Casey

Wayne S. generously sent along a set of the Kurtis Kraft Indy Racer wheels/tires, but unfortunately, they're much too big, so I am sticking with the M/T Challenger 1 tires in the back, and making/casting some smaller diameter tires, based on a cut down Challenger 1 tire, for the front. Wayne also donated the quick change rearend from the Tony Nancy 22 Jr. dragster, so I got that assembled and will deal with the axle tube lengths when I get to that point. I sorted through some of the turbine engine's parts, got rid of a few I won't be using, and added a few odd bits from an old AMT kit which will add some detail to the engine. The exhaust tips were bored out, too: One the front tires and wheels are finalized, I can start to set the final ride height and start building the chassis.

I finally collected (almost) all the 14" tires I need to go with the 14" steel wheels from the Revell '64 T-Bolt kit...just need to find one more tire, but I may go the mismatched/spare route for #4. I'm using Scenes Unlimited drum brake backing plates with some unknown kit-sourced wheel backs which are very brake drum like, and some resin inner wheel rings: These are easily my favorite kit-sourced 14" steel wheels, and because the circumference is beveled, they really snug down into just about any tire, like so: When is the completion deadline again?

Measure the real leaf spring you're replicating, then buy brass strip or sheet and start cutting and bending each leaf, adding a center bolt to keep them together...or just read this tutorial: http://automodeler.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1251

You will soon be flooded with PMs asking what brand that organizer is, and where they can get one.

The header and lower front valence/gravel panels would need to be created, too, and add in the hood, nameplate, rear spoiler, grille bars, separate parking lamps (not sure how the MPC parts are molded), sidepipes, and Appliance(?) pseudo-spoke wheels, and you've got yourself more work that it might've seemed. Once you've gone that far, you wouldn't want to just use the MPC chassis, either, so you'd need a Revell '68/'69 Dart kit...

It might've been PSF Hobbies http://www.psfhobbies.com/ , James. Not sure if these scoops are related to the parts you're looking for or not, but it might be a starting point: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62664&hl=mustang

The clipboards are from the MPC '77 Chevette kit, which contained a folding chair and table, tent, tent poles, first aid box (looks like a carry-type tool box), a checkpoint sign, and other things. The AMT '64 Corvette Sport Coupe also contained a clipboard and a few other items:

They just updated the forecast. It's gonna be a bit warmer than previously thought:

I have seen this Ranger-ish toy, too, and it's not terribly accurate, but if one wanted a starting point for the early, squarish Ranger, this would be the one to find. I'm pretty sure this was discussed here before, and I think either Chuck or Rodney have/had one of the toy Rangers, but maybe it was someone else.

Golf bag and clubs from the AMT '64 Vette?:

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the main forum page and you should see the Full Version button.

Those blister-packaged Palmer Cobras look like the Korris Kars packaging, at least as far as I remember. I'm guessing only Erik has seen (and owns) this one?

Would it straighten out enough once it's attached to the floorpan? I haven't seen any pictures of the kit's contents other than the test shot, but it appears the floorpan piece might be able to help hold the frame in the correct, untwisted position.

It's not just you. I noticed the same on my Chevette kit. Maybe the sprue attachment points on MPC kits were a little bit thinner or smaller? I dunno, but I've noticed the same thing, at least compared to Monogram kits, which seem to hold up the best out of the Big Four's kits.

Good reference pic of a Cammer. I like that this one is clean without any excess anything, and the blower belt tensioning pulley and bracket always seem to be left off of scale models...so no more excuse now!

I wouldn't mind seeing more pics of the Dodge F-body parked ahead of the Datsun, too. Heck, I'd love to see pics of all Mexican-market specific cars and truck we didn't get across the border. The '90s Dodge Ramcharger, anything from VAM (AMC), not to mention the F-body (Aspen/Volare) Super Bees.

Maybe it's to differentiate between the Chevy and GMC Astros.

The stacked headlights and bezels look great on this car/body style, with all of the existing rounded curves, and getting rid of the stock tail light bezel/rear fender splits(?) is a huge improvement, too. A perfect case of less is more.

Beautiful renderings, Clifford.

Contact Revell for a replacement. It happens, and they'll send a replacement for free. http://www.revell.com/support/index.html

1) '73 Pontiac Astre GT hatchback- great looking car, and the early Pontiac H-body GT hatch just appeals to me: 2) '05 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon - daily diver, all around fantastic car, with plenty of power to test my limits. 3) '78 AMC Gremlin GT- I like AMCs and disco paint schmes: 4) '77 Chevette Sandpiper...4-speed, please. 5) '70 Javelin SST in T/A paint scheme:

This is the book, correct?:

What Greg said. Just in time for the reissued Monogram GNX kit.

I think that's a trap, much like "the older you are, the more skilled you are" argument. Some '60s era kits still hold up very well, while some of AMT, MPC, Monogram, and Revell '80s kits are, well, not very nice. I guess that's why a forum like this and Model Cars Magazine hold a lot of value for almost everyone. Knowledge is always a good thing, and the more info you can get, the better. Reading, seeing or hearing about how that Lightning Rods Chevy Monza by Revell was a huge pain to put together would make someone think twice about buying one, and vice-versa for a good kit. The pictures and parts layout on the box can only tell you so much, and even then, it's near impossible fro Revell or Round2 to connect the dots between a consumer buying one of their models and the enjoyment the consumer gets (or doesn't get) from building the model. I think this is one of those "you have to learn with experience" situations, but as I said above, you can speed up the process by going online and looking for info before you buy. I can remember being disappointed by quite a few kits I purchased in the '80s (I'm looking at you MPC), but it never killed my interest in building...just my desire to buy any more MPC kits.