Claude Thibodeau

Hi Mike! Elapsed Time was a gold mine of references for those of us who replicated older race cars. Having been in the media biz all of my professionnal life, I saw that it was a "low cost-high return" approach to recycle years of photo archives from Hot-Rod & al. albeit very interesting Even at that, it lasted only a couple of years. I cherish my copies, and frequently refer to them for research. In the age of 3D printing and technology, colateral damage to the publishing industry appears to be terminal, I'm afraid... CT

Hi! I buy the Rodders'Journal at my local newstand at every issue. Unique product, very focused editorial policy, masterful writing and photography. And lately, they returned to printing in USA. The only reason I don't SUBSCRIBE is the long delay to get most publications trough mail, which is frustrating to say the least. I remember dropping at their offices in south San-Francisco many years ago. They were located close to the airport, in an industrial park. I think they were sharing a building with a header company, or was-it Roy Brizio street-rod? That's the price of getting older, isn't it? You forget stuff. Anyway, I wish them a long and fruitful continuity. Reading their fine publication is good for the soul. CT

Hi Ron! Thanks for the comments. Your point is well taken. I must say, however, that I've seen some fairly expensive wings on some regionnal race cars (north-east). Maybe the wings are then simply too heavy, and slow down these cars, therefore stopping their raise to higher "planes" (pun intended)?. Who knows... I'm currently finishing a totally scratchbuilt streamlined 32 Ford Bonneville car, and you will be happy to see a slightly more discreet wing of the same design on it. More pix whwn said car is completed (a month or so, I hope!) CT

Hi Eric! Well, I'm certain that wherever he is right now, Mr. Roth is watching with a smile on his face. And so am-I! CT

Hi! We here in the Great White North have seen many extraordinary builts by Francis over the years, but I, for one, always felt that his masterful work was, alas, a "well kept local secret", and would be deserving of a broader "platform"!. I am proud to see that Francis now shares his passion with the participants of a forum that reaches far and away, to many passionnate scale builders. In the end, isn't it the point: that we share our passion and stimulate each other to aim higher? Fun with styrene (and some other machined parts as well!). CT

Hi Francis! Now I get it: You were a watchmaker in a previous life! It explains everything... CT

Hi again! The iteration of your kit issued in the "Street Rod" themed series has a roll-pan (with licence indentation) in the list of "custom options". It also features chromed bumberettes, or abbreviated split bumpers. Might interest you. I just used it, and it fit the body surprisingly well... CT

Hi Jim! When I returned to the hobby in 2014, I built a car using Tamiya putty, non-catalized. Since it hardens by evaporation, I was not on top of the curing and waiting game that ensued. Since I built real hot-rods for customers for a living, I immediately switched to catalized putty. In my great Wisdom (!), I was convinced that I was in the clear. Alas, as described above, it was without accounting for the glue drying (or more truthfully "evaporation"). Now, I've got my lesson! CT

Hi! Interesting progress on you project! To your point about Bondo "shrinkage", allow me to expose my personnal experience. If you are using CATALIZED bondo (with hardener), the shrinkage phenomenon is almost non-existent, provided you use a "serious" pro stuff. I do, and I also experienced some "after-effect" on a severely mashed-up car, namely the blue 49 Ford featured prior on your thread. I too felt it was BONDO shrinkage. But upon making the repair, I could verify that it was actually the styrene substrate, in the "joint", that was still soft. Obviously, the plastic glue was not fully evaporated. Lesson learned! Now, when I conduct extensive bodywork/mashing/cutting and joining of parts... I use exclusively "Super Glue Gel", with an accellerant. Even on severely cut-up cars, with extensively rubbed paints, never a trace of the joint telegraphing tru the finish. Same substrate (styrene), same putty, primer & paints. but NO styrene (acetone based) glue anymore. I'm no chemistry expert... but I sure solved that damning problem that plagued some of my projects. My two cents, for what it's worth... CT

Hi! Just curious: did-you keep working on your Salt-Shaker car? CT

Hi! Thanks for the comments! I'm always impressed by the passionnate modelers who populate this forum, even more so when I pay attention to your countries of origin... Wow, this is really the United Nations of Styrene! Model-on in 2020! CT

