Marc @ MPC Motorsports

Before credit cards became commonplace, layaway was a method of buying merchandise on time payments. Pay cash over 60-90 days with little or no fees added. Pay off the layaway and receive the goods. Credit cards made layaway obsolete.

Just got a reply from John Greczula with Round2 regarding the Impala funny car. "The Impala funny car is a 1/24 die cast item for our custom and premium division. No current plans to make it a plastic kit. Sorry to disappoint on this one. John Greczula"

Same here. I like the work you did but I'm just not feeling it. My first choice is the 427 hood (which I'll use on my '67 Fairlane annual) or perhaps a flat hood with Ford scoop from either the AMT '69 Cougar or the AMT ex-MPC '73 Cougar.

I could show you some chassis pics, but then you would know my little secret and I'd have to kill you In all seriousness, I got those big meats to fit because I'm using the original metal axle chassis. Most vintage model kits' chassis have large enough inner wheelwells to handle the larger tires and because of their design, are much easier to get that killer stance. On the Camaro, I did have to remove the tops of the rear inner wheelwhells to get it slammed to my liking. Didn't replace them either as it will not show when finished. If you want some pics, I'll post some. Let me know.

It's been a few weeks since I've posted an update on my Camaro. The engine is completed for the most part. AMT '70 Camaro kit engine (old tool) with supercharger and accessory drive from the AMT '68 El Camino street machine kit. Headers from AMT 1972 Nova. Cone filter detailed with BMF and a light wash. Photoetch pulley faces on the drive pulleys. Replaced the molded in fuel lines with Detail Master braided line. I test fit the radiator hose and the one from the El Camino is about 1/4" too long. I will shorten it and repaint. Here's some pics of the interior. It is box stock except for the photoreduced gauges, scratchbuilt steering column and billet wheel from the AMT '67 Impala street machine. Enjoy!!!

I just emailed John G. about the funny car. I assisted him with some of the "Dukes of Hazzard" stuff so I'll see if he replies.

If the Cobra interior will work without too much trouble, why not use it? Sounds like a great idea and I'm sure that you'll be able to pull it off.

The teardrop hood could work, but my preference is the hood from the Fairlane 427.

I'll be watching this one closely as one of my next builds, which I've already laid the groundwork on, is a pro touring 1966 Mercury Cyclone, built off of a clean, unpainted, built AMT annual kit. I'll be posting pics of it in a week or so.

I built models as a kid from 1967 thru 1976, when I turned 16 and my interests turned to 1:1 cars, girls, partying, etc., etc. During the college years, I tossed out all my old model parts, supplies, and collection of Car Model and Model Car Science magazines to the garbage. After college and marriage, I would always look at the model car isle in the Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or whatever department store we shopped at. I've always been an avid reader of car magazines, either by subscription or at my favorite newsstand. One day in 1995, I found SAE and Car Modeler magazine on the stand and purchased them in a fit of nostalgia. Soon after, I bought a couple of kits and started to dabble. My wife was a "stay at home" mother so with only one income, model cars was an affordable hobby for me. At that time, my wife only let me build in the garage at the workbench. Over the next few years, I discovered the model car forums on Compuserve and in 1999, found the Hobby Heaven message board. The internet took my interest in the hobby to another level. The real turning point in my return to the hobby was in 2002, when my lovely wife gave me our extra bedroom to use as a hobby room. Model building is a great quiet time hobby for those of us that have families. I don't smoke, drink, gamble or play golf, so model cars is my only vice.

As you know, Ebay runs hot and cold. I've bought two Johan 442's via Ebay in the last year for $25-30 per kit. The original issues with the funny car option are more expensive. But until these kits reach the stratospherical prices of MPC Dodge Demons, '68-69 Coronets, '70 Hemi Cudas and the like, they will still be considered "reasonably priced" to most of us. Watch for the Testors versions too, they tend to go for good prices. I also look for decent builders, although pictures can be deceiving. As long as Modelhaus is around for replacement parts for a vast number of vintage kits, they can be a viable alternative. I also get a kick out of restoring built kits. With new releases from Revell topping the $20 retail mark and what Japanese kits sell for, my perspective on "reasonably priced" kits changes every day.

