Claude Thibodeau

HI! Having been in the TV biz for a good part of my life, you have to consider that TV land is a universe of its own. Therefore, what succeds on the tube must match the expectations of the producer, who risks his own money, and allows his reading of the "audience expectations" to rule the show. We modelers tend to be perfectionnists, paying great attention to details. But TV producers somehow don't feel that this is what hooks viewers. Hence, drama and strange plots and behavior on many of those shows. Let's reflect on the notion of notoriety and competence. Remember the TV shows about choppers? Arlen Ness was on top of the heap, but you never saw a weekly show about the adventures in his shop. Orange County Choppers? What a TV and licencing succe$$. But you get my point. Arlen was an industry icon, OCC a TV phenomenon. Talented guys, of course. But they "played the game", and reaped the rewards for a while. And to say they call it "reality shows". Funny. CT

Hi Andrew! I control the voting shares, so... LOL. CT

Hi Roger! Masterfull paintwork, as usual I should point! Bravo. CT

Thank you Bill! CT

Hi Francis! Thanks for the comments. It's true that the pandemic left me with more time on my hands, but my spring was spent mostly away from the bench, since I had to administer the estate of and old aunt (86) who died unexpectedly. She had no kids, and I was the oldest of the next generation, so the task was mine. But now, all is done, and it's back to normal production (around 10 cars per year). So, to your point about my own table at the next show... Let's just hope we have one this coming october in Québec city! If so, I'll bring along my folding table. It would be a good practice for the next (and last) Salt Lake City MCC, which is scheduled for 2022, if I remember correctly. We should definitely go there before we can't walk anymore, isn't it? CT

Thanks Ray! But beware: nothing is ever flawless, at least at my workbench. But we try harder! CT

Hi Nick! Super clean car, the paint is glass smooth, bravo! I'm impressesd by the gold leaf effect in the decals: they really look the part! CT

Hi Phil! Very clean. Big John would have approved! CT

Thank you Carl! I try to improve my game with each build. It's a learning process... CT

Hi James! Heritage design, new-era fabrication technology: a match made in heaven. Bravo! Ther can NEVER be too many salt cars on this forum. Keep on! CT (self-proclaimed Chairman of the Flat Earth Society)

Hi Steve! Thank you for the kind words, but as far as "King" of the mashup... As you know all too well, this forum is ripe with formidable modelers, and you of all people have proven countless times your ability to "mix and match". In fact, I'm currently going trough my extensive magazine collection, and in every Contest Car... I find new discoveries from a certain Steve. Goes to show... Those "coach-built" Caddies were offered from the early 70's, for a few years. Two companies were involved: Caribou, which featured a flying buttress style of B-pillar, and Mirage, who retained the rear/quarter window of donor cars. I prefer the latter, but I can't tell which one was the more popular. Some of them were posted on the "Show us your Camino style phantoms", about 3 months ago. That's what got me started with this one. A rare Johan kit, but hey, no regrets! You gotta build them! CT

Hi Ricky! Thanks. The color mix is: white tamya's primer + Tamya Titanium gold + Tamya's Clear Orange (just two light coats). TS-13 clear on top. Voilà! CT

Thank you Jim! CT

Thanks Oliver! I tried to recreate the roof design of the 1970 Mirage. The main difference with the 64 is that the upper quarter panel on the 70 turns upward at its front end (just before the B-pillar), whereas the 64's flies horizontally toward the rear tip of the fin. Well, you can't have everything, I guess... CT

Thanks Gerry! CT

Thank you Sm for the comments! CT

Thank you Gareth! CT

Thank you Jay! I must admit that the stock 64 Caddy is a great design to start with, so... CT

Hi Al! Indeed, it would. CT

Thank you Carl, always appreciated! CT

Thank you David! CT

HI! I make my own with aluminium wire from Home Depot, laid flat on a counter, nd "cross-rolled" with a flat file (1" wide". The number of file strokes, and the angle of the file in relation to the wire varies the braiding pattern. Not perfect, but cheap, and being solid metal, it keeps any bend or arc you inflect on it. My two cents, for what it's worth... CT

Hi Tom! Thanks. I know the real Mirage has the opera windows, but I don't know if the rear window is static or not. Maybe someone familiar with the Mirage can shine some light on that? CT

Hi Bob! Thanks. I hoped for some direct sunlight during the photo shoot, but the sky was overcast... I'll add a "glowing" pic whenever I have a chance. It truly pops in the sun! CT

Hi! After being made aware of the Mirage Caddy by fellow modelers on this very tread, I tried my hand at it with a 64 Johan Caddy. Complete pictures on this forum in the light commercial category. Enjoy! CT