stavanzer

Oddly, I just traded my 2017 KIA Sorento in June. The lease was going to be up in August, but I was feeling a compulsion to trade the thing in right now. I had had it pull a funny trick on me, where, when taking off from a stoplight, it would not rev up, or move, even with the gas Pedal pushed. It would just sit there, kind of dead, and then suddenly Accelerate and Move. The hesitation was only a couple seconds each time, and I could not get it to act up on cue. I knew that if I could not reproduce it, the dealership would just ignore my complaints. Then in late May, or early June, I read about KIA having some issues with acceleration on some Sorentos. I was spooked. I got out of my lease 3 months early, and bought a used 2014 Toyota Sienna Mini-van. Now, I can drive as much as I want, and I'll own the blasted thing in 5 years. No more Leased Cars for me.

I've been binge watching old Hawaii Five-Oh shows on Amazon. (Man, how much I like Amazon Streaming) All 12 seasons are available, if you look carefully. Watching the shows back to back, and skipping around from season to season, I've noticed a few things. For a show of the late 1960's to 1980, it covers some very delicate themes. Sexual Harassment, PTSD, and other 'sensitive topics', were tackled by the shows writers. In there later seasons, there are certain sly references to Steve and his personality. (i.e. "Book Me, Danno" when he was caught violating Hawaii Quarantine laws, and other small "In Jokes" that only the most rabid Fans would get. So there was, a bit of self depreciating in the later shows about McGarret and his 'Straight Arrow" personality. However, by 1980(the shows last season) you can really see that the show has 'Jumped the Shark". There is ample evidence in the scripts, and pacing, and camera shots, that the Show's Production Team is suffering from a Terminal Case of "Try Too Hard" syndrome. The last seasons shows are just sad compared to the earlier seasons. But, This is a Model Car Forum, so let's talk about that. If you are a Police Car, or Emergency Apparatus Modeler, or you really want an unvarnished look at what life was like in the 1970's, watch this show. The shows creator/producer, Leonard Freeman, had the audacious idea to do everything in Hawaii. Thus, almost every thing you see, is strictly local. With the exception of a Guest Stars, brought over from the Mainland it is an all Hawaiian show. The Police cars (almost all Fords) are very similar from beginning to end. Blue and White, but with the white markings ending and the end of the C-Pillar, instead of the door cutline. All, Blue single Rotators. Simple white numbers and letters. Also shown in many episodes, are Unmarked, Four Door Sedans, (in many cases Non-Ford) that have only the the Blue Beacon, a radio, and a (presumed) under-hood siren. I've seen a big Buick, a Chevy and a couple others in background shots. Speaking of Back Grounds, this is where the show really shines! Look at the cars on the streets, behind our Hero Cars. I've seen every thing from a Model A Ford, to a Citroen 2CV! While many cars are just Plain Jane sedans, odd stuff jumps out. And the villains drive some unusual iron too. Now, there are some of the usual TV Cop Tropes. All Cars Going over Cliffs, Will Explode!(unless McGarret or another 5-Oh member is in the car). Most Cars Run Perfectly (unless Car Trouble is needed for a Plot Point). There are others. Emergency Equipment. Fire Trucks are seen often. The variety, especially in the older seasons is great. I've seen open cab trucks from the 1940's all the way up to Crown Units that would look right at home on the "Emergency" Set. And, there are Yellow Fire Trucks. Not the later Lime, but honest yellow trucks. I'm not sure why, but I've seen them. Ambulances are usually the Big Caddy Units, but bodies are hauled off to the morgue in a wide variety of big, old Station Wagons. Some with minimal markings. If you had a resin mid '70's wagon, some Hawaiian plates, and you got a TV Show car. That brings me to my last point. This show is a Model Builders bonanza! Except for McGarret's big Mercuries, there are plenty of possible builds shown. Either Hero Cars, (the recent AMT 1970 Ford Police Car), or background cars, there are loads of subjects to chose from. Watch some shows, get a kit, and have fun!

