Claude Thibodeau

Hi Rob! Great story. Now for the good news: If Google can't find the car that inspired you, let's assume it will, from now on, find YOURS (!) should anyone type in a corresponding search... You wil go from "inspired" to "inspiring" ... Great outcome! As to the flame decals: I've often tought of buying this kit FOR the decals. Are they a pain to apply, or were you pleased? They do look great! CT

Hi Roy! I will from my personnal email. CT

Hi Keith! Great work, and you are right: this is a great kit. Your color choice is dead-on for the era. When I was a kid, there was a Mopar dealer down my street, and I remember those large cruisers on the lot. Great memories, thanks! CT

Hi Rob! Wow, that is a great design, bravo! I'm curious: are your flame decals those that were in a mid-60's ElCamino? They look the part... CT

Hi Mike! Great work, bravo! Having shot HOK often on 1/1 bikes and rods, I KNOW it will be great. But on a gold base, it will be a smidge darker, not unlike a glass of wine in the sun. Have fun laying the paint! CT

HI! Kudos to the NNL West organizers: I recently entered a few models, and their on-line technical process was easy, flawless, and very expedient. Bravo! I'm certain that many of us find comfort in the fact that, barred from in-person events, at least, such initiatives allow us to "get together" and share our passion. Thank you again, and I urge you to enter in great number. Long live the NNL West! Regards, Claude Thibodeau

Hi Ian! This exquisite bare frame gives full meaning to the word "triangulation", eh? Great! CT

Hi Ian! Good for you! Last year, I made a marketing mandate for a friend here in Québec city. He bought a one-year old Tof Fuel dragster from a well know US racing "star", and campaigned it as a "hobby" in about 15 NHRA events before the Covid meldown happened... Interresting hobby, but mucho expensive. My job was to search and obtain sponsorship for the team. It never ceases to amaze me what people will do for a thrill. But I think I will stick to styrene for the time being... CT

Hi Tim! Thank you. It is a great kit, my only issue was that a detailed injector scoop, with linkage and barrel valve, was suddently too wide to enter the air box molded on top of the interior tinwork, sitting behind the windshield air intake. I guess most people won't even notice, but I would have preferred to leave it there. Too late: the powertrain was detailed, and final measures had to be applied. As to the paint scheme, the late 60's were "groovy" times. There was even a west-coast funny-car driven by Mike Mitchell, a gentleman whose nickname was "The Hippie". Go figure... I guess that was my subliminal inspiration? But the front air-dam and rear spoiler carry a sobering message. Some say that "if you remember the 60's... you weren't there". Well, I was there, and as you can tell, I certainly remember some of it... For the rest, I plead the fifth! Regards, CT

Hi Tim! Thank you. Mine is the 61 Impala. I look forward to see all the rest...I'm certain we won't be disappointed! CT

Hi Tim! I'm certain you, of all people, had some level of influence on the 1/1 car trends... After all, you had a great column in Street Rodder for a while. I know, I was a subscriber back then! Thank you for the kind words about my "model behaviour", so to speak. I try to explore different genres, but the "mash-up and scratchbuilt" vein always seem to be the most recurring. I just can't help it... I was honored to be included as an author in an upcoming publication that will feature your insight on certain varieties of muscle-cars and Pro-Touring vehicles. It's good company for me, to say the least! Regards, CT

Hi Tim! The shade is really in tune with the times. Hot Rod, Car Craft and others all featured "pastel" cars back then. Tempus fugit! CT

Hi David! Great results, bravo! Your color is very true to the original car, impressive. CT

Hi Francis! Fantastic work, as always. Bravo! And what exactly tis the thread size for the bearing shafts on this mechanism? Just curious... CT

Hi Sam! Very nice. The molding quality seems great. CT

Hi Mike! The zoomies are mucho better in white, great! Only problem is the nitro fumes make my eyes hurt now... Bravo, masterfull results! CT

Hi Pete! The mash-up on the Alfa really looks like something that might have come from the factory. Great! CT

Hi Bob! This is a great car, and a great execution, bravo! May-I ask about the main color? It looks like some "moss grey" or green? Just curious. Care to share your "recipe"? CT

Hi Roger! Thank you for sharing your "secret recipe"... I'll try it on a test panel this week. I'll keep you posted. regards, CT

Hi! Styrene allows to create unique versions of cars we would like to see around in real life. Show us what you dreamed about! The VW-PT Cruiser mash-up is a styling exercise, and is a favorite of my wife (go figure... I wonder why?) and the Foose Caddy delivery was an attempt to go in the opposite direction as it relates to this kit: not try to "over slick" the already slick design of Mr. Foose. All in good fun. So, who has more? CT

Hi Roger! Both trucks are fabulous, bravo! Can you tell me what is the exact color of the second one? My screen seems to suggest a greenish gray. Am-I right? Great shade, I'd like to use it for a 72 Torino Pro-Touring that I'm completing. Thanks! CT

Oh, I see... Hope the itch to finish it comes back sooner than later! Keep safe! CT

Hi! For some reason, the one in the blue can is VERY smelly. I understand that's because it is HOTTER than the Wet Look clear. It certainly is less viscous, and in my experience, can almost "attack" the underlying color coat. I only use it as an "intercoat clear" if needed to seal graphics before more sanding and color/top coat application. An very lightly at that... The one in the black can was more akin to the Wet Look clear, in my experience. Got a decent finish with it (medium-wet coat), and it polished well 48 hours later. Hope it helps... CT

Hi Kerry! What became of your project? Hope all is well and you are progressing. There will never be too many salt cars, you know... CT

Hi Mark! Were you a photographer in a past life? You've got an eye for details. Wow, textures, colors and wear are world class. Bravo! CT