tim boyd

Intermountain Letter to the Editor- Elkins Fordland Editor: As I watch the coverage of the fate of the U.S. auto industry, one alarming and frustrating fact hits me right between the eyes. The fate of our nation's economic survival is in the hands of some congressmen who are completely out of touch and act without knowledge of an industry that affects almost every person in our nation. The same lack of knowledge is shared with many journalists whom are irresponsible when influencing the opinion of millions of viewers. Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has doomed the industry, calling it a dinosaur. No Mr. Shelby, you are the dinosaur, with ideas stuck in the '70s, '80s and '90s. You and the uninformed journalist and senators that hold onto myths that are not relevant in today's world. When you say that the Big Three build vehicles nobody wants to buy, you must have overlooked that GM outsold Toyota by about 1.2 million vehicles in the U.S. and Ford outsold Honda by 850,000 and Nissan by 1.2 million in the U.S. GM was the world's No. 1 automaker beating Toyota by 3,000 units. When you claim inferior quality comes from the Big Three, did you realize that Chevy makes the Malibu and Ford makes the Fusion that were both rated over the Camry and Accord by J.D. Power independent survey on initial quality? Did you bother to read the Consumer Report that rated Ford on par with good Japanese automakers. Did you realize Big Three's gas guzzlers include the 33 mpg Malibu that beats the Accord. And for '09 Ford introduces the Hybrid Fusion whose 39 mpg is the best midsize, beating the Camry Hybrid. Ford's Focus beats the Corolla and Chevy's Cobalt beats the Civic. When you ask how many times are we going to bail them out you must be referring to 1980. The only Big Three bailout was Chrysler, who paid back $1 billion, plus interest. GM and Ford have never received government aid. When you criticize the Big Three for building so many pickups, surely you've noticed the attempts Toyota and Nissan have made spending billions to try to get a piece of that pie. Perhaps it bothers you that for 31 straight years Ford's F-Series has been the best selling vehicle. Ford and GM have dominated this market and when you see the new '09 F-150 you'll agree this won't change soon. Did you realize that both GM and Ford offer more hybrid models than Nissan or Honda. Between 2005 and 2007, Ford alone has invested more than $22 billion in research and development of technologies such as Eco Boost, flex fuel, clean diesel, hybrids, plug in hybrids and hydrogen cars. It's 2008 and the quality of the vehicles coming out of Detroit are once again the best in the world. Perhaps Sen. Shelby isn't really that blind. Maybe he realizes the quality shift to American. Maybe it's the fact that his state of Alabama has given so much to land factories from Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes Benz that he is more concerned about their continued growth than he is about the people of our country. Sen. Shelby's disdain for "government subsidies" is very hypocritical. In the early '90s he was the driving force behind a $253 million incentive package to Mercedes. Plus, Alabama agreed to purchase 2,500 vehicles from Mercedes. While the bridge loan the Big Three is requesting will be paid back, Alabama 's $180,000-plus per job was pure incentive. Sen. Shelby, not only are you out of touch, you are a self-serving hypocrite, who is prepared to ruin our nation because of lack of knowledge and lack of due diligence in making your opinions and decisions. After 9/11, the Detroit Three and Harley Davidson gave $40 million-plus emergency vehicles to the recovery efforts. What was given to the 9/11 relief effort by the Asian and European Auto Manufactures? $0 Nada. Zip! We live in a world of free trade, world economy and we have not been able to produce products as cost efficiently. While the governments of other auto producing nations subsidize their automakers, our government may be ready to force its demise. While our automakers have paid union wages, benefits and legacy debt, our Asian competitors employ cheap labor. We are at an extreme disadvantage in production cost. Although many UAW concessions begin in 2010, many lawmakers think it's not enough. Some point the blame to corporate management. I would like to speak of Ford Motor Co. The company has streamlined by reducing our workforce by 51,000 since 2005, closing 17 plants and cutting expenses. Product and future product is excellent and the company is focused on one Ford. This is a company poised for success. Ford product quality and corporate management have improved light years since the nightmare of Jacques Nasser. Thank you Alan Mulally and the best auto company management team in the business. The financial collapse caused by the secondary mortgage fiasco and the greed of Wall Street has led to a $700 billion bailout of the industry that created the problem. AIG spent nearly $1 million on three company excursions to lavish resorts and hunting destinations. Paulson is saying no to $250 billion foreclosure relief and the whole thing is a mess. So when the Big Three ask for 4 percent of that of the $700 billion, $25 billion to save the country's largest industry, there is obviously oppositions. But does it make sense to reward the culprits of the problem with $700 billion unconditionally, and ignore the victims? As a Ford dealer, I feel our portion of the $25 billion will never be touched and is not necessary. Ford currently has $29 billion of liquidity. However, the effect of a bankruptcy by GM will hurt the suppliers we all do business with. A Chapter 11 bankruptcy by any manufacture would cost retirees their health care and retirements. Chances are GM would recover from Chapter 11 with a better business plan with much less expense. So who foots the bill if GM or all three go Chapter 11? All that extra health care, unemployment, loss of tax base and some forgiven debt goes back to the taxpayer, us. With no chance of repayment, this would be much worse than a loan with the intent of repayment. So while it is debatable whether a loan or Chapter 11 is better for the Big Three, a $25 billion loan is definitely better for the taxpayers and the economy of our country. So I'll end where I began on the quality of the products of Detroit . Before you, Mr. or Ms. Journalist continue to misinform the American public and turn them against one of the great industries that helped build this nation, I must ask you one question. Before you, Mr. or Madam Congressman vote to end health care and retirement benefits for 1 million retirees, eliminate 2.5 million of our nation's jobs, lose the technology that will lead us in the future and create an economic disaster including hundreds of billions of tax dollars lost, I ask this question not in the rhetorical sense. I ask it in the sincere, literal way. Can you tell me, have you driven a Ford lately? Jim Jackson ELKINS FORDLAND, INC. 1211 Harrison Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241

