Claude Thibodeau

They certainly do! Great results. CT

Hi Tim! Thanks for the comments. To your point about larger scales: I too have friends that are more at ease with bigger models, claimin exactly that they cram in more details than they would otherwise. Fine with me. But... I keep poking fun at them, saying that therefore, their work must be "absolutely spotless". It usually makes them laugh! I've seen your builds, and I for one know how creative you are. I applaud that. By the way, on the subject of creativity...congrats about your custom Camino that was featured in Contest Cars 2021. It is well deserved! Regards, CT

Hi Mike! Thank you. I know famed modeler Pat Dunnivan built an EXACT replica of the car years ago. It was seen often in the model press. Mine is just a "personnal take" on the subject. The real car was dark green, for instance. So I took liberties along the way. CT

Hi Mario! Thank you for the comments. Hope to see you soon when the shows finally return! Salutations, CT

Thank you Sir! This is the project that would never end... It is so delicate, that any adjustment or tweak was almost perillous at times. But ultimately, it made it to the finish line. But, now that I look at the pictures, I realize I forgot the licence plate!?! Will have to fix that before the next show! Happy you like it! Regards, CT

HI! Mostly inspired by the famous Street Rodder cover car... with a few personnal preferences! A mash-up of various leftover parts: Revell's 32 Ford frame , rad & shell,, Jag XK-120 engine, MT's Challenger quickchange center section, Monogram's Blue Bandito cab & suspensions, 41 Lincoln front seat, all extensiveny modified. Mucho scratchbuilt: frame xmembers, gas tank, firewall, floor, steering column, door panels, windshield glass, etc. Testor's Purplelicious lacquer + Mr, Hobby Super Clear - fully polished. Pegasus wheels, Molotow's chrome. A friend of mine, who's a watch repair man, rightfully told me: "the smaller they are, the harder it is to work on them". So true... So much styrene, so little time! CT

Hi Bill! Spectacular realism, and your photo skills are at par with it. Bravo! CT

Hi Mike! Well, another masterful creation from the "Brass Master",,, Bravo! It looks so real, for a minute it felt like I was looking at the mi-60's Hot Rod Magazine coverage of the latest altered that roamed California back then. Thank you for the memories! CT

Hi Ray! Verry swoopy, bravo! I often wondered if the typical Cobra body would be easy to stretch by grafting two sectionned bodies together. You answered my question! Was there "taper" issues at the cowl, or was the graft fairly straight? Just curious... CT

Hi Harry! Thanks for the detailed reply, very instructive! Non-catalyzed putties dry by evaporation, and therefore loose some volume while drying (the solvent evaporates). It is logical that you would have to apply a second light coat. Even more so after a stay in a dehydrator, obviously. The GT 40 speaks to the fact that it is mostly stable on the long term. Tamya rarely sells products that are sub-par, so I may give it a try on a future project. Welcome back to the hobby. It appears you haven't lost the touch! Regards, CT

Hi Harry! Well, you clearly made the most of this kit. Assembly and body finishing are great. Bravo! I've never used the Tamya putty... I'm more of the catalysed variety bunch. What's your appreciation of the Tamya? I understand it is an air-drying putty, so I'm curious as to shrinkage problem that may occur down the road. Your take? CT

Hi Snake! I guess it shows all active members of the "Bonneville Defense League" were missing in action... CT

Hi Alan! The car was subdued on purpose, so I figured some "out of the ordinary" wheels should do. They are front wheels from a RC controled Maisto split window early Corvette, in what I believe is 1/18th scale (but not certain about the scale). The rear wheels were too wide, so I sacrified two of those cheap "toy" vette to get the complete set I needed. CT

Hi Tony! Great results, bravo! You could also use ModelMaster "Jet Exhaust" color, avail in enamel or acrylic. In my experience, acrylic trough airbrush is also very similar. CT

Hi Thomas! Thanks for the reply. That is why I was curious. Makes sense. I built this kit (the 1970 version-mostly similar), but since the Johan platform frame was very "promo-simplified", I swapped the AMT 66 Riv chassis. Same wheelbase and track with. It made fitting deep-dish wheels easier. And created a RWD Eldo at once. Bravo again, very nice car! CT

HI! Thanks for the pics. Mucho inspiration here! CT

HI! A good friend owns a hobby shop that's been around for 45 years, and keeps expanding. He tells me the three sectors that are very active are: RC controlled toys (cars, crawlers, drones - stable), model kits (automotive,planes,military - slight increase ), and puzzles (!?!), major increase. He also tells me the only downside with plastic models is some manufacturers now demand he buys ten (10) units minimum of any kit he wants to order. He then can't afford to "take risks" with more obscure or marginal subjects, cause it freezes up too much money. A funny note: he tells me the new Revell kits (in the large, flat boxes) are selling like crazy, even the latest reissue of well known "standards", even if he jacked the price by a good percentage. He surmises that for most people, a larger box is seen as "more of a good thing... a better deal", and generates sales. Go figure... CT

Hi Mario! She's a beauty, really. The smooth flowing lines are well served by the color selection. Bravo! CT

Hi Thomas! What a rescue, bravo! This design is, IMHO, one of the most elegant 60's icon. Your color combo and finish work pays justice to it. Your deep dish wheels choice is a bit visually unusual, because the FWD system on that car required high offset wheels, like on the Toronado. Did-you have to narrow the "track" to get them to fit inside the fenders? Just curious... CT

Hi Tim! Thank you so much. After this long "Covid desert", it's good to see such fine work. Regards, CT

Hi Charles! I look at the precision machining of your wheels, and the suspension's outboard upright so finely executed, and I can't help to think that the great, late Lil' John Buttera would be impressed by your skills. Ditto for Boyd Coddington, as they share the same cloud. On a different note, I envy the palm trees and crystal blue skies that fill your panoramic windows. Must be hard to stay at the bench sometimes... CT

Hi Steve! I'm finishing 4 cars at once these days, but alas, I'm slower than I would like. I should be able to post some in the coming days. So much styrene, so little time! Regards, CT

Hi Phil! This is a difficult kit, and all this time ultimately paid of! Bravo! CT

Hi Sir! Great work, bravo! Your gasoline budget must rival the GDP of some countries... Those land yatch were thirsty! CT

Hi Steve! wow, very very slick. Exactly what you were shooting for. Bravo! Now, get a lawyer: the Crawling Insects Protection League will get after you: none of their members will be able to cross the street and stay alive with such an "in the weeds" front splitter. It will be a carnage... CT