Claude Thibodeau

Hi Ian! Wow, the shine of the rear mags is perfectly "in scale". One would swear this is a 1/1 racer... Bravo! CT

Hi Craig! Both cars are top notch, bravo! I see a pattern here... You obviously studied the trends that were dominant in the 60's: Panels and lace. However, the flares and body modifications bring them in the current era. I'm jealous of your Hornet! I've searched for one, but they are quite rare. Even promos are scarce. All we see once in a while seem to be Johan Funny-car versions... CT

Hi Roberto! Very interesting concept. I can see this truck on the floor at the SEMA show! CT

Hi Steve! Very nice car, and great execution, bravo! Many critics back then booed the 62 Chrysler as a "transition" design, as if Chrysler had extended the design pass its useful life... But I, for one, think this more "low key" rear fenders/ toned-down fins is one of the better balanced variation on this iconic design. CT

Hi Francis! Wow, this is what we call a tight fit. I would not want to be the guy busting his knuckles to bolt the headers on this truck... Just kidding... Bravo! Now, to be able to pass tech inspection, you will need pressure lock pins to fasten the joints to the steering shaft. Quite a challenge! But please, don't do it. That would be, litterally, nano-machining! I can't wait to see this thing in person! CT

Hi Robert! Thank you for the infos. Your roof targa section looks a lot like the Ford concept Mustang when JMays (VP Design) introduced it in Detroit, and as it was featured in bright red in Automobile Magazine back then. Your roof design and tonneau cover are great ideas, with great execution! I was in San Juan PR twice for vacations, and I loved it. Great place to live! Regards, CT

Hi Robert! Great ideas here, bravo! The Mustang appears to have a chopped top, is-it so? And if I may, what is the provenance of the wheels on that same Mustang? They are great! CT

Hi ! Fun project. A few years ago, I posted one on this forum under cars (not a WIP) as "Custom Avanti Inverso concept". It was fun to build... Keep going! CT

Hi Sir! We miss your work. I know sometimes one has to get away from the bench, but go full steam ahead with the housework, and treat us with your styrene magic ASAP, please! CT

Hi Rob! Masterful, really. It brings me back to my old issues of Hot-Rod, mid 60's. Bravo! CT

Hi Lee! Wow, nice and sweet, bravo! This thing would make the cover of the GoodGuys Gazette if it was a 1/1 car... CT

Hi Marcos! Impressive attention to details. I love your solution for the rod ends on your front suspension. Very clever! I'll borrow your idea on my next build. CT

Hi! Great work. I'm finishing one right now, and I know the basic kit has many shortcomings. Yours is world class, bravo! CT

Hi Randy! Great built, bravo! I know for a fact that this Tamya color is not easy to apply perfectly, and you certainly nailed it! CT

Hi Francis! Thank God, you used regular rubber brake hoses!!! Most Provincial or state DMV outlaw braided hoses. I would have been sorry if you would have been turned down on mechanical inspection... CT

Hi! A poet once said: "Life is a deadly desease, sexually transmitted". How true! CT

Hi Tim! Now, THIS is clean work, and the rolling stock fits the car really well. Bravo! CT

HI! Very nice, and you nailed the Bellflower look dead-on! CT

Hi Pat! Very impressive design. Now, I will show my ignorance: is-this a kit, or rather a creature of your imagination? I've never seen this vehicle before. Just curious... CT

Hi Ian! Absolute realism, bravo! I look forward to seeing the body in position. Keep on! CT

Hi! A friend who is in the plastic industry told me that most toys and household items made of plastic must have a high BPA (bisphenol?) content to remain supple or pliable. And this chemical is one of the most expensive component in the mix. Cheap products? Low BPA content. Brittle very early. He also indicated that the typical "new car smell" is, indeed, BPA vapors released in the early days after fabrication. Hence older cars not smelling "new" anymore: BPA already evaporated. Finally, I made a Pro-Touring out of a rare Javelin promo a few years ago. It was made by Johan, in a teal colored "plastic". I broke the cowl while cutting the hood away, and I was NEVER EVER able to glue it back, with ANY glue or solvent, for that matter. I figured it was some kind of acetate. Who knows? CT

Hi Francis! NSCA? Great, keep card number 2 for me! Great idea! As to your truck's stance, I think it is great, and the fun of modeling one-off creations is... There are NO rules! CT

Hi! Bought my copy at the newstand today. Should please those of us who miss SAE. In this special issue, they went further than they ever did with FSM as far as covering automotive subjects since the end of SAE. Weel worth my money, IMHO. CT

Hi Manuel" Great idea, superb execution, bravo! Every time I see the Queen on TV, she seems to be ever shorter... So, I guess the top chop won't be a nuisance... CT

Hi Francis! Very nice, it will be a killer! As to your oil pan clearance, I don't know the rules for NHRA, but the typical DMV or DOT policy is based around the notion of the so-called "scrub line". Their assumption is that if you should blow a front tire, and it gets totally shredded off the wheel, the rim would touch the ground. Therefore, if you trace a line from the point of contact of that bare rim on the ground, and go straight to the contact point of one of your rear tires with the ground, nothing should "hang" below that imaginary line, because it would actually "lift" the car and prevent the remaining front tire from steering the car safely while slowing down. Your pan seems to hang very low, but I can't tell if it is below such an imaginary line. Do you know if NHRA has a similar policy requiring a "safe" scrub line? Just curious... CT