Bernard Kron

Don't miss it!

Thanx Steven!

Thanx everyone, for all the compliments. As always, I'm glad when one of my models can make a connection. I've never been able to put my finger on it, but these old AMT hot rod kits have so much "soul", they really capture the feel of the era when they were released. There were 2 '36 Ford 3-Window kits released at about the same time in the early 60's, one from Monogram and one from AMT. Both are real classics and have been re-issued in various ways many times. They're remarkably similar kits, with an open top option and lots of Old School customizing parts. IMHO, the Monogram kit is technically superior, with crisper details, a much nicer chassis and motor, and even some more interesting period customizing options (for example the LaSalle grill). But the chop and overall look of AMT is just amazing with a tough, agressive vibe that I tried to enhance in this build. Revell made a big mistake by not including the chopped top option in the recent re-issue. Having all three tops options will ensure the Round2 re-issue is a smash hit, IMHO. Oh c'mon Danno, you just know you're missing out on some deep philosophical insights if you don't read it! (It does go on a bit, don't it...) They're the competition setup from the original kit and also in various re-issues over the years. They'll be included in the upcoming Round2 release, I'm sure.

More Detail pics including the now obligatory see-through shot…

AMT Chopped ’36 Ford 3-Window Coupe done Retro-Mod street-rod style (More pictures below) Un-written law of auto modeling No.9 says that when, at last, you have acquired all the parts and/or skills to replicate a long-out-of-production kit, said kit will be re-issued, usually just as you are engaged in executing your project or, if the fates are kind, shortly thereafter (so you can claim bragging rights…). Such is the case for what was intended to be an end-of-2013 project, an AMT chopped-top 3-window coupe which, because I knew that the first re-issue in many years of the early 60’s 3-in-1, including all the genuine parts which have been omitted from the kits for nearly 50 years, such as the fender skirts, the chopped top and much more, was due out right about the time I would finish this project up. I decided rather than replicating the classic custom or race car from the original kit I would use on of the after-market re-pops of the original kit top to build a modern rod, a blend of details from various periods across the decades since the kit was first released, what I am coming to call “Retro-Mod”, using period parts and more contemporary engineering and design cues. The chopped top was purchased on eBay, a very nice high-quality resin casting from vendor “rdsxfan2”, fairly priced and delivered promptly. The contemporary design cue comes courtesy of a set of pseudo-Halibrand mag wheels from a Revell “Goodguys” ’32 Ford Highboy Roadster, stripped of their chrome and finished with Testors Acryl Jet Exhaust paint, a nearly perfect match to the classic Dow 7 anti-corrosion coating used on Halibrand magnesium wheels in the 50’s and early 60’s. The project was intended to be a quick build so most of the car had been built from the commonly available AMT ’36 Ford Convertible street rod kit. I decided to use the big Pontiac V8 that dates all the way back to the original release, with the competition 6-pack carburetion. I was able to use the accessory belt drive intended for the tri-power variation by substituting an alternator from the Revell Deuce Highboy kit. Other than the chopped top the body work is largely stock with the production grill and hood ornament and no fender skirts. To show off the big Poncho mill I omitted the hood panels. Aft of the engine compartment the body has been shaved and decked. The car is bumperless so the bumper slots have been filled front and rear. To show off the dramatic rear deck I decided to hang the license plate from the chassis instead of on the valance or deck lid. The stance of the car is was created by using an AMT ’40 Ford dropped axle, chosen because it comes chromed – it is largely identical to the ’36 Ford dropped axle that comes in the kit – and modified to take a pair of disc brakes pinched from a Revell Tony Nancy Double Dragster kit. The front spring was shaved as was the front cross member for a total additional drop of around 3 scale inches. Finally, a little “rubber rake” was accomplished by using Revell Deuce Highboy rear tires along with the ubiquitous AMT Firestones at the front. I chose the AMT ‘stones rather than more modern, smaller front tires because of the way they filled the wheel openings. The rear axle is the kit axle modified to take a pair of front disc brakes from the Revell Deuce Roadster kit. Both the front and rear axles are located by radius rods, again sourced from the Revell Deuce kits. Lastly, a quickie tuck ‘n’ roll job was done on the interior by using some Evergreen Plastic sheet siding in the appropriate width of corrugation. Quilted bucket seats of unknown origin from the depths of my parts box create a 70’s note. The dashboard had the old fashioned accessory lamp removed and the glove box filled and an additional gauge added to the center where the radio would be. Colors are Testors Acryl British Crimson and black with a body color dash. The steering wheel is from the ever-present Revell Deuce. Paint is Duplicolor Toreador Red Metallic over Duplicolor Red Oxide primer with Duplicolor Universal Black fenders. I had originally intended to give the main body a suede finish using Testors Dullcote but when the gloss came up nicely I kept it. But, unfortunately, on December 30th, 2013, while doing some final finishing and foiling the color came up off primer coat in various places and I landed up having to repaint the body. So what was intended to be my last completion of 2013 became my first one for the New Year. As far as I know the AMT ’36 Ford 3-in-1 reissue still isn’t in the stores… Thanx for lookin’, B. More Detail pics including the now obligatory see-through shot…

