tim boyd

Can't thank you enough for this recommendation. Today I applied Ray's corrected AAR Stripes for the new Revell AAR 'cuda kit. They worked perfectly, and they look great on the finished model. Ray's decal sets are exceptionally complete. He also keeps in touch with updates during the order process. Given the specialized nature of these products, plus the expenses of overseas shipping to the States, ordering is not an inexpensive venture, but well worth it when a kit's decalized graphics are not fully accurate. Thanks again, Mr. Spencer and all who replied here.....and to Ray for an excellent product. TIM

Rodney, your four Model A Hot Rods look simply killer....like Dave, I especially like the dark blue trad style '30.....congrats! TIM

Richard...my recollection is that it is pretty easy to make this tweak work when building the Roadster model. If I am remembering correctly, all it requires (beyond the grille shell and grille insert as found in the Coupe version of the tool) is a new set of radiator hoses, maybe even only the upper hose. I vaguely remember discussing this with the Revell team when they contracted me to do an in-depth buildup/review of the first round of test shots in early 2014. What I can't remember is whether there was an issue with where the Deuce Grille Shell parts were located on the parts sprues, but there shouldn't be, as this tool does not use inserts from what I recall, only blocked off parts runners for each kit version. However, since this now took place just about six years ago, and my memory is notoriously/occasionally not all that good....best to take off of this with a grain of salt! Cheers.....TIM

Roger is correct. FWIW, when the '30A Coupe kit finally reappears, I expect that it will retain both the steelies/trim rings/hub caps AND the Halibrands. I also expect it will retain both the '30A Grille Shell and the Deuce Grille Shell. The only differences are likely to be the Nailhead V8 with both induction options in place of the SBC, the decal sheet, and the box art. Time will tell if this guess is correct..... TIM

Also, Ohio's Dan Thomas did a terrific street rod style kitbash of this kit back in the 1980's. I believe that I showed the model in my "modeler's corner" column in Street Rodder magazine back then....and I am pretty sure it was pictured in the other model car magazine back in the day as well.....TIM .

Finally, here are some kitbashing ideas for this kit. Again, keep in mind that these were based on the original 2015 issue of the kit.... First up - a 1929 Model A Roadster on 1929 Model A rails (instead of the more common 1932 Ford rails) Highboy. This used mostly kit parts, and the conversion was covered in detail in a past issue of Model Cars magazine (which may or may not still be available as a back issues)….. Next up is a build of the channeled kit version with a Ford 390 FE engine swap, the radiator grille moved rearward, a Deuce grille and grille shell, a chopped windshield.... And finally, for those of you who don't want to wait for the reissue of the Model A Coupe version of this tool, here's a kitbash using the '29A Roadster kit along with the '31 Model A Five Window Coupe body from Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland. It also features the big'n'little spoked skinnies from R&M of Md, a 1959 Cadillac 390 V8 from the Monogram 1959 Eldorado kit with hot rod upgrades from the Revell Caddy V8 Parts Pack, and a 1934 Ford Grille Shell. This kitbash was also covered in a prior issue of Model Cars Mag..... Here's a link to some more images of each of these kitbash projects.....TIM

.....and here's a detailed tutorial on building the channeled version of the kit, again based on the 2015 kit issue. One note here....I strongly recommend that you relocate the grille rearward on the front frame crossmember (by cutting away some of the bottom of the radiator); it improves the appearance of the finished model immensely from what is shown here (which is the straight kit buildup without tweaks). TIM

Here's a detailed tutorial on building the '29 A on '32 rails version of this kit. This tutorial was based on the 2015 release of the kit. TIM

Here is a full and detailed review of the kit and its contents, for those of you who are not already familiar with the kit and its contents. This review was based on the original (c. 2015) release, and the suggested retail price of the kit was also from 2015. As noted above, the new kit is identical to the one in the review above except that it swaps in the SBC Chevy from the Revell 1930 Model A Coupe in place of the earlier Nailhead V8, it adds the optional Halibrand Wheels from the '30 Coupe kit, it has new (although similarly configured to the original ki) decals, and new box art. Recommend you use the "Roll" feature at the link to quickly review the images and the captions that go with them. Hope this helps. TIM PS - the Nailhead V8 is planned to return for the upcoming reissue of the '30 Five Window Coupe version of the tool......TB

Bob...can't help with a source for the tires, but here is a view that shows what the tires should look like.... More images here.... (images 11-17)....hope that helps at least a bit....TIM

John....it was one of the Ashetons....just don't remember which one. More recently, I thought one of the original Stooges band members passed away a few years ago....there was a benefit at one of the Ann Arbor Dive Bars (the Cave?) after he passed. I didn't go... No apologies necessary. Model builders seem to have certain things in common....including an appreciation for first gen progressive/underground bands (and in my case, 1980's New Wave/Alternative artists as well), and it seems, cats as hobby companions! It's all part of this great hobby we share....TIM

Alan...from what I understand, it will be the Roadster, along with a few tweaks too. Best...TIM

