tim boyd

Yep, Luc, agree fully. The '71 GTO's, particularly the Judge versions, were extremely low production vs. the '70's, but this seems to make them all the more valuable in the 1/1 scale auction world, where I would say they are near to the values for '70 GTO Judge converts. And yes, for a '71, the 455 HO was THE engine to have, and thus would be exactly the right choice for the kit version. TIM

Andy....again, fully agree with you on this. At the top of my pickup list (especially since Moebius is now doing the Bumpside '67-72 series) are the 1957 Ford Styleside and the 1961-63 Unibody F100. These are both iconic body styles, growing in popularity in the 1/1 scale hot rod world, and capable of many kit derivatives. The '57 has never been done as a 1/25th scale kit (though you can get one through Holthaus if memory serves), and the '61-63 Unibody has only been done as a LWB annual kit, and the old AMT '63 (due to having been reissued) is the only one you can realistically actually find (albeit with a 3 digit price tag for an touched kit), so I'd probably further narrow the focus to a SWB '61 or '62 Unibody. The '57 would lend itself (which some clever die design) to later '58, '59, and '60 kit versions, and the '61/'62 could later deliver some Flareside and/or chassis cab (e.g. wrecker) kits although these would be more difficult due to the need for a second body tool (due to the single unibody cab/pickkup design), and a second, longer wheelbase chassis. In that regard, maybe it might be better (from a business case perspective) to do the '64-66 versions, which returned to a separate cab for the Styeside pickup and also have never been done as a 1/25th scale kit. These would more easily support later, derivative kit versions. TIM

Robert...right on, man! Love that '70 LS6, and would also love to see it as an El Camino (ergo my article in the latest Model Cars magazine). Not to mention that '70 GTO Judge convertible you suggest, which would also need to include the first-ever in 1/25th scale correct Ram Air IV engine as well. That one is at the top of my personal "new muscle car model kit list" right at the moment, now that the '70 'cuda has made it to the market ... TIM

Alan, Cheers yourself, mate! Fully agree with you on a '34 Chevy series, although from my point of view, I would be happy with anything from a '33-36 model year vintage, Master or DeLuxe series. I heard a rumor that a kit topic something like this might have been under possible consideration at one point, but that was several years ago and I don't recall where I heard it (it wasn't directly from the model companies, that's for sure, because if it was, I couldn't be mentioning it here!), and I can't remember to what company (if any) the possible development was attributed, either. A few years back I would have said "no way ever on this face of this earth", but what with chopped '49 Merc and early 50's Hudson kits having been developed and selling successfully, these days a more topical statement might be "Never say never". TIM

Jeff...those are actually an early ('28/'29) Model A on the left, and a late ('30/'31) Model A on the right, but I fully agree with you, these would make excellent kit topics and particularly the chopped and channelled '31 A Coupe on the right is about THE hottest subject in the 1/1 scale Hot Rod world right now. I just finished a model build very similar to the one of the right, using the new Replicas and Miniatures body from Norm Veber, and I was extremely pleased with how it turned out. TIM

Chuck....just read your comments about the appropriateness (or more accurately, the inappropriateness) of SBC engines in Ford vehicles in your latest "Inspiration Files" in the new issue of MCM (#185) . Right-on! Interesting car you featured...it appears to be Michigan-based but i don't recall seeing it at any of the hot rod events I've attended in the area....anyway, enjoyed your feature. Sure would make a cool model car! Best regards...TIM

Thanks Ed! Best regards...TIM

Scott is correct here. Several street-legal Mopar engines, including the 1975/76 passenger car E58 360 hi-po, did not use Catalytic Converters in 1975 or 1976. IIRC (and someone needs to double check the following), Chrysler's famous (or perhaps infamous might be a better word???) "Lean Burn" engines during the mid 1970's were a further attempt to provide emissions compliance without the use of a Catalytic Converter. TIM

Wow John...you are quite the craftsman!!! Great to see the scratchbuilding and fabrication coming together so convincingly. Will be looking forward to seeing this one progress, but great work so far! Best Regards...TIM

Ed....multiple trusted sources have documented that Chrysler was planning a 6bbl street version of the 426 Hemi before it was cancelled, but I have never seen an actual photo of such a project. Accordingly, I am wondering what is the background of the full size photo you show in this post? Does it say whether it is a modern-day recreation or does it claim to be a restoration of a test engine that was constructed back in the day? In any case, your 1/25th scale replica looks terrific! Let us know once you decide to put it in a model car body - that ought to be quite the project! Best regards....TIM

Gerry....thanks for setting the record straight on this. Model kits take a LONG time to develop and do correctly. While it makes a great storyline to suggest that the new Meng kit prompted Revell to go ahead with a Raptor, the timelines involved for such a scenario to have taken place just don't meet the realities of kit development today. TIM

Guys....sorry to disappoint you on this, but IMC never made a 1/25th scale model of the original V4 powered mid-engine concept car. One of their very first kits, however, was the Mustang II concept car as pictured in Greg's post above. Best regards...TIM

Chuck,,,,John....James: Thanks, I don't get out so much anymore (my favorite hobby shop is a good half hour drive away)... Nice kit, anyway! TB

