Casey

I don't think the crab wheels were included in any kits, as the Monogram 1GN snap-tite Daytona kits included some VW Super Beetle like custom wheels and the pepperoni pizza wheels.

As Rich suggested, The Modelhaus should be your first stop for a custom '49 Caddy: http://www.modelhaus.com/index.php?c=4033&p=63598

That's a good trick for cutting the tire, but the catch is going to be where you position the cut, and what the tread pattern looks like on the tire. The cut has to be made between tread blocks or straight through tread blocks in order for the cut to not be noticeable. Call me Thomas, but this method doesn't address the issue of matching up the detailed tread blocks on each tire half, which is a reality for most post-'70s radials.

Great write up, and fantastic info regarding the substituted tires. The image of the forthcoming GMC shows the side view mirrors mounted to the vent window divider, which is not correct. I'm sure Revell will correct the mirror location before the box art is completed...hint, hint.

Love it, Erik. You've really put a lot of "hidden" work into a kit which isn't all that great straight out of the box, and the front end is a huge improvement over the stock grille and headlight setup. One suggestion would be to add some highlights to the "space wagon" lettering to make it stand out a bit more, but maybe your intention was to have it look a bit more subtle. Either way, you definitely got the late '70s fantasy paint job correct.

I like the fact they're made of solid, rather than flexible, resin, too. No future shrinkage to worry about and they can be finished to each person's taste.

That was my exact thought, too. Nick could you please post a pic of the container? Is this it?: One other craft store item which comes in handy are googly eyes, especially the variety packs which contain multiple sizes. The clear shells can be used as headlight lenses on smaller scale (1/32 for example) builds, and the shells can be used as masks for painting. The pupils can be used for just about anything where you need a flat, near-perfect circle or disc.

...with the double bend rear window clearly visible. I think the Modelhaus' 4-door resin conversion is pretty much your best starting point for a 2-door NASCAR body, unless you've seen the Ertl die-cast body up close and personal and can say it's better. I'd have to dig out the Impala special issue of SAE to refesh my memory, but there was mention of just what The Modelhaus' master was based on, and I'm not ready to say it was the Ertl die cast.

Bittersweet...sweat, not too bitter, just gross. Condolences regarding your great Aunt June, but that was a very kind gesture on her part. Kind of cruel, too, since one is a Vega , but I'm sure she knew you'd very much enjoy them both.

Now I know who's been outbidding us all on eBay! Looks like Marty may have struck a deal with the Phoenix craigslist heavy truck kit collector, too?

We still have both Blain's Farm & Fleet and Mill's Fleet Farm (they are semi-related, somehow) around here, and every holiday season they open "Toyland" a special seasonal section in the middle/front of the store. This year neither had any plastic model kits as they did in previous years, but they usually had very slim pickings anyway.

Some of the kart parts were included on the same sprues as say, the '62 Tempest parts, and other kart parts the same way in other kits? How did they do it with the Chevy pickup which included all kart parts? Were they loose parts or also molded with the truck's parts on the same/shared sprues? Or were the kart parts on a separate sprue? The whole "tease" of a few parts spread among several kits doesn't appeal to me at all, but I can see the logic of it on an early '60s timeframe. I wonder if Round2 even knows where or in what condition the kart parts (insert?) are presently...

Very nice looking tires, Joe.

I've done that, too. At least Michaels takes competitor's coupons.

Ron posted this one in Under Glass a few days ago: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55028

Is the prototype wagon the one in Cars That Never Were, with the slide out tailgate tray and the fold-flat seats?

The sealed one at the Model Empire table? I was tempted... The molded-in-blue ones, eh....I looked them over twice and decided I didn't need three more. That guy always has some good stuff, though.

Darrin, here are the MPC Popcorn Wagon's Cragar S/S front and rear wheels:

Well, maybe for 8x8 builders, since I think all eight wheels of the truck are driven.

Maybe he hasn't built anyhing since he completed that model? Maybe he's proud if it and it's the best he's ever built? Maybe there are new people coming to the show who have never seen it? Maybe he can no longer see as well as when he built the model so he isn't physically able to build to the level he once did? Maybe he can't afford to buy any new models? Could be a lot of reasons why, but why do you keep looking at it if you're so tired of seeing it?

I agree with Ryan- avoid the Micro-Mark kit. If you can post of show us what you're planning to cast, we can help you chose both mold rubber and casting resin which would be best for your needs.

Looking good so far, Mike. Do you just touch up the rear edge of the hood at some later point? I like where Revell placed the copyright info on this kit- on flat areas, right at the edge, making for easy removal. Sure beats when they put it above the rearend on the floorboard.

It's looking great, Erik. The flocking works much better at this larger scale for shag carpet fibers, too. The only thing missing is an aluminum cooler and a few six-packs of Coors.

I think a swagon shaped tailpipe would look pretty cool, too.