Joe Lange

Thanks for the comments, guys! Still working on it!

If there is any one person to blame for my model car building addiction, it would have to be my Dad. He got me started in the early 60's while I was still in my single digits. My Mom just referred to them as "Dust Collectors". This Mercedes I built for him as a gift on his 85th birthday and it has just come back to me. He was born in Germany in 1929 and my Mother in 1930. They are both in their early 90's now and in 'assisted living', so space is at a premium and he doesn't want to see it damaged. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Not sure about that Joe. There is nothing on the box or in the instructions that mentions him. You would think if he did, Hawk would take advantage of that, for publicity, and print it somewhere on the packaging or instructions. Like Renwal did with their 'Revival Series'.

Actually Rich, the box art is a little deceiving. After setting the roof on the body it was higher than the picture on the box. Looked like you could wear a top hat while driving! Going to have to lower the roof and windshield.

Fantastic work Claude! Really beautiful!

Stock up on lots of parts Dave! Even though I'm using the Moebius Chrysler kit, I keep going back to Ebay for little bits and pieces to add more detail.

Hawk made two versions of this kit. One was 'Torque Reaction Drive', (rubber band powered), and the other was electric motor and batteries. They were also packaged differently. One was the Monte Carlo and the other was the Maverick. I could not understand why they moved the 'tunnel' in the interior tub off center. Really looked goofy! So I moved it back. Note: Headlights but no Taillights!

After deciding to do something with it I picked up a Moebius Chrysler 300 kit. I liked the full detailed frame and low profile of the engine air cleaner. Shortened the Chassis, cleaned up the body, and opened the hood.

Greetings All, Hope you all had a good Memorial Day weekend. Please take a moment to remember our fallen servicemen who gave us the freedom we have today. The willingness of America's soldiers to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. Now, be honest...., how many of you read the title and knew immediately what the hell this thing was? I picked this kit up at local flea market about 25 years ago while still living in Florida. It must have been the box art that grabbed my attention because it sure wasn't the contents. After sitting on my closet shelf for so long I decided to either do something with it or 'Ebay' it!

Really nice Michelle. Yea, you will definitely have watch for 'speed bumps'! Paint job is super and just right for the '70s.

Beautiful job Tim! It looks like the hood is a separate piece. Engine?

Very interesting 'WIP' Bill. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. It would be cool to see one done as a Factory Concept Car.

Thanks to everyone for your comments!

Thanks Mike. Do yourself a favor. Pick out some body colors and interior color and BUILD IT! I'm sure there are plenty of folks that will tell you the same thing. You start accumulating more kits than you will ever be able to finish, and they wind up going to someone else in the end. Enjoy the build!

Gregg, the majority of the engine compartment decals came from 'Speedway Decals'. Just Google 'Speedway Decals' and it will take you to his site and then to his Fotki page. It is under his 'Misc Decals' and named, 'Underhood Goodies'. It is sort of a mini sheet, but they are well done, sharp, and VERY handy to have. I normally order 2 or 3 sheets at a time. And they are on a clear sheet so the background color will show up. Really nice on the Fram Filter and car battery decals. The air cleaner cover decal,.....well you're on your own. It was from an old unknown decal sheet. (sorry) Hope the rest helps a little!

Thank you Carl. Glad to see you back and at the keyboard again!

So sorry to hear of your fall Carl, but glad to hear you're coming back and recovering. It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop!

Gregg, Thanks for the comments. I'll have to get back to you on the decals. I got them from several sources over the past year. The 327 valve cover decals came from 'Keith Marks Decals'. just Goggle that and it will take you to his Fotki Public page. There from his '67/69 Chevy Camaro Decals' sheet. Pretty extensive sheet of decals and very detailed and well done. He has a great line of model car decals. His email is: mofobow@hotmail.com. I'll let you know about the other engine compartment decals.

Thanks everyone for all the comments! Learned a lot from all your photos and ideas.

Thanks Jeremy, Nothing really special. Just a really thin bristle brush and very little silver paint on the brush. It's always easier to add paint then remove it. (and, a cup of coffee to help steady my hand!)

Thanks Michelle, You're close. The car was originally named the Tarpon and was designed as a 2+2 to compete with the original Mustang and Barracuda 'Pony Cars'. It was the brainchild of auto designer Richard Teague and CEO George Romney. It was the perfect size to compete head on with the Mustang and Barracuda and there was even a show car making the car show circuit when it got canceled! Romney left for a political career and Roy Abernethy became the new CEO and immediately cancelled it. He thought it should be bigger and longer. Really screwed up the proportions. Quite a few articles have been written about how Abernethy messed this up and didn't do much to help AMC either. There are some interesting articles on how the Tarpon 'grew' into the Marlin.

Greetings All, This has been an 'on & off' project for a while. Never bothered with WIP photos because it was a used Ebay kit that required a bit of paint stripping and disassembling. (Did manage to snap photos of the completed engine.) Fortunately, the chrome parts were very good and the kit was complete! Hope you enjoy it and thanks for looking.

Great paint work and detail Roman. One beautiful Ford!

Thank you for all the good words guys!

After a few stops and delays the little beast is finished! Although there were a few posts and articles on the internet regarding '51 Nash Rambler Station Wagons, there was next to nothing on their Sedan Delivery. Only found one or two black and white advertising/brochure pictures. Tried to keep it as 'stock' as possible except under the hood. I think the 225 Dodge 'slant six' looks very comfortable in there! Was tempted to put 'Speedy Delivery!' on the front fenders but...... The paint is 'Behr Premium' Gloss, 'Roasted Corn'. Went on smooth and polished up very nicely once it dried. The drying time is just as long as Rust-oleum spray. I let it dry for 2 full weeks before polishing. Bumper chrome is 'Spaz Stix' spray, and trim is BMF. Thanks for looking and hope you enjoy it!