tim boyd

Dave and all....can't wait to see it! Thanks a very big bunch! TIM

Really???? Thx for the reply....TB

All....check out this six-minute video imbedded in the AutoBlog.com post at this link.... Kenworth SuperTruck 2 is a conceptual 10-wheeler of the future - Autoblog Personally, I find this to be a highly innovative, and possibly much more relevant solution to improving Class 8 product emissions and efficiency, than the Tesla Electric Semi. Plus the video does a really good job of describing the development process any truly revolutionary automotive project goes through. Not to mention that the result itself looks super cool! Cheers...TIM

Guys.....Steve has many way cool ideas under investigation, and I'm pretty sure I don't even know a fraction of the overall portfolio of projects he is considering. But please keep in mind, too, that he is working in a world of limited constraints (people resources, availability of funding, supply base constraints, et al). All of which is to say that please don't be disappointed if your ideas are not the next ones out of the shoot. And that your best insurance policy of making sure some of these actually come to fruition is to continue buyng the new Round 2 products that have just hit the market or have been announced earlier this year, even if in some cases they are not 100% within your own personal areas of intterest... And Steve, thanks for keeping in touch with those of us who read these forums....very much appreciated by us all. TIM

Rob and Rob....give us a read on what the issue contains.....please.....especiallly for those of us who are two weeks away from getting ours (per Dave's info above). Thanks! TIM

Could have...yes, no doubt. Easily? Not quite, especially when it comes to changes like the rear suspension/axle layout that we'd all like to see. Go back and read the explanations from those how have worked in our have in-depth knowledge of the industry. Frustrating, no doubt, but also the truth. Especially when funding and human/supply base resource limitations and return on investment considerations are factored in, as like it or not, the modeling companies are businesses first. Best...TB

Michael,,,,I know this explanation from James is pretty much a buzzkill, but he is exactly correct in his explanation of the complexities of model car kit tooling and developing derivatives of same. As someone who has built probably 15 or more of these kits over the years, I sure share your desire for new bodies and new parts based off the tooling set, but I don't believe that is going to happen for the exact reasons James explains above. The thought that crosses my mind is that if Revell Germany were to do new '32 versions, they would be well advised to look at the Rat Roaster tooling set - as modified for the most recent reissue - as the basis for additional derivatives. That kit tooling has a number of upgrades over the original 1996 tooling set that make it a better build and a more accurate result to begin with. And perhaps there is the flexibility in the tool for additional parts as was the case for the original 1996 tool. One other consideration is that Revell's '32 Ford series was driven in large part by their VP the late Roger Harney, who was a 1/1scale hot rodder at heart and knew the subject very well. While Revell Germany's remaining US based staff is capable of great work (e.g. the 1971 Boss 351 kit), to the best of my awareness they are not hot-rodding experts. Revell's successful update of the Rat Roaster kit was largely based on input they solicited from non-company sources; they would need to follow a similar approach for any new '32 subject. BTW my choices would be a Vicky, a Phaeton, and/or a Roadster PIckup body. A Model A rear crossmember, transverse leaf spring, and Halibrand Quick Change would be great, but I suspect this would be too much of a tear up for the tooling set (I had suggested that to Revell as part their update of the Rat Roaster, btw). But I'd stick with a small block Ford V8, as it is still a very popular choice in the 1/1 scale hot rod world, but do it with updated componentry including the front accessory drive and intake/exhaust systems. I'd take anything, though, other than an SBC. In reality, I don't expect any of this to actually happen, but it is fun to speculate and dream about it nonetheless. Best....TB

Me too....your experience may vary (and apparently does for many...) TB

Pat....looking good so far! TB

That's been my experience as well, Pete. TB

Same here for last several days...TB

Alan....looks like a full-fledged street brawler to me. Really like your chassis/crossmember approach, too! Cheers....TIM

Martin....what a superb, superb effort. Huge congratulations. Great pix, too! TIM

Al...both very sharp, and thx for posting. I particularly like the stance and wheel/tore combo of the first one....best....TB

Hi Craig...thx for the comments. Without going back and checking original build notes, in both cases I think those cross-rams were the optional engine parts from the AMT 1966 Mustang Hardtop annual kit reissues c.1970ish and beyond....TIM

Some really tasty models and images above...you guys rock. Here's mine, built from a final round test shot provided to me by Revell in appreciation of me sending them the one-time only AMT 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan Street Rod series release from 1975, which they used as a reference point in working out the details of the interior pieces of their kit. The test shot was in final form except no instructions, decals, or plating of the chrome tree parts. Went together in a breeze as i recall.... I'm almost certain I've posed this before, so apologies in advance for the duplication, but here's a link to my on-line build thread of the kit for those who have not seen it before.... Revell-Monogram 1932 Ford Tudor Advanced Build album | Funman1712 | Fotki.com, photo and video sharing made easy. Best////TB

Heh Bone...so cool to see you are still building...and this one in particular is really creative! Carry on! Cheers....TIM

SWEEEEEETTTTT! TB

Very, very sharp and accurate Boss! Big congrats from this corner...TIM

I was working on a resto/slight kitbash of an original '63 when I got the word that Round 2 was planning a new kit of the subject. Having spent hours fixing the numerous sink marks and crooked side moldings on the original '63, not to mention all the other iffy 1963-quality parts and fits, I can assure all who are reading this that the new '63 is light years better than the original annual kit in almost every way ..TB

Thanks David for the compliment; in response to your question, I recall a couple of kitbashes of this kit being posted over at Spotlight Hobbies with lowered stances and big wheels and tires, and they looked killer! Best...TB

My recollection is this one originally came in the AMT 1964 Corvette roadster kit, but I'm not in a position where I can confirm that right now. That version did not have the dual axles of the Firebird 500 kit, and tended to be a "tail sitter" (to quote our aviation modeler friends) as the axle was placed too far forward for proper tongue weight balance. Here is some photography of my gluebomb resto of the original kit trailer with some mild kitbashing added....TB

Ummm....not likely. I'd have to shed too many company secrets....(smile)....TB

Thank you Ulf. That is great stuff! Like you, the knowledge I gained building model cars early in my life directly led to my "competitive advantage" during the early part of 35 year career at Ford Motor Company, and later on, my first book and writing background gave me invaluable credibility with our Design staff when I was transferred from global sales and marketing to a senior level business oversite and chief of staff for the Global VP of Design role. Probably didn't hurt too when I was eventually assigned management/leadership responsibility for our three global advanced design studios. You just can't make this stuff up. I doubt much if any of this would have happened had 1) I not been a model car builder, and 2) had Pat G. not given me the opportunity to start the Modeler's Corner gig when he was Editor at Street Rodder. BTW, congrats on your own writing and career. I understand and respect your gratefulness as you explain it. It is also great to hear how Wheels magazine's readership endorsed model cars. It was exactly the same here during my 17 years writing the model column for them. Cheers...TB

Thanks for the latest update Marty. In fact, looking very, very close! Lovin' it! TB