John E. Bowers Jr.

Hey Cruzer! Where does this get together happen? I'm pretty far south of everything