tim boyd

Craig...thx for he comments. That Turquoise One Coat sounds really interesting...gotta do a search on that one. Thx for the tip....TIM

Hi Dennis....yes, to the best of my memory, those wheels (and tires IIRC) were from the '64 T-Bolt kit....thx for the comments....TIM

I purchased another kit at the store (Model Cave in Ypsilanti, MI) today; will unbox and take a look.....TB

There must be something going on here, as on the kit I build the windshield frame fit just about perfectly. The kit I built came early in the production run; I wonder if something or some process changed as more kits were produced. Guess I better open up the second kit which I bought several months into the production and see how that windshield frame fits...TB

Hah! That's the spirit, Chuck (smile). Meanwhile, in 1/1 the convertible body style of any muscle era car (e.g. 1968 R/T) is mostly more valuable (and more desirable) than the hardtop version, while in 1/25th it has been the (for six decades now, according to those in the know, that hardtop models always outsell the convertible versions, often by wide margin....hmmm....TB PS - I'm buying the convertible version of this one big-time....TB

To each and every one of you who has posted work in progress or completed models in this Community Build thread....great work IMHO!!!! Keep it up...love the enthusiasm, the creativity, and the workmanship. Scale automotive modeling at its very best....TIM

Bernard...hope you can post an image with both this one and your new build posed together....btw really, really like those solid Halibrands on your new build posted higher up this thread...myself, I've had some of those set aside for years just waiting for the right model to use them on..TIM

That sounds like great fun....can you imagine in 1/1 scale...the sound of that Chrysler straight-8 unmuffled, the sand being kicked up, the car either rockting off the line or...digging itself deep into the sand (due to the wieght of the car)....great imagery in any context. Hope you decide to go ahead with this, Seth...TB

I just so admire the imagination on display here and that Claude has the modeling skills to deliver the vision in 3D reality. Way to go! TB

For any of you still pondering what to build, one idea would be to use the Henderson/Indian Ace four cylinder motorcycle found in the recent Round 2 reissue of the old MPC 1932 Chrysler Roadster kit. Up until this reissue, your only way to build this one would have been either Norm's (R&M of Md. Co.) resin rebop, or else parts from the original MPC kit released in 1966 (only this release had the motorcycle parts, no other reissues until the recent Round 2 action). Era-correct bikes have been a big part of the TROG events since the beginning, and could fit right in visually with all the great work being done in this build thread. Mine was a quicky restoration of a gluebomb build from that original 1966 kit, with just paint detailing, a number roundel, and a "Bardahl" decal on the tank. But just imagine what you could do with some real detailing, starting with more accurate spoked wheels... Just an idea....TIM

Other than the wanky Y-Block, AMT-Ertl's "American Graffiti" was a surprisingly good kit. I wanted to build it with a Gasser-style chassis but finished in a late 1960's/early 1970's Street Machine/Street Freak style vibe. After pulling out all my old Car Model Magazines and reading all the great old Hank Borger street racing yarns (the Marauder, Ghost Dancer, et al) for inspiration, I began the project. I used a kitbashed Y-Block (NOT the T-Bird kit engine) based on the old AMT 1956 Ford Vicky kit, although a period FE or even 351 Cleveland might have been more topical. You'll note the Hank Borger inspired fade paint, accomplished with now-gone Testors One Coat Lacquers and Tamiya Clear Blue Candy aerosols. It was a fun project and eventually appeared as a how-to in one of the model mags probably about 15 years ago. More pix below, and thanks for checking it out. TIM

This was one of my first-ever Street Rd model cars, probably completed around 1974-5 just after my 1972 GM Bright Menthol Green 1929 Model A on 1932 Rails Highboy inspired by Bill Burnham's first (yellow/326 Pontiac powered) 1/1 of the same subject. This model (along with that Highboy) was based in part on the real cars shown in the Hot Rod magazine Street Rod Pictorial all-color special issue published in 1974. The body appears resto-rod stock, wearing late 1960's AMT Mellow Yellow Metalflake Lacquer with an interior in brown "leather" with "velour" (flocking) inserts. But the surprise was that the body lifted off to reveal a full-boat super-detailed chassis with scratch built crossmembers and the very latest in running gear and suspension technology of the era. And yes, before I knew better (smile) the engine was an SBC. The wheel and tire choices were very contemporary for the time, as was the stance where there was visible space between the top of the tires and the fender, as well as rear tires sticking out past the fender edges. Thanks for checking it out...plenty more pictures below....TB

