Thank you Jeremy, Bob and John. Yeah I actually like the more dressed down Novas.
Thanks Mike. The badges are just decals from the kit. I've since started doing foil under paint.
Thanks Pierre. The Rust-Oleum I use is in a green labeled can and indicates a "High Lustre Coating" It's a pretty hot lacquer and I've had best success applying it in lighter coats. I also wet sand lightly between coats after a sufficient build up. Maybe with a better technique I could probably limit some of the wet sanding.
Thanks Noah, and yes the kit does include an engine. I didn't photograph it in part because I managed to lose the upper radiator hose.
Thank you Louis and Steve.