tim boyd

John, make your views known to Round 2. I would bet this kit is on their list of possible topics for scanning/cloning/creating a new tool. In fact, I would think it would be relatively highly ranked, though not sure what it would be up against in terms of competing for new tooling dollars at Round 2....TIM

Chris....yep....that has certainly crossed my mind, too. I'm also seeing other early-mid 1960's compact bodies....the JoHan Olds Cutlass....the AMT/SMP Valiants, the Revell Lancer/Valiant, the AMT '61-63 Comets, and several years of Falcons. In fact, I think an AMT '66-69 Falcon body, with this Nova Gasser underbody suspension, and maybe a kitbashed/blown 289 Ford V8, might be a highly cool build project.... TIM

For those still interested, I just posted the second update of the build progress at this link....TIM

Build Progress Report #2 Today we look at the front and rear suspension elements, how they look in assembled form, and how the front suspension locates to the subframe Moebius has engineered into the kit. Here's one of the eight images with commentary posted at the update link....check out the engraved individual leaves on the front springs..... Check back tomorrow for the next update, where I will show the engine parts, assembly of same, and how the interior comes together. Thanks for looking!TIM*****(Please remember, because of the nature of this presentation, the following images are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or copied, either digitally or in printed form, without my express permission in advance. Thanks.) Today we look at the front and rear suspension elements, how they look in assembled form, and how the front suspension locates to the subframe Moebius has engineered into the kit. Check back tomorrow for the next update, where I will show the engine parts, assembly of same, and how the interior comes together. Thanks for looking! TIM ***** (Please remember, because of the nature of this presentation, the following images are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or copied, either digitally or in printed form, without my express permission in advance. Thanks.)

Those not familiar with the kit may want to check out my in-depth online review of the original 2016 version of this kit at this link. The new boxed kit shown at the beginning of Kit's post up top is exactly the same as the one in my preview, other than the revised box art and decals, the substitution of the Nailhead V8 for the SBC in the original kit, instruction sheet, and apparently the lack of the Halibrand wheel option. TIM

You can get un-chopped tops and more radically chopped tops from aftermarket suppliers. Ed Fluck Jr. has both IIRC and they are really well done, too. TB

The "Classic Kits" column on the Tonka Model T Four Alarm was in the March/April 2018 issue of Scale Auto....TB

Lee...appreciate your advice on my build approach and that is exactly what I am doing. No mods at all. The test shot came without decals, so I plan to add a Gasser-themed livery from Slixx decals, but I will show the completed model both with and without those decals. Best...TIM

Please read my prior reply. Right now you are comparing apples to oranges. Both from my modeling experience and my professional career, I am advising that photography can and does play tricks. To everyone else reading this thread, again, my advice is to wait for the final images of the complete model before you draw a definitive conclusion. At that point you may completely agree with the initial thoughts of Lee, Kenneth, and others, or you may conclude differently. But make a decision right now, and you are making a conclusion without all the evidence. That's my only point right now.... Best...TB

Thanks Lea. I don't work for Moebius and I don't have a dog in this hunt other than to make the model car community aware of this upcoming kit and its features. I do have three observations, however. (These are based in part on what I've learned from my 45 years of modeling journalism and my 10+ years in a very senior position in Automotive Design at one of the world's top auto companies; I recognize that you may not agree with me): 1) Comparing an unpainted, unfinished model car body to a photo of a real car can and often does lead to misleading conclusions. 2) Differences in photography angle, camera lenses, lighting, et al can lead to false conclusions when comparing these two images. 3) I hate to see the discussion about this upcoming kit descend to a focus on one single element of the kit, as once my build is complete, I believe many may conclude that it could be one of the best and most innovative 1/25th kits to come on the market in the last decade or so. If, when the build is completed (painted, trimmed), you still see an issue with the roof height, that also is a conclusion you have every right to draw. I'd feel even better still if you built the model yourself and drew your conclusions from examining the real thing rather than relying my pictures. And if you still have an issue, as we've noted above, the remedy appears to be relatively quick and easy. Thx for the observations and the pictures...Best....TIM

Thanks for pointing this out, Chris, I had not noticed this until you mentioned it. The engraving on the interior driver's side door panel is weak when compared to the same area on the passenger side door panel and the rear doors. The elements are there, but not as well defined. Then as it moves upward toward the top of the door panel, the engraving mostly disappears. There is no apparent difference in this area between the "craftsman" type kit released a few months ago and the the new full detail kit. I wonder if anyone has tipped Round 2 to this? TIM

Alexis....I will address this further in one of my build progress reports in a few days. Thx for asking....TIM

