Junkman

I don't like it, I don't want it, and I find it a pitty that all this effort was spent on this and not something else. But that's just me, so it only counts within my minority. But the kit exists now. Fact. And some people are bashing it. Fact. So the question is, do they have a point, yes, or no? What exactly are they critizising?

VW Bug lovers can be quite intense alright...

Who made it?

I know that full wheel covers were optional and expensive on most cars but the real luxo barges. Still, I would have ordered them if I'd bought a new car back then. I hate dog dishes.

The band is called Shockheaded Peter And The Tiger Lillies. And my favourite: I discovered them at the "Mountain of Madness" Festival here in Manchester and they sure don't disappoint:

Time for colour selection. This is always the toughest decision for me. The colour of choice is now Turquoise Poly, a 1963 Dodge only colour. So this is what I am trying to achieve: I have a quite comprehensive collection of paint chips. So here we go: Then, after rummaging through the paint collection in the basement for an hour or two, we have a winner:

Right. I didn't really want to put myself through this messy poisenous paint stripper process, so I did what every self-respected engineer would have done - see whether someone else came up with a good idea and copy it. Looking throught the tutorial section on a diecast forum, I noticed that quite a few Americans mentioned a spray-on paint stripper that works a treat and isn't messy. From experience I know that what is available elsewhere is also available in England, it will just have a completely different name and be sold for a completely different purpose. So I was thinking long and hard. A spray that removes paint, especially automotive paint... Found it! It's called Graffiti Remover over here, at least I gave it a try. And what can I say? It bloody works! This is the result after ten minutes: Unfortunately, for my little weather experiment, I only bought a small 150 ml can. I would need to do a second application to get the rest off, but its empty now. My conclusion is however, that I am very impressed with the result. And it isn't messy, doesn't smell, and it does all the work for me. I could literally shake the paint off after it had lifted, which only took a few minutes. So here you go, Brits: If you want to strip a diecast model, get yourself a couple of cans of Graffiti Remover from your local DIY!

Another thing I hate with a passion is steelies with dog dish hubcaps on American cars. If I was in the market for one of them back then, of all available options, I would have ticked a set of full wheel covers first of all on the order sheet. Now, since there is not a chance in hell I can replicate a set of full wheelcovers for a 63 Dodge in 1:18, I decided to swap the wheels for some custom ones. Hence I got me a set of Lane Torque Thrusts, which I think aren't too bold and in good taste. So, what I want to do is the following: - Strip and re-paint the model in a more subdued colour. - Get rid of the hood scoop. - Re-work the entire interior. The chassis is not very well detailed, hence I will just leave it alone. I will also leave the 426 Max Wedge in for the time being, until a suitable replacement finds it's way into my dungeon. I'd like an ordinary single carb B or RB. So let's get this thing apart. This is actually quite straightforward, it is held together by seven screws. - Two secure the rear axle. - Once the rear axle is lifted away, you have access to another two screws in the rear wheel houses. - Two screws secure the front K-member. - One screw is hidden in the bellhousing. Once those screws are out, the model literally falls apart. The rear seat back is secured with two black plastic rivets: I found that you can just pry them out with a small screwdriver: The seats themselves are made from a soft plastic, and you must pry them off the floor with considerable force: These are the interior components: The rest of the disassembly is quite straightforward, all the trim is held in place being heat riveted. Just scrape away the excess plastic and push all parts out from behind. You will end up with this: Maisto gives you a lot of parts for your money. More than I have imagined anyway. But the paint finish is atrocious: Yeah, and then I wanted to strip the paint and noticed that I ran out of paint stripper. Ordered some new one off Ebay on Sunday evening, but it hasn't arrived yet

Case in point is this model: As with many Maistos, the model is basically sound, but is lacking in the finish department. I already had pimped it with bare metal foil, and it quite well held it's own next to my Highway 61 Dodge. But only quite. Hence I decided to completely re-do it. I also don't like my US-Cars in the bold and loud colours so may people use nowadays for their restorations. IMO they try to re-create a car that never existed to depict an America that never existed. I use the term 'circus tractors' for them and US-Car meetings are full of them. Watch old movies and look at old postcards and you will realize what I mean.

People can't be intense enough for me.

And your Caprice. Don't forget that you have a nice Caprice there, Sir.

My plan is not to buy one.

What's with all those old Mopars lurking behind your Caprice? Looks like they are forming a pride to attack it.

Very, very true. Maybe I buy one just because of that.

Make that a 1952 Opel Kapitän and I place my order now.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. I wish Moebius the very best with this kit. May they sell lots more than they have bargained for. Only then there will be the chance that they release something that suits our taste better.

You mean those Volksrods? I remember another fad: Graphics. They have all but disappeared by now, but back in the Nineties, they were all the rage. Best in a sort of heartbeat graph. If your pinstriper didn't have the hickups, you were nobody.

You buy the decals: http://decalsbylucas...R_Mod_Tops.html Why are there always so may others between me and the finish line?

I've never been most modellers.

X2. Zero interest in the car.

Forget the Hot Rods. Have you not got a few close ups of the girls?

X2

I thought those are granchans and these are bosozokus: Bosozoku vans:

Rick Dore's '36 Ford. If I'd just know how to replicate the colour.