Spex84

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.

Revell's reissued Tweedy Pie has pretty nice carbs with frogmouth scoops. 6 of 'em, too! They oughtta bolt right on. The repminco scoops are very nice but I find they look like the air vent stacks you'd find on an old ship...not quite the right shape.

Having had some time to mull over this potential offering whilst working on my 1/24 Monogram '30 coupe builds, I am now completely sanguine about the possibility that the new coupe might not be 100% what I was looking for. Because man-o-man are those old Monogram bodies a lot of work. Sink marks, incorrect beltline and side trim, misshapen quarter window on the passenger side, mold seams, brittle plastic, chunky door handles, flash-laden chrome, poorly modeled door hinges....oof. Any new body will be an improvement by default, and save me many hours of work (especially considering how many model As I want to build). Also,an observation: is anyone else seeing what looks like telltale gaps indicating a removable/separate top (ie, possible stock height roof or two different chop-top options)?

My suggestion: build something you are not familiar with, try a new technique, and don't sweat the small stuff. IE. if you build race-spec euro sportscars, and now you can't do an OOB build without seeing details that need correcting all over the place...try building a model of a rusty dump truck. Or a spacecraft. Something you know less about, so you don't see (or care about) the small deficiencies. A weathered build can be entertaining, because mistakes can be considered "happy accidents" that add character rather than causing stress. Last summer I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the unfinished builds that were stacking up, so I took an afternoon to sit down with my stash of junk plastic, pill bottles, and scavenged bits and pieces. I decided to build some kind of sci-fi robot. I normally build 1/25 scale cars, and have not built anything space-themed since I was a kid. I'd also never tried a speed-scratchbuild. I used a hot glue gun to quickly attach parts, and if I didn't like anything I ripped it apart. I blasted the end result with primer, and then did some basic paint detailing later. The end result is no show-winner that's for sure...but it was fun, liberating, and so enjoyable that I'm quite fond of it and plan to make more. So all in all, a great antidote to endless research and struggling with paint, bodywork, and nitpicky details.