Claude Thibodeau

Hi Samuel! Thanks for the video. Much inspiration here! CT

Hi Paul! Thanks for the compliments! CT

Merci Edgar! CT

Hi Greg! Desalination of sea water is a possibility. But also the building of major pipelines to carry fresh water from the north-east and midwest to the south west. If there's a business case, Wall street investment banks will do it, I'm certain! CT

HI! This is "limousine quality" paint gloss! CT

Hi Daryl! Well, Sir, this is a formidable mash-up and scratchbuilt challenge, and you pulled it off. Bravo! CT

HI! I remember the inventor of the first micro-wave oven saying something to the effect that "any invention spreads like wildfire as soon as the guy next door clearly grasps what the damn thing will do to enhance his daily life". Nowaday, do you know many people who avoid having a micro-wave oven in the kitchen? I also remember historians and civilizations experts wondering why remnants of huge cities buried under the canopy in tropical jungles seemed to indicate that the residents somehow seemed to have "vanished overnight". What happened? UFO's taking them away? Pademic? Ethnic cleansing? Then, someone posited there may have been a major event, out of control, that forced them to move away? Major drought, maybe? You tell me... Let's see: can you imagine, say, major southwest urban mega-cities staying populated once they "run out of water", or the Colorado runs dry? Far fetched? Maybe. My point is not gloom... Just that to go back to the micro-wave guy, once a thing impact you so much, positively or negatively, you tend to reconsider the way you deal with it. Also consider that the fossil fuel industries, faced with possible "reduction in demand" for their core product, will wisely try to: A- fight back, and B- develop alternative products. In their case, it already exists: PLASTICS (amongst which is our cherished styrene!!!) . On this front, the green lobby is also vere agressive. Interesting times ahead, wouldn't you say? Just my two cents... CT

Hi David! Thank you for the comments. I must confess that I had to do some research to nail down the nitromethane formula... My chemistry classes were long forgotten! CT

Hi Tim! Great progress, bravo! To your point about "surgery" to take parts from your 3 donor bodies... This is a great technique, but beware: some of those promos (like the yellow one) are often made of a plastic that is not really styrene as we have come to love it. It is much more easy to break or snap, and it is hard to glue back. Must have to do with the type of plastic. It needed to be more glossy for the promos, and it affects its basic properties. I'm certain you'll circumvent those hurdles! Just go gently with the doors, window frames... CT

Hi Marty! Very well done. It seems there were no limits, back then, as to who would come up with the most outrageous idea. This show car certainly raised the bar... CT

My pleasure, Sir! CT

Hi Tom! Those big GM cars are usuallly advantaged by lighter colors, that make them seem even longer and wider. I made a very minimalist 65 Grand Prix, which is mostly the same car structure, in pearl silver (see pic below). Tamya's grey primer + Testor's White lightning pearl white lacquer (just 2 coats). The silver hue is provided by the primer underneath. Of course, Watson candy shades could be added at will. Just my two cents... CT

Hi Tom! I see. From my quick examination of the kit parts, I think the "stock" parts (hood, front and rear bumpers/grille) fit the body fairly well. The custom parts may have been rushed in production to meet the requirements, back then, of the "3 in 1" mantra... Just another day at the office for some designer? CT

Thank you Gerald! The paint actually took longer than I planned, but, I'm happy with it! CT

HI Tom! I see you dechromed and molded the custom side exhausts to the lower body. Good idea, they will blend in better than if left chromed. I take your word for the poor fit of the countless "custom" parts. I have this kit in my stash, and it never struck me as such. But pictures don't lie! Keep on! CT

HI Bernard! Well, one more for the lakes! Your packaging job is very "Bonneville", bravo! CT

Hi Steve! Well, you just proved that this icon takes the custom treatment very well. Bravo! CT

Hi Bob! Thank you. Just happy it makes you smile! CT

Thank you Dave! I'm working on a new vintage funny-car, that will be "Arizona-themed" !?! Stay tuned... I visited Az often, and I LOVE your neck of the woods. CT

Hi Tim! Thanks for dropping by. Cool was indeed the mood back then. I had Hot Rod Magazine "pictorial" full-page images plastered on the walls of my room, and of course it permeated my mind. Hence my soft spot for those unique fiberglass warriors. This one might be a subliminal cross between the Beebe & Mulligan green striped livery and the goofy Jungle Jim type "cartoon art". Who knows? Now, if you will excuse me, gotta go to my shrink... He may help me figure it out... CT

Hi Stephen! Thanks for the comments. Long live the Nostalgia FC! CT

Thank you Jim! I had fun laying it out. CT

Hi Walid! Your trailer design is spot-on, very "era correct". Art deco cool! CT

Thank you Larry! CT

Hi Chris! Thank you. I bought the kit from a guy who was discouraged by the fact that the frame sides were badly twisted, probably by being pulled-out of the mold while still soft. I had to heat it with a candle, which is tricky, and had just one glitch, that I hid with slightly longer scratchbuild side panels. And there is a built-in "flaw" in the front suspension: the driver's side lower torsion beam "arm" is drilled in such a way that it mounts the front axle in mis-alignement out of the box. Had to do delicate "surgery" to correct it. Turned out OK! The Donovan Hemi is nice, however. CT