iamsuperdan

Compared to some of the cars coming out of Toyota and Nissan, the simplicity of this design is refreshing! If they do a production car that looks anything close to this, I'd consider it. And having owned two Mazdas in the past, with a total of 6 in the family over the past 20 years, I'm familiar enough with the quality to consider it even more. I'm guessing there's some sort of hybrid powertrain in there?

lolz

Hey Tom, what parts specifically are you looking for? The one good hobby store left here in Edmonton has a pretty big train section, I do need to head out there this weekend. I'd have a poke around, see if I can find what you need.

A few thoughts about technology that I know several people will disagree. No point in arguing it, as I have experienced everything I'm about to ramble on about. I don't fear technology, and I don't fear change. In my experience, these new transmissions, despite being far more complex, are actually quite a lot more reliable. Computer modelling, virtual testing, and a lot more road testing prior to launch have resulted in better product. I've been in the auto industry since 1991 and have seen the good and the bad over the years. Personally, when a manufactuer can build an 8-speed transmission that reliably handles the demands of 285hp minivans, 395hp trucks, and cars with over 800hp, all with just some tweaks to gear ratio and programming, I think that says something. And it wasn't that long ago that domestic manufacturers were building 4-speed auto transmissions that blew up at 150hp. And 4-cylinder engines that couldn't handle highway speeds. I know from experiencing these newfangled 8, 9, and 10-speed transmissions, that you need not fear them. We've been running the 8-speed FCA and GM vehicles, and the 9-speed Jeeps in our fleet for the last two or three years, with zero issues. Our total fleet is approx 10,000 vehicles. In my division, we have about 2,000 vehicles, and I've had exactly one transmission issue...on a 2015 F350 running the old Ford 6-speed auto transmission that's been around for years. In fact, the only modern vehicles with issues for us are Ford trucks, 2015 and newer. We've had multiple EcoBoost turbo failures, doors not working properly (recall just announced), rear end failures, electronic issues aplenty. Not to mention that it's over $500CDN to repair a door ding on an aluminum door panel. Guess what brand I don't recommend to clients! And their new 10-speed scares me. We have a bunch in the fleet now, and I'm feeling anxious about them. With a lot of these new transmissions, they have a sport mode, which does more than just hold the shifts longer. In the Grand Cherokee, Charger/Challenger for example, it changes the shift patterns, changes throttle response, and when you use the paddle shifters, it allows you to downshift exactly where you would with a manual tranmission. it's almost, dare I say it, fun. And there's the problem with the new cars. As much as I like the new product, the manufacturers are losing sight of the fun factor. There is something immensely satisfying about a car with a manual transmission, and few/no babysitting controls, and an empty road. Ferrari and Lamborghini haven't built a manual transmission in a decade. Porsche have switched to their PDK in their highest performing cars. Same for BMW. The Bugatti and Aston Martins are all autos with manual modes. Mercedes haven't had a manual for sale in North America since the original SLK, and good luck finding one of those. And these cars are all great, and fast, and reliable, and all that. But they're not as satisfying to drive. I know the auto is faster, and that the computer can shift faster than a human, and measure all the car's telemetry and downshift exactly where needed. But working the left pedal and rowing the gears is just more fun. I would gladly drive a slower car just to get that feeling. And personally, I want quite a few of the high tech "fancy" features. Despite the cost, I want LED headlights. Heated seats & steering wheel? A must have. Upgraded stereo, with bluetooth streaming? another must have. A vehicle without AC? Yeah, that's called a bicycle. Rear park sensors and backup cameras? In my truck when hooking up a trailer? Oh yeah, need that. As for our own garage? Yes, I drive new trucks. Always current model year, and change them like underwear, but I consider that job research and I never lose money, so it's all good. Wifey drives a 2006 Volvo XC90 with 220,000km, loaded for the time, but nowhere near the equipment levels of new vehicles. As for toys, over the past few years, they've ranged from mid-80s VWs to a mid-90s VW and Camaro to a new Challenger 392. And every one has been a blast to drive, and none has been fully loaded. Anyway, my two cents.

It's not really obscure or undiscovered, but in honour of Rob Trujillo's birthday, here's something I've been listeneing to lately. Back in high school, my band used to cover this one, for a while we opened any shows we played with it. Then our opener became the Terminator theme. And we played it at a school talent show once and were promptly issued detentions for it. Lyrics are NSFW! https://www.vevo.com/watch/suicidal-tendencies/you-cant-bring-me-down/USSM20400540

Hey, that would work in three of the above categories! Ha!

I was loosely basing it on a '69 El Camino I saw on vacation this past summer. That car had body coloured Rally wheels with chrome trim ring and center caps. At some point, I'll probably try to go back and paint these. Or will grab a third set of wheels and try to finish them how I want them. In the meantime, I'm happy.

Ugh. That sucks. I dropped a pickup box over the weekend that had just been sprayed. Luckily, nowhere near complete, so still an easy fix. Still, butter fingers are terrible! Your build looks good though. Time to resurrect it!

Did you like the original Blade Runner? Because that movie had a lot of the same sort of criticisms, and I loved it. Haven't seen the new one yet, but we're going to this weekend. And I've heard no so-so reviews so far. It's seems to be either love or hate!

Not shipping to Canada. Cheapest one on eBay right now is $80CDN inc shipping.

Whoops! lolz

Very cool! Have definitely never seen one of these before. I'm itching to see what kit arrives in my mailbox!

Argh! I've been hunting for this one for a while. Haven't stumbled across one yet that wasn't ridiculously priced! Want to trade? lolz

Looks awesome!

The Dark Terror was great, but I found this one has just a little more warmth when playing clean. Which is odd for me, because I'm a metal guy at heart. My reasoning though is that if I want metal, I have my main rig. I'd never really given Orange much thought before, but I think I may have to when I get the itch to upgrade/change amps. Having said that, I can;t see wanting to ditch the 5150 any time soon. It's just perfection to me!

Count me in with whatever the poll decides. How long is the poll open for?

Heck yeah! Some good, modern, US kits! The Fujimis and Tamiyas of the world are doing a decent job on cars from Honda/Acura, Nissan, Porsche, Lamborghini, etc, but where are some high quality versions of modern American vehicles? Current model pickups SUVs Dodge Chargers Chevy Cruze Chevy Volt (yes, I too want to see that kit) Even a new Mustang or Camaro from Tamiya would be great.

You've just described pretty much every kit I build! lolz But I eventually finish everything, because the OCD in me cannot stand an unfinished build. Maybe I'm different, but I like being forced out of the comfort zone, and seeing what I can come up with. And when I see a deadline, I meet it. Call it conditioning from working in sales and management.

Thought of another one. "Scratching The Surface" - can be anything, but a significant portion of the build must be scratchbuilt. I know a lot of people here are great at scratchbuilding, but I think they are even more people who do amazing work, but don't scratchbuild anything. Then there's the mediocre builders like me, who have always wished for scratch skills! Good opportunity to "force" us to bust out the Evergreen!

For those who don't understand what Gord meant to Canada... http://www.torontosun.com/2017/10/18/ahead-by-a-century

Nice build! My very first car was almost a blue Citation hatchback. Ended up with a brown '78 Thunderbird instead.

Truck looks great, but I'm most impressed with the trailer interior details. Haven't seen many people pull that off before.

If someone did ding you, would you even notice?

Wow. As a lover of wagons, and the 80s in general, I can't wait to see this one done.

I'm not even sure one could figure out where to begin with a replica of that thing! Anyone have pics of the interior?