tim boyd

Thanks for the link, Luc. Revell has been working on this project for several years. At least based on the instruction sheet, it would certainly appear that they've done their homework. Can't wait to see the first one that's been painted and assembled; that will give us a much clearer read ...TIM

Dennnis...thank you for that. I am both flattered and humbled. Very Best Regards... TIM

Bob....see pictures #45 and #57 at the following link: http://public.fotki.com/funman1712/model-car-events-co/2016-nnl-nats-three/ On this model, the roof has also been modified to a more original Model A appearance, as has the firewall Best Regards.....TIM

That's a great question, Bob. The answer is yes. In fact I glued the top in place before painting this model. Makes the interior assembly a bit more challenging, but not an issue for most people on this forum. I went a step further and completely filled/eliminated the seam on a Blue kitbash of this kit; it's pictured in my NNL Nats Cult Theme coverage in the "Contests and Shows" section of the "Community" section at the bottom of the forum. I think the fit is pretty good for a box stock application, but the molding operation is the way to go for an upper-end contest model. Best Regards....TIM

(Enthusiast, envious) sigh...... Dennis, another great project from you. I so enjoy reading about your thought process and design decisions as well as seeing the visual representation of your processes/decisions. I think you and several others on this board are, in effect, inspiring every one to upgrade their approach to traditional hot rod model car projects. Cheers....TIM

Mike, you've got that right. Between posting and documenting, probably 5-6 hours of work, not to mention the time at the show to photograph and take down the info. Still...I strongly feel that 1) the builders deserve credit when pictures are posted and 2) in some ways, my preferred "table shots" provide a better sense of the overall event than the sterile "studio" style photography that is favored now for magazine event coverage. This is the style I used when I first started the modern-day event coverage format in Street Rodder in the early 1980's, and shortly thereafter in my event coverage in one of the major model magazines. There's no doubt that the studio format provides better quality pictures overall, but something is also lost in that process. Accordingly, this is my way of backing up my views with action. Thanks for the feedback....much appreciated. TIM

Once again....Keyser is right on the money. I set about collecting these Maisto 1/25th Harleys some years ago...it seems to me (probably exaggerated, but....) I have nearly 100 of them now. Also, Franklin Mint did some of them (more expensive, and reflected in the more extensive content in quality), and yes, they were 1/25th scale too. Brookfield Guild did a few (with truck combos such as an F250HD and Dually and a Chevy Suburban), very nicely detailed, again in 1/25th. . Finally, the annual Hallmark Christmas Tree Ornament Harleys are very sharp, in 1/25th, and look great (other than the lack of tire treads) once you pull out the ornament hook with a pair of pliers. Unlike the others mentioned here, Hallmark has continued to produce these right up to today, so the more recent Harley introductions are captured in scale as well. Hope that helps....TIM t Hall Bui

Drew.....looking very, very fine. For my two-cents worth, your 409 is a far more original choice for this kit than an SBC, and the dropped front is pretty much a "must" for this kit. Also liking that color scheme. Yeah, I've thought about taking two of the tops, making one more close to original 1.1 scale height while making the other a more severe chop. I want to do a Gasser-themed version, and the stockish-top would be a better fit for that one.... Looking forward to seeing yours done...TIM

Here''s the NNL Nats Cult Theme coverage, featuring numerous builds using the new Revell '30A Five Window Coupe kit...thanks everyone for your comments and feedback on the completed build....Cheers...TIM

Here's the NNL Nats Cult Theme Coverage...every car entered shown and builder identified....

LInk is now fixed....thanks for the heads-up Tom....TIm ..

For images of some assembled 1/25th scale Harley kits. including that uber-rare Revell Parts Pack Harley Chopper, you can check out the following....here's the Harley Anniversary F150 Dyna Glide Sport assembled (I wrote an article on this for Model Cars back around 2007 or so).... Hope this helps....TIM

Separate and apart from my NNL Nats coverage also posted here, I placed each and every entry in the NNL Nats Cult Theme in this separate folder .... The "Cult Theme" for the 2016 NNL Nationals #37 was "three and five window coupes", identified as 1920's to 1954 model year cars, be they traditional hot rods, gassers, restored stock, customs, or anything else builders wished to entered. The only restriction is that they be 1/24th or 1/25th scale.Fifty-five models entered makes this the second-largest NNL Cult Theme ever, and considering the relatively restricted subject matter, arguably tied with last year's "Traditional Hot Rods" as the most successful Cult Themes ever.I want to thank John White and Craig Sobczak, who both brought many models with innovative build themes and executions. And an equally big "THANKS" to each and every person who brought a model for the Cult Theme table.I attempted to photograph each and every one of the 55 models, as well as identify the builders. Here's the full coverage, with 1-3 or more pictures of each model, starting with Craig Sobczak's '32 Five Window Gasser pictured below. Thanks for looking....TIM

