FASTBACK340

My I indulge with a true story about my Wife? When I first met Amy in `01 she learned about my hobbies: me restoring the `Cuda, I played Bass in a band, and I built models. When she found out I had a few cars published in magazines from various shows, she wanted me to build her a car for the magazines. I stopped her right there and told her it wasn't that easy. First I had to build something that would be of interest and built well. Then if I was lucky enough to be photographed at a show, I had to make it into the pile of candidates that might be considered. Then I reminded her that huge shows such as NNL East usually received at best 25 cars published out of over a 1,000 cars in attendance. I tried to paint a realistic picture that it wasn't THAT easy to get a car published. She wanted me to build a car for her anyway, so with that understanding it most likely wouldn't be published I built a car exactly to her specifics. Amy wanted a blue VW Beetle with wheels & color she picked. My Wife is an avid skier, so I scratch-built a rack w/ skies & poles mounted on the back. I finished it and brought it to NNL East that the theme was Life's a beach... Life's a drag. I had made a simple display saying Ops! Wrong season! with a small figurine of a girl on skies next to the VW. Fast forward to me standing in line to have it photographed and Amy's all excited that it's going in the magazine. I try and talk her down and reminder her it's still a roll of the dice. Fast-forward again a few months later to me getting an e-mail from my friend Rich Manson congratulating me on being in the latest issue of Model Cars Magazine with Amy's blue VW..... A few years ago we went to NNL East and Gregg was there. She surprised him by walking up to him, un-introduced, and kissed him and thanked him for putting "her" VW in the magazine. Yeah... she's cool with my hobby. Unknowingly, Gregg was instrumental with that. True story!

Way-cool builds. I saw a 1/6 replica of the original 1886 Benz three wheeler years ago and was amazed at the humble beginnings the automobile grew from. Cool little projects! Check out this link for Sears cars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allstate_%28automobile%29

Wow... mucho appreciated with the updates! I love watching an epic build go together!

OK... this is thread #3 I'm going to be a pest about. First Randy & his Rat Rod. Then Eric and that `64 Dodge... now Rommel. The scratch building on the frame is inspirational! I built a motorcycle frame from brass once and thought THAT was a challenge! You guys are amazing.......... I can't wait for further updates to see your Daytona done. Awesome workmanship! Now let's take up a collection for Rommel's new soldering gun....

I just gave it to Randy, now it's your turn What's up with that Dodge? I'm a Mopar guy from way-back and this build has my attention BIG TIME. Fantastic workmanship. I can't wait to see current updates and, ultimately, it finished.

HEY! It's been almost two weeks!! Ya got us hanging on.....

Now, before we're reminded we're straying off topic.... I found another old build from a million years ago with a 6 cylinder I have to dig this out & re-shoot it. It's a Heller BMW Dixie with a 392 Hemi cut down to a V-6

Is it a `71? Those cars are bulletproof. Besides my Barracuda and the Wife's GTI, we also have a `74 Dart Swinger we use as a beater. Slant 6/ auto/power steering. I left this car buried under 9' of snow for 3 months. I waited until I could open the door, hit the gas 3 times, and the SOB fired right up. I have customer's that can't leave their new Infiniti's for 3 WEEKS without it going dead!

Another stunning build. Nice work David! BTW: I see your from York. Are you a member of the CPMCC, and have we met? I was a member for years when I lived in Ephrata and am still in contact with the crew, occasionally dropping in when I'm out that way visiting.

DUDE. That paint is %$#@#$% BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome build my friend... you pushed my buttons!!!

I DO have a few of Ross's resin 340 6 BBl. motors waiting for my replica. I also have a few annuals to hack on....

And yes, that car had a good-mojo vibe about it. It's ALL THERE... but scruffy. Just a "little" rust... dulled-metallic paint....some bumps & bruises...and a really nice interior. I'll photograph it more the next time. He's a member of Long Island Mopars too. I'm sure I'll see him again. Not to taunt, but you should have heard it....

Does a large scale one count? The automotive version of an under-the-table swap meet find.... I'm going to need a HUGE tank of Super Clean to strip this sucka! Just a bit of re-finishing required It didn't fit in my spray booth.... I had to use a bigger one Tuck a few ponies under the hood Fast-forward to many lost weekends, self denial of anything but feeding the car, and a few late nights and here she is One of these days I'll build the replica, which *should* go quicker. And cheaper.

Look what I found! Not the best shot, but it was all I could get!

Of course not! It was a Gold 2 dr. post w/ body colored steel wheels with serious rubber. It had rust coming through the wheel lips & the paint was shot, but the patina was impeccable! Too bad I'm an ^%$#$%^* and never photographed it. If I can get a shot from friends that were there, I'll post it. It really was a sweet old car with all the update money divided between 6 cylinders...

Speaking of 6 cylinder powered cars..... Sorry for the semi-hijack here, but I attended a cruise yesterday and this rolled in. It's a Grand Ma fresh `68 Dart 2 dr. post that sounded like it had a healthy V-8 in it. Then he popped the hood:

Dude, that folded up @ 30 MPH!?!?! And NO AIR BAGS? Wow.... have you spoken with Hyundai about that?

Yeah, Randy is blowing EVERYONE away with his skills. Sorry to be a pest with these nudges, but the anticipation of seeing updates is too much! Don't know if you realize it, but your building a modeling benchmark. This is reference-quality building. A scale Chip Foose or Steve Strope if you will.....Great work!

That's why I'll be the resident PITA reminding these talented builders people ARE watching and waiting for updates!

Ok, first I gave it Eric over his beautiful `64 Dodge, now you Randy. Hows the progress on that amazing build? Hope you guys don't get spring fever and leave us hanging until Fall!

Wow... smoking good build so far and I'm sure the rest will be as cool. But when will we see more? You got us on the hook.....and we're wiggling.

I'm almost embarrassed to post 10 yr. old builds, but I still haven't gotten my hobby room together yet. So until I get back in the saddle, here's proof that I do / did build models at one time! This is the Monogram kit w/ a Tamiya 4.2 liter Jaguar straight six. This is the Lindberg kit w/ a set of R & M co. resin Webers.

That's incredible! Great photography of a beautiful Bike. Color, scratch building, assembly.... Beautiful.....simply beautiful!

Now your going to "heat & beat" some brass and make a roof...... Watch for my mass sell-off on e-Bay as I start my die-cast collection. Amazing....

Wait a minute.... this is a rattle can job? Wow..... beautiful! Let's see it finished!