(Casey...would have sworn there was already a thread on the new Revell Boss 302 kit but didn't see it when I just looked...if so please move this to the existing thread.) All....maybe I missed the news but today I saw the new Revell '13 Boss 302 kit where I shop for kits - the Model Cave in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I would presume that it is also at other retailers with the special Revell/Hobbico advance distribution scheme. How appropriate; almost 50 years to the exact day that the original Mustang was introduced! ' Best..>TIM

JB, you are certainly entitled to your view on this but I suspect many magazine editors would take a much different view than the one you articulate here. This is particularly true for Hot Rod DeLuxe, which is one of the single most successful automotive magazine title introductions over the last decade, and which was ONLY available via newstand distribution for several years until they began to take subscriptions a little over a year ago. Most editors (and publshers) care about BOTH newstand and subscription circulation numbers, as together they are a sign of overall magazine health and as the basis for their advertising rate cards. I don't formally sit on any magazine staffs these days but I have worked closely with a number of magazine editors over the years as a freelancer, having contributed articles to over 30 different titles worldwide over 35 years. On that basis, and also based on my understanding of Intellectual Property Law in part from my 35 years in the automotive industry, I stand by my position on this subject. Thanks for your comments nevertheless. Always good to have an informed dialogue....TIM

Guys...like many magazines, the publisher Source Interlink Media would not appreciate an article from a current issue of one of their magazines being posted online. As many of you know, magazines live and die by circulation numbers....if your budget allows and the subject interests you, it would be best to buy a copy. Best regards...TIM

Thanks James for the feedback and absolutely agree with your verdict on this Elky. (PS - be watching for a possible 1/24th/1/25th scale El Camino Kit History article in a future issue of MCM) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Another teaser image from the album link: A This is a REAL '32 Ford Roadster Pickup body. Note the much more upright, truck-like cowl, windshield frame, and door/body section, as well as the slightly different "commercial" grille shell/grille (a simplified stamping on '32 Ford trucks, vs. the multi-piece assembly on '32 passenger cars). There were very few of these made originally, and even fewer survive (most '32 Roadster Pickups you see are "Phantoms" based on the totally different passenger car roadster body). Five more pictures of other equally cool pickup rods from Bruce's Rod Shop are at the link on page 7 of the album. Best regards...>TIM .

True...but there are a surprising number of detail differences between the Young American and Garlits Wynnscharger kits when you actually compare them part for part. Hope Round 2 does the work to fully return the tool to the original Garlits format when they reissue it, but under any circumstance, glad to have this one back. TIM

Thanks Guys...glad you enjoyed them. Best Regards....TIM

Just so we are totally clear on this, the built-up 1/25th scale scratchbuilt hobby show sample shown in the May, 1971 issue of Car Model magazine (and pictured on Steve Magnante's website at this link http://www.moparmax.com/columns/magnante/vi_2-2.html ) was most likely built scratchbuilt by Phil Jensen, as noted in my earlier post in this thread. It was not made from a pre-production tooling test shot. TB

Casey and the rest.... Interesting subject, and as a Dodge guy in my youth, a subject very near and dear to my heart. Like Steve, I built that L700 (in my case, the summer it was introduced) and I was just blown away by the accuracy of that kit . Looking at this subject from another view, by the time that IMC announced the stillborn LVT Cabover kit, the 1/1 scale Dodge product, never a big seller, was already well past its prime. The decision not to go ahead was IMC's, from what I recall. I don't think Testors was really involved, as this took place (again, from what I recall) before Testors took over the IMC product range. The info in my book would most likely have been based on the various Phil Jensen "Tidewater Trucker" columns in Car Model magazine from 1970-73. I am also of the understanding that Phil, a well respected proponent of model car scratchbuilding, did just that (scratchbuilt) the 1/25th scale LVT sample seen in that Car Model photo in Steve's article. No tooling was ever started as far as I know. Finally, this is the first I've ever heard that the Dodge LVT and the Ford W-Series might have shared the same cab. I could be completely wrong about this, but I'd want to see that statement in writing from a well-respected Class 8 truck historian before accepting it as gospel. Interesting discussion guys! Thanks...TIM

SHARP! TIm

Greg...thanks for noticing and posting. There always has been a strong linkage between model cars and the readers of full size car mags, but most car magazine editors are not too aware of this, and even if they are, they often have other battles to fight. In this case, HRD Editor Drew Hardin is aware of the link and devoted a full page of a very full issue to model cars. There are literally millions of Baby Boomers out there that built kits as kids, and don't have a clue that their one time hobby is alive and well. Bits like this help to spread the word. Thanks again...TIM ..

....plus commentary from what some view as the world's pre-eminent Traditional Hot Rod and Custom event are awaiting your visit at the following link....http://public.fotki.com/funman1712/11-scale-automotive/2014-texas-lonestar/ Hope you get some cool model building ideas here! Thanks for looking.....TIM

Charlie's exactly right. Tom shows how he has started a new mostly scratchbuilt project comprised of a truck conversion of a Model T along with a period-correct Wrecker boom and bed. Also, his technique for scaling accurate dimensions from period photography. Cool stuff! TIM