Claude Thibodeau

HI! My ex-wife had a 66 Chevy, the short model. I cut-out the roof (it was dented), and replaced it with a new Dodge unit obtained at a van conversion shop (they had a stack behind the shop). It hinged it at the front (at the rear enge of the front doors cut-line), sealed it all around, and build a "floor/cieling" to allow a "pull-up" tent for sleeping 2 adults up there when in camping, à la Westfallia. We traveled a lot with it, and enjoyed it very much. Sold it in 88, and the lucky guy still has it! Oh, it also had a removable sun roof hatch over the front seats, and we anchored the baby seat of our first-born on the central engine cover. Happy memories! CT

Hi Steve! I knew that kit engine had a very good reputation, but I can see up-close what a modeler of your caliber can do with it. Bravo! CT

Hi Kerry! I remember going with my 64 Econoline to pick-up a date for the first time. When my date's mother saw the van, she was intrigued, and stepped out to "admire" the custom paint and gold leaf lettering that I had just completed. She then asked to see the inside of the van. Oups... plans cancelled, that young lady was not allowed to go out with me "until her mom got to be reassured " that nothing nasty would take place in the van. Took a few weeks, but she became my girlfriend for many years. We went trough 3 vans, goes to say... CT

Hi Christian! Thanks for the comments. The open wheel house is a modification I did to lower the front end, and I chose to let it "open" just as you may have seen sometimes on extremely low riding pick-ups. Their tires often protude over the front fenders at full drop. It looks strange, but any observer links it to extreme lowering at first glance, I think... CT

Thank you Sir! These days, I look a lot at old issues of Contest Cars, and I keep seeing stuff you built many moons ago. Gets me to think that this sickness of ours can't be cured over time, eh? CT

Hi Mike! Wow, great finishes, barvo! The stainless one is very convincing. I had somehow similar results with a Krylon Chrome spray can, believe it or not! The trick is to go really wet, and let it sit for 2 days before handling. You can see what it produces on the bug catcher in this picture. But yours is better, seems of a finer texture. The wheels are great, totally real! CT

Hi Kerry! Well... Thanks, thanks & thanks! CT

Thank you Michel! Indeed, it does surprisingly well... Those parts were meant to be fused together! CT CT

Thanks Jay! CT

HI! More pics from the rear... CT

Hi Mike! Francis has been "whittling" at his fabulous cars for eons... And I've seen them in person, therefore, I can testify to his ability to make miracles out of many alloys. As aluminium goes, with the torque this monster will provide... Maybe T-56 grade would be appropriate? CT

Hi Alan! Thanks. But this "crazyness to greatness" routine that you expect from me... has me concerned: is-there a risk for my health if I keep repeating? Seriously, this Monogram kit is well engineered, and an OOB should be great. My copy had a crushed windshield frame (bought it at a flea market), so, that got me thinking. Also, the fender joints to the body and rear fender skirts are not molded as a regular recess (like a door cut-line), but rather protude from the surface. Strange, because in this era, I think they already got rid of the "fender welting" that was common on older cars. Go figure. Some sanding and molding required. Finally, the Camaro front and rear glass have the frosted border destined to be painted black on the OUTSIDE of the windows! Brush-paint flat for smoothness, and then dip in the pond of Future to bring some semblant of OEM. Look closely at the pix, and you'll see it leaves to be desired... CT

Hi Dave! Thank you. I agree with you: the guy with the largest parts bin wins! Seriously, I spend many hours whenever I bring home a new kit trying to see "what are the mash-up possibilities". And I sometimes get very surprised at the potential combinations. A dear modeling friend, Louis Labelle (who is a guy I look-up to for his talent and surgicallky clean builds) surprised me at one show when he gave me a Monogram 93 Z28 Camaro he won as a door prize... "I won't build this, see what you can do with it". It took a while, but ultimately, the powertrain ended-up in a Pro-Touring 61 Impala I just finished for a well know publisher, and the roof, mirrors, seats and dash in this Kustom. And I still have a chassis for a future project... I have my friend to thank for that! You never know... CT

Hi Anthony! Very well done. I feel I could have met this car on every street corner of my small town in the early 80's... CT

Thanks for the comments, Craig! CT Thanks Larry! CT

Hi Dave! Actually, I was surprised at first when I tried the Camaro greenhouse on the Lincoln... Almost a perfect fit. Who knew? But it called for a totally new interior. Thanks! CT

Hi Tom! Great car, totally realistic, bravo! How many guys got married, had kids, and had to store the week-end racer in a neighbour's barn? You nailed it... CT

Hi Francis! Wait... those are all grade 8 fasteners, right? With so much time involved so far, it would be foolish to go cheap on that... CT

Hi Tim! Wow, what a great stash of parts. And that Monogram TBird will be a great donor, it is a fantastic kit! I can't wait to see you underway! CT

Hi Mike! To your point about Garlits... I had the chance to meet him at the first Grand National ever held at the Sanair track in the Montreal area, back when I was 15 years old. He was working alone on his car, and I dared ask a few questions. I pointed to a spectacular Top Fuel that was pitting next to his, and evoqued all the candy paint, gold leaf and chrome plating on that car, finally asking: " Sir, you are the world champion... How come your car is so stern in comparison"? He laughed, cranked his blower pulley with a big ratchet handle, and looked at me with a stare I will never forget. "Kid, I'm not a flash, I'm a pro". That made my day. And of course, he swept the event, and the showboat dragster from NY did not go past the first round. Lesson learned! CT

Hi John! I'm a lifelong fan of LSR cars, having read a lot about that "discipline". Wow, your car is world class stuff, bravo! The renshape medium is ideal for that type of construction, and the details you threw in are impressive. By the way, I vote for the color combo in the top picture... Regards, CT

Hi Steve! Well, I think that quite to the contrary, you have more than enough "modeling skills", as this very build is proof. Keep on, it looks great! CT

Hi Oliver! Thanks. See my notes above as to the source of the guitar. Great collection by the way! CT

Thank you David! I'm certain Mr. Gibbons has plenty of creative rod builders showering him with proposals... Just add my fantasy to the list... CT

Thank you! CT