Mike....the tooling is already cut.....this is an actual test shot from the tooling after several rounds of refinement. I do agree that reducing the sill height, which could be accomplished with just a few minutes of filing and sandpaper, would be an easy way to address the issue for those that perceive the DLO (automotive design term for side "daylight opening") to have less than factory correct height. But I think we need to see what the finished model looks like before making and definitive decisions on this. Just my view...TIM

As explained under my recent posting in the 'Model Car Kit News' section of the forum, Dave Metzner of Moebius Models has agreed to let me share with you a preview of their 1965 Chevy II Sedan Gasser kit which is expected to be out early next year. (You can review the details here if you missed that post...) This thread will show my buildup of their test shot, starting with the update below. Further updates will be seen every couple of days until the model is completed and shown in the "under glass" section of the forum. The first build process update is pretty brief but at least we are into prepping and painting some of the parts of the kit. Here is a link to the update.... If there is any one assembly from this kit that represents the skill and care Moebius put into it, it is the wheelie bar assembly. It is incredibly well engraved (some of which shows in the photo here, some not) and I predict it will become the "go to" wheelie bar setup for all drag and street gasser models from this point forward. I am already at work on update #2....we'll show the front and rear suspensions and wheels and begin assembly of the front subframe. Check back in a couple of days for all the details, and thanks for looking....TIMPS - Please remember...because of the nature of this presentation, the following images are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or copied, either digitally or in printed form, without my express permission in advance. Thanks for your cooperation on this.

Richard....the tubular axle will mount below the leaf springs. I'll have pictures showing all of this in a couple of days. I think mounting the axle above the leaf springs would be a fairly involved kitbash; you might find it easier to keep the existing mounting points but substitute a slightly dropped tubular axle. Having said that, preliminary mockups indicate that the finished model will sit nearly parallel to the ground, with perhaps just the slightest hint of a raised front end. Certainly not the prominently raised front end approach taken by many of today's contemporary 1/1 scale street gassers.... TIM l

Yes....TB

Thanks guys....I should be able to post the first "WIP Cars" build update sometime later today....TIM

I did a feature column on the Tonka Model T diorama kit in one of my "Classic Kits" columns in Scale Auto a few years back.....and yes, I recall the kit including a separate engine. LMK if you need the exact issue info....TIM

You all saw pictures of an early prototype of the Moebius 1965 Chevy II Gasser in my coverage of the NNL Motor City a couple of years ago. More recently, some of you may have seen photos of assembled test shots and maybe even an early build by Dave Metzner who does much of the model car kit development for Moebius. About two months ago Dave sent me a complete set of parts for the Chevy II Gasser, for my in-depth critique and comments, which I subsequently supplied to him. (An "outsider" getting a set of test shots is NOT a common occurrence, at least with me, but several of the kit makers have asked to me to provide these reviews over the years, which I have generally done as requested.) Given the interest in the modeling hobby about this upcoming kit, I then asked Dave for permission, and he agreed, to let me do a full test shot kit buildup on-line, which I will be doing over the next couple of weeks. My plan is to post links in the "WIP Cars" section of this forum to my Fotki Album buildup, every few days, showing the build process, with a final album of pictures of assembled the kit when complete. I'll begin here with an in-depth look at virtually all the test shot parts in the kit, along with commentary on the same. Now remember this is a test shot, not the final product, although I found this one to be very highly refined as test shots go. It will go through probably one more round of final details, mostly fit and finish items, while Dave and his team prepare the decals, instruction sheet, and box art. Best guess at this point is that the kit will become available very early in 2022, although this is subject to change as you might expect. I will answer any questions to the best of my ability. One more thing....because of the nature of this presentation...the images of the kit and build and the associated commentary are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or copied, either digitally or in printed form, without my express permission in advance. Thanks for your cooperation on this. OK then, let's get started...here's the link to the album of photos showing nearly all the photos of the test shot parts....thanks for looking....TIM

I was under the impression that the Nova kit evolved from the Buick kit. Certainly that the mold base was reused, but also that the wagon upper body portion (greenhouse) was also modified and reused. If that is not the case, I stand corrected. Thanks for the feedback and the correction, guys....TIM

Copyright laws would take a dim view of posting the article on a competitor mag's website.....I suspect the back issue is still available at Kalmbach's website....let me know if you want to grab one and I'll find the issue info for you....TIM

Tony....the original Nova kit was a modification of the Buick wagon kit, not separate tooling. Sorry 'bout that....TIM

Thanks Alexis. Interesting story about that article. First tried to get it published in the 1/1 scale mags, particularly Hemmings Muscle Machines, but zero interest from them. The Scale Auto article was the same one, slightly revised for the model car hobby. But I never heard much feedback at all on the article....so I really appreciate hearing your thoughts! Best....TIM

Dennis....AMEN, brother! TIM