Thanks Phil! Best regards...TIM

Claude....I have often wondered about this myself. I know Mark Gustavson has at times bid for notable historic models that have appeared up for auction, but I don't think the prices to date have reflected the historic value of those artifacts. Maybe it will change in the future.....hope so. Thanks for the thoughts...TIM

.....ummm.....yeah, that would be correct. Fortunately, I have yet to be "restored" myself...and hope it stays that way! Best...TIM

John....I had no idea that our Michigan Rockers had these interests. I do know that these guys were in other ways really normal guys. My former boss sat next to one of the original members of the Stooges on an overseas flight to London a few years ago, and J later commented to me something to the effect of what a normal guy he was. And of course, I knew where the "flop houses" were near campus for some of these groups....amazing that they accomplished what they did given those surroundings.... Best...TIM

Jerry....I've always said that a slightly flawed model that is completed and in the display case is worth so much more than an otherwise perfect, but incomplete model (because of some new flaw during the build process) that is sitting in a box somewhere. Of course, sometimes that is easier said than done. This one really challenged me to hold to that goal, but glad I eventually did so, and even happier to see that my fellow model car builders see value in the restoration effort. Best of luck with yours! TIM

Thanks Eric for the comments. Particularly interesting coming from you, as I personally see you as one of the most innovative and accomplished model car builders of your generation of model car builders, and I think that you represent a very bright future for our hobby. Best Regards...TIM .

Back to Greg's original question....the '29A Roadster kit and '30A Five Window Coupe kit both share the same tool set. The '29A Roadster is just a few weeks away from the hobby store shelves (the other model magazine posted a video review of the kit last week). So....the tool set has either been repaired or restored (depending on whose version of the production interruption you chose to believe). Thus, this would suggest to me that the '30 5W Coupe kit is ready to run when Revell decides to do so . IIRC there was about a one year gap between the original '29A Roadster and '30A Five Window Coupe production starts, so if the same timing applies this time that would suggest that the 5W Coupe would be produced starting about this time next year (early 2021). Like many of you, I am sure, i would have much preferred to see the '30A Coupe go down the molding line first this time, not the Roadster, but we are where we are. At least we seem to have some implied level of certainty now that we will see the '30A Coupe eventually return to production, albeit later than we would like. That's a much better outlook than before! Best...TIM

Lots of good info in this thread; one thing I have learned is that among business professionals in the hobby industry, Round 2 owner Tom Lowe is (and has been, for about 25 years now) highly regarded for his expertise in identifying subjects and negotiating licensing agreements that can be monetized through the sale of kits (auto, sci fi, et al). While he may have come from a family with financial assets, it appears to me that much of what he has accomplished over his career has been based on his own business savvy, intuition, and experience. Most importantly, from a perspective of model kit buyers and builders, over the last 15 years or so he has assured the continuation of the product offerings of most of our domestic kit brands. ************ One thing I learned myself in the mid 1970's, when I first started doing contract work for AMT and would meet semi-regularly with their management team, was that these companies are run with the goal to be profitable businesses above all else. In recent years as i have done investigatory work on the business history of the auto hobby kit segment for various projects here, that point has come across time and time again, and helps mightily to explain why the model companies sometimes do things that seem way out of touch from the singular perspective of model car kit buyers and builders.... TIM

Fascinating thread...thanks for pulling forward. Just a caution here. The Curbside Classics website - and most specifically, the factual content of some responses posted there - can at times be a somewhat controversial source of truly accurate historical automotive information, or at least it is considered as such among some of the truly knowledgeable automotive experts and historians that I know. While I did not note any inaccuracies in Mr. Niedermeyer's introductory text on X-frames, (and I did not read the responses, which on this website often contain incorrect information), just a word to the wise to always cross check key information you read there with other authoritative automotive reference sources before you take it to be fact. TIM

Francis...."long live this wonderful pastime" are words that capture my sentiments exactly. And very, very glad to know that you found the info to be inspiring....Cheers....TIM.

Brad....yes, from what i recall, I put together the setup from a grab-bag of HO gears that I ordered from Auto World. I didn't (and still do not) have soldering skills, so I used some industrial strength 24 hour epoxy from my Dad's workshop in the basement.....it took forever to setup, but once it was dry , it was indestructible. The setup still works somewhat today, although it has a couple of what I think must be broken teeth in the gears. This model was carefully packed and sent of to Car Model Magazine for the 1970 MPC finals, but returned several months later in many pieces without any packing material for its return trip. I was able to rebuild most of it but it was never the same as it was under original condition. Needless to say, I was appalled that the people that ran the finals - who of all should have known better - would pull a stunt like that! Thanks for your feedback on my articles....really good to hear! t...TIM

Cal....now i remember. That model was terrific! I need to dig out my old copy of the mag and check it out again.....great to hear it is still around and in restorable (although it sounds more like all it needs is a minor freshening) form. And great to hear my old Track Roadster is still a favorite of yours. 41 years later, it may still be my most favorite of all the hundreds I''ve built over the years. Thanks for posting and for the update! Best,,,,,TIM

Thanks everyone for your inspirational comments and your enthusiastic reaction to this project!!!!!!. Makes me very glad I went ahead and took the time to document it and share it here. The Best to you all....TIM