That ad is blatantly false and completely insulting to anyone who makes their living in the domestic automobile industry. I work at Ford, Here are a few FACTS to think about. First, Ford is not participating in the current loan approach (by the way, it is a loan, NOT a bailout). Read any of the respected 2008 quality surveys and they will tell you Ford is essentially in a dead heat with Toyota for Quality. Dan Neil, Automotive Critic of the Los Angeles Times, said this last week "The Ford F-150 pickup I drove last week flat-out humbles rivals from Toyota or Nissan" Three weeks ago Ford announced a 2010 Fusion Hybrid that beats the Tyota Camry Hybrid by AT LEAST 5MPG and possibly more. The online automags have been posting articles in the last couple of days about their mileage during a LA test route on heavily congested streets there. More than a few have beaten the projected 39 mpg city rating. Ford Motor Company just won more IIHS five star crash safety ratings than ANYBODY. ANYBODY. Honda Motor Company won second place, Toyota and Subura trailed back... The new Ford Fiesta introduced in Europe will be here sometime in 2010. It flat blows away any comparable Japanese small car. This is 2008 guys, not ten or twenty years ago. Get your facts straight. This ad is an utter embarassment. Gregg it would be great if you take it down, and not because of the fowl language. TIM BOYD

The three MEL engine in 1/25th scale are from the AMT 1925 T Double Kit, the AMT 1962-65 Lincoln Continental (the '65 has been reissued a number of times and has some pretty cool engine accessory parts), and the AMT 1966-69 Lincoln Continental (even through the real car switched over the the MEL series 460 in 1968 1.2). Missing Link does a nice repro of the 1966 Continental MEL. You can see these engines built up on p. 24 of the June 2007 issue of that other model car mag. TIM

Thanks Harry. Somehow I missed this earlier. Doug's photography setup is impressive and the results even moreso. TIM BOYD

Ismael, somebody posted this link on the Spotlight Hobbies board this evening....I had never seen any of this or your in-process builds. What a great model! Kudos to you and congratulations. TIM BOYD