Hi! Very unique project. These kits are rare and difficult to get. And if you find one, a second loan on the home is ofen needed $$$. Your shaded paint job is very nice. And to say that back then, when the car came out, journalists critiqued that it was just a "carry-over" of the previous design, barring the fins. Notheless, I find it very appealing! CT

Hi! If you look for the word "vintage" in the Webster, that may be the picture that goes with it. Nice! I like the way your windows are "half raised". Makes it look even more real... CT

Hi Paul! Don't forget that for a beginner, painting is one of the most demanding step, if only because time and patience are involved. Many steps, strict preparation, cleanliness, without saying that... anything could happen and mar the final result! Your daughter shows extraordinary dispositions, obviously. She'll settle into her own rythm, you'll see! Keep modeling together, I envy you, since my daughters never showed any real interest in scale modeling! All the best! CT

Hi Oliver! Thanks for the compliments. Happy new year to you, and much styrene in 2020! CT

Hi! I had an 85 Turbo Coupe. Great car, if a bit on the choppy side suspension wise. But the 2.3 turbo pulled as well as the V8 garden variety Mustangs of the day. Then, I traded for an 87 Merkur XR4Ti: Wow: same punch, lighter car, and IRS! Loved it so much, I had 3 of those in a row, and bought back the first one from a friend who got my trade from the dealer a few years before. They lacked rear disc brakes, however. Nostalgia. Keep on your great build. Here's the Iaconio 85 Tbird Pro-Stock with the Monogram platform/interior and grafted quarter panels to transform it into a "street car". Boss 429 thrown in, for good measure... CT

Hi! You are right, it HAS an effect. Visible impact. I'll keep you posted on my upcoming "experiment". Who knows... I'm finishing a food truck (mobile pizza parlor !?! ... I know, strange, but it's for the theme of an upcoming contest...), so I will need to simulate cooking surfaces. Hope it works! CT

Hi! Yhank you for the infos. I can see why I never heard about this fine product. In the same line of thought, I will try your technique, but with dry pearl powder in silver variety. I bought a 12 colour selection at Michael's, here in Canada. It's made by Jacquar products, out of California. I had great results mixing these pearl powders in clear or other paints for application via air brush. I wonder what would be the effect if I "rubbed" them on a silver or light gunmetal base coat? I'll keep you posted if the results are nearly as convincing as yours. Who knows. As Einstein liked to say: "Progress is born of chaos"... Or was it Stephen Hawkins? CT

Hi Francis! Your cut-line gives new meaning to the expression "hairline joint"... Impressive. The plastic laminate to create the sidewall "spear" is a very good idea. I knew I would learns a lot on this thread! CT

Hi Bernard! Thank you for the link to your previous post. Very interesting. I find the PU cab VERY convincing. Bravo! Now: I'm lost as to that "Kosutte Gin Sang" powder... Where would I find that, never even read about it! I remember the old Metalizers paints (RIP)... taken off the market because of concerns with the lead they contained. But Kosutte? Please explain further if you will. Many thanks! CT

Hi! Your bare-metal 32 puzzles me... Is-it an application of Bare Metal Foil, or do you have a secret technique to get that finish... Just curious... CT

Hi! Great production. Your paint finishing is absolutely world-class! Bravo. I had one of those 1/1 black stepside PU in black... and it was not as shiny as your model. It says it all... CT

Sir, this is world class quality! No surprise your family models found their way in magazines since so long. A good teacher, and good students. Bravo! CT

Ah-Ha! Now it definitely runs in the family! Great that you pass it on to your daughter. I was in custom painting on choppers, vans and customs since the 60's, and I LOVE HOK products... That passion pearl was a big hit in the 90's: couldn't stop shooting it! Here's just one old archive photo... Keep on! CT

Hi! Superb execution! I have to ask: are you related to the Mattox Gentleman who had a tangerine 62 TBird on the cover of a well known magazine. If so... great painting skills run in the family, obviously! CT