HotRodaSaurus

Just read in a newspaper over here Jeremy and the boys may be in their twilight years. Yes the programs producers think the whole program is becoming slightly cartoonish and too much over the top. I do remember the old style Top Gear where family cars and a few exotics were tested, how the show has changed. Personally I do agree that some of the stunts are over the top and to me not worth the effort, blowing up caravans and crashing Morris Marinas should really go staright to a DvD special. I think the program lost the plot when doing the Cross Channel car conversion. The Stigs tests of the supercars are now about the only thing I am usually interested in. Anyone else have any views on this program? I believe you get it in the USA now. John

And a Merry Christmas from me too And to all the Muslims, Jews, Hindu's, Jehovhas or whatever religeon If you dont do Christmas, well have a great time off also. Cheers, John

WoW! heaps of replies there, thanks. I wanted to use the JoHan kit mainly for the hood and also because it was a four door, so would be easier to scribe new door shuts etc. I was also bought a JH 59 as a present on condition I built it!(collectors gasp here haha) so wanted to replicate my flat top sedan using a 60(see Avatar). Yes I knew about the bodyshell and glass issues on the 1-1 as I needed a screen fro my Cadillac, I was quoted 2 different prices, by two US glass suppliers, the Chevrolet being a cheaper price haha but this was nearly 20 years ago, no doubt there probably all Cadillac prices now.

I am thinking of building a JoHan Cadillac kit, notably the 1959 version but maybe also the 1960 too. Are there any major inaccuracy's I should note? I did notice the panel behind the rear windshield is not as wide as Revell's Seville kit and I did own a 1-1 flat top sedan that had this wide section. What parts are interchangable etc. I plan on building a Series 62 sedan with this kit so all that glittery side chrome must go. I would like to use the JoHan kit as I feel the hood is a more accurate reprisentation and not quite interchangable with the Revell Monogram kit. Thanks, John

My first EVER model was an Airfix B17 Flying Fortress. I wanted it because the box art was fantastic. Guns blazing, Me109s attacking, bombs dropping and enemy aircraft plummeting to earth. Even the B17 had an engine on fire. Roy Cross was the box artist and his box art was what sold me that kit. Was pretty good to with every turret working, wheels retracting, just about everything was operational except the bomb bay. My First Car kit, well, how about a 1/35 Tamiya Kubelwagen. Hot rodded and painted metallic pink(red, white mixed with silver) My first proper rod kit? Rommel's Rod! but thats another story John

Mr Es Beautiful Blues by the Eels Well I think thats what its called, you know, the theme running through 'Road Trip' J

Cheers for that, I also had heard about the accuracy but needed anothers opinion. Thhanks, John

On the subject of chopping these Mercury's what is the best option for an experienced modeler? Buying Revells pre-chopped version or the AMT kit and do it yourself. How accurate do they compare to each other and a 1-1 car? I plan on duplicating Louis Bettancourts Ayala built car and maybe Sam Barris's as well I also see Revell has gone back to the old style box now with everything jammed into it . John.

Great models, but it is especially nice to see the Mercury with the 'dip' removed to create a full Fadeaway as on the Ayala/Bettancourt Mercury. John

Hi, just a quick note, I think Revell Germany used the molds as well. Probably quite old now as this version of the 'London' Black Cab(1:1) has been modified a few years back. They still prowl the streets but the new cab is more commuter friendly with disabled access. John

Great idea but it had me thinking. I'm not an expert on dead leaves but will they bio-degrade or loose colour in time? Do the railroad enthusiasts use this method? Would save wads of cash$$$$££££. John

When applying foil to a large area, what is the best recommended way to apply to say, a windshield. Would it be best to cut a large section to cover the whole frame in one piece then cut out the centre? Similar question for wheel arch trim, one piece and cut out the centre or in thin strips and 'bend' it around the curvature? Big thanks in advance, John

Just seen this topic! I love the piano accordion. I have 3 example, a Laguna 120 base a Frontalini 80 base and a Honer Student. Cant play any of them though still hope to learn. I really love the sound of a well played accordion, how you play it can give out emotions and passion. The actual playing of the instrument is like dancing with a beautiful woman held in your arms. I really would like to play like the old French Bal Musette artistes, that is like the accordionists that would play with Edith Piaf back in the 1940s. And to Simon(last post), also, I love the sound of a mariachi trumpet, well I think that is the description. Thanks, John