They were different, George. I did the masters for the Reliable Resin GTO parts and Modelhaus has the correct 442 parts. Sorry, I wasn't more specific. I'll edit my previous post.

It would be nice to see new ones of these, especially in 1:25 scale. As much as I would love to see them, it probably won't happen any time soon. In the meantime, you can still build them in scale. The JoHan/Testors 1970 442 kits are plentiful and reasonably priced still today. I've stocked up on them and have the Modelhaus parts to build 1971 and 1972 versions. Modelhaus also has the correct W-30 hood and rear spoiler for these too. For more detailed chassis, the AMT/MPC '69 442 is your best bet for the upgrade. Remember, the JoHan bodies were spot on back in the day. For the 1970 GTO. look no further than Reliable Resin for a resin 1970 GTO and the spoilers necessary for the Judge conversion. I did the master on this one from a promo body, so I know it's nice. Get the 1972 GTO kit for the chassis and interior parts or upgrade with the 69 442 chassis. I also did the master on the new 1970 GTO shaker hood. Keith Marks and Fred Cady make decals for both cars. I know these aren't new tools, but with a little kit bashing and detail work, they will be awesome replicas.

Thanks for the comment and I look forward to seeing some of my "inspiration".

Thanks, Dave. I'm planning to get back to mine after I finish this one.

The Camaro gets blown with a supercharger from the AMT '68 El Camino street machine kit. I stripped the chrome and painted with Tamiya AS-12 Bare Metal Silver. I painted the engine to match the body. Heads were painted AS-12 and some Tamiya Matt Black is on the M/T valve covers with BMF on the fins before painting. The AMT '72 Nova headers are finished in Testors Stainless Steel metallizer. I switched induction systems as the Chevelle EFI's throttle body would not clear the cowl induction hood. Enjoy!!!

+1...another stunner!

I started with an OOP OOB AutoDynamics printed gauge cluster for a 1999 Mustang SVT (blasphemy!), scanned, resized, repositioned, printed on photo paper and cut to fit the Camaro dash bezel. Enjoy!!!

Looks just like the real ones I used to drool over back in 1985 but couldn't afford. Great job!!!

The Revell Dodge Magnum SRT is an excellent source for the modern Hemi. Check it out.

I wasn't going to wet sand and polish the Testors paint on the Camaro, but after setting it next to one of my polished models I just had to do it. Fortunately for me, I have this down to an art form and I knocked it out Saturday evening in about 60 minutes. These Testors One Coat lacquers dry hard and take Micro Mesh beautifully. I used 3600, 4000, 6000 grit Micro Mesh and finished with Wizards Finish Cut polish. Today, I finished the BMF, including the side marker lites which were painted over with Tamiya clear acrylics. Enjoy!!!

That's COOL!!! What paints did you use on the body?

After some careful masking, I painted the floor of the Camaro interior with Tamiya Matt Black spray. I'm going to use the stock 1970 lo back buckets too. It will get some BMF and detail paint on the door panels and black flocking on the carpet areas.

Actually, not many. This set has been sitting on my bench for a LONG time. I tried them first and they worked. I plan to keep the chrome finish on them. With the white top, white interior, and the sparkly paint, this build has a "Funkmaster Flex" style attitude and chrome wheels work.

Someone asked me this weekend if I was really planning to use the Pegasus T's on this build. Well, that got me to thinking. I have all these cool wheels in my vault and I've already built a Camaro with Peggies. So.... Aoshima Cerberus wheels with the rears inserted into Pegasus 23" sleeves. Fronts are mocked up with XS Tuning tires for now. Don't know about you, but I'm liking these much better!!!