Claude Thibodeau

Hi! Thank you for the compliments, Jim. Your idea to vary medium is brilliant. The only apparent limitation of the salt method seems to be that the "melting" salt spreads on the "wetted" surface in a rather circular pattern, making every rust spot look vaguely similar to the next. I think you make a fair reading when you imply that different types of "matters" would lead to a even more realistic rust surface, just like you may find on, say, a typical barnfind. Can't wait to see pics of your next experiment with "mixed" rust sources. To me, it's like attenting a course in RUST 101 at the modeling school! CT

Hi! Yep, I drove trough your area a few years ago, to attend the Syracuse Nationals. Nice region! CT

Hi! Wow! This is world class! The stance, the finish, the underhood fit... Bravo! CT

Hi Ricky! Well, that's a good solution. Now, I will try to stuff this in my current building list... (6 cars at once). I'll report on it in due time. Stay tuned! CT

Hi! Super results! I've never used the "salt" method myself, but you just convinced me to try it on my next patina built. Very convincing! CT

I've built a real street rod with a Viper motor a few years ago myself... but I can't remember the shape of the combustion chambers on the heads! If anyone knows, enlighten us please! On a different subject Tom: where are you located in central NY? I've traveled your state extensively, so just curious... CT

Well... now I can tell that your venerable age doesn't make you any more reasonnable! Old guys rule, as they say... I know, because I'm not getting any younger myself... nor more reasonnable! CT

Oups... Your picture got me to verify in my decal box, and sure enough, I have this very decal sheet (it actually came with the kit, of course!). I now remember that I refrained from using it only because of the term HEMI. I was not sure the Viper engine qualified as Hemi... CT

Hi Sir! ...and, that is why the windows are down, the sound system is currently silent... and the exhaust exit sideways at the door sill. Your wish is my command! CT

Hi Tom! Thanks for the comments! I had a decal sheet with the "hemi" hockey-stick stripe... but alas, black and white only. I agree that a red one would add to the car. I'll be on the lookout for one, who knows? CT

Hi! I have Revelll's: Speedwagon and 32 5 window coupe... Do you think they are the same? If so, I could mail them to you friday... CT

Thank you Alan, much appreciated. Regarding the engine detailing, a few infos you might enjoy... The polished aluminium look was obtained with Alclad chrome, but over WHITE gloss enamel instead of the usual black base most prefer. It gives it a more realistic "milky" aluminium look, instead of actual chrome. The injector hat (and most everything else on the engine) is scratchbuilt. The tripple throat hat was done with leftover sprue sections, three short styrene tubes at the front, and a micro transversal half-round to mimick the butterflies axis shaft. The AN fittings are scratch built out of hexagonal styrene rod, drilled, scored (to mimick the two assembled sections), Alclad chromed & tinted with blue and red Tamya transparent acrylics. They are less refined than after-market real aluminium units, but dare I say, more "satisfying" for my builder's pride! The braided hoses of different sizes were done with soft aluminium wire (Home Depot), straightened and rolled on a hard surface with a medium grade metal file. The file ridges transfer to the soft wire. They are easy to make, cut, bend, and since light, glue easily in place with Testor's Clear Glass glue (to not mar the candy finish on the AN fittings). The headers are real chromed steel tubes, from the braid section at Michael's. I just shortened them a bit, and scratchbuilt a 4-hole connector plate to hold them mid-lenght. The ancillary acccessories (throttle cables, return springs,barrel valve, fuel distribution block and upper pulley starter anchor plate are all scratch built, as is the radiator & other surrounding accessories. Voilà! If you've got the parts and time... please, go at it yourself, you'll enjoy it! CT

Well... the bootleggers who distilled and carried Bourbon during the prohibition were doing so much money... They surely neede another delivery to go "lauder" their truckload of money, no? Both are related, in a way! CT

Hi Joseph! From a guy whose handle is Protouringjoe... It's a well felt compliment! Thanks! CT

Hi! Thanks for the comments. This red grille is divisive, I must admit. When I built the car, the SEMA show was flooded with dark cars, with a very bright contrasting (and coordinated) color for accents: wheels, interior, trim, etc. I resisted tinting the chrome wheels in the same shade of red... Good move? CT

Hi! FOMOCO decided to appeal to BMW's crowd... but the price point was too high for a car/brand that was not an "instant statement" of your taste/status, etc. Too bad, because it was a breeze to drive. And to the Scorpio... man, this thing flew! It looked like a hatchback Mercury Sable, therefore, impossible to sell at the premium they were asking. They even resorted to a "guaranteed trade value" to move the metal. You know how it ended... RIP. CT

Hi! Looking at the color of your fine beverage... I see where your pick of color for the Deuce came from! CT

Hi! Thanks for the comments. This Revell kit is INDEED a nice piece of styrene. The rest-mod or pro-touring spin is easy to accomplish. The only remnant of a bygone era is the steering system: a real pro-touring will switch to rack & pinion steering and 4WDB... CT

Hi! Thanks for the positive comments. That's wage for those long hours at the workbench... CT

Hi Sir! Nice car, and I agree: this IS a well-engineered kit! On a side note, with your nickname (Merkur XR4Ti), I can relate: I had 3 XR4, and one Scorpio. Great road cars! Nostalgia... CT

Hi! These peculiar decals (Laund E ry) indeed come from the Vantastic van derived from the Boyd Smoothster rod. I think Linberg reissued the old Testor's kit. CT

Hi! Stance is absolutely perfect. What is the color and paint brand exactly? Looks good! CT

Hi! Both are really good "period" pieces. Feels like refugees from HopUp Magazine! CT

Bonjour Philippe! C'est du 1/25. CT

Hi Bernard! Thanks for the comments. Is that car you mentionned visible on this forum? If so, please show me where: I'm interested! I've seen much of your work in various publications, and I was always impressed. And don't worry: more is already under completion on my bench: a 32 Lakester, a pro-touring Jag XK-120, a Harley chopper, an extensively modified Foose F100, and a 65 Bonneville custom. Got to get back to the bench... CT