Jantrix

I'm not sure any of that saw the light of day. I think the whole AMT self-destruction nixed it.

My original plan for this junkyard rat was to do a tribute build to the early hot rodders who brought their skills home from WW2 and Korea after working on bombers and tanks and other military equipment. So the drab green paint and the nose art on the door ideas were along those lines. However as this build has progressed, it has sort of led me to make decisions based on how things fit or looked. Long story short - the build has not turned out like the original idea. Which is fine. I suppose a build like this has a tendency to do that. But that being said, I'm also open to other paint ideas now as well. I do want to keep this a satin or suede paint job. So the above are the choices I currently have on hand. Anything that I would have to go and buy, would defeat the purpose of a junkyard build. Here are my WIP shots http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/Jant...0%20Ford%20Rat/. An example of the blue color http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g73/Jant.../100_0724-1.jpg. I have yet to use the almond paint, but the cap on the can is a very pale sand color. The engine is already painted drag green and will stay that way. Some pics before it heads off to primer.

I'm with Harry, that changes the whole look of the car. Makes it look longer and narrower. A fantastic re-imagining of a classic american muscle car.

That looks fantastic. Great weathering and detailing. Very authentic.

Quick update. Engines done. I think it is sufficiently ratty, yes? The headers were a whole lot of fun to do. They are a pro-mod header backwards. The bend and straight section are heavy gauge copper wire. A small aluminum exhaust tip finishes it off. I painted the heat wrap a color that looks right, and works with the colors of the build. Due to the copper, the headers are very heavy so I pinned the header flanges to the block. I'm near done mechanically so I'm working on the rear end now. I've decided to add a luggage rack and perhaps a package trunk like those that used to come on the back of cars with rumble seats. Something like this, but it will be on top of the rear end and not so huge. More soon.

Bob that looks spot on perfect. Great work.

Well 1mm scale more or less equals 1 inch so a 2mm strip should do it.

A couple things. Marc - it is 1/24 or 1/25 scale. It's my junkyard rat build in the workbench section. Dave - yep it is some sort of plastic - no fuzzies Mike - the size issue might be because I cut it into 3mm strips which would be too big if the real thing comes in 1" or 2". In any case. I'm real pleased with it. I should have completed engine pics with the headers mounted in my junkyard rat thread sometime tonight. I hope I helped.

Great stuff Bill. The Future for the oil pan line is something I wish I'd known years ago. And good luck on the "other" thing you got going.

Guys the white primer did stick to to it, however it did flake off as I was wrapping it. The first header I did, I stretched the tape too much an lost a lot of paint. The second one I did I took more care and got better results. However in hindsight it would have beeen easier to cut the unpainted tape into the strips, wrap that rascal, and then paint with an acrylic craft paint. I have since repainted them with a tan craft paint, because most of the pics I found on the web, header wrap that had been on a running motor for a while had darkened to a tan/brown color. As well as the ideas Bill gave, I think this tape would also replicate rubber floor mats, the rubber cushions on gas/brake/clutch pedals, running board rubber strips and many other things if we wrap our brains around it. Great stuff.

Sometime in the first two weeks of Oct.........................hopefully.

Wow! That's on a whole new page. Great wrok.

Guys last time my wife bandaging me up for something I spotted this medical tape and this idea popped to mind. I think this looks pretty good as header wrap. I laid the tape down on wax paper, sprayed it white Krylon primer. When dry I cut it into 1/4 inch strips and commenced a-wrappin'. The primer flakes off pretty easy so take your time and don't stretch the tape. I'm going to mix up an off white paint to go over it later and then a wash of brown I think. Opinions?

MORE!

My son built that kit and had a huge amount of issue with hood clearance w/the shaker scoop. From what I could see he'd done nothing wrong, the engine was just too tall. Did you have the same issue? If so how did you resolve it?

copy - paste - print George, Paul, you guys are aces. That's perfect. Everything I need. I've also heard there is an IPMS club there somewhere. As soon as we're settled I'll go exploring. Thanks again.

WOW! Scale dust bunnies! Looks like a job - dun dun dun - for SUPER CLEAN! I'd even put the glass in there. Best to get any grime off there before ya start polishing it.

It is a bit disrespectful to advertise your site on another forum. Especially one that's tied to an actual business. Bad form that. I'm a member of about ten forums that I visit off and on. Would it be okay if I link up some CBP's from all of them on your site?

Wow. That is really something else. The boat tail looks fantastic. I'll be checking back often.

Fantastic work. Great replica.

Hmm......... this is the only 340 photo I could find that showed the coil. The darn air cleaners are so huge on these cars its a wonder you see the valve covers. http://www.hotrodder.com/Challenger/Pro_340.jpg

I'm sure you would do this anyway, but I'm going to suggest you give the young ones a good talking to about touching the cars. Car owners are very appreciative of children that admire and don't touch, and will go out of their way to show their appreciation. However, a touchy child will get you escorted to the gate. Here's a shot of my boy from years ago at a show. Owners were so impressed with this little 2-3 year old who walked around the show with his hands in his pockets and a studious look on his face as if he understood everything about cars. A lot of them would let him inside the ropes so we could get photos of him with the car, and even some shots of him inside the cars. I can tell you from experience that is a rare occurance. I hope you have a great time.

Good info gents, thanks. There used to be a House of Hobbys in New Port Richey (Pasco County) when I was growing up. I'd heard they closed up a while back. Maybe this Palm Harbor store could be the same folks in a new location. I hope so they were real good people.

Hey guys moving to Clearwater area very soon and will be looking for local clubs/contests and the like. I've been out of the area for 18 years and finally moving back home. Good hobby shops?

My dad supported my building and gave me great tips and advice. My Mom hated the glue spots, the paint marks etc. However I don't think my dad ever imagined the level I would take modeling to or that I would make it a lifelong hobby. He is always amazed at something I show him online (thanks to Hollywood Jim & Ken Hamilton). However he is now retired and is rather depressed that now that he has the time to get involved he has lost fine motor control of his hands. He shakes big time, and that would make building difficult. I have told him that other guys have been able to overcome the same obstacle with practice, he's such a perfectionist that the learning curve would discourage him. As he always supported me, I'm doing my best to be supportive and encouraging for him. If I keep showing him my new kits maybe he'll give it a try.