Yeah the NNL Nationals was superb this year. Around 780 models and all the people the room could accomodate. And two of the longest running model car projects ever. First Dan Thomas shows up with a Dune Buggy for our cult theme that he started in September, 1968 when the AMT Car Model Dune Buggy contest was announced, and completed....well completed LAST SATURDAY! Thus a 40 year and 1 month model car project. Surely the longest ever....until... Norm Veber lays a 1965 issue of the Blue Bettle on the table....that he started sometime between 1966 and 1968...including scale hinged doors....and finished LAST NIGHT! Thus a 40-42 year old project from beginning to end. These are the kinds of stories that make the NNL Nationals such a great event. We had a great turnout for our Dune Buggy cult theme including four entries from two guys who traveled from Sweden! Next year is the 30th NNL Nationals and the theme will be 1964-1974 Pony Cars. The NNL Cult Theme may be Bonneville models. TIM BOYD PS - Pat's photos do a great job of capturing yesterday's event...TB

From my point of view, both a '57 Buick and '57 Olds sound unlikely. But then again, when I kept hearing about a chopped '49 Mercury kit being developed, I kept saying "no way in the world". Shows how much my opinion is worth! Regarding some of the other speculation here, the '70 Ranchero sounds plausible as many of us campaigned for this when the original Coupe kit was being considered. The '91/'92 Mustang LX would seem like a logical extension of the Fox convertible tool. The AMT/Ertl '49 Olds is one I would personally love to see. I think RM is pretty pleased with the '32 Ford Sedan kit, so one could speculate that another body style might be considered at some point. There's plenty left to choose....sedan delivery, vicky, phaeton, five window coupe, even my personal favorite the ultra rare '32 Roadster pickup. I will say here what I've said before on several forums and to my contacts at the model companies ib multiple occasions. A fully correct new tool of the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, in several stock variations (340, Hemi, Six Pack, HT or convertible), all with key equipment like the integral body color front bumper, 15x7 Mopar Rallye wheels with correct F-60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, and the "gill" rocker moldings, along with the historic Super Stock and Pro Stock variations of the time, remains by [by far the biggest untapped market opportunity in 1/25th scale kits these days. 1/25th scale kits I hope someone takes the plunge one of these days. Best regards....TIM

Wow that is gorgeous! Great job with the proportions. Looks like it might have come right from the desk of Jack Davis or Pryor Passorino! TIM BOYD

Great job on the Nova cover article in the new Model Cars, Bill. Car looks terrific and the article is excellent. Never tire of reading your work. What's next? Best regards....TIM BOYD o

Ismael, sure hope you get a chance to finish one or both of those...the Miami Vice in particular shows loads of possibilties....maybe just do it as a simple build rather than a knock-down model...as the visuals alone will go a long way to getting attention! TIM

Read a story on what sounds like a terrific event in a model car newsletter recently. There were awards for a number of different classes. But the event was called an "NNL". Sorry to be a stickler here, but model car contests are NOT NNL events! The original NNL event and the ones that followed were created as an antidote to model car contests. Over the years, they morphed into events where in most cases, the participants were asked to vote for their favorite entries in two or three categories, usually best junior, best theme, and best overall. The difference between this and a model car contest is that there are just a few awards, and the awards are voted on by the participants themselves, not "judges" or "celebrities" or club members. Once a model car event has multiple awards, and they are decided by judges, not the participants, that event can no longer be called an "NNL". I realize that many - perhaps most of you - are aware of this. But in recent years our hobby has added many new participants (thank goodness) and a bit of gentle nudging in the right direction for these newer folks would be much appreciated. Best regards all....TIM

Marcos, thanks for the kind word! God knows I don';t what tanks and the like in our model car world either. But I strongly believe (and I understand not all of you agree) that other 1/25th scale automotive-related topics like bikes, trucks, and even farm tractors belong in our circle of interest. And so do drag, ski, and pleasure boats (again, if they are 1/25th scale and something you would find towable behind a 1/25th scale vehicle). BTW, appreciate the "civil discourse" on this thread....good we can get our differing views out there wihout offending anyone! TIM

Ismael, when I did the drag and ski boat kit history a couple of years ago, I pulled out that Miami Vice kit and was surprised just how good it was. I then started thinking about what it would look like built as a 1/25th scale boat....and I would simply love to see what you accomplished so far with your build. Please dig it out and take some pix! ] Best regards....TIM