Beautiful work, Scott, of a fascinating 1/1 subject and kit. Engine looks great and a masterful job you did on the opening Driver's Side doors. Big congrats! TIM

Claude, yet another winner, for sure. Your fade paint job is really sharp, too. And the later generation chassis is also an applicable change as the two 1969 Mickey Thompson Mach 1's used a chassis design somewhat similar to yours. Great save. ********** For those who are interested in the LongNose kit bpdy that Claude used here, it was AMT's first fully authentic funny car kit. It included an extended late first generation style Logghe chassis and a SOHC 427 Ford engine based off the Ohio Geroge '33 Willys parts. It was never reissued (other than box art change) with the long nose parts past the initial production runs in late 1960/early 1970s. A similar kit, the "Mach Won", had the same basic contents but a production size instead of long nose Mustang body. It came out in 1970 and was reissued and in the AMT catalog through about 1974. My drag racing kits book includes a photo, provided by John Mueller, of the 1/10th scale wood master for the Gas Rhonda long-nose kit in the AMT shops at Maple Road in Troy, MI. John also gave me a photo of the same wood master, with the body in tilted pose sitting on the chassis, and a smiling Gene Winfield holding the body it its raised position. It appears to me that Gene had hand-lettered a partial livery on the wood master body. Cool picture, and wished I could have used it, but there was not time to contact Mr. Winfield and get his permission to use the photo. TB

Dave.....great and inspirational project so far. And that lavender pearl flat out rocks in my view. TIM

Really, really sharp! TB

James is 100% correct in his statement here. But for me, the whole issue doesn't really matter. Stepping back and looking at this subject from a broader view, the point is: we now have a new kit of a subject that most of us, particularly those with a deep understanding of the inner workings of the model car kit industry, never ever realistically expected to become available again. Huge win for all of us! TB

Dennis....primo....just primo in every way. All....I think some of you know this, but for those that do not, Dennis is and has been for a very long time a very respected player in the 1/1 scale traditional hot rod world in California. Latest evidence just appeared yesterday in the Hop Up Annual #17; his role in suspension changes in one of the feature cars is called out in the mag. We are fortunate to see his talents there being translated into model building here! TB

Roger and Alan...I have no plans to build the kit myself, at least in the foreseeable future. But I'd like to see what you guys would do with it. TB

KIt....I'm sure you are already planning to do so, but just in case, sure hope you bring copies of these images that will clearly show Mark and the other judges the Revell '29A Hot Rod Roadster portion of your body! Lookin'' good and love the idea of using the '30A "Skeleton" interior pieces! Best....TIM

Tim....one of my favorite sayings is "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity". It was also a favorite of a former boss of mine, Dan Rivard, when he was the head of Ford Racing. The opportunity to bring this one home is clearly in front of you, and you are way more than clearly prepared. Proceed with confidence, my friend! Can't wait to see the final result! Best...TIM t

Mike...great question. I do not remember doing a detailed comparo back at the time. I had built the '84 T-Bird Pro Stock and '87 Showroom stock Turbo Coupe kits, so this would have been an easy exercise. Of coure, the '83 1/3 and '84 Turbo Coupes are among my all time 1/1 factory stock favorites (I actually played a key role in getting the clearcoat gold and light blue metallics put into the 1/1 color palette replacing the blando solid color tan and baby blue colors late in the '83 model year). TB

Kit, Dennis, and Alan....thanks for the comments. Glad to know this one resonated....now, what's next? Best...TB

Mark, this is some really outstanding work. Particularly drooling over that '70 F/C; you captured the body and chassis work perfectly. Big congrats from this corner...TIM

The AMT Nova kit was originally a pseudo Pro-Stock kit first (#T348, AMT Nova Pro Stock, first issued in 1975 as a second spinoff of their newly tooled Nova annual kit). Essentially the annual kit contents with a new, tubbed rear underbody clip, a high riser 454 with a Lenco tranny. Not at all accurate for a real 1/1 Pro-Stock circa 1975, but not bad for a Pro-Street style car before the 1/1 genre became popular. Kit box and more info can seen on page 131 of the "Collecting Drag Racing Model Kits'" book from CarTech publishing. Here's my mostly box stock build (note the later model year grille/headlamps) built with a pseudo pro street theme. Best....TB