Several attendees have posted coverage of NNL events the week of October 8 in this section below. Don't miss it! Thanks....TIM

Here's your virtual trip to the NNL Nationals held near Toledo, Ohio, USA on October 8, 2016. Make sure to use the "roll" feature so you can see the identification of builders for every model shown, and other hopefully relevant commentary. Thanks for looking....TIM , As a teaser, here's a glimpse of Jim Drew's 1969 Brawner-Hawk in 1/25th scale...

Thanks everyone for your comments and feedback. Very much appreciated.... Luc....sorry we missed you today. And on a related note,the Three and Five Window Coupes NNL Nats Cult Theme was a great success. Images and Builder Names to be posted, probably tomorrow, in the "Contests and Shows' section of this forum. Don't miss it! TIM

On a related note, the Three and Five Window Coupes NNL Nats Cult Theme was a great success. Images and Builder Names to be posted, probably tomorrow, in the "Contests and Shows' section of this forum. Don't miss it! TIM

James...you bet I will....see you there? TIM

Mike - We most certainly do. While a fairly popular 1/1 scale combo, this one falls clearly apart from the "Traditional Hot Rod" design ethos. However, in 1/25th scale, it also provides for quick assembly (no mods required to the '30A Highboy chassis) - a key consideration for an under-two week design build timeframe. Those looking for a more "traditional hot rod" approach should look at the Ford Flathead V8's in other Revell kits (the '40 Ford Coupe and '48 Ford Chopped Custom Coupes are my favorite sources) and be prepared to make the driveline and frame modifications necessary to accommodate those engine/trans combos..... Best regards...TIM

...spent less than two weeks start to finish on this project, which of course is headed for the "Three and Five Window Coupes" Cult Theme at the NNL Nats this weekend. - Roof opening enlarged to original factory dimensions, with simulated (i.e., simplified vs. 1/1 scale) wood roof slats... - Factory stock style firewall just introduced by Norm Veber/Replicas and Miniatures ... - Flathead Ford V8 from the Revell '32 Ford Tudor kit of a few years back ....I realize the C4 auto tranny is NOT pure traditional hot rod fare, but this engine/tranny combo swaps into the Revell '30A Highboy frame without modifications (using the flathead engine mount crossmember from the Revell Tudor kit...) - Halibrand Quick Change out back using the Replicas and Miniatures Halibrand Quick Change resin offering combined with the outer legs of the Revell '30A kit rear axle (again, retaining the coil overs with a QC is not pure traditional hot rod fare, but the work involved in doing a Model A Spring and rear crossmember would have taken the project well beyond the "mild kitbash" design brief and two-week build window). - Paint is Testors Model Masters Lacquer 1968 Ford Thunderbird Light Diamond Green with a Tamiya flat clear overlay of the paint and the scallop decals from the Revell '30A kit. Powertrain, and interior colors, are also Tamiya "TS" paints. - Stock kit wheels and tires, with '41 Ford hubcaps added (from the stock version of the AMT-Ertl '41 Ford Woody) - another drop-in without mods. - Painted headlight buckets (vs. fully chromed in the kit)... I think that captures most of the info. Additional pictures at the link including engine/interior/rear end shots..... Thanks for looking....can't wait to see what you guys who are attending the NNL Nats have come up with for the Cult Theme....should be a rockin' time.....TIM

see it here instead......TIM

Spike...thanks for the idea....I did consider this too, but did not feel I could deliver it with quality or a believable appearance. Maybe with the next build? Appreciate the feedback....TIM

Almost done....just the exhaust tips and fabricating pipes between the headers and the mufflers to go....hiding behind those magnetic jig wheel blocks are '41 Ford hub caps on the kit's steelie wheels....and thanks for the feedback and comments, guys; very, very much appreciated. TIM UPDATE - project is now fully completed and posted at the "Under Glass" section of the forum....TB

Great work on this, Tim. The Bear Claw wheels are really interesting and impressive, and the attention to detail (e.g.. the body mods on this page of the thread) is very much admired by this builder/writer! Keep up the great work! Cheers....one of the other "Tims" on this Board!

Getting close to completion... Body with interior installed.... Hot rodded Ford Flathead V8 added to chassis along with Halibrand Quick Change out back.... Final assembly nearly complete....watch for more tomorrow.....TIM