I think its a loss to the entertainment world when any personality dies young or old. What I cant understand is how people take it personally as if they were family members, crying!!!!!! Its a bit retro to when Princess Di was killed. Just how well did this guy affect your life? He took your money and entertained you with his music but I doubt if he knew you were feeling down he would comfort you in your hour of need. Most of these personalities were getting on for 'has beens', Memory leaves us their greatest moments, Farrah for Charlies Angels, Elvis in 1956, Michael Jackson will always be remembered as great in the 80s but now? Sure they(Farrah & Michael) will be remembered, but missed! I love Elvis, but only his music, I remember the announcement of his death, but did it affect me? not really, I just had to get on with my life. I have just heard on the UK news, the organisers are not sure how to deal with the tickets for his concerts sold to fans, I thought that was obvious! give them there money back! John

Thanks all! well there are a few ideas there, I want to achive the early look of the Barris and Ayala Mercurys. Thanks for the link, I also have a couple of AMT Mercs so have plenty of options. I might make it with a butted windshield and keep the rear screen bars, the only thing I dont like about the Revell Merc is the rear lights. Cheers, John

Looking back through some old posts I was wondering why some of you builders re chopped the roof. Can someone point out the fauts and where to re chop please. I would like to build mine with a traditional chop so where are the problems and where to chop it please. And when I get it done I will post some pics Thanks all in advance, John

Hi, whats the difference between a 49 and 50 mercury's, I know the 51 is very different but am lost on the others apart from some trim. Cheers, John

I have a couple of these but mine are the older 70s versions. I think some research may be needed as I want to build the Lotus 49 as driven by Graham Hill but need to find if the whels are alluminium or chrome finish. The kit wheels are chrome finished. My other 'rival' kit to build is the Tyrell as driven by Jackie Stewart. Both of these have been re-released within the last 10 years or so, so you should not have as much trouble finding them as the 1960s 70s versions. John

Well, looking at all these posts I reckon STIG could be only one guy. Stirling Moss!!!!!!!!!! Who else has all the time to spare and can drive the socks of anyone, even if he is nearly 80 John

Thanks Mark, nice to hep someone out. John

Hi, I have used the hole in the can method successfully but it is hard to get all the pressure out before puncturing the can. Another method I tried and was even better at was to find another spray can button that fits, the kind you can put a nozzle into like you get on WD40 or a similar directable spray. Then slip a small bore piece of tubing over the end and into a jar to de-can then just press as normal. Around 10 ins of washer tubing did the trick for me & was fine. John

Is there any footage of the STIG walking? this is a dead givaway wheather it is the Schu or not. Compare the two as there must be some flm of Schumacher or not. Note: I had not seen a friend for over 20 years , then recognised him by his walk. Top Gear as a program Well it's ok but some of the program has been, well, lets say space filling. The road/lap tests are great but those things with old bangers getting a thrashing round a race track just turn it into a Lads Mag(as we say over here) on film. John

What prompted this question was that I have a Tamiya Lola T70 that has all the lighting wired but not the motor. So I looked through a few old catalogues and found that not only the Japanese but also a few Revell and Monogram kits also had the motorized option. Hey Ed! could you not catch your Jag or did you want to see the result Yes there was: Revell. Ford Ranchero Revell. Chrysler Imperial. Monogram. Black Widow hot rod I have just found an old ad for Monograms classic cars , the Mercedes 540K and Duesenburg could be built as slot racers!!!!!! It would be interesting to see the results of a flip out with one of those John

Looking through some old kit catalogues it seem that the Japanese wanted to motorize everything. Now the question is did anyone ever build the motorised option? especially on those big scale Tamiya Grand Prix and sports cars. And, what was the result if it hit the wall? Cheers, John.

Hi Mark, I do actually find Russian engineering interesting, as you say to cope with extreme weather and road conditions throughout the eastern block, the US designs would have to be considerably re-enginered. That good ol' Lada, was based on the Fiat(124?) has been really run through the mill. I have a workshop manual for one somewhere but it called a Polski Fiat. How good were those Russian Limo's I can only judge by an episode of Top Gear I saw recently They did a test of some Soviet cars at Greenham Common, a disused US Airbase in the UK. Another Top Gear program said he owned a Mercedes Benz 600, a present from Willie Brandt, German Chancellor at the time. Whether he actually used it I dont know. John