sjordan

The people who get into trouble are those who issue original products, such as T-shirts and decals, that use manufacturer logos without the approval of the trademark holder and are made for commercial profit using those materials. This infringes on corporate contracts with licensees who paid good money for the privilege. There was a small decal maker on this forum who got a "cease and desist" notice from Kenworth for selling decals with the Kenworth logo for model trucks. He had to destroy his existing inventory and not issue any more without paying for it.

You are right to be concerned, though I think there would be few problems with showing builds that have already been cleared by the kit manufacturers. Otherwise, there would be no magazines like MCM. But Jantrix is correct about consulting with a publisher. (You're not going to pay for the printing yourself, are you? That would be insane.) And I wouldn't go crazy with preparing a book without showing a prospectus to a publisher so they can see where you're going. And don't listen to anyone's "logical" guess unless it's based on firsthand experience. Copyright and trademark laws are very complicated, as I have learned from more than 3 decades as an ad agency professional. Next, I can't tell what you mean about "homemade" cars. Can you show some pictures of what you're talking about?

Superb, in every way. Killer photography.

Did you modify the glass by sanding around the edges, or did you make your own glass? It looks perfect.

The progress updates may be like watching sausage being made. You don't want to see what goes into it, but it can turn out pretty tasty. BTW, for those of you who are interested in using brass, there's a new book out by Ken Foran, who is a master of the art. You can see his work at scalemotorcars.com, where his screen name is xken. And if anybody thinks this is easy, he has a thread over there on building an XKE roadster out of brass; he's still working on the engine and the thread is now 43 pages. My point is, that even the most experienced builders go through some phases where things are experimental and look a bit rough. Book... http://www.amazon.co...tripbooks%2C207 Reviews... http://www.scalemoto...book-today.html XKE brass engine build... http://www.scalemoto...e-roadster.html

So...what's the point of a Lamborghini Aventador? Or a Fabergé egg? Or a 200-ft yacht? Etc.

Here is a detailed build journal by the amazing Alex Kustov. It was also the subject of cover stories for Scale Auto. http://www.italianhorses.net/Gallery/Hasegawa/HasMiura/miura.htm

Killer job. You're one of the few modelers of this kit that I've seen put in an accurate red interior and open the air vents on the nose. I wonder, though, if the white steering wheel rim wouldn't indicate that it should have banjo steering wheel spokes?

Outstanding, and a perfect finish on the seats and interior leather. What paints did you use? And did the seat belts come with the kit or did you make them?

Welcome from another Tulsan. I was born and raised there, graduated from Edison, went to Tulsa University and graduated from OSU

The first Pocher kit I ever saw was an assembled black Mercedes Cabriolet at FAO Schwartz in New York, back in the 70s. Regardless of its shortcomings, it was something awesome to behold (but I'd never attempt to build one). BTW: Arnaldo Pocher must have been a saint if he was into godsmithing.

This is what I meant about the Rivarossi/Pocher ID plate. I've seen it on factory-built display versions, but didn't know if it was among the parts for the kit versions.

It sure is missing some important parts to merit that price (no top, valve cover or oil pan, and who knows what else). Pocher builders may know the answer to this: Wasn't the Rivarossi/Pocher ID plate mostly found on factory-built display models?

One thing, though, is that the question was asking if model building will die out... Let's not forget that includes military, aircraft, model ships, etc., which have pretty enthusiastic hobbyists, although I don't know how their numbers might compare to model car builders. Those subjects also make up a huge part of the catalogues of companies like Revell, etc., and may have something to do with their overall budgets regarding how many new car kits they issue.

Just outstanding work on a kit that isn't seen very often. Beautiful stuff. One question...wouldn't the trashed-out version have nastier or flat tires, or some wheels without tires?

The Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya, Japan has an excellent collection of great cars from around the world, plus a lot of Japanese cars you may never have seen before. Check out the Possessions list. (In fact, many of their cars served as the basis for a number of model kits boxed by Entex, Gunze Sangyo, Revell, etc., several in 1/16 scale. The Entex/Anmark/Gunze/Revell 1937 Rolls Phantom III is one of them.) If you look on the other thread about kits you never knew existed, you'll see many examples of mundane daily drivers, post-60s, that never were issued officially in the US. Meanwhile, the Japanese kitmakers and Revell of Germany continue to fill the need for exotics (I wonder how that might change now that RoG is back under the overall REvell brand). http://www.toyota.co.jp/Museum/ I have no idea about the production numbers of the homegrown cars, but Toyota is trying to bring to light and preserve the country's automotive heritage.

It's kind of like the TV Batmobile. It is what it is, without much room for messing with authenticity. But the new tool Batmobile has been issued as a simple version, followed by a high-detail version. Maybe that's an angle.

Well, I was always kind of hot for Annette, ever since the Mickey Mouse Club, but she's too classy for this kind of stuff. And I think that these kinds of cars prove that money and class don't necessarily belong on the same page.

This kind of stuff needs to be quarantined on South Beach in Miami and never seen again.

Then there's Ueli Anliker's McLaren SLR, plastered with gold and gems. On the market for 7 million GBP. (over $11,330,000. http://www.nollywood...-for-7-million/

Who knows where the hobby may be going? One of these days, you'll be able to afford your own Rapid Prototype printer, and download and modify software for almost anything you want to build, at whatever scale your printer is capable of producing.

That's probably very doable - no kidding. You can order this car any way you want it, including having it painted to match your favorite necktie.

I'm sure this comes under the category of "If you have to ask the price..." so Rolls isn't saying anything about the price of the new Extended Wheelbase Phantom Series II, built with an eye to the Chinese market. One of its most over-the-top features (literally) is a headliner with 1,600 fiber optic lights sewn in to create the illusion of a starry sky. http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/5180/Rolls-Royce-Phantom-Series-II-EWB.html

I just wish someone would do a tutorial about their techniques for dealing with the various PE wipers, which have no instructions. The Borrani wire wheel tutorial was wonderful, and cleared up every issue.