tim boyd

NNL "T's and A's" event in Columbus in summer, 1984(?), hosted by Tom Dillion....

A long forgotten NNL....# 4 1/2, the Stovebolt Reunion, held in Ann Arbor, Michigan in January, 1982....

The Invite for the NNL #4 in Toledo Ohio in October, 1981. This was the infamous event with the Merc-Deuce Reunion. In my view, it is the event that in many ways set the pattern for all the NNL's that have taken place around the world since then....TIM

With the last ever NNL Nats coming up in a couple of weeks, wanted to post some historic NNL Invites I found in a file. I'll start with the NNL West, then move on to the NNL Nats....ready? OK, here we go... A color picture of the original pasted-up invite for the NNL West #1 in October, 1982....PS - those phone numbers don't work any more...! A color picture of the original pasted-up invite for the NNL West #2 in January, 1983... And....a copy of the invitee list and conference room arrangements for NNL West #2.....isn't it amazing how many of these guys are still active in the hobby today? Stay tuned for more...TIM

Howard......that is too cool! The chances of that happening are what....1 in a million (or higher???) As far is the ICMA, I recall my membership number being 5053.....TIM

Agree! Yes, this is a really good, comprehensive article. I never realized there were two different sets of door sheet metal on the '61-'63 pickups.....all the detail is there in the article. Plus the full story on just how different most of the 4x4's were from the other Ford pickups those years.

IMHO, a project like this would be a better fit for Moebius these days, for all the reasons you state. I would bet that the wood masters for the Monogram 1/24th Super Bee were discarded decades ago. Obviously, I'd love to see a 1968 Coronet R/T and /or SuperBee as well, and I also agree that it is one of the more obvious holes right now in the model company kit coverage of the first muscle car era. TIM

Thanks for the update, Dave. Much appreciated, and yes, we will continue to be patient as well as appreciative of your e continued efforts to resolve the issue! TIM

Robert...wondered about that myself....yours looks great! Thanks for posting....TIM

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Love the attention to detail, the thoroughly correct period parts and paint, and that Nailhead V8 looks great under the hood. Primo! TIM

Very, very sharp! Hope Tom Woodruff gets a gander at this one. Congrats....TIM

Don't worry...the annual kit 409 four barrel carries over into the new kit...TIM

Yep....I should have mentioned that. TIM

Nicely done pad printed narrow whitewalls....TB

Here is a first look at the updated AMT 1963 Impala SS kit....21 detailed images and commentary at the link....Thanks for looking...TIM

Just tried to post an album of pictures of Round 2's new update of their 1963 Impala SS; again got the 404 error. This time I was using a different computer, and using Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer. Hmmm....TB FURTHER UPDATE: I just started over, posting each element (a brief sentence in lieu of a detailed description, a link, and a photo) separately. With each "edit' up this point, all the elements posted OK. But when I tried copying a detailed description of/commentary about the kit from another source (my fotki site) once again the 404 error appeared. Not sure just what to think about this, but at least those interested in the subject can now go to my fotki site if they have an interest in the detailed commentary (and/or additional pictures of the kit and kit contents) . TB

Heh Alan.....great job on that one! And kudos to you for your persistence in working through the inevitable challenges presented by a project like this......Best Regards....TIM

Dave....sorry to hear that. On my laptop I am suing Internet Explorer....I'll try again tonight anyway....thanks for all you do for this Forum!!!! TIM

Dave, been trying to post an update this morning on the "NNL Founders Present...." topic and getting the 404 error numerous times. Took out the s e l e c t and f r o m worlds and still getting the error message.....HELP! Thanks...TIM

I met Chuck when he was a Clay Modeler in the Ford Design Studio (since retired). It's quite a story and not at all good that Roth did not follow through on the commitment - Chuck was hoping (my memory is a big foggy on this) that the 1/1 scale version of his model would have helped him get a Scholarship or Sponsorship to attend the Los Angeles Art Center, which was (and still is) considered one of the two most prestigious automotive design programs in the world. Chuck usually has a table each year at the Motor City NNL in November.... TIM

Moebius is still in, and from what I understand will remain in, the model car kit business.....TIM

Coming in October are two once in a lifetime events that will take place on the Friday evening and Saturday evening before and after the last-ever NNL Nationals in Sylvania, OH. Among the six participants at the original NNL Nationals in 1980, 1977 MPC National Model Car Customizing Champion Chuck Helppie has stepped forward to put together an informal banquet/buffet on Friday night with model car related speakers and presentations involving the pre-Scale Auto magazine era in the hobby (i.e. 1960's to late 1970's) as well as the formation of the NNL. He's searched out some pretty fascinating speakers with never-before-heard stories about the formative years of our hobby. Then on Saturday night there will be a model car event in a 5,000 square foot hotel conference room, with modelers invited to show their magazine cover cars in a special section, a 1949-2019 Mercury model car reunion, and a "Ring of Honor" presentation, among other activities. Also included will be a display of some of the most historic and influential models donated to the International Model Car Museum, which are to be transported to the event location all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah. When joined with the traditional yearly NNL Nationals event itself presented by the Cleveland Automotive Modelers Society during the day on Saturday, which with its "NNL Reunion" theme should be an event for the ages, this entire weekend could indeed be the Woodstock of the model car world. Chuck's Friday and Saturday night plans are still coming together, but I encourage you to watch the "NNL Founders Present...." Facebook page for more details, and to register for the events when details are provided so that Chuck can make sure the facilities are prepared to handle the turnout. For details, click on this link, which should take you to the "NNL Founders Present...." Facebook page. For those of you who like me don't do Facebook, a screen will pop up asking you to join Facebook. Scroll down and click on "Not Now" and you should be able to view the page without signing on to Facebook. The NNL Founders and many other modelers dating from the entire history of our hobby are looking forward to seeing you all there! TIM

Rodney, that is away cool kitbash project and a most tasty result. If I was still doing my old Street Rodder Modeler's Corner gig, this is exactly the type of model I would have wanted to photograph and write up as a feature. Most well done! TIM

Interesting....I had long ago forgot about that, Robert. And you may have a point, too! TIM

You are, of course, correct in that all Pontiac V8 blocks are the same size. But there are definitive detail differences. The 301 block (as molded by Monogram/Revell) has features that visually distinguish it from the earlier 389/400/455 blocks. Pull out kits with both of the engines and compare closely. The differences are visible (at least they were for me). Best.....TIM