If you are not too worried about scale differences, GM had a habit of re-using older wheels styles on S-10's, often using Camaro or Full size car Mag Wheels on S-10 or C-series trucks 4 or 5 years after they had been used on the original cars. There was a "Swirl Style" Mag that I first saw on Camaro's, that ended up on S-10's about 5 years later. Finding a GM Mag style that you like and then putting in on the S-10 Might work. It would mean look at a bunch of dealer brochure photos, but might give you some wheel options more to your tastes. You could source the wheels from both 1/24 or 1/25 scale Camaro's or Full Size (Monte Carlo?) kits. Hope This Helps.

Fabulous Build! This build must have given you so many great memories. I'm sure you have a special place for it in your home.

Great News, Tim! I'm so glad to see this hit the shelves. I wonder, can the "Ma Barker Getaway Special" 1932 Chrysler Touring/Phaeton kit, a Tie-in from the Movie "Bloody Mama", be far behind? The extras in this kit are not as extensive as the Gangbusters kits, but IIRC, there is a great Battery and Radio in the kit. A couple Links. http://www.timepassagesnostalgia.com/&searchkeywords=ma+barker+chrysler&sis=-1&rdir=1 https://www.ebay.com/c/1134506152

So, Before Christmas, then?

Billy Joe, I agree with you. It has been a lousy year for me, and I've not lost any family members. Only my job. I cannot comprehend how folks who lose Spouses, Houses, & Jobs, are taking it.

I had one of those yellow, Word Bubbles in my spares box for years.

Jessie, I never had the Flapjack back in the day. I'd almost be tempted if I were still buying kits to get one, as a weekend project. The two Snoopy kits shown, were both kits I had. The Hockey Kit, need to be molded in something other than polystyrene, if the play value is to last. The brittle polystyrene on my fresh new kit in the 1970's, broke within weeks. It ruined the kit. On the other hand, the little Sopwith Camel, was a fun kit! It flew many, many missions around the bedroom, and across the backyard searching for Fokker's. I know it strafed our poor cat, more than once!

I am so sorry for your loss.

Thanks for the Tip, Richard. I had ignored that avenue completely.

Now That is great News, Bill! Glad to hear it.

Back to "What Irks You" Searching for and applying for jobs in 2020. Last time I was out of work was 2011. There was a robust online job market, but it was pretty simple to navigate. Not so much anymore! Calcareers, Indeed.com, CalJobs, Monster.com, Ect. Ect. Bloody Ect!!!! Every one requires log ins, security questions, passwords. The EDD (California Un-employment Dept) requires proof of all the jobs you've applied for online. Highlight, Cut'n'Paste, paste, argh! I'm too old for this guff. Yet, I have to work for another 13 years, so I need to learn it. I AM learning it, but the air over the computer turns a glowing shade of blue, quite frequently. I'm blessed with a Tech Savvy Daughter who helps me. She is so patient with her old man. I hope I find work soon. Not even an Interview yet.... I am discouraged. Not Defeated, but definitely a "Humble Tigger", for those of you who have watched "Winnie the Pooh & the Blustery Day" Well, at least I have a new job! Looking for a New Job is a Job, all by itself............

Folks. I'm ready to start the formal process of disposing of my stash of kits. Some of you may have noticed my (now removed) posts about this. Please accept my apologies. If you want info about the Stash Clearance, PM me, so I don't trigger the mods. P.S. Eric I grieve for your loss. Your Classic Builds are some of my favorites!

I'm the person who wrote your quote, George. The answers you have gotten, are part of what I was looking for. By "Market Tested" I meant that, you (the potential Model Maker) have spent some time and actual money, to conduct some basic research on what the limits of your kit might be sales-wise. And, Huge eBay asking (or selling) prices do not directly translate to large demand or sales numbers. They may only indicate a few Rabid Buyers, chasing Unicorn Kits.

Ah,, the '80's! Indeed, enough said!

So, Guido, was the Girlfriend happier with the Pinto? And how long before the relationship Blew up?

