Steve H

Hello Claude, Another beautiful build sir! The paint/decal work is spot on. Awesome details as usual. I look forward to seeing the Pinto... Cheers, Steve

Hi Chris, generally, I don’t like fully blacked out vehicles. This is definitely an exception, it looks awesome. The subtle decals, and hits of red are just right. I did a similar build a few years back with a 71 Challenger as an experiment, it turned out ok, but not nearly as nice as this. Well played! Cheers, Steve

Very nice hot rod Dave. As others have said, it’s a great colour/stance/wheel and tire combo, it all works very well together. Cheers, Steve

That looks good Ray. I am curious as to what project is lurking in the background there.... Are those Z-Man wheels? Cheers, Steve

Hi Tim, shame about the paint issue. Looking forward to seeing it complete, this is a great subject. Cheers, Steve

Welcome aboard James, ask away, I’m sure you will get many answers. Great group of people here, and some incredibly talented builders. Cheers, Steve

I couldn’t resist... GOOD NEWS !!!! Keeping my fingers crossed seemed to work! The engine is nestled under the hood nicely. I still might try for a pinch lower at the front, however that might backfire with the hood closing. Some investigation to do there first... Body is just resting on the chassis here, it still needs to come off again. The only issue I had was that the belts prevented the inner fenders from fitting on chassis. So popped it off, and will reinstall later. Cheers, Steve

Hi Mike, this is great stuff, I love old wagons. My 2 cents on the skirts... don’t love them, but that’s just personal preference. Maybe drop the front end one more scootch? If you are staying with silver for the body perhaps consider Tamiya TS 100 semi gloss gunmetal? Regardless, you obviously have a plan and are executing it nicely. Cheers, Steve

Hi Steven, not sure how I missed this thread. Just got caught up. Your work sir, is absolutely top shelf, the attention to detail....second to none. Your interiors have inspired me to spend more time on what was usually a bit of an overlooked area of my builds. Thank you for the inspiration and for sharing your tips, tricks and tutorials, they are very helpful. I know this is very late, but I am sorry for your loss of your pet. They definitely become part of the family. Cheers, Steve

Hi guys, she’s polished. As I said above, this is my first time using Mr Hobby clear, also my first time using Novus. I think it turned out well, definitely one of my better paint jobs. Let me know what you think ? I have heard a lot about Novus over the years, and although it worked well, I think my expectations were a bit high. I still used my favourite wax (Adam’s) between Novus 2 and Novus 1. Hoping to get some final assembly done over the weekend. Cheers, Steve

Thanks Bruce !! Pretty excited I got 2 thumbs! Polished version coming right up....

Hi Greg, wow! I haven’t checked in for a while, you’ve been busy.... really busy. This is top shelf work, you’re casting up a storm. I have not built a 4X4 model for about 40 years, I’ve thought about it, just haven’t got around to it. This year might be the year I build one, I have a few ideas. You’re inspiring me. Anyway, keep up the excellent work, I will keep checking in. Cheers, Steve

Very crisp! Nice clean build sir. Steve

Hello Russell, what a beauty! Excellent craftsmanship all around. The engine detail, woodwork, your usual beautiful paint, all looks awesome. I think I need one of those blower kits.... Cheers, Steve

Good point, it seems we are often the ones waiting...

Joakim, I love it!! That is a really unique and very cool build. I really enjoy unusual subjects like this with tubs, awesome. Cheers, Steve

I’m still in shock that us Canuck’s got something before our neighbours to the south! As Greg said, we pay double, so .... Cheers, Steve

Hello from the west coast Murray, as Nazz said, there are lots of great guys with awesome tips and tricks here. If you follow along on some of the WIP’s you find them very informative, and often entertaining! Lots of incredibly talented builders that are very willing to share their knowledge. Cheers, Steve

Hi Luke, enjoying watching this come together. I agree with the others, the red fender wells looks really cool, would you consider Tamiya TS100 semi gloss gunmetal for the body? I think it would look really sharp with the red too. Just a thought, love your builds. Cheers, Steve

YES SIR!!, This is looking great so far Shawn. I like the wheels in the first photo, however, I’m partial as they are on my current build. Either will look good. Absolutely love the low stance. Look forward to seeing this progress. Cheers, Steve

Hi Misha! It’s looking good sir. I have good news about Novus 2. I had tried to order some from Model Roundup, but of course that can’t be shipped over the border. Jack was great, he alerted me and refunded that part of my order. So after a quick search, there is a Canadian source back east, I will dig up the info a PM you if you can’t find it. It was an aircraft supply store, they use it for polishing canopies! Anyway, it arrived within a week, I will be trying it for the first time on the Ol Comino build soon! Cheers, Steve

Agreed, that is disappointing.

I got the final colour coat on, foiled it, and cleared it. The colour is starting to get some depth now. Hoping to have it polished in a couple of days, then it should really pop. First time using Mr. Hobby clear, I’m no expert but very pleased with how it went on. Looking forward to getting this thing all together. Still have my fingers crossed that engine tucks under the hood.... Thanks for looking.

Thank you Dave, much appreciated sir!

Hi Jeff ! Thanks again for inspiration, and for the kind words, much appreciated. I must admit, I’m really pleased with the engine, I owe Dennis Lacy a big thank you for sharing his “recipe” for the cast aluminum colour on the carbs. For the ride height, a combination of removing material from the top and bottom of the bed sides and inner tailgate to allow the body to sit a bit lower. Removing a bit from the tabs where the frame mounts to the bottom of the bed. A millimetre here, half a millimetre there, eventually adds up! Full disclosure on the rear suspension, the diff pot is resting on the bed floor... think deflated air bags!! A bit cheeky but it gives the desired ride height. I forget which chassis you used on yours, I used the Elky chassis, so may be quite different from the platform you used? Achieving the low stance I like on my builds does at times create wayyyyyyy too much fiddling, worth it in the end though.