Claude Thibodeau

Hi Patrick! Ah, the challenges of international branding. Remember the Chevrolet Nova? In some contries, it meant the car "did not go". Talk about a blunder! To your point about toothpaste for polish: it makes sense, since it IS an abrasive after all. Kind of a "micro-compound". It will also work to dull the shine of some vynil tires. I know that for a fact! Speaking of compounds, my go-to for polishing paint jobs is FARECLA, a formidable british product. It's a small world... CT

Hi Patrick! What I mean (Comet) is a white powder that you sprinkle in your kitchen sink to clean it with a wet sponge afterward. This type of product is also sold in liquid paste (like a car wax) under the brand Vim, her in north-america. . All it does is spare you the trouble of mixing it with water. Some people use corn starch or even toothpaste as a substitute... CT

HI! Built this one, from the Prestige series. Was molded in blue. No issues whatsoever. But the interior was rather "simplistic". I "curbed my enthusiasm", and settled for a curbside. So much styrene, so little time... CT

HI! One great way to remove the shine is to brush them gently with an old soft tooth brush soaked with Comet type sink cleaner, thinned to a mily consistency. Wash them with clear water, and just repeat if too much "shine" reamains. This way, it's hard to go overboard and damage the finish as you might with a scuff pad. It works wonder with the typical vynil slicks in funny-car kits, or any vynil tire for that matter. Just my two cents, FWIW... CT

Hi Dave! Now, let's just say you are part-modeler, part sculptor! I share your view! CT

Thanks again, David! Well, from now on, I will look at that AMT 33 sedan in my stash with new eyes! CT

Hi David! Great build, bravo! The licence plate says it all! And to say that I saw those mastodons roam my city streets back then. Gas was cheap... CT

Hi David! Thank you for showing us this beauty! On "close inspection", it is even nicer that what we saw in the background of your Kustom Coach thread. Bravo! I see you used the Wagon-Rod rollingstock. The rear tires are very wide in that kit. Did-you section the floorpan to clear them, or narrow the wheels/tires to fit? And I'm also curious about the basic kit body you used. AMT had a sedan (in 33 and 34 versions), but the front fenders and general proportions were openly critiqued by many as being "off the mark" in relation to the 1/1 car. So, what is your secret recipe? Just curious... Bravo again! CT

Hi Dave! Well, thank you, I will certainly keep an eye on this next feature. The C400 is a beauty in its own right, and yours seems to pay justice to the design. Regards, CT

Hi David! Great concept, but... I'm really fond of the copper C400 sedan in the background. Can we see more of that on a previous thread? Just curious... CT

HI! Very impressive, I relived some of my youth. Thanks for sharing, and best to Mr. Hanmore! CT

Thank you! CT

Hi David! Great work, the color combo is very effective, bravo! Now, I'm curious: the IRS seems to come from Buttera's Tall T, but the IFS? Is-it from Monogram's 37 sedan, or Amt's Phantom Vicky? Or does the whole fat fendered chassis comes from said 37 sedan street rod kit? I have to know! LOL... CT

Hi Roger! Well, in 1989, I was the proud owner and "pilot" of a Merkur Scorpio, the large euro sedan that Fomoco was trying to push against the "other teutonic cars", and I must say it was one of the most pleasant cars I ever owned, and I had quite a few. Your take on the Taurus reminds me a bit of that favorite ride... Nostalgia! CT

Hi Steffen! Truly world class concept and execution, bravo! CT

Hi Roger! Well, this car pushes all the right buttons for me. Bravo! If only some daring builder had the guts to try that in 1/1 back then... CT

Hi Mario! Great retourn to the hobby, bravo! With Montreal being upside down with road work and filled with restrictions these days, it's not surprising that the car got a ticket! CT

Hi Steve! Very nice gloss coat, bravo! To your "ghosting" of the OEM door lines... Is your body filler/putty catalyzed, or solvent based? If it is of the latter variety, it would explain the ghosting effect... CT

Hi Sir! Well, that was quite "advanced" for the times, to say the least. Bravo! CT

Hi Craig! What an interesting history. Great that you brought it to light. I spent most of my professionnal life in the media, and I have developped TONS of cross-promotions with countless partners. It was proven to be a most effective way to raise awareness for all parties involved. But from a purely rational point of view, I can understand the executives who were concerned that "hot rods" were slowly falling out of favor back then. How many times Rod&Custom magazine was pulled-out of circulation, blended with Hot Rod, ultimately reissued as a stand-alone title, pulled out again, etc. ? We'll never know, but if the mix of subjects had been different, say, one rod, one muscle car, one commercial vehicle... Maybe they would have greenlighted the deal? CT

Hi Mark! Very clever mashup, bravo! CT

Hi David! Great work, as usual. You are therefore condemned to keep wowing us, I'm afraid. Something tells me it should not be a concern for you! CT

Hi Bob! Nice project! The riding height of this kit, in its standard form, is much in tune with the era when it came out... The BIG protuding rear tires and more than sufficient ground clearance shout of the early 70's. The boxart on the latest Coke reissue does not even try to hide that fact. The offset big mag wheels on the box top absolutely require more clearance with the fender, which was the way 1/1 car were set back then... Your narrower rolling stock allows more "rake" if you fancy it. That would make it more in line with the "current look". Choices, choices... CT

My pleasure, Bob! CT

Hi Jim! Happy you liked it! Styrene philosophy, I guess? CT