Danno

Not sure what to make of this one ...

Well, Terry, if you don't have a handy resin caster, I do ...

Wow. Coming from you, Art, that is a magnificent endorsement indeed. That's great news. The bad news is ... now we have to wait for it to be tooled and molded and packaged and delivered. The wait will be interminable. OMG ... I just cannot wait to get my hands on some of these!

The new/current issue of Motor Trend Classic (designated "Summer 2010") has a great feature article on the TV Batmobile(s), researched and written by Arthur St. Antoine. He interviewed Barris and Barris let him "drive-test" one of the Batmobiles. Barris told St. Antoine he would be driving BM# 2. Barris built the original TV Batmobile (BM# 1) from the 1955 Lincoln concept car the Futura. It was used in filming of the pilot and first shows. However, it was a handling nightmare and was difficult to drive/control. Barris pulled fiberglass replica bodies from BM# 1, and built three identical Batmobile clones in 1966, all based on stretched '66 Ford Galaxie chassis. BM# 3 replaced BM# 1 in filming of the show. BM# 2 was immediately sent out on promotional tours to hype the new TV series. BM# 4 later joined it. Later still, the Batmobiles were coated with a velvet paint (referred to as 'bat fuzz'). There are two versions as to why the bat fuzz coating was employed. It was reportedly done to conceal fiberglass stress fractures and cracks in the clone cars; Barris however contended it was done to reduce glare from the glossy finishes of the cars for filming. BM# 1 and BM# 3 are apparently the only ones used for filming of the TV series. BM# 2 and BM# 4 were used for touring and promotional appearances to hype the TV show. Back to the Motor Trend Classic "drive-test" of the Batmobile. True to form, Barris pulled a fast one on St. Antoine ... Barris told St. Antoine the car he was drive-testing was BM# 2 from 1966, the first clone Barris built; and Barris told St. Antoine it was used in filming the TV series. However, St. Antoine later discovered it was actually a version built in 2000 for a remake movie, "Return to the Bat Cave." The test car had significant 'upgrades' that differentiated it from the original 1966 cars. St. Antoine confirmed BM# 2 is in Virginia in the possession of a private owner. And, by the way, the Motor Trend Classic photo spread shows the stripes to be flourescent orange; in some camera angles they appear red-orange and from some angles they appear more yellow-orange although it is the same car ... BM# 5 circa 2000. Ah, the legends live on. Bring on that new 1/25 scale kit. I'm ready! I can see the possibilities now ... build one to represent BM# 1; build another to represent BM# 3 with its glossy finish; build another to represent BM# 4 with its 'bat fuzz' finish, build another to represent BM# 5 with its modern BFGoodrich wide tires and modern upgrades and St. Antoine in the driver's seat, and build another and hide it in VA to represent BM# 2!

Tom, Everything you build and post is stunning, but this one is a first-rate beauty even among your pieces of art. Gorgeous! Thanks for posting it.

Oh, I don't know. Opened grilles are a dime a dozen. All my Camaros have opened grilles (both 'em). I'm just glad to see you didn't paint the car purple! Seriously, Steve, nice job!

Donnie, Tranny was Ford Engine Green also. Virtually everything else was black -- more glossy black than satin. On a model, gloss black will get you there. The hardware (bolts, nuts, small clips, cotter keys, pins, etc.) were cadmium plated. The exhaust was steel. The exhaust manifold was painted black but the paint was not high-temp and it burned off quickly. I lost a computer hard drive with images of my 1:1, but I have a CD around here someplace ... as soon as I find it, I'll post some shots of the old girl. I have a few shots of a 1/25 Model A woodie that I 'super detailed.' Pretty funny ... I put a bunch of work into scratch-building the brake system components and making everything accurate ... then painted it all accurately (any color you want as long as it is black) ... when it was all done, no one could tell it was detailed ~~~ the details were all so small and everything was black! I decided I'll think long and hard before I do that again ... it's fun getting it "right" ... but the scale is so small no one knows! Good luck with your build and don't hesitate to ask questions!

Well, Donnie, I'll be glad to help. Here are a couple of pictures of actual, accurately restored Model A engines. By the way, a great engine paint is WalMart's Color Place Hunter Green Satin. I own an accurate, low mileage 1:1 1930 Model AA. I paid big bucks for the authentic Ford Engine Green paint when I restored it, but found the Color Place Hunter Green Satin was a dead-ringer matching color. I only use the real mccoy on my 1:1, but I use the Color Place on models. It's as close as you will ever get. (PS: I believe the Color Place paint is made by Rustoleum.) Most of the engine components are Ford Engine Green, satin black, bare steel, or cadmium plated which looks like a light platinum or whitish-aluminum. Good luck with your build. Let us know if you have any questions; there are several people on the boards that have tons of experience and accurate knowledge! Just help yourself to the expertise. This first engine view shows the Ford Engine Green well. This second engine view shows the passenger side of the engine, but the lighting and coloring is bad, causing it to have too much of a bluish hue. Try to match the 1st pic's coloring.

