Claude Thibodeau

Hi Kerry! Great work, the rake is absolutely perfect for a salt car. Impressive! Keep going... Just a quick question: any relation to the famous late disc-jockey Dan Ingram? He was my idol when I was aspiring to make a living in radio, back in the 60's... Just curious... CT

Thanks for the infos. Now I can sleep well, knowing that you have not developped a miniature mandrel bend fixture... That would have made me jealous! CT

Hi! But wait... is it me, or is the rear diff seal dripping on the bench? See picture 9.... Hope it leaks a sugary beverage! CT

Hi! Great workmanship. Bravo! But what gets me smiling is the rubber cap on the water-pump. Just like any respectable fabricator would use while an engine is around a milling machine, just to be prudent... CT

Wow! Masterfull work, really!. Of what type of material are the 8 curved intake tube made of? Just curious to increase my knowledge... Thanks! CT

Hi! Superb work, really! Being a child of the 50's, I built my share of those "goofy" show rods, back then. You are right: they WERE spindly and difficult to finish properly. Yours is a fine example! Bravo! CT

Hi! I saw the real 1/1 car race many moons ago... and you nailed it! Bravo! CT

Hi! Imaginative use of your parts. Just in case you wonder, you may clean up the stuck tire rubber on the lower quarter panel with WD40. It works! CT

Hi! Very nice car, with lotsa details! The stance is right-on. Bravo! CT

Well, keep safe! CT

Hi Kerry! What a great project. I'm also a fan of Bonnie cars, and yours is already very detailed. I bought 2 copies of this body from Flintstone a few years ago, with the intent to modify them to obtain an Alloway Speedstar, since the proportions are ok. But your work gives me second thoughts, and I may lean again toward a salt car... However, my copies were VERY thick in the side walls, due to the molding process, I guess. Did you face this problem, and did-you grind them down? Just curious... CT

Hi! Great execution, but above all, good taste in the colors, finishes and various components. Bravo! CT

Hi Mike! On the notion of "simplicity"... That is exactly why my favorite scratchbuilt subject is Bonneville cars. Devoid of body jewelry, excess weight, down to the ground, as slippery as can be: the essence of "less is best"! A friend who happens to be a very well known french singer once admitted to me: "writing songs is easy... it's getting rid of all the superfluous notes and lyrics that's so hard". He should know, since he enjoys world wide fame, and with every new album, he strives to be more and more "minimalist", to great effects. Amen! CT

Salut! Thanks for the infos. You made the best of your circumstances, bravo! I could have bet it was the "real" color... CT

Hi! Great, masterfull work, bravo! I always felt that quality work is good for the soul of the onlooker. Needless to say, I fell good looking at the delicious "simplicity" of a FED design. Your rendition is world-class, for sure. CT

Hi! Great built, as usual! The setting is also world-class, bravo! Just curious: what is the paint used? It looks like the "sandalwood" shade that was popular back then... CT

WoW! That is litterally importing fighter plane technology in a car! Just as was the obsession of the big three back then. The spirit of Harley Earl lives on! CT

Hi! Good idea! I had one of those Fieros when the car came out. Fun car, but the anemic "iron duke" 4 cyl. was the weak link. Your swap gets rid of the problem! CT

Hi Kyle! Hope you are dooing OK trough this pandemy? I was ondering if you finally shoehorned an engine in the delivery? I'm building a lowboy 36 Ford currently, and the chassis I'm using is the same as yours, with many modifications however. That's when I recalled your project. Just curious... CT

Hi Paul! Hope all is well for you in California even with this lockdown caused by the virus... I was reading an old issue of SAE with a cup of joe at noon, and I saw a mention of one of your winning models in a report about the NNL West! The isue was from circa 99, and the model was referred to (no picture, alas) as a 57 Chevy if I remember well. Goes to show that your talent was already well recognized by your peers even at the turn of the century! Talk about lifelong dedication! All the best to you and your loved ones! CT

Hi! A great MASTER at work. Thank you for the lesson! CT

Hi! Thanks for the answer... I guess it means that even if there is a "JR" at the end of your name, you are not a young pup, and have been at it for a while... Like I suspect most of us old guys! Great to see that you still have the passion for fine modeling. Wish you many more years of fun with styrene! Regards, CT

Hi! Just curious... are you the Guy who had a great Keeling & Clayton T/F in an old ('94?) issue of SAE Contest car? The caption mentionned that if so, you were then a resident of the "east coast"... Regards, CT

Hi! Perfect blend... It looks like it came out of the Rodder's Journal! Even the colour "dates" it in an appropriate manner. Bravo! CT PS: I LOVE those American front "spoke" wheels. I'll dig out the copy of the AMT kit in my stash to verify if they are included. Thanks!

Hi Sir! Thanks for posting those pics. Very inspirational! It's been a while since I made it to the big Detroit show, but your report covered all the bases. Regards, CT