For sad stories about Models that were begged for and then flopped, look at the Revell-o-gram 1/48 scale PBY Catalina. This was (and still is) a huge, beautifully detailed kit. 1990's detailing, but state-of-the-art at the time. I had one, and drooled over it,in the box many times before finally trading it for a stack of car kits, I wanted even more than the Big Cat. It is an outstanding kit. But.. It was a huge shelf sitter. Our local hobby shop got in three kits. Two sold in the first week. The other one, was still on his shelf at the original price, when he closed the shop 10 years later. I've heard, and read similar stories about this kit many times over the years. It gets crazy prices on the 'Bay, mostly because it took RM a very long time to sell the first run. It has been re-issued at least once, with different markings, so sales did eventually justify a further run of the tool. But, that second run was a small one, and they are hard to find now. "Just Tool It,& They Will Come" is a great story on the Web. In Real Life, Not So Much. Yeah, Moebius has a HUGE hit with it's Ford Truck series, and the Hudsons and Chryslers are a big hit too. What we, the model buying public don't see, is the absolutely enormous amount of research, work, time & money that had to happen before the first steel was cut. Tim Boyd, Dave Van, and others with Industry Access, will hint (sometimes fairly broadly) about just how much effort, that even small changes to existing tooling take. Two Recent Examples... All the Sturm und Drang over (1) the Full Bumper '70 Camaro, and (2) the "NEW" Vega Drag Car. Recall when we first heard rumors about these kits? Then how much longer before ROUND2 verified that the kits were, indeed, a certainty? And Now? How long before you will have them in your hands? For the Vega it has been a journey of 3-5 years, no? And the Camaro? We have all heard the stories about getting "new" 1990's tooling to play nice with 2020's tooling, and exactly much trouble that was................... Now, imagine a whole new kit. We all know (or should by now) that no modern model company plans a new tool, without building in from the beginning 3 or 4 variations in the basic kit. This is not new strategy. If you look at the Coca Cola VW Beetle (or it's Harley Quinn version) you will see optional parts (wheels, seats steering wheel) that have been part of the tool, but blocked off since the Herbie the Love Bug Kit was sold by Polar Lights in the early 2000's. The same with the "new" second version of the Revell Rubicon Jeep kit. This tooling is a modified Die Cast that dates back to the original Angelina Jolie, "Tomb Raider" franchise. According to Wikipedia, that movie dates from 2001, and is now 19 years old. We have been reliably informed that the 'optional stock parts' have been in the tool, but blocked since the beginning. They've finally seen the light of, some 17 or 18 years after the tool was cut? So, You want a 1968 Cornet Kit? Bring a Million Dollars of your money to the table. Know exactly what other cars can be derived from the basic Body Tool. Know what optional engines, wheels, and hoods can be used. And last, but most importantly, have some real, Market Tested Numbers to justify the sales potential of this, or ANY other subject that you care to present. I know that my MPC Stutz Bearcat kit, no matter how much I love it, is a happy accident, of the time period it was tooled in. A TV Show tie-in provided both the idea and possibly some of the tooling costs. The rest came from a much lower cost to develop kits, and broad, projected sales. (which probably did not occur, since the show lasted only one season). In today's business world? That kit simply would never have had a chance!

Some folks on this Forum would Carp if they was Hung with a New Rope, I tells Ya!

For Jeff H , and anybody else who's interested. The Dodge M-37 Series Military Trucks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_M37

Richard, please finish your kit-bash. That will be sure to open the floodgates!

Jeff, that is a Mid-1950 Dodge M-37 Series truck. I had the M-43 Ambulance version. Sadly, it is NOT a civilian Power Wagon.

BTW, Tom, I saw your note. My condolences to all. That is a sad situation with no good answers. Hope you and your wife can make the best of it.

Amen, Bill! The adults who do the dirty jobs and keep the lights on, and the Gas Stations full, are a shrinking and derided group. AS usual, they'll miss us when we go, but won't know how to do the things that need to be done. Some Jobs cannot be done at a desk, in the A/C. And some, like Amazon Whse worker, are just too brutal to keep filled. The "Shrug" Bill mentions has already started. COVID is just accelerating it.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm still processing this whole thing. But, we had a great Un-Birthday celebration to night(think Alice in Wonderland), and We had Fish&Chips Chocolate Cake, and I got to see my Kids and Grandkids. Nice way to end the day. I'll be back at it Monday. I'm going to take the weekend to de-compress. And, LOL after all the Sturm und Drang over Scale Auto, merging to Fine Scale, my son got me a subscription to FSM for Father's Day! First issue was in today's Mail! I'm happy.