Claude Thibodeau

Hi Sir! What a great build. You improved all that could be, and then some! I built one two years ago, and I could appreciate how good it was for the era it came out. If only those molds still existed... CT

Hi Jim! Sorry for the paint issue. I suspect the lacquer coat(s) were not fully evaporated, and disturbed the enamel top coats. I know it may sound strange, but If the lacquer had been too hot for the styrene surface (even with primer), it would have wrinkled even before you went on with the second clear 12 hours later. Also, the frosting you report immediately after application of the enamel topcoat seems to indicate either extreme humidity in the atmosphere, or evaporating gas from the lacquer underneath. One old method to detect any remaining evaporation is the "smell test". If it still smells something, then it is not full cured. Finally, even if your two different paints are called lacquer an enamel respectively... their solvent may be so "similar" chemically that the topcoat soaked and re-liquified a not fully-cured lacquer underneath. My two cents, FWIW.... Keep on, that Cad deserves to see completion! CT

Hi Slobodan! Great work, world class finish, really! Keep on! CT

Thank you Christopher. The whole era was cool, so, might as well try to replicate the "groove"! CT

Thank you Ray!. So much styrene, so little time LOL! CT

HI! I'm totally partial to the era of Funny Cars that looked like distinctive creations, not vinyl-wrapped sponsor's rolling logos. So... when I found this Model King 68 Cougar, I decided to create an imaginary late 60's "groovy" funny-car! The kit had a standard Logghe Stamping chassis (the norm for the era), but to my eyes, this very chassis was always "crude". So, from my stash, I mashed the MPC Wild Willy Borsch altered chassis/powertrain, modified and extended to match the Cougar wheelbase, while providing a more "digger style" chassis.. Throw in scratchbuild inner panels, headers, injector, linkage, fuel pump, rear body stanchions, and a few other items. Wired and plumbed. Home made decals, and a paint job that matches the flavor of the era (special effects panels, marbleizer-like textures, purple and lime green tints, etc. Revell clear lacquer, fully polished. Close your eyes, and think of the OCIR Cavalcade of Stars Coca-Cola funny-car events. That was the goal. Hope you like it! CT

Hi Steve! Yes, we had a "planning session", but the fact that I already stated that I intented to attend the last GSL next may have kind of "depleted my credit". So, the Deuce Day may happen, but for 2024 I'm afraid... CT

Hi Steve! Wow, what a great parking spot for your "fleet". Very neat and convincing. I see you even threw in the rear oil seal "leaks" in the various stalls. Bravo! Ah, you lucky west-coast types... barely a few cracks near the rain drain. No east-coast potholes... That's what dreams are made of! CT

Hi Scott! I would never have tought about such a valve. I'll certainly steal your idea someday! Thanks! CT

Hi John! Excellent product, and the foam core allows it to conform to curved surfaces as well as flat ones. The effect is so micro, you will barely see it. But it may get you a more uniform gloss upon polishing. Also useful to refinish model kit clear parts (windows) when lightly scratched. CT

HI! The Tamya black panel accent is actually solvent based, akin to enamel. It flows well, remains fairly dark, but... if you apply too much on a given spot, and want to clean it up, it may easily smear, and / or even "tint" the surrounding surfaces, depending on the nature of the surrounding paint (lacquer is safe, enamel and acrylic may soak it up). Just a word of advice if your panel lines are on a light colored body. On kit chrome, it's mostly forgiving, if you clean-up any overflow quickly before it settles and dries. Speakink of which, it may be a tad slow to fully dry. Good luck! CT

Hi JP! Thanks for the comments. I try to improve the breed with every lakester done. More to come... CT

HI! The part next to the booster and master-cylinder is the wiper motor, and I suspect the pill-shaped reservoir is a vacuum tank, common on certain luxury cars of the era, to provide ongoing action of certain vacuum-operated components when the driver stepped on the gas and vacuum dropped... Ah, the rich Caddy drivers had everything... CT

Hi Sir! World-class work, really. Bravo! CT

Hi David! Nice start, it looks very well preserved. I did a 64 convertible recently, that I converted to a Mirage Coachbuilt Camino-style PU. My issue was a late one, (Seville Industries), molded in yellow. The body was great, but the chrome parts had lots of flash, and the plating was marginal, at best. Lucky you! CT

Hi Steven! Thanks for the pics. Very nice selection! CT

Hi Sir! Thanks for the compliments. Sharing is the goal of this forum, so I'm happy if it ever inspires you! CT

Hi Steve! Thanks for the comments. Being there is still on my bucket list. I'm planning for the 2023 event, if all goes according to plans... CT

Hi Bernard! You made good of a great kit, and your color combo is very nice. Bravo! CT

Hi Francis! Alas, my shop/garage is not large enough to accomodate these looooooooooong vehicles. Currently, I have a 1/1 1970 Challenger 440 6-Pack that I'm working on, and it takes all the space (it's blown apart for paint, and it is, indeed, a fairly large car. Hope the health issue you mentionned on your thread a behind you, and it was nothing serious. We certainly are getting older by the day... CT

Bonjour Bernard! Merci pour les compliments. To your point, I build 1/1 cars, so my modeling approach is always skewed toward "practical" designs, I don't mean to claim that I always attain my goals on this repect, but I try! CT PS: I often see your postings on the Koolest Kruzers French forum, and the never fail to please!

Hi Sir! The first ever set of mags I bought in the early 70's were Keystone Klassics. They are forever etched in my memory. You nailed it: your second attempt is spot on. Bravo! CT

Hi Zenon! Wow, great find, bravo! I had an 85, manual, and it was a blast. The intercooler came only in 87 from the factory. You can increase your boost by piercing needle holes in the wastegate sensor hose. Start with one or two, and progress as you fancy. You WILL feel the improvement, believe me! Just don't hit it full blown for too long... CT

Thanks for the pix, Ron! That rear-engined Econoline is wild. I had a 64 back in the early 70's, but more "tamed" than this one, alas! CT

Hi Roger! Here are two more! LOL. CT