robertw

There have been a couple of posts suggesting that modeling is a thriving hobby its the car model element of the hobby that is suffering. If you look at some of the European model mags that specialize in a/c and armour they are full of new releases and interest in the hobby is strong. At least one poster suggested that the loss of interest in car modelling is partially attributable to a declining interest in 1 to1 cars. This reminded me of a radio interview show that I listened to a couple of months back on that topic. By the end of the phone-in show a general theme was beginning to emerge that young (20-30's) and especially those from a fully urban background were seeing their car as merely a way of getting around and had more interest in the killer audio/video system then the cars performance or styling. Because engines had become so computer controlled and complex few had any interest in how to work on it or even how it worked and some admitted to having never opened the hood. I'm sure there are numerous reasons why this hobby is not attracting young people to it as it once did but I did find this idea interesting and something that I'd never thought about before. robw

I had the same problem on the first Revell California conv that I picked up and tight wrapping was the clear cause. The hood in my kit was also warped but I couldn't determine a clear reason for this. I picked up a second kit at a different shop and it was fine. Didn't bother trying to get replacement parts from Revell since I assumed that it would be fruitless. rob w

Finally!!!!!! I've been waiting a long time for this one to come out. Time to hunt down a few. rob

Good job. I like both your C5 & C6. If you do another car from either generation remember that the four flat panels on the chassis are gray. rob

The "accelerator got stuck !!!" What, is Toyota's problem now spreading to other car lines, it must be contagious.

Tell her, good job! Keep her building. There's great value in these old snap kits for the young and beginning modeller. robw

Been looking for the Ferrari since they came out but never did find the cv so this is good news. As for the ZR-1 all I can say is finally....... and sign me up for at least half a dozen. rob

What you called Grey is actually the Polo Green which is one of my favorite Corvette colors since it goes so well with a light tan interior. For '92 & '93 White interiors were available in the Corvette and a Bright Agua, Quasar Blue or Red exterior looks really great with the white interior.

A little duct tape.....a little bondo.....get a can of red spray paint, and it will look as good as new.....almost! rob

Interesting. The Deora is one of those kits that almost all of us have built or have thought about building so it's interesting to see someone come up with a truly unique build using it. rob w

CB's....boy that's a long time ago. Had one in both my car and a base station but that's about five vehicles ago. I went by the handle 'The Professor'. My mobile radio is still around somewhere but as I recall I sold the base unit. robw

This kit looks like #T310, if so it is the first release of the AMT '53 and dates from 1976. It's not overly valuable since it is identical to the several reissues that have been done since then. Most of the posters have been critical of the kit but I was quite happy with my build of it. I wanted scale consistency in my Vette collection and think that the Monogram kit looks a little oversize. A little extra work and the AMT kit will look fine on your shelf. rob wheeler

Ouch !!!!!! I wouldn't mind getting one of the Lincolns, but not at that price. I wonder where he got these values or perhaps they are just out of the blue and he's hoping to bulk up his retirement fund. rob wheeler

I've used rattle can Tamiya Clear several times over decals but what I've done is several very light coats and shot from further back then let each of these coats dry for about a day. Finally after 5 or 6 of these I've shot several heavier ones before I polished. A lot of extra work I realize but it has worked for me. rob

I like.....and in my favorite colour. I'm really looking forward to the reissue of the Myers Manx dune buggy later this year. rob

Looking forward to seeing this one done. Built a basically stock version of this truck a few years ago and picked up a second kit just in case. Seeing what you're doing I'm thinking a short box with a custom 5th wheel RV. Oh, no.....another project. rob

You may think it a "silly" looking car but it came close to production. Zora Arkus Duntov had always wanted the Corvette to go mid engine and he was pushing hard for this car before he retired in 1975. The more timid in GM & Corvette management decided to stick with what was selling rather then test new waters. rob

I finally found this kit a couple of weeks ago, they've been hard to find in the hobby shops of my area. Haven't decided what color to do it in so haven't started on it yet. I want to do something besides red. I like the two tone interior that you've done although the white looks a little bland on a Ferrari. rob

I use the plastic lids off Pringles potato chip cans for mixing epoxy glue and mixing small amounts of paint. A lid will usually last a couple of projects then I throw it out. It's a good reason to buy the chips which of course are a nice snack while I'm modelling. rob

You emptied the spares box for this one but when all the parts shook out it created a very cool custom. I like how you can recognize a different cars lines from almost every angle. rob w

One might say that that model is toast !!! Excuse the pun. Looks like the frame is good. Built it as a super detailed chassis and display it as that. rob w

Simon, Been away for a week so this is the first time I've been able to check your progress and I'm very impressed. You asked how the kit was first received when it was issued by Aurora......boy this is going to be a stretch for my old brain cells. I probably bought the kit because it was different and was in the stores I frequented at the time and I also bought the Maserati 3500 around the same time. It was finished and remains in my collection to this day, although it received a repaint about 20 years ago. Most modelers during that time were more into American iron so AMT & Jo Han annuals outsold Aurora at least 10 to 1. Aurora a/c were also very easy to find during the '60s and I still have a number of them in the stash. I remember being quite impressed with the Aurora 1/25 scale cars with their opening doors and trunks and thinking them equal or better then what AMT was producing but few must have agreed with me because I never saw one of their car kits built during that time and even today few build them. I still have the instruction sheets for both and looking at them before writing this note I was again impressed by them both. I no longer have the Aurora Aston Martin box but recall that the art work was very similar to the one you posted of the mechanic standing beside the red DB4. The molds must still exist for at least some of these kits so I hope that Revell will do a brief reissue of these cars at some point in the future. I picked up one of the Maserati's only a few years back during a brief but unheralded Revell/Monogram reissue. I'll continue to follow your build with great interest and look forward to seeing it finished in the future. Rob W

Yes I have the Riptide kit and it is marked as a '60 but it is from the same mold that has popped out so many labeled 1959's. I remember hearing the story behind this mislabeling a number of years ago but don't recall much, I recall that it may have had something to do with the 1959 Reggie Jackson Collector Series Corvette. Please don't quote me because its just a vague recollection. Hopefully someone has a better memory. Rob W

Isn't that kit originally the old Aurora one? I started to build it back in the mid 60's and my plan was to widen the fenders, the build never went too far considering the quality of the putty back then. I still have the remains somewhere in a box. I'll look forward to your build as Aston Martins from that period have an interesting look about them. Rob W

No this isn't the Gunze kit. The Gunze kit is very good but the Minicraft kit is very crude. A few years ago I started on the Minicraft but gave up very soon and gave it to a neighborhood kid. When I found the Gunze version it was like a miracle because it just fell together. The only problem with the Gunze is that it has the black vinyl/rubber interior typical of this line of Gunze sports cars. Rob W