Custom Mike

John, I though that kit came without AC, but apparently it does...as far as what belt setup I used, that was built ten years ago, so I really have no idea what was actually used!

Welcome Chris, there's a ton of talent here that can answer any question you've got, so don't be afraid to ask!

Been there many times, but I just prefer Hayes, Mike is a great guy and one of the best Military modelers I've ever seen. That, and for some reason he likes me and give me a discount!

Welcome Paul! If we get a few more NC builders, this place is gonna be ours soon!

Andy, it's actually VHT Wrinkle Black spray paint that I picked up at Auto Zone, if you do buy some, get a Primer/Sealer too, you'll need it. And make sure you follow the directions on the can to the letter, I tried to do it my way twice, then finally gave up and followed what it said on the can and they came out beautifully!

I'm assuming you're wanting to do something like this?

Beautiful work Chris, this one is one of my favorites too! The one I built was a "bagged" kit, so I didn't get the great decals for the tailgate, now I know which version to buy to get 'em next time!

Ya know John, you could always add more.... Swap out that resistor you're using for a fuel line and filter for one of these super cool neato Switching Diodes available at Radio Shack....they even look like they have gas in them! And you could always rip the valve covers off, strip 'em and repaint 'em with some Wrinkle Black and add some Hemi spark plug boots from Replicas and Miniatures.... Not that I want you to do any more work...just a friendly suggestion!

Man, even without the foil done this baby looks great! What kit did you rob those rims from?

x3! Gary, I work in Fayetteville, so we may bump into each other sooner or later. Have you been to Hayes Hobby House over in the Eutaw Shopping Center yet? If not, go in and tell Mike over on the model side I sent ya!

I've got the same kit Ray, Picked it up for about half of what you paid on E-bay...I got really lucky! I've found that the Revell '69 Camaro convertible's chassis and interior fit this body perfectly, making it very easy to upgrade from the old style chassis in this kit. A bit of modification to the Camaro door panels, the Firebird dash, and a few other small things and you can have a really nice build of a '69 Firebird. Mines going to be a '69 Trans-Am convertible (Only 7 were made), one I get around to it that is!

Beautiful work on the paint John, I want to see the Keith marks decals on it too, I love his stuff!

Very cool Richard, I'm gonna love watching this one come together!

If you're following the Doc, you'll be fine, he's a great teacher! We all start out at the bottom of the ladder, work our way up, then slide back down as the eyes and hands start failing us. Enjoy it for what it is, a cool hobby, and if you happen to get good along the way, don't forget that you started out at the bottom, and help the guys down there climb that ladder!

Todd, I have no idea how anyone does a 24 hour, let alone a 48 hour build, I'm a slow builder like you, so it blows my mind that people can get something done that fast! For your first engine, it's not bad at all, Yeah, the wash is a bit dark, but you're learning, that's what counts. If you have an empty paint bottle, you can make your own wash. Start by putting a few drops of black in it, and about ten times as much thinner to start, and se how it works. You want it to be super thin, but with enough color to make the parts looks slightly darker in the recessed areas. If it's not thin enough, use more thinner, a few drops at a time until you get something that works right!

I love those old Boyd's colors, but they took forever to dry, being that this one was an abandoned project, it might actually be dry! Everything looks great so far, I'd go with the soft top myself, it looks great with that color body!

John, I just grabbed the first set of headlights I had available (From AMT's '71 Charger) and used those. As far as plans for it, I basically built it box-stock except for the nail polish paint, swapping the rims and tires, and wiring that dog of an engine, not much else, It was a slump buster, but the hood is kicking my butt, it doesn't want to be painted!

Yup, an AMT '75 Matador that I picked up as a glue-bomb and had a blast with it!

John, I love what you're doing with the grille on this one, i'm currently working on a '69 and that grille is the worst part of the whole build...well, maybe the chassis, but I still hate the grille!! I stripped mine, replaced the molded in headlights, and repainted it, but I should have gone the way you did. I'm waiting to see yours in paint, I love the color you've got picked out for it! The passenger side headlight has been removed and re-glued since this pic....

Thanks John, it was an E-Bay glue bomb that I just had some fun with. Complete curbside, lowered into the weeds, and a scratch-made body kit, I had a blast with that one! Terry, I used that site many times, but can't get the plates to print out as well as the ones I got from Best Model Car Parts. That, and his are printed on photo paper, making them look really good!

I had a huge batch of custom made plates made up by him a while back, great prices and a great product!

Bill, one build from you is enough for me, this will keep me chasing you for at least another year! I can't wait to see the '59 finished off, I'll be having a fire sale on that day...!

Awesome work Billy!

I take it you're going with the White interior Randy? If so, you have my attention!

Great start Peter, and a very ambitious design! The doors themselves are something that 90% of us wouldn't even think about attempting, and you've pulled it off! I can't wait to see the Turquoise paint on this, it's gonna be killer!