tim boyd

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

I've made the front fender "reduction" and some other minor changes to my body as well. Not painted yet, but already looks much, much better. Thanks for posting....TIM

Thanks Ben and John. That is a highly surprising and super-quick turnaround on John's/Round 2's part. TIM

Tony....be still my heart!!!!! Yes, Please!!!! TIM

What Dave said! TIM

This one hits the target in so many ways. Great parts swapping (that '50 Olds engine, yeah!), super-clean build style, in scale wiring and detailing, well-chosen paint scheme....and those way cool sunken taillamps. And as it always seems with your projects, an inspired wheel and tire choice. Huge congrats, Dennis! TIM

For those that haven't looked at Howard's album yet, there are several pages of photos of some of the nation's most historic Willys, Anglia, and Austin Gassers among his photos......definitely worth checking out! TIM s

Thanks Howard.....personally I took a breather this year. A couple of colleagues from my pre-retirement employer and I took in the Mopars at the Gilmore event the day before and kinda wore out my car guy ""fix" for the weekend. Plus the ever-increasing Concours general admission ticket price and the highly sub-optimal parking situation were standing in the way....but I'm sure I'll be back next year. In the meantime I get to enjoy your pix....looks that a great time was had by all....thanks again. TIM

Hey guys...thanks for the feedback. And Alan....very cool to hear stories like that! Best regards....TIM

Patrick....congrats and looks very sharp, that CJ-7. Glad to know the article helped. And needless to say, love the boat! Cheers....TIM

Here's a link to a photo album with images of build-ups of a number of kits mentioned above plus some others not mentioned (i.e. the Honda 750 chopper in the MPC 1979/1980 Monte Carlo kit) .... https://public.fotki.com/funman1712/tim-boyds-124th--12/boyd-scale-cycles-/ For what you are looking for, the F150/Harley kit DynaGlide is probably the best bet (even if you have to buy another kit), followed by the Replicas and Miniatures rebop of the 1962 Triumph Bonneville. IIRC I did an article for Model Cars, circa 2006 or so, showing a showroom stock buildup of the Bonne....and also did an article showing how to detail the Dyna into a very sharp street bike replica. From the above album, here are a couple of shots of the Dyna and Bonne....much more at the link......good luck with your project. TIM

Oh how it sings! Great job bringing this one home, Dennis. Big congrats....TIM

Guys.....I don't have the new kit yet, but be aware that the original release of this kit tool in the early ? 1990's, had an incorrect engine. It was the 301 block from the Monogram 1981? Turbo Trans-Am version of the Firebird, not the 400 V8 from the 1978 release. Of course, the 301 didn't exist in 1970. While the 301 was derived from the original Pontiac V8 family, there were a surprising number of visual differences between the two engines including the engine block. I don't have any of the reissues since the original 1970 1/2 kit release, so I don't know if this was corrected in the interim or not. Swapping in the correct engine is an easy swap if you have any of the correct 400's in your parts box, however. Meanwhile, as I pointed out the my book Collecting Muscle Car Model Kits, the wait for a fully correct Pontiac 400 Ram Air IV in 1/24th or 1/25th scale continues.....TIM

That is one beautifully conceived and executed model, Roger! Big Congrats....TIM

Thanks Kevin! TIM