Truly wonderful modeling. What I find so exciting and inspiring all this is that this subject couldn't further away from anything I am ever likely to consider building (although as a total motorhead I must admit to having more than one book in my library about this era of motor cars...). But the eye for scale and texture, and the techniques used to achieve the realistic result desired, have me absolutely riveted. Thanx for sharing...

Tons 'o modeling fun! I like the Fadeaway Ford Kustom Konvertible the best but it's a delight to see them all. Hope to see more in 2014. Thanx!!!

I have survived all 3 chapters! Another wonderful year! Not just because of all the beautiful construction and detail. Of course that's got to be a pleasure for any modeler to see. But also the confident eye for subject matter. That means the Rutan car has got to be my fave - it's the whole package: subject matter, imagination, execution, detail. Maybe not a gonzo pro-mod with all those litle blue and red connectors, but oh so finely done and true to the subject. That's why something like upgrading the humble Merit Alfa, or taking what is essentially a virtual curbside, like many of those resin F1 cars actually are, and getting the most out of what has been offered, counts for a lot for when it comes to fine modeling. Thanx for another great selection. I hope to be able to somehow find the time at this year's NNL West to give them the attention they deserve - before most of them go on the block... C'ya, B.

Just about done. I have some general cleaning and polishing to do, a license plate to hang, and then she'll be ready for the final beauty shots. I scored some Duplicolor Toreador Red so I was able to proceed with the repaint. Originally, I had planned to paint the red parts with Dullcote for a suede effect, but the paint came out smooth and glossy enough that I didn't want to waste it. The slick paint will be more apparent under stronger light with a white background. These shots were grabbed on my workbench which has very harsh lighting. With the black sheets (to hide the disaster which is the permanent state of my workbench) the photos are extremely contrasty. Dramatic but not very informative... Next stop, Under Glass! Thanx for lookin', B.

Thanx for the breakdown, Keith. In general smaller is better in my experience when it comes to scale realism, in particular regarding chassis tubing. It's perhaps more fragile to handle, but once you load the frame up with other bits thinner tubing looks more in proportion. Judging from the pictures of completed models the Slingster frame will look sharp, crisp and in scale when done to contemporary modeling standards. The engine news is good to hear too, since the valve cover compatibility you list includes some of the better 392s out there. Looks like there should be a wave of very nice early 60's period diggers coming our way real soon!

Thanx again for all the kind words. I'm pleased you like them!

A great one in the making. I was unaware of the Puffer Too A/Roadster. With all the impressive work your putting in to the chassis that handsome hemi should be a knockout when you get to it! I did a T-Altered variant using this kit a couple of years back, but it was based on the Fiat chassis virtually as-is and the AMT Parts Pack Pontiac and T-Altered body shell. Way more funky and earlier in time than this one. (two-port Hilborns, whitewall slicks, steelie front wheels, etc.) Looking forward to more, more, more...

Breathtaking! Eve the '55 Chevy, as simply presented as it is, is impressive in its crispness. The under hood area of the Cobra Mustang is just stunning... Bravo on them all!

The Danbury Mint name still has enormous value. Going to their web site it doesn't appear as if they are active with new releases of automobiles. Are they facing starting over from scratch? Hopefully they will find the time, energy and capital to release more fine automobile models. Companies like Revell and Round2, among others, have to have noticed. When you hear/read about "intellectual property" and the lack of due legal process in developing countries such as China this is what is being talked about. Danbury Mint's investment in tooling and design appears to be all gone now, with, most likely, no recourse. There is a trend, just beginning now, of repatriation of production back to home countries where holders of copyrights at least have some hope of legal protection. Combine that with rampant inflation in many developing countries, where labor rates are rising at more than 10% per year and land prices exploding, and you have an argument for rebuilding rich country industrial capacity. But it is a costly and painful learning process. Ideally US production for what is likely these companies' largest market is the best solution. It may be coming...

Brian, the track nose roadster is insane!!!! Where can I learn more about it?