Merk,,,,,very promising boats....can you finish them and bring them to the NNL Natinoals in Toledo this fall? I'm planning to bring about six or seven of my most recent boat builds and hope to have them be part of an informal display of 1/25th scale boats from several builders .... And Harry....regarding boats and model cars....we're all part of one big family replicating in 1/25th scale the best of the 1/1 scale car world. Drag Boats and Ski Boats were an incredibly integral part of the car scene in the 1960's....including making up about 10% of any indoor hot rod car show of the era and being the subject of frequent full color features (and even a cover or two) in Hot Rod magazine for better than a decade. And I understand Hot Rod is again getting reader feedback asking for drag boats.....! Let's see....monster engines....great paint jobs....swoopy styliing....bucket seats and tachs...heroic drivers who were also frequently the builders (e.g. Rudy Ramos)....plus they look great in diagrams and hooked up to all of our 1/25th tow vehicles.....sounds to me like they should be part of our 1.25th scale world. Just my take... Best regards....TIM

John that is one sweet street rod. The paint scheme is brilliant - what a great idea. Also really like the engine choice. Congratulations! TIM BOYD

What Rick said. I also knew Boyd and though I did not talk to him in quite a number of years, when I did know him he was a total gentleman and not at all like the TV series. Boyd's true personality would have made for dull TV. That's the bottom line. RIP, Mr. Coddington. TIM BOYD

GReat job Lyle. Congrats....TIM

Cranky, love that V12 Flattie....I presume it's from the '41 Lincoln Contenital kit? Super sharp diorama too! TIM BOYD

Mike, how goes it in Seattle? Great to hear from you.....best regards....TIM BOYD

Harry asks a good question. I was one of the organizers of the original NNL, and also one of the organizers of the first NNL events on the west coast. The original NNL's did not have awards. Of any sort. It was against the spirit of the event. After a few years most of the organizers of the original NNL event in Ohio simply didn;t have the time to do it any more, so one of the model clubs that included several of the participants from the early shows took over. Over time they put their "print" on the show, and part of that was that as the event grew, some of the newcomers wanted awards of some sort. I and several of the origniators did not like this idea, but we werent't the ones putting the organizing effort in any more. Fortunately the club decided to make the awards "popular vote" rather than judged, which would have been totally against the spirit of the originators. Things evolve. If I was still an organizer I would argue against any award. But as long as there are only a couple of awards, and they are by popular vote, then it doen't take away from what are terrfic modeling events, ones that now take place all across the world. BTW Andy Martin, who posted above on this subject, was also at the first ever NNL event.....TIM BOYD

Harry asks a good question. I was one of the organizers of the original NNL, and also one of the organizers of the first NNL events on the west coast. The original NNL's did not have awards. Of any sort. It was against the spirit of the event. After a few years most of the organizers of the original NNL event in Ohio simply didn;t have the time to do it any more, so one of the model clubs that included several of the participants from the early shows took over. Over time they put their "print" on the show, and part of that was that as the event grew, some of the newcomers wanted awards of some sort. I and several of the origniators did not like this idea, but we werent't the ones putting the organizing effort in any more. Fortunately the club decided to make the awards "popular vote" rather than judged, which would have been totally against the spirit of the originators. Things evolve. If I was still an organizer I would argue against any award. But as long as there are only a couple of awards, and they are by popular vote, then it doen't take away from what are terrfic modeling events, ones that now take place all across the world. BTW Andy Martin, who posted above on this subject, was also at the first ever NNL event.....TIM BOYD

Harry asks a good question. I was one of the organizers of the original NNL, and also one of the organizers of the first NNL events on the west coast. The original NNL's did not have awards. Of any sort. It was against the spirit of the event. After a few years most of the organizers of the original NNL event in Ohio simply didn;t have the time to do it any more, so one of the model clubs that included several of the participants from the early shows took over. Over time they put their "print" on the show, and part of that was that as the event grew, some of the newcomers wanted awards of some sort. I and several of the origniators did not like this idea, but we werent't the ones putting the organizing effort in any more. Fortunately the club decided to make the awards "popular vote" rather than judged, which would have been totally against the spirit of the originators. Things evolve. If I was still an organizer I would argue against any award. But as long as there are only a couple of awards, and they are by popular vote, then it doen't take away from what are terrfic modeling events, ones that now take place all across the world. BTW Andy Martin, who posted above on this subject, was also at the first ever NNL event.....TIM BOYD