Actually, Donnie, it's been molested to a fair degree. This does not represent an accurate factory stock Model A. The alternator is not authentic (originals had generators) and there should be no plastic insulated wiring at all. The battery on the firewall is not the original location (batteries were under the floorboard in a cradle riveted to the frame). The battery cable should not terminate at a head stud nut. The spark advance control rod is absent. The terminal box cover is AWOL. Of course, the radiator hoses are modern as are the hose clamps and do not represent original appearances. The starter switch is a replacement, which was not at all uncommon as the original switches did not last forever. The headlight/taillight switch assembly is completely missing and jerry-rigged wiring running along the steering column from the firewall to the main wiring harness is totally "shade-tree mechanic" stuff. Oh, yeah: they hadn't even invented plastic electrician's tape in 1930. One thing, the colors are pretty much right, although some of the cadmium plated parts have rusted out on this example. It all depends on what you're looking for, Donnie. If your goal is a period-correct, factory-original 1930 Model A, these pictures won't get you there. If you're looking for a 50's to 60's era example of a home mechanic's basic transportation ride, this one is close ... just lose the plastic wiring and alternator and modern clamps. If you're looking for a 70's era knock-around keep 'er running shade-tree mechanic special, this is it. Just didn't want you to think this was an authentic 1930's period-correct Model A engine compartment. If that's what you want/need, google up some nicely restored A-bones and you'll get what you're looking for.

Young Master Winter, I'm not piling on, just adding another entree to the 'food for thought buffet.' You need to dine, my young friend.. I posted a serious question: "Where do you come up with this stuff?" I was referring to your propensity to constantly and instantly take offense (and your messy, automatic public over-reactions) to some of the most innocuous (look it up) comments or remarks, no matter how honest they are, and even sincere attempts at constructive criticism. You responded by PM to me: "The reason I said that was, What Nark Jones said was meant as a insult, he recently got into that arguement eith Highway, well Matt said a few Things about Truckers sticking together thats where "Corporate Salvage “We rescue truckers.â€" becomes and insult, and of course Mark likes to bad mouth my building so that explains "GlueBomb Garage “We’ll pull you out no matter how stuck you are.†Thats the Reason. Nick" THAT's exactly what I meant. Think about it. You instantly took offense at something no one else saw as insidious, mean, or even condescending. You do that A LOT. You need to back off, back down, and grow up. If you don't know what someone intends, it would be best for you to ignore it until you're mature enough to figure it out. I would suggest you emulate your elders rather than attempting to immolate them. And learn how to spell. Your statements will be taken as more thoughtful and your arguments will be more effective when you demonstrate some knowledge of the language. (That goes for anyone, not just you. But you need to heed.) As someone famous once famously said, "Better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and erase all doubt." Or words thereabouts. My words of advice: Spend more time building, more time maturing, and a whole lot less time posting on the internet. Your building skills will improve, you'll learn how to get alone with people, and some day you'll be able to function in society without picking non-sensical fights every other time you have an interaction with another human being. Or, not. And just keep being Dukefan69'. We all know what to expect.

Thank you, Lani. I'm going to have to track down a copy. The Predicta is one of my all-time favorite cars.

Where do you come up with this stuff? I've never seen such a prolific negative imagination!

I always kinda liked "BIG Tow Service" or "Stubby's Towing." Then there's "Know-It-All's Tows It All." Saw that one on a gypsy wrecker. Or, come to think of it, be really sly and call it "Gypsy Towing."

I wasn't aware the kit was poorly molded, but more importantly, Kyle, it is not a Barris custom. The Monkeemobile was built by Dean Jeffries.

Beautiful model, Lani! You did a great job on it. It shows talent, so keep building and posting! A question for you: what magazine (and issue or date) is that in your photos? I have quite a few magazines and books with features or stories about the Predicta, but I don't recognize that one. Thanks for your help. I'm looking forward to seeing your Corvette!

This one. Relatively inexpensive (usually less than $30-40), available at places such as the WallyMart, etc.

Makes you what? Formerly stationary?

Tim, Does this kit have the same engine/chassis/wheels/tires components that were in the Revell 359 Pumper Fire Engine kit from many moons ago? If this kit has those same thin hollow tires, then I know exactly what you mean about the tires and wheels not having positive fitment. You mentioned a bead of superglue. What's your recommended procedure? Thanks in advance!!

Good luck, Godspeed and God Bless! Thank you for your service, James. I particularly respect what you are doing and the point in your life that you are doing it. Be safe.

Crazyjim, The cover has the twin Revell Cutlasses built by Len Carsner and Bill Coulter with a banner "Dr. Oldsmobile Lives Again!" headline, and Alex Kustov's black Porsche. It's a very good issue!

Congratulations, Marty!!!! Good for you! Unfortunately, I can't help you move because I'll be out of town that day. Sorry.

Brian, Congratulations on the wedding! Welcome back. And don't forget to post the honeymoon pictures! LOL. Glad you had a great time.

Wouldn't work ... or didn't work ... for me. Indicated several people were online but no text displayed, no interaction at all. Whazzzup?