I have experienced this as well with raised white letter tires. Really really old white enamel EVENTUALLY solidifies.
(I have since moved on to white Gelly Roll ink pens)
I recently built an AMT 68 Shelby. The engine compartment is totally lame. I grafted in the engine bay from an AMT 67 GT fastback. It worked out fairly well.
I live in Salem and never even heard that it was here until recently. (I still do not know where it is).
The orange; 71 Hemi Challenger was owned by my cousin's brother-in-law way back in the 80's. I was at his house and he had it stashed in his drive-in basement. It sticks out in my mind because he said it was the only Orange Hemi Challenger with a factory sunroof. He sold it because someone offered him $98,000 for it which was STUPID money back in 1989.
I am grateful that Round 2 is doing what it does good or bad. If they hadn't, filling my closet with kits would be quite an expensive proposition. If they have a subject I want, I will get it. Price matters sometimes other times it doesn't.
I really like the custom touches. Especially the hood. I like the two tone idea but I am partial since I own a 1:1 that is two tone. May I suggest metallic brandy wine and metallic gold.
My go to is Para-film. It has no texture and can be left on for years. It also is good for masking over things like panel lines. It can also be pushed around a bit after it is laid.
Cool project. I like all the unique features you have combined. I am curious as to what trailer and load you have in mind. Likely something warranting heavy haul capabilities that works with the limited reach of the crane. Maybe something you could fabricate like a tower crane section or wrecking balls.