The Modeling Hermit

This is a mostly box stock build, with the only exception being the continental kit, fender skirts, and white wall tires. The left door still needed adjusting, but there was a time crunch for the photos. Katrina has the honor of introducing it.

This 1964 Oldsmobile Cutlass has a working convertible top, which I only do once every thirty years. My sanity doesn't allow an more than that.

This is from the 1950 Ford kit, but I reworked it to a 1948. I then added a simple wrecker assembly to it, along with weathering.

Except for the wheels, this one is straight from the box. The kit supplied hubcaps, were suffering from a rather unpleasant case of boringitus.

That brings back memories. When I was stationed at Ft Lewis Washington, the Olds dealer there had one in the showroom. I nearly bought it but got a Caprice convertible instead. I wish I'd bought them both.

They both Rock.

Is there any plans or this ye. I was really hoping for this one.

This one is so amazing that it is beyond words fabulous...

Did you ever have an opportunity to be an ambassador for our great hobby? I've had several, but the project described here, is probably right in the running for my most important along with an MRI trailer model that I built for the hospital while I lived in Kodiak Alaska. This project went to the Nelson Pioneer Farm Museum in Oskaloosa Iowa. Many moons ago, there was a decision made by my hometown to tear down a large section of the downtown buildings, and construct a mall in their place. One building brought great sadness to the populace; that being the Rivola Theater. Everybody in the town had some sort of connection with it, whether viewing movies, a place for dating, or for many, such as myself, being employed there. I was asked to build a model of the theater, including the inside, but I was not about to tackle all that ornamentation, especially with the poor quality pictures that I had to work from. I did finally subject myself to building the facade. The project has been completed and is now in the aforementioned museum. This first picture is one of the photos that I had to work from. The marquee had a tendency to change color with the whim of the current manager. I chose to model it as it appeared in 1968. This second picture is what the museum received. This last picture is where I staged vehicles and figures to represent the way that I remember the theater. There is a beautiful feeling that comes from using the hobby to enrich and give back to our communities. I feel like I'm an Ambassador for the hobby, and I encourage everybody to find ways that you too, can experience the wonderful feeling that fully enveloped me as this was presented to that museum.

You're artistry never ceases to amaze me. It is beyond words sensational!

That is the best rendition of this model that I have ever seen, and I've seen some fabulous examples.

Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!

It should have been made in the real world. Your work is excellent.

This started out to be a simple 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door sedan, but somehow things got completely out of control, and this happened.

This is a 1959 Oldsmobile that I recently acquired. It was already in very good condition, but unpainted, so I repainted it, and did the few repairs that it needed, and put it on display.

Thank you to all of you who have given such kind comments and much appreciated support. I only hope that this has inspired others to attempt something like this.

Race car hauler classic car hauler Light dump truck single drive tractor with Mercury sleeper

That is an amazing piece of family history.

One has to look very close to tell that it's not real. I am totally impressed.

You have excellent attention to detail.

The car dealer is something that I put together to photograph models in. I should put some photos of the dealer on the diorama page.

I've made a few minor changes to how this 1960 Ford Ranchero would have looked when it left the factory.

For the window top frames, I used .040 X .060, fitting them from rear to front for better control of the arch. The middle door frames are made from .080 X .125 strip plastic. .060 would have been a more authentic depth, but the thicker depth gives more support. Remember to give a slight rearward lean at the top. I also sanded both seats semi smooth to make them match better. Seat detail was added with .010 plastic strip. I'm sorry. but I forgot to take pictures of that stage.

It's so real that I can smell the cheeseburgers. You have done masterfully on this work of art.

I think that there are two words that come into relevance for your diorama; nailed it!