E St. Kruiser50

Hey all It's really fun looking at all the different model car design idea's and talent here. Some of us talk about being an artst, for some of us building model's is about self-expression, or relaxing, or a love of cars, or competing to win and be recognized, which to me is fine, and some of us like to have something we can get better at, or express ourselves mechanically or with our knowledge or maybe your escaping the humdrums or turmoils of life, into the safety of denial Bob Paeth used to design and build to express a sense of humor sometimes, like with his "Ghia Pet", with live gowing vegitation on a VW Ghia - LOL. That was so funny. Now I'm not asking why your on this forum, that's a different topic. This is why do you build model cars, whatever you make them out of. All of you here build great stuff, and I mean all of you, even if your new here, let us know so we can get to know you better. Thanks all - Dave

Hi all Thanks for this thread. I don't use enamels, but I do use Valspars HOK Urethanes. Has anyone tried sanding and rubbing the clear enamel out, to get a super smooth finish. It looks good out of the can, but I rub everything out. Maybe someone could let me know. Much appreciated - Dave

Hey Rob my friend Thanks for your honesty and your opinions. We all have likes and dislikes, I think that's what makes diversity in building work here, as well as respect for each other as fellow modelers . I welcome all commments, both complimentary and criticism, from everyone, as I will be learning all the rest of my life about this hobby, no matter how old I am. There's always room to grow and look at things differently, from other's perspective. You keep building what you love too. Your friend - Dave

Ahhh Yeees Lookin' very cool!!!! Getting closer. We're all waiting RAUL

Hey Rob Got your message. Another one of my favorite builds.......Make sense now?

Hey Nice group of builds. You been busy keep up the good work and thanks for sharing - Dave

Hey George How's my friend? Thanks for the kind words George Think I'm kinda past my prime in people bein' interested in who I am, but it sure is nice being able to share what I love to build, and to see all the great new talent coming into this wonderful hobby. Some of these guy's build stuff that just really grabs me where my passions are , and it sure is cool. I can't believe how good some of these guy's are with such creative imaginations and skills. Makes the hobby just that much more fun for me. Also, thanks for complimenting me on gettin better, cause it took me nearly 40 years to get where I am, so any encouragement is really a help . Hey George, if ye pray real hard for me, maybe I could outdo the Hollywood. Sure would like to, but don't have a clue how right now . Anyhow, have a good weekend - Dave

Thanks Harry For me in the custom world of models and design, this is Art Deco as an artistic period style, for the sake of art and pure fun . No door lines, trunk or hood lines, just an expression using form, color, contrast and texture (Metalflake) to achieve the glitz and glamor reminescent of the 40's as rolling art. This is my own personal favorite build.

Absolutely incredible building skills Scrappy , stunning design, amazing engineering talent . This hobby never ceases to surprise me at the talent coming forward this last year or so, and the diverse styles, interests and skills that produce some of the most amazing "Model Art". Been building a lot of years, and have never seen the level of talent this high, with so many builders. Scrappy, your an amazing builder. I hope you stay around along time and continue investing in yourself at getting better at this passion we call a hobby. I think for a lot of us, the internet has given us a new tool to "fire our passion" and seeing others work like Scrappy's has motivated many of us to be better builders. This is where my hat come's off to the model magazine forums, who have done all of us a tremendous favor and service to provide us with an avenue to share and to learn - in this case MODEL CARS MAGAZINE and Gregg Hutchings. Thanks Gregg . Thanks for sharing this with us - Dave

WOW !! Hey Lyle- This '32 of yours is beautiful. Well worth the time you spent. Love all the amazing detail, and the colors - "WOW"! I'm a "colors guy" and to me your use of multiple colors really makes the whole build jump out and grab ya. Beautiful job man - Dave

Hey my friend Your truck is "Lookin' Goooood" . I like the changes. Fun watchin' this all come together Lot's of subtle and not so subtle changes, and lot's of details, add up to a nice package. All the best - Dave

hi y'all Thought I'd share a "family photo" of some of the stuff I been workin' on for a few years, and hope to finish in the next few years. Someone said the other day, it looked like I pop these out every few days, so now you know my secret LOL. I usually work on about a dozen at a time to keep from getting bored, and then when one get's close enough, I just focus on it till it's done - WORKS FOR ME . Then there's those fun mini-projects like the stock, outta the box Ala Kart (My first stock Outta the box ever), I'm workin' on with Fred Caddy decals ( Is that still stock? ) In my career I was a design engineer, a custom and prototype machinist and a pattern maker, and I discovered after I had retired, and started getting serious about my model building, that I had acquired some new skills and disciplines, like patience , that I could apply to my hobby. What I'm saying is it took me nearly 40 years to learn how to build this stuff Anyhow, I hope you enjoy seeing what may be coming along in the next few years. Thanks for looking .

