Tommy Kortman

OK boys and girls, I actually made some progress on the coupe this week. The engine is complete and installed in the chassis. I only need to add the throttle linkage; which I will do after the body is permanently mounted the the chassis. I still need to complete the exhaust system, but i was able to finally get some paint on the old girl. I sprayed the body with Tamiya gloss black first. Once this was dry, I wet sanded it with 2000, and then sprayed Tamiya British Green over the black. Looking at some test panels, the black really darkens the green. Unfortunately, the camera flash really blows out the color. Here are some more shots. Here is the completed engine. I just need some P/E wingnuts for the air cleaner. Painted body A little better idea what the color actually looks like. And the latest mock-up I'll post more as soon as I can get the running boards painted.

To whom it may interest...and anybody else. Yesterday, I had the oppertunity to see something pretty cool. The Simeone Foundation Museum right here in the City of Brotherly Love held one of their "Legends of Motorsports" presentation days. Yesterday they featured their Grandsport Corvette. The attendees were not only able to get up-close and personal with an amazing piece of racing history, but they were also able to see and hear it run. (WOW, What a sound!!!)As a bonus, George Wintersteen, the man who raced this car was on hand to drive it, and answer questions. It was a great time. This car is chassis #002. It was originally a Nassau blue coupe. Here are some photos. This is the cars original engine; A 377 cid small block chevy. The car currently has a Traco built L-88 Aluminum headed 427cid big block Chevy. This car has not been restored and is the same condition in which it came off of the track from it's last race. This is the cars original color, but this is a replica body that one of the previous owners had made so he could drive the car without damaging the original body. Here is a link to the rest of the photos. Grand Sport Corvette Please Enjoy!!

Thanks everybody, hopefully I can get some more work done on it today.

You are so right. I did have some trouble with a few of the decals. You can see the small ProMarkt decal in the nose folded when i was applying the clear. I used Tamiya clear, and then polished that as well. Thanks to everyone for the kind comments.

Modelers, I present to you for your viewing pleasure. (and constructive critisism) The Tamiya Pro-Markt DTM Mercedes. I really liked the color of the molded plastic, and i wanted to see if I could produce a model built without painting the body (like when we were kids) and still have it come out OK. I am generally pleased with the outcome. I dont know if it will ever see a contest table, but it should look great on my shelf. In hindsight, if I were to try this method again on such a light colored plastic, I would probably prime the inside of the body with white primer. This would remove any transparency in the plastic, and brighten the color just a touch. And heres a link to some of the other photos. Fotki - ProMarkt Mercedes

OK, Well it's been awhile, but I have made some minor progress on the Coupe. These are the 3rd set of headers that I have built. I think these will be the ones. I should be able to get the exhaust hooked up, and they clear the steering box. I have also done some work to the carbs. I added the fuel lines (incl a scratch built fuel pump) and I am now working on finishing the carb linkage. Sorry, It's a little blurry. Enjoy.

Very cool Dave!!

Mario, Your work looks amazing. I was lucky enough to pick up one of these kits a few weeks ago. In this scale, (1/12) it definitely needs some added details. Are you making your own scale hardware? Where did you get your refrences? Keep up the great work. I cant wait to see more.

Gentlemen, Thank you very much for the responses. And yes George, it is a beautiful car. I am finding it mildly difficult to come up with decent reference photos. Perhaps I will p/up the DVD from Strada. Has anyone seen this yet? I have seen the one on the Porsche 917, and it is very good. You know...when you really study this car you can see a lot of the 917 in it. Makes you wonder whose shoulder Stuttgart was looking over.

HELP???!!! A couple of weeks ago while I was at the Mid-Atlantic NNL (Md) I was able to score a Tamiya 1/12 scale Lola T70 MkIII. I am wondering if anybody knows of any aftermarket detail items being available? I know that F1 specialties has a couple of conversion decal sets, but I was really thinking about Photo-etch, or possibly a trans kit to make it into a MkIIIB. Any help is appreciated. THANKS!!

And they were run real hard. It was a blast to see those old cars being thrown around the corners. One point I forgot to mention earlier was that because of the small T/A field, the historic cars were allowed to start the race at the back of the pack. They were allowed to race until they got lapped. So we got to see then and now as it were at the same time. It only took Tomy Drissi 3 laps to get to the historic cars. It is amazing how much faster the new cars are.

Here's a link to some photos I took at the NJMP (New Jersey Motorsports Park) in Millville NJ yesterday. Al & I went down to catch the SCCA Trans-Am series. We also caught some of the Volkswagen TDI cup and some Historic T/A racing. Hopefully there are some photos that you guys can use in your projects. ENJOY!! NJMP Trans-Am 05-09-10 Hopefully I will be able to get the video I shot on the web soon. In an amazing stroke of good fortune we were able to take 2 laps on the track behind the pace car. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!! Here is the link to the tracks website. NJMP

Here are some more shots from the Mid-Atlantic NNL.It was another great show by the MAMAs guys. the vendors were plentiful, the models were wonderful, and the friends were numerous. Great Job Guys!! Here's a link to some photos. Mid-Atlantic NNL -2010

Why thank you Lilly. See you in a couple of weeks. Iknow, Iknow, your holding your breath with anticipation.

OK Boys and girls, here are some more NNL East Photos. There aren't as many as I would liked to have taken, but alas I was struck by the dreaded dying battery syndrome. Better luck next time I guess. Here's the link. NNL EAST - 2010 ENJOY!!

Nice job Alex. the paint was beautiful. I think this hobby will be in good hands.

Nice Shots Terry, and it was nice to meet you on Friday.

I say we all get hammered and then walk next door and hit golf balls. That should be interesting.

BACARDI!!!!!!

Don, The Philly Boyz will keep you company...or at least give you an alibi. We should be there in force. Atthe latest count I think we are at 12 or 13. Hopefully somebody is bringing the Spooky Juice again this year.

John, Remember to bring your change of disguises, and your bail $$.

You can bet the Philly Boyz will be there!

Paul, Sorry for the delay.(Works been a killer) Thanks for the kind words. For the interior, I used Poly Scale Rail Road colors, did a little detail painting, and the accented with weathering powders. I use Smokey Mountain powders because I just happen to have them, but any artist pastel will work. Since I don't plan on handling the interior once the car is assembled, I did not bother to spray dull coat or any other fixative to the "dust" The whiskey boxes are photo reduced items from my good friend Mike "What's his name" Napoleon, and the tarp is simply tissue paper soaked in matt medium. Then it was painted and dry-brushed with Testors model master enamels. BTW... After staring at the headers for 2/3 days, I decided that I did not like them. So we are starting over with a different style. Something along the lines of a shorty type.

Great job as usual Cruz!

You still may not have enough room. I have known guys who have had to ship stuff home, and the Philly Boyz have threatened to leave one of our members behind just to get the stuff home. (Gotta have your priorities straight man.) 19 days and counting!!!