Thanx for all the great comments! 2013 was an odd year for me. I made lots of progress technically but most of my completions were kind of haphazard. For example the '34 Roadster and the Deuce RPU came about because of impulse buys I made on eBay. Both were excellent resin bodies from the same source, Altered States Models, selling on eBay as olmandowntheroad. I figured since I bought 'em I should build 'em. Not much deep thinking or blinding inspiration in either case, but once I got started things seemed to work out. Overall my painting took another step forward, it's cleaner and more consistent now. And, thanks to a kindly observation here at MCM (specifically about my '51 Chevy and a problem with pet hair) I'm learning to actually dust off my models before photographing them (what a concept...). I've started experimenting with a slightly more contemporary style, too (who would have thought...). But in fact there were no grand plans or major projects this year. Several of the completions were due to CBPs on various boards; the Junior Fueler came from an unfinished projects Community Build on VDM for example. In some cases I just wanted to get a box off my shelf - the blue Deuce roadster was a 5 year old starter taking up room and bugging me. The number of unfinished projects keeps growing. I tackled a few major projects this year (for example the first of 3 scratch built Belly Tankers I have planned) but managed to finish none of them. Hopefully at least some them will see fruition in 2014. I still feel I have a lot to improve on. Every time I go to a model car show I am reminded what real technical mastery is all about. I don't lack for ideas (so little time, so many models...) but the skills side demands constant attention and every project brings new challenges in areas I've never done before. So the New Year shapes up as one filled with lots of modeling potential and I'm looking forward to it. Best wishes to all for a happy and prosperous 2014 and... Thanx for lookin', B.

A master of detail and complexity. I love 'em all!

2 too cool 32's, both sedans, and I dig 'em both - a de-blinged (Blue &) Orange Crate and a Barakat & Eastwood tribute. Who could ask for more? I keep forgetting about this epic thread. Last month I finished (yet) another Deuce, this time one I started 5 years ago and finally liberated from its project box.

Thanx guys! Yes I did. 2000 grit wet sanded. I'm concerned that I might have knocked some of the"tooth" off it. Do you have experience with this?

I had hoped this would be completed in time for year’s end so I could include it my 2013 builds. But yesterday, January 30th, 2013, as I was foiling the windshield frame I peeled off the BMF and lifted some the color layer off of a corner of the roof. “No problem “sez I, “I’ve got a bit of paint left so I’ll tape off the roof, sand it primer it and repaint it. I’ve got a dehydrator, I should have it done tomorrow night!”. So I masked off the rest of the body, thinking perhaps I hadn’t cleaned the resin re-pop of the old AMT chopped top I had purchased on E-Bay quite well enough and that’s why the paint didn’t stick. After applying the primer I removed the masking and … horror of horrors more paint pealed! Obviously there is some sort of issue with the way this particular batch of Duplicolor Toreador Red adheres to this particular batch of Duplicolor Red Oxide Primer. Bummer! So toady I’m off to the auto parts stores trying to hunt down another can of Toreador Red and a fresh can of Red Oxide Primer, Time for a total reshoot… I had high hopes for this one. It’s another exploration of my “Retro-Mod” concept, where traditional style and parts are combined with more modern elements. The AMT ’36 Ford Convertible kit forms the basis for the build. I set the chassis up with an AMT dropped ’40 Axle modified to take a pair of disc brakes purloined from a Revell Tony Nancy Double Dragster kit with both front and rear axles located by the radius rods off of a Revell Deuce kit for a modern look. I shaved the front cross member and front spring for a nice low rake. The wheels are from a Revell Goodguys Highboy Roadster kit with the rear tires from the same kit, and the AMT Firestones from the base kit. The wheels are painted in Testors Acryl Jet Exhaust which does a darn good job of imitating the old Dow 7 anti-corrosion finish of 50’s Halibrand mag wheels. The motor is also from the ’36 Ford kit. The interior received a quick tuck and roll job courtesy of some Plastruct sheeting along with bucket seats of unknown source from ye olde parts box, and a steering wheel from the aforementioned Highboy kit. Really, all pretty straightforward, I thought. No dramas, I thought. A two week build, tops, I thought. Get ‘er done in 2013, I thought. Well, it should be the first off the bench in 2014, anyway (I think…). Happy New Year everyone and… Thanx for lookin’, B.

So totally cool! Beautiful model. Wonderful concept. And don't worry about the rear window. Those Mexican roads can be rough!!!

It may be a cliché but it's a matter of quality over quantity. Remarkably understated, beautifully executed and masterfully photographed. One and Done for 2013!

’53 Studillac ’41 Willys Street Rod ’32 Ford HiBoy Roadster

Rat Roaster Revisited ’32 Ford LoBoy Roadster ’32 Ford Roadster Pickup Street Rod Junior Fuel Front Engine Dragster

'51 Chevy Street Rod ’34 Ford Dry Lakes Roadster & ’40 Ford Sedan Delivery Race Team with Trailer