Claude Thibodeau

Hi! World class paint and details. Bravo! CT

Hi! Just to add to the vacuum cleanerbelt idea... The smallest cog belts I've seen came from VHS cart machines. But still a tad too big for 1/24, as indicated above. CT

Hi! One item that may do is a cheap latex party balloon, available in black at the Dollar store. You take sharp scissors, and cut a 1/16" wide section of the "neck" of said balloon. Since it is thin, rubbery, black, and stretchable, you can then wrap it around your upper and lower pulleys. Granted there is no cogs on the inner side of this "belt", but the very thin "rubber" is in scale to a 1/24 or 1/25 engine. For what it costs, you may try it... CT

Hi Francis! A great designer once said that upon modifying a classic, one has to show restraint... so that onlookers will KNOW something has been modified... but can't say WHAT... It would be the measure of success. Well, this scratch-build body will be so "credible", that many won't be able to see all the marvels it features. And THAT, my friend, is the signature of a Maestro. Keep on. I can.t wait to see the thing in "the flesh"... or should we say "in the styrene". CT PS: The RAM show is coming... Hope we can drive there again this year with a few friends like we did last year. We need to organize this!

Hi! I'm impressed by your very classy interior, of all things. Bravo! CT

Hi! Thank you for the clear infos. Much appreciated! Since you say this particular car was NOT polished, I can see the "natural" gloss of this clear is very good. It reminds me of what you get from House of Kolor Show Clear, a 2-part catalized urethane you may be familiar with. It flows superbly, but once dried hard, is difficult to polish on a styrene car body without causing some damage to the body. That is why I might try your Minwax. I wondered about the type and number of coats you apllied, since I could see a smidge of "peel" in the reflexion on the passenger side running borad. This usually happen when you obtain very high gloss at application from heavy wet coats. Super nice then... but once evaporated and dried, the clear then gets a fair share of orange peel. Nothing a good rubbing won't dispose of, but some work nonetheless! Regards, CT

Hi! Very nice result. Classy looking, and the detailing is great. About your Minwax clear: how many coats would you say you used? Medium or heavy? Via your air-brush, or is-it a spray-can? Just curious... CT

Hi! Very kind of you. Please, keep us posted once it is available. Regards, CT

Hi! I built fantasy Bonneville cars (streamliners or modified), so your engine as-is would be perfect for a mid-ship mount on a looooong liner I'm building. The planned powertrain was Ferrari California's by Revell (with mods, of course). But I would gladly change course and install a copy of your Boss engine as-is... What do you say? CT

Hi! Oh, the wonder of 3D printing. Your programming skills are up with the best, Sir. Bravo! Would-you consider selling copies of this very engine in 1/24? I can think of a couple of my projects where it would fit perfectly... CT

Hi! Very creative, well detailed, and with unusual rear transaxle! The front blower set-up looks similar to the alternate version in the re-issue of the Cosmic Charger kit from a couple of years ago, barring the intahe horns... But I guess it is a modified Parts Pack refugee? Yours seats and belts are world class. Bravo! CT

Hi James! I allow myself in your conversation with Francis, because I think you might find what you search (sportsman tires) in the Revell Matt & Debbie Hayes 87 TBird Pro-Street. The rear tires are the size of Pro Stock slicks, but are STREET tires. Voilà! CT

Hi! You are perfectly right it WAS a "formal roof", not a fastback like yours. However, whatever the type, these 72 Torinos are rare and far in between. That's why I mentionned the magazine car. Besides, I had a 72 Ranchero in the mid 70's. So, I have a soft spot for these cars... CT

Hi Francis! Great work! But I'm curious: what exactly is the gear ratio? Just trying to figure if it's gonna be hard on the gas... CT

Hi! Great mash-up! The defunct "Fast Mustangs & Fords" magazine featured a 1/1 satin black 72 Torino that looked a bit like yours, years ago. You nailed it! Bravo! CT

Hi! The stance is absolutely perfect, bravo! Did you wire the spark plugs in a dark colour of wire, or is-it just me not seeing it? Just curious... CT

Hi! I moved away from any plastic type of containers/stands, because under certain weather conditions or humidity ratio, they will conduct electricity, and static then pulls-in all the dust floating around. Wine bottles (glass) with long necks and twist caps (not cork) are ideal: a looped piece of duct tape holds the undersdide of bodies/parts solidly, the glass creates no static charge due to air friction against the styrene body (even when using Tamya's lacquers), and their weight makes them very stable. I usually store the bottles and painted parts under a wooden shelf during drying time. The long bottles put the bodies just under the shelf, which means virtually no dust will settle on the wet paint during curing time. Good luck with your projects!

Hi! If you aim to do a good volume of work with your AB, you might want a DUAL ACTION, like a Badger or other good brand. A bit more money upfront, but much more versatile once you get the learning curve behind you! Brand names AB usually have a good service network if you need parts/maintenance later. Many cheap auto-parts compressors for airbrush have no air tank! It means they start every time you pull the trigger... And odd paint speckles will occur at the beginning and end of every stroke. Not good with metallic or candy paints! I bought my first AB spending more than I had expected. I saved on the compressor for 2 years, using a junk truck tire and wheel bought dirt cheap at a scrap yard, and a small brass adapter to screw on the tire valve to connect the air hose of my AB. It took 50 lbs of air at the gas station air pump, and since it was a big truck tire, it had enough air inside to last for a couple of car bodies. Empty? Back to the gas station for a free refill. That's how I saved the money to buy a better AB, and put money aside over 2 years to finally buy a good compressor at a later date. Even I couldn't tell which car was painted with the "truck tire" versus the later regular compressor! Have fun with styrene! CT

Hi! Interesting project! I used the same 65 Chevy roof on a 70 Monte-Carlo, to recreate a Nomad concept penned by the great Steve Stanford. That roof is a good basis for adaptation on many mid-size cars. Keep going! CT

Hi Mr. Boyd! Your winning car was very advanced for the times. No surprise it won back then. And your resto job is world class. Come to think of it: If Barrret-Jackson can run auctions for mega $ restored seminal cars of the past... why not do it for notable models? The old guys out there (of which I must confess I am!) would gladly unfold some money for those prized icons. Just the sight of the cover of Model Car 1970 brought me back to my teens... Nostalgia: Priceless! For the rest, we all have credit cards, don't we? Regards, CT

Hi Sir! A stunning demonstration that great chefs can do world-class cuisine from leftovers... Bravo! Another of your stunning creations. Please, keep them coming, it's an inspiration! CT

Hi Eric! Thanks for the tutorial, it is much appreciated. On a side note... your scale building is VERY creative... and your 1/1 work is truly World Class. Keep on with both! Regards, CT

Hi! Very creative "monocoque" construction! What exactly is your plotter and structural material? Just curious... CT

Hi! Very nice mash-up. Creative! Do you plan to scribe a line in the side of the cowl, like on a model A, at the junction of the gas tank and side of cowl? Usually, this very line was the extension of the hood-side top edge... That would make this very car look longer. CT

Hi Ray! Well... you certainly cleared any "uncertainty" regarding your ability to build a body! Brings back the 60's! CT