Sounds like RANTS AND RAVES to me . Maybe this topic should be moved there where it's more appropriate, for those who want to read this kinda stuff. I painted my dads H.O. train solid black when I was four and I bet nobody cares

Thanks Peter I have quite an inventory of builds from the last few years, (Been at this for some time now),and a lot of them have never been shown or seen the light of day, just built for my own enjoyment, so kinda fun to pull one out of the 'ol cellar once in a while, dust it off, and share it. Now Let's see what I have for tomorrow....... LOL Keep doin' what ya love - I love to hug tree's

Hey geezerman All comments greatly appreciated and welcome - even your's LOL

For me, black and chrome, in the right setting, can be one of the most elegant combinations, IMHO, when combined with an Art Deco style.(I love Art Deco styling, so Peter Lombardo and Raul Perez are on my "Hero" list, as model Artists as well as Model Builders) I have never tried doing this before, but had fun trying to combine all the elements that I love, including the 1932 Ford Roadster, with opening door's, opening trunk lid, chrome under-carriage, all chrome engine, all leather and chrome interior and trunk area, and a few other trim pieces not normally seen on a model car, such as chrome trim on the running boards and top of the door panels. I love huge wheel/tire combinations, so I raised the front fenders and lengthened them for the proper proportions, at least to my eye , and scratch-built the rear fenders to be longer, taller and wider, and modified the body, raising the fender lacation and re-making the raised body molding, so it would look factory, even with the huge "Rollers", and of coarse, it had to sit on the ground, as any contemporary "Self-respecting Street Rod" would do . I tried making it look simple and understated, yet elegant. It had to have the Duval windshield . I'm sure some of you are wondering what this "Treehugger" guy is babbling about, this is just a model site for builders, but for us crazy artzy builder types - you get it Anyhow, I'm happy with the results. If your not - too late - I'm done LOL

Project really lookin' great . Got more time to "Lurk" around now, and check out everyones builds and just enjoy them, now that mine is done . Keep up the the good work Raul - Dave

Nice conversion and great detailing I especially like the interior being two-toned and the added details, including the rollover bar, but the exterior is very well done also. Very, very nice build, and I like your stable of other nice "Stangs" - Dave

Thanks all for the kind words , and thanks to everyone who gave their suggestions and well meant criticisms . A fun build for sure See ya'll again soon - Dave

WOW This belongs on the "Real or Model thread". Beautiful work I thought this was a real truck.

Thanks all Final pics are now posted "Under Glass" - See ya there - LOL

Well guy's I finally gotter done Here's the "final pics" of the phantom GM 1959 concept Roadster. All done - except for the modified "Vert" top, which I'll get to later. In case you missed this as it was being built, the idea was to build this as a '59 shell with all C5 corvette interior, chassis and running gear, and have the build look factory stock, and like it was a production plastic kit from Revell. The body was shortened a scale 16 inches and the doors lengthened 5 inches. The chassis at the rear was lengthened a scale 40 inches, with a larger fuel tank added. The chassis was widened a scale 5 1/4 inches. The entire windshield/mid-section came from a '98 'Vette roadster and was molded into the Impala body. A double action hinge was constructed so the hood would open Corvette style, after the hood was modified using hood parts from both kits. The wheel/tire choice was the biggest challange for me, as I use 24 inchers on most everything, but the '57 Vette "Whites and Caps" were the right choice with some "Gentle Nudging" from >84Vanagon<. Thanks !!! It was a lot of fun. Anyhow, enjoy the pics all - Dave

Thanks guy's Well, I just glued on the last piece, the inside rear view mirror - DONE . I like how it turned out. Thanks everyone for the help, idea's, and encouragement . I'll post pictures later on in "Under Glass". Later - The treehugger

Thanks jurgen Great to hear from someone from Austria. One beautiful country. All the best, and keep on building - Dave

Hi All Well were getting close here. I'm just slow LOL. Foil is done. More chrome added on, and the windshield is blacked around the edges and tinted. Tape is still on - hope it turned out OK. Need to finish the front suspension, and glue in the windshield and then put the interior/chassis in the body and add the mirrors, door handles, etc, and we may be done - if I didn't forget something Anyway, a day or two and I will be wrapping this up. It's been fun . Last pics before she's done.