Dave Darby

Now that's some pretty cool news!

Superb build of a challenging kit. I still have the original Bob Johnston flathead version on my bucket list. But in the meantime I'm going to drool over yours.

Holy cow that's nice!

Really nice build. I found the graphics for the decal sheet for Ertl when they were getting ready to do that one. I also did the trade show/catalog photo build (in orange). I really like your build and your outdoor photography. It looks really close to real. Kudos and 2 thumbs up!

What a cool time capsule. Don't even think about restoring it. It's gold just like it is. I love it!

I'll join you. The bulk of some of my earliest models as a teen are just fragments now, but I still have a few that are intact. I built this AMT 57 T-Bird from the Modern Classics release back around 1973 at age 12. It's painted with Testors Sapphire Blue Metalflake spray. I followed that one up with this AMT 53 Ford F100 from the Street Rods series. I grafted the front frame clip and suspension from an AMT 50 Ford Convertible (probably from the Tournament of Thrills series - if young me knew what old me knows now!). Paint is Testors Candy Blue over Candy Grape. Grille is from the Sox & Martin prostock Duster (see above comment again, lol). Here it is with the box art (on the box) truck I built for AMT/Ertl back in 1994, and Max's 53 we collaborated on a few years ago when he was 5. This is my very first 1st place winner, my interpretation of a 76 Monza IMSA car (certainly they ran Corvette FI back then, right? Haha...) But I was 15 then, and it looked cool. Blackwashed valve covers and sewing thread plug wires a la Don Emmons. I still need to repaint the hood, along with the cowl induction scoop and number. This last one, an MPC Streaker Vette was, alas, partially restored. I stripped the paint off the body in 1989, and it sat for 22 years until I restored the bodywork, and repainted it using the exact same Plastikote Green Metalflake as the original. All of the other paint is original from 1977. I resisted any urges to clearcoat or foil it. I was 16 when I built it, and the flares are made from blue plastic record album dividers that I dumpster dived from the corner drug store. Thanks for the excuse to travel down Memory Lane! I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did.

Got mine in SC yesterday.

No, that was the AMT 59 (really a 60) Corvette produced from the old SMP tool. It has also been reissued recently, correctly as a 1960 this time, in the old Street Rods series box art. It's a pretty crude kit, but it has its charms.

That was a very common problem with that era Mopar. The car (or truck) always acted like it was running cold. Fixing it entailed pulling the intake manifold, then removing the stamped steel plate on the underside of it so you could get rid of all the accumulated carbon buildup. Great engine otherwise. BTW, x2 on your Roadrunner. Very sharp.

Actually, this particular issue has a ton of changes. The interior door panels and seat have changed, along with new front and rear axles, and bumpers. I totally agree with you about those undersized wheels. Not at all sure what they were thinking there. This one in my pic was built from a mid 1980s issue. Steering wheel is AMT 50 Ford. Rolling stock from either Revell Skips Fiesta 59 Skyliner or Monogram 58 Thunderbird. Both have these same wheels.

Certainly one of the best of the original trio of 4-eyed Vettes. Lots of build options including a nice bumperless grille. I think in terms of body accuracy, and certainly the interior, the old Revell multi-piece body '60' Corvette has an edge. I really like your build. It has a nice 1970s cruiser vibe.

I'd say it's right on time, at leastbin terms of mailing date.

Spotlight Hobbies has theirs in as of yesterday.

That's a retouch of some vintage box art, the original had the car in red. That's a big block in the photo, with chromed valve covers. The kit actually has a small block in it with finned aluminum Corvette valve covers. It would be pretty cool to replicate the box art. It also would be pretty cool @Steve Goldman if they dug up the inserts to reissue the Malco Super Vett.

Neither the Black Widow, nor the Green Hornet originally came with plastic tires. They both originally came with rubber tires, but the manufacturer Monogram used went out of business decades ago. When the Green Hornet was reissued, they cribbed the tires from the Dragstrip Hot Rod (Deuce). I don't know whether they would interchange with the Black Widow, but as you noted, they tooled up new vinyl tires for it. I kinda prefer the originals, but that's just me.

I forgot to mention that. I assumed most people would take that as a given, but then again, not everyone knows how AMT did things then, so that was a bum assumption.

Completely forgot about the 3 inch difference in wheelbase between the Swinger and the Duster/Demon and 2 door Valiant. That would pretty much mean a new tool. Still be a dandy kit subject though. 71's are flush mounted, where the 72's are "tacked" on. I suppose they could just tool up a set of clear lenses that could be tinted and glued on over the molded in side marker lights. I'm not going to hold my breath on that one. Maybe someone from the aftermarket will tackle the conversion. My brother and I both had 72 Demons. I sure miss mine.

Completely forgot about the 3 inch difference in wheelbase between the Swinger and the Duster/Demon and 2 door Valiant. That would pretty much mean a new tool. Still be a dandy kit subject though.

A Swinger 340 would be pretty sweet. Lower hanging fruit wise, a new grille, hood scoop and hood decal would net you a 72 Demon. Not sure what the ROI/demand would turn up for that one, but it would be cool.

Actually, the Sunliner was re-issued around 1967-ish. I have a box for it. But, chances are that tool was scrapped during the great tool purge of 1973.

I'd love to see a 64 Elky. Along with a tudor wagon.

All of the subtle modifications add up to a very nice build that stands heads and shoulders above box stock. I like it alot!

Not quite true. The 427 engine block, headers, the custom headlight bezels, large hood scoop one custom fender skirt, and a number of other parts have been unblocked.

I hadn't read the whole thread when I posted. ?

At least in the case of the trucks, it's because a rear exiting left hand exhaust manifold would dump straight into the steering box. That's why the rare ram horn manifolds (from Y block powered C Series cabover trucks) are a popular swap for guys who want duals.