Claude Thibodeau

Hi Alan! Thanks for the comments. It looks like that PU in your picture is about to serve some refreshment on tap. Don't drink and drive? Hmmmm..... My exhaust pipes are long sprues, drilled at the end just passed the bend. The shields were made with sections of a Ford Taurus rear shelf speaker's bezels, wrapped around a 1/1 brake line tube for radius. They are stiff to bend, but the pattern felt in scale for the intended purpose. The clear "cases" over the counters were made out of recording cassettes boxes! Memorex had a variety that had slightly rounded corners, and they reproduced the typical food store rounded counters fairly well. I kept those for years, not knowing what I would do with them... but now you know! How come people seem to be driving on the wrong side of the road in your pictures? Just kidding... CT

Hi Tim! The colorizing of Hot Rod front page was indeed frequent, you are perfectly right. The real thing you are showing in your pictures, on the other hand, show the effect of time, that slight dullish surface old cars rebuilders know so well. One can only imagine how the parts looked when they came out of the box, back then... Keep on! CT

Hi Ray! Sweet roadster, bravo! I specially love the hues of the seat inserts. What is-it exactly? CT

Thank you Craig. Im flattered! CT

Thank you Chris! CT

Thank you so much, Barry! CT

Hi Dominik! Let's pretend it's "nouvelle cuisine"... sort of... CT

Thank you James! CT

Hi Russell! But, they have to be slim to slide trough the opening. Not certain they can eat much pizza... CT

Thank you JT! I'll keep a note to build somethink else in this color... I like it too. CT

Thank you Ron. Much appreciated! CT

Hi! That Evergreen pack, for 99 cents? Can't beat that! CT

Hi! So, let's see...every time you roam flea market tables to find interesting OOP kits, actual savings , divided by the time spent , make for a great return, no? CT

Hi! My LHS carries a vast array of supplies, so just like you, I support it as much as I can. However, the new kits prices are unreal: some new releases of old AMT's very basic kits, for example the 71 Bird of paradise TBird, fetch 52$ Canadian. The owner explained that the "new" Revell has a policy forcing LHS to buy 10 units minimum at once (ten) for any kit they want. So much money is frozen there that he clains he has to pass overhead to customers... on every unit, regardless it's a Revell or not. How high can you go before your nose bleeds? CT

Indeed! CT

Hi Jim! In Canada, Michael's has a 30% on-line discount every single day, that you can get simply by evoquing it to the cashier. No need to show any paper coupon. The 60% is also among their policy, but mostly around mid-december to mid-january. To clear excess inventory around the holidays, I guess. That means kits for around 13$ Canadian, which is a good deal! CT

Hi Tom! Well,. it has to be the most extensive collection of custom early Rancheros under one roof in the free world. Interesting. ct

Coming your way, Mister! You may find the crust to be a bit rubbery, though... CT

Hi! We don't enjoy HL in Canada, to my knowledge, at least certainly not in the province of Quebec. My last shopping at HL took place in Glenn Falls, NY, 2 years ago. They had a limited selection of kits (mostly Revell's), but mucho accessories (sanding and polishing pads, airbrush accessories, etc.). I have two Michael's stores within 10 minutes of my home, and their coupon policy can be very advantageous if you play it well. Their selection of kits (mostly Revell's) is limited in scope, and they lag behind as far of shelving new releases, in my experience. The whole Testor's One coat /Extreme lacquer displays were clearanced, and even yesterday, no news as to what will replace them. I would bet a buck on Revell's new paint line, judging from their domination of the kit section... CT

Hi Fabrizio! This is a very basic, but mostly, very OLD kit. It dates back eons. The flash is no-doubt a consequence of old molds, polished many times, who don't "close" on each-other ass well as they used to. I bought one a few years ago, noted the same flaws you mention, and ultimately used the box only to mash-up a "Nova-mino". The jury is still out as to what to do with the remnant parts, alas... CT

Thank you Dan! Speaking of pick, what will it be: veggie or all-dressed? Both are still avail under the warming light... CT

Hi Tim! Masterfull work, bravo! If I remember the old cover shot from Hot Rod in 1970, those carbs had a "cast bronze" tint, like many carbs of the day. If so, will you leave them as is, or do you have a secret trick up your sleeve? Just curious. Keep up the fantastic work! CT

Thank you Nigel! That's the beauty of scale modeling, isn't-it? You can explore and create with infinitely less ressources and $ than in real life. Priceless. For all the rest, we have a credit card... CT

Thank you Anton! CT

Hi Francis! Thanks for the humour. As for reducing my pace, I'm afraid I'm doing just that these days. I have 4 builds on the bench, almost finished, but almost is the key word. Gotta spend some time polishing paint before final assembly on two of them. Tomorrow? They say it's gonna be a warm day, so we'll see... Since you are my friend, I would not dare recommend a "slice of my brain". Might be hazardous to your mental health. Model on! CT