tim boyd

Bob...thanks for the heads-up on this The photographer, Brenda Priddy, is well known and respected in the automotive industry. If her account is truthful (and I have every reason to believe it is), this is indeed a cause for concern among those who believe that copyrights are, in fact, copyrights. TIM

Car enthusiasts in the Midwest USA are fortunate to have an event of the quality of the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's each year.Conducted in beautiful Plymouth Township (just off the M-14 Expressway, about 3/4 of the distance between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan), the event dodged another Midwest Weather bullet and enjoyed pristine weather for most of the day.Among the many featured classes this year were first through third gen competition Ford GT's (complete with a 1966 LeMans Pit Diorama background), and early 1970's Pro-Stock drag racers.170 pictures follow at this link for your viewing entertainment, and once again, thanks for looking. TIM Here are a few preview shots....

Greg...let me assure you and all reading this thread that the "Cult Theme" at the NNL Nationals is NOT a contest. In fact, true NNL's are not judged and do not make a deal of the few "peoples' choice" recipients at an NNL event. . In fact, as one of the three originators of the entire NNL concept, I would personally prefer there not be ANY models singled out for attention beyond their presence on the tables of the event, NNL's are not about winning awards, they are about displaying your models in a non-competitive environment that encourages friendship and camaraderie. All modelers attending NNL's are welcome to bring and display their models, no matter what they subject (as long as it is broadly automotive related). We have, almost from the very first NNL in 1980, had special themes based on participant input, and they have always been a big part of the NNL experience. But participation is entirely at the option of the entrant..no pressure at all Hope that clarifies....at least as it relates to NNL's Cheers TIM

...."Three and Five Window Coupes". Primarily intended to capture your latest and your most favorite 3 & 5 window hot rod, street rod, and gasser/competition builds, but restored stock and customs also welcome. Model years 1920's-1954 all welcome. 1/24th and 1/25th scale only, please. The "Cult Theme" table will be at the back of the event next to the magazine photography booths, as in prior years. Last year's "Cult Theme" was "Traditional Hot Rods and Customs" and generated over 100 entrants. Will this year's Cult Theme be even more successful? With all the new three and five window coupe model car kits just introduced in the last year (Revell '30 Model A and '48 Coupes, Galaxie Limited's '48 Chevy Coupe) and several of Round 2's excellent re-introductions in original kit form (1936 Ford Coupe, 1937 Chevy Coupe, 1941 Plymouth Coupe), plus plenty of past three and five window unbuilt kits in your closet, there's plenty of base material to have fun with. Not to mention all those already-built models in your display case. In the spirit of the original NNL's, no awards or people choice trophies here. Just braggin' rights ("I Participated") and the chance to show and chat with like minded-modelers too (again, in the spirit of the original NNL's). Hope to see you and your models there! Best Regards...TIM

Bill....lovin' it, just flat loving it! Cheers....TIM

Well said, Greg, well said. And personally, "thanks" to you for your thanks on my original post. Looking forward to seeing your projects based on this kit series.....TIM

Al....that's a very tasty result, to say the least! B5, your wheels/tires, stance, all look super-sharp. And an excellent first effort at BareMetal Foil...it adds so much to the realistic appearance of your model. Congrats.....TIM

Thanks Bill for relating your experiences and how you dealt with them. I too am very nearsighted, and I have been afflicted with floaters (growing gradually worse over time) ever since my college days. I have been warned about things like detached retinas...and it was very helpful to hear it affected you (e.g what you saw through your eye). I am now much better equipped to know what to do if this ever happens to me. Needless to say, like everyone else here I am overjoyed to hear that the operation was a success and wish you the very best as you continue your recovery. TIM

Don't recall having read this here yet (did not go back through the entire thread again....).....here is a great story on the kit's development courtesy John G. and the kit's development engineer back in the late 1970's, John Mueller. As a contractor to AMT back then, I'd heard parts of this story, but never in this level of detail. It's a must-read and a huge grin! Enjoy.....TIM

Here's one of several shots of Fred Farrand's 1/1 scale '32 Highboy, just finished last fall. For those that don't recognize the name, Fred's been doing magazine-worthy model cars for over 20 years (and has several magazine photos to prove it - and now one in full size scale too!). This car is full of neat details, from the '33-style hood vents, to the airfoil section on the front tie bar, to the way cool induction system on the small block Ford V8 (no me-too SBC's for this man!), and the one-off style mag wheels. Well done, Fred! TIM

Yep....and been missin' it ever since......TIM

AMEN!!!! TIm

Excellent....especially those coil-overs! TIM

Great paint detailing work and really like the overall color scheme too! Cheers.....TIM

John....great to see you back at it, and amazed at how quickly you can define and build such a convincing replica largely from scratch. In the original MPC kit, the engine was a DeSoto Firedome Hemi, which I presume was based on the the 1/1 scale original. An early Chrysler Hemi, then, is a close but not identical substitute. In keeping with your slight "upgrading" (e.g. the Halibrand Quick Change i/l/o a Ford 9"), the step up (in power and prestige) from a DeSoto Firedome to a first gen Chrysler Hemi seems entirely consistent for your project. Plus the effort to fully duplicate exactly a Firedome (e.g changes like the engine front cover/water pump layout) seems to be a questionable effort given the similarity in design between the two 1/1 scale) engines. Will be watching this one progress and envision a stunning result when complete, just like the other projects you've shared here and elsewhere in the past. Way to go! TIM

Al.....great subject for a model build and really like your build theme, too! Unibody F100's rule, in 1/1 AND 1/25th scale....way cool! TIM

Rob....looking very, very good. Love the engine choice and that fat 'ol Paxton blower hanging out there....so much more character than some of the more typical engine choices....will be watching as it finishes up....TIM

Dennis...great start so far. Love the theme. Have used that rear axle/quarter elliptic setup on some of my Gasser and A/SR - AA/SR builds myself...an outstanding selection on your part. Will be enjoying watching this one come together....TIM

Thanks Lance....yeah....I was a bit neglectful in not getting any more pix! (smile) Cheers.....TIM

Craig - nicely done!!! And good to see that Nailhead in lieu of the SBC. Anyone else got a completed build yet? TIM

For what it is worth, my understanding is that Revell asked for, and received, copies of the original Model A Blueprints from the Ford archives, before engineering the kit Cheers.....TIM

It was also a "Great 8" finalist for the Ridler award at the 2015 Cobo Autorama IIRC.....TIM

This is the car that won the Ridler, hands down in my opinion, at the Detroit Cobo Autorama earlier this year. It is a gorgeous (and expensive!) piece of work. Glad you enjoyed the pix....TIM

Dave..have not had time to compare yet....working on building two versions of the Revell '30A Five Window coupe.....TIM PS - As I've said before, it is really dangerous to try to draw conclusions on body proportions by comparing model bodies to pictures of the 1/1.....you really need to photograph the model, with the same camera, lense, and photo angle, then compare the pictures. Even more insightful if the model is built and painted before the photography......TB f