the actors discovered that the costumers who'd made his leather armor had hand-tooled the interior in beautiful patterns, even though the work would never be seen on-screen. And the actor thought "wow, now I actually feel like a king". So...I suspect the model manufacturers were hoping builders would buy their products and feel like kings for having done so. That's good business.

Sweet! Love the tweaks you made to the basic formula here. I can't wait to see the coupe--sounds right up my alley. ROG is a very cool event and spawns all manner of interesting 1:1 vintage-style builds each year.

As far as I know, the idea was that the detailed engine parts could be included with completed models as display props, or built up to resemble a half-assembled engine. I've seen several old magazine cover photos that featured 1:1 cars partially disassembled with all the "go fast" parts and chrome arrayed on the ground in front. I suspect Revell had something similar in mind. Not to mention the car shows of the day with the elaborate themed displays, matching gas cans, chromed tools, wheels removed to show off chromed brakes, etc. It is kinda weird though, to include miniature crankshafts (in the case of the AMT parts packs) when they'll never be seen. I really think they must have been intended for display, and that "cool factor" that would attract kids to their products.

The un-chopped roof is like nails on a chalkboard for me...but at the same time, it's unique and unusual. In order to keep the windows in a pleasing "golden ratio" proportion, there are really only 2 ways to do these: stock height and hard chopped (oh, and maybe angle chopped. So 3 ways): Anything else leaves the windows a displeasing square shape. So with that in mind, I'd keep it stock height. Modeler's ADD...ha! For me, the intial mockup and slice-n-dice stages are the most rewarding and exciting. It results in a lot of projects I hadn't fully assessed in terms of how much time they'd actually require to complete. Every day I have to tell myself not to start another 5 projects, even though the ideas are bouncing around my skull like a squirrel on meth.

Looks great! Classic color combo and the modified suspension/wheel and tire swap works well. I don't have one of these kits yet, but am I right in observing that the carburetors appear to have the linkages molded on?

I think that's the first time I've seen a "split bomber seat". Very innovative, and it makes a great focal point for the interior.

Wicked parts breakdown. Do you label your parts kits so you know which boxes are missing which parts? You must have a lot of kits missing 2 or 3 pieces each! I'm fond of show-n-go rods, looking forward to seeing this one progress. Those 12 spokes are awesome. Might have to pick up the Slingster so I can do a Purple People Eater-styled rod.

Thanks guys. Yep, I did some cursory research into modded DOHC 4.6 engines. There's a rod out there with a very nice Coyote that was reworked to look retro. I think it was in Rod and Custom. Apparently the tuning/computer nonsense was a nightmare, as was the plumbing, but in the end it looked gorgeous. I seem to recall they put EFI Hilborn injector stacks on that one. In this case, I just wanted something exotic and Ferrari-ish. I've come up with some rectangular headlights that are going to be a love-hate thing for most people, haha. Once those are dialed, I can paint the grille shell.

I'm having some trouble posting photos from photobucket. Never had an issue before. Weird. The "Edit" option doesn't seem to work either. Let's try again:

It's been a while, busy summer. But this build has progressed somewhat. Engine is mostly assembled (but needs some scratchbuilt radiator hoses). Body and frame are now Aluminum. http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m312/Spex84/ScaleModels/25 T Hi-tech/25T_HiTech_Setp17_zpsjajqrv6x.jpg

Love that angled tailgate design. Nice work!

Holy moly you made that old kit look good. Probably the best stock build of this kit I've seen. Inspiring work!

Great reference photos! Looks to me like the car had slightly larger and wider tires in back.

The Monogram/Revell-Monogram '32 Ford roadster has deep chrome wheels and '48 Ford style caps (similar to the stock ones in the '53 truck kit). They don't have separate trim rings however.

Whaaaat. I've been thinking about making belts and wondering what to use (tape, maybe? but I want something stretchier) for a while now, and turns out I was wearing the solution. Black nitrile gloves. Thanks for the idea!

Beauty! That's a really clean build, and I'm getting a kick out of the color combo, stance, and the chromed wheel arch trim and those wheels work together.

Love the crazy 60s custom rods, not many people are building like this these days so I love seeing the survivor models! Is that a 37 Chevy grille, inverted and backwards?? What a nutty idea. Very creative. Didn't the 1:1 have kind of a pearl white and teal blue-fogged paintjob? I like the orange too, though. Spot-on for '65-'67 or so.

That is bonkers. It's like a Hot Wheels design come to life. Or something I'd mock up on a bored Sunday with some old glue-bombs I like it too!

This is incredibly cool. I know nothing about vintage heavy equipment, but it's enthralling to watch this all coming together.

That's the Brian Bass '29 if I'm not mistaken. There's a very in-detail build thread on the HAMB forum. Very distinctive windshield header treatment. Interestingly, I saw a finished car with the same treatment at a show a few months ago and asked the builder if he'd seen this car, or heard of the HAMB. No, and no. Came up with it himself

Looking good! Re: Dennis' comment about proportions...I've found another way to maintain wheelbase is to use a spring-behind setup (as in the Rolling Bones cars and Doane Spence roadster). Tie-rod clearance can be a pain, and scratchbuilding dropped steering arms isn't super fun though.

Veeeery cool so far. Loving what the cutter can do, and the stance/style you've nailed down is wicked.