FASTBACK340

I know it's been a few days since an update but busy doesn't start to explain things. NNL East is 7 days away. My Woody needs some love (no snide remarks here....) and more than likely you'll all see me panic and unravel trying to get this thing finished. Entertainment promised.... More to come......

I just recently started my second build in about 8 yrs. But yet every year at NNL East alone I'll drop money and drag stuff home. Now that I'm building I'll probably step it up some. On a related note: I found SIX Ross Gibson resin Mopar engines scattered in 3 different places. $20-odd a pop and I lost 6 of 'em.....

X2 Great job! Looking forward to seeing these builds next week. I just got back from my LHS with some metalizer...... time to get to wotk :8

Oh, and as for the model buying it's normal. It gets to the point where you'll find a kit one day stashed away and you'll ask yourself "What the heck was I thinking when I bought THIS!?!?" Thats what I said to myself when I found 3 Surfite kits stashed away.

You build models, are into cars, AND your a musician?!?! Wow, good for you. If more people were gender-blind, more people would enjoy themselves. BTW: Just to re-direct the gender comment, I myself have been known to treat myself to a pedicure/foot massage on occassion. I enjoy it.

I had posted this in a well meaning way, having no idea so many are still getting hit. For my area of the country we've been very chilly, if not cold, well past our normal season. Today it is beautiful out. My appologies to everyone who's still dealing with this fickle weather.... especially you people who used the "S" word.....

We have officially hit 80 degrees in the NYC area. Considering we had frost a few days ago, I'd say things are looking up! I think we parole the Barracuda and turn it loose.....

Thanks for checking in guys, I'm having a blast building this thing. Just hope I can finish it in less than 2 weeks.....

Tonight was one of those nights. You know, where you cut an approximate length and it's dead on? You eyeball a position and it's perfect? Very little scrape... Tonight we decided on trimming back the cowl, installing a better radiator, fabricating engine mounts, and making positive location tabs for the body. It may look like I'm just pushing the same bits-n-pieces around, but there IS progress. Here's a few mock-up shots Tomorrow I have plans, and I have a concert on Wed. but I'm off on Thurs. I'm hoping to have epic progress this weekend..... Wait... it's going to get better. I'm going to start detailing the engine next. My favorite part

That's beautiful !!!!!! What a great conversion, interior, paint, & BMF job! Your banging out some consistently nice pieces Rich. Looking forward to seeing your work in a few weeks. That wagon is so friggen sweeeeet!

Well, all the fabricating is done for the front axle except for the drag link. Tomorrow we plant the engine between the frame rails. Going slower than I want it to.... Here's all the pieces. I had to make new radius rods... I re-shaped the tie rod links The brake rotors are actually washers from an Infiniti G37 transmission valve body. Pretty cool, huh? As awlays, love letters/hate mail welcome

People may have questioned why I bought a 1/2 dozen Revell '69 Dart kits when new, but it didn't take long for the molds to get updated to a '68. This ensured the desireability of '69's in the future, allowing me barter/buying power for MORE kits in the future! I also buy new issues for the casting "freshness" of the molds. As for vintage kits, the few I have all been bought knowing they don't get cheaper so buck-up now or pay more later. Amazing how much a '68 annual MPC '68 Barracuda has appreciated over the last 15 yrs. if your into that.... I happen to have 7 complete kits, plus partials and builts. These I just hoard like a 401K deposit. If things get bad, at least a few will give a return. But for the most part, I'm just as delusional as the rest of you and honestly believe you'll live to 137 and build 'em all..... : o

Thanks for the encouraging words guys! I'm really having fun. It's just frustrating getting everything sorted & organized, but it's a good feeling to start buulding again. I fab'ed the spindles, but ran out of Butane for my soldering iron so I'm stuck until the morning. I also want to thin out the tie rod arms on the knuckles. I might also take a small detour with some details, but for the better. This is too cool to hack together. Tomorrow we continue......stay tuned!

Hmm... I'll have to have a poll on the wheels. There's still a chance I'll change my mind again. I like the Halibrand style, but Torque Thrusts, Steelies, even Centerlines would work. There's no wrong answer.

OK, made a little more progress this morning. And man, am I having FUN! In our last update I had roughed in the dropped axle. This morning I made the radius rods, steering knuckles, and tie rod. Here we go: I soldered a length of brass rod to a short piece of brass tubing. The tubing will be bolted to the frame rail. Then I took a length of 1/4" square brass tube. After carefully planning my cuts & holes, I cut away eveything that didn't look like a steering knuckle... Here's both knuckles cut & cleaned up I also had to make a tie rod assembly. Sorry Bill, it's not adjustable Here's the axle mocked-up w/ straight pins. RB Motion .062 bolts will be used. Hopefully I'll have her up on her paws tomorrow. Then we shoehorn in the engine, and start detailing it. To be continued.....

That's funny!!!!!

Which kit is that? My Wife owned a 2004 GTI that was totalled last Oct. and this looks like my only choice for a Mk. IV. Or is there a GTI Mk. IV? Nice build. I've been a VW fan for ages.

What a nice color! Looking forward to the clear coat!

FWIW: I purchased a steering wheel the end of Feb. and I'm informed it will arrive between March 3-4. After it doesn't arrive and some spirited e-mails with the seller (whom was just as annoyed as me....) my package finally arrives on March 25th. It went from Miss. to NYC. Post mark on the box? Feb. 28th.... A month for a steering wheel to be shipped not even a 1,000 miles? I've driven from NY to Atlanta, and back, in a weekend!

I wasn't insinuating a clown car, I meant darker complimentary colors wouldn't pop as nice as the colors chosen. Beautiful build anyhow....

Thanks Bill. No where near your level, but I'm having fun. More tonight.....

I have one of those stashed away... and watching yours go together is a treat. Nice job on the grill & mods so far. That color is perfect for those body lines. I'm watching!

Sorry I'm late to the party.... Great job on the Caddy Rich. As usual, great color choices. You have a keen eye for what flows together naturally. What's next ?!?! You've had a few days off.

OK, it's been a busy week. Between birthdays, ball games,dinner out, work, and haggling with contractors I haven't had time for the hobby room. I didn't sleep good last night, so tonight I hit the hobby room for a while to totally cross my eyes and insure a good nights sleep..... I have the front axle kingpins mounted and finished. Tonight I drilled the axle and made a set of radius rods. The triangular pieces of square tube will become the spindles. That will have to wait until tomorrow night. I'm trying...I'm trying.... I know NNL East is 2 weeks away. If it turns out the way I'm picturing it.... Love Letters/Hate Mail welcome

Happy B'day to a fellow April Fool! Yeah, they missed mine too yesterday.....