Claude Thibodeau

Hi Valeri! Great work. I'm very impressed by the treatment of the wood surfaces. Bravo! CT

Hi Tom! Thank you for your remarks. I guess that peril explains why those doors are mostly used on so-called "tuner cars", the domain of predominantly young and agile drivers? CT

Hi Oliver! Thank you for the comments. Truth be told, I'm not either... Regular hinges were impractical, because the rear engine compartment required a sorter cabin (moving the seats forward a smidge), and the front door jamb would have intruded too much in the footwell... And suicide doors hidden hinges interfered with the headers and turbo pipes set-up. So, it was either no opening doors, or scissor type. My decision allowed me to show more of the interior details, ultimately, since both doors are operational. CT

Hi Chris! Thank you for the humour. To your point, ever noticed that the sci-fi movies always fail to mention the AGE of the invaders? Probably old guys like me. That may explain their machinery, eh? Who knows... CT

Thank you Wayne! I had this Charger for years, and I was always looking for something different to do with it. I was certainly inspired by a model our fellow modelist Kerry Ingram (a.k.a. Dr Kerry) had done many moons ago: a Charger with a narrowed "cockpit" roof, and a "passenger-seat" mounted engine. Kerry was kind enough to share some pictures about it, and away I went... If my model can spark just half as-much interest as his did back then, it will be flattering! CT

Hi Carl! Thank you so much. CT

Hi Gary! From such a formidable painter, it is humbling praise. Thank you Sir. CT

Hi Steve! This is a notoriously finnicky body/top kit... Your top job looks super. Keep on! CT

Merci Philippe! CT

Hi Michelle! Not, not really. I used black wash to highlight the grille motifs, and some red ink on the R/T badge, but that's it. The real action is at the back of the grille, where I glued the hidden hinge system to the grille itself. The hood and grille were then glued in place as a unit. Took more time, but allows for a smooth projection of the hood when opened. CT

Anytime Sir! CT

Hi Larry! Thank you sir... We trive to keep them cool...

Hi Nigel! Thank you, happy you enjoy it! CT

Hi Kurt! Thank you. The structure of the door has a tube that enters and slide under de dash. You first pull it out, and then swing it up, out of the way. I looked at the Revell Uptown Chrysler 300 kit's pivot mechanism, but it was too bulky, and would have left a gaping hole at the front of the door jamb. So, I duplicated a system that I once used on a 1/1 car to do just as on this charger, powered by an electric actuator. Of course, the Charger unit is "finger powered"... CT

Hi Keith! Thanks. Actually, i agonized a long time over the best location for the cut lines, because the roof of the 68 Charger is so nice... I left the B-pillar as a whole, 'cause any cut-line trough it would have looked weird, viewed from the side in particular... CT

Hi Michelle! Thank you. I know your car building is slowed by the winter weather, but keep at it! CT

Hi Jason. Thanks. It was indeed a long job. But it is finally on four wheels... CT

Thank you Craig. Much appreciated. CT

Hi Mike! Well, those cells are supposed to be puncture free, so have a go at it! CT

Hi Erik! Thanks. Whenever possible, indeed, I try to "keep it simple". CT

Thank you Martin! The front section of the floor, the Charger part, needed much surgery to "flow" with the theme. I'm happy with the final look of it. CT

Hi Steve! Thank you for the comment, and the insight. CT

Hi David! Thank you. I know those are part of the "ground effect" they use on F1 cars, but neither do I know the exact term for it. But at least, this Chrager will put it to good use, I hope... CT

Thank you Ray! CT

Hi! The big 68 Charger is seen once in a while in Pro-Touring guise, so, to make it more unique, why not move an SRT late Hemi in the back, throw in IRS and twin turbos, scissor dors, an opening roof/hatch? Based on Revell's 68 R/T, with 06 Dodge Magnum Hemi, and AMT's Jag XK 220 transaxle, IRS, floor pan, and a host of scratchbuilt systems, hinges, cabin, etc. (too many to mention).Finished in Tamya's Silver leaf (VERY hard to shoot to my satisfaction...) with TS-13 clear, fully polished. Rolling stock from my parts box (Corvette?). Hours of fun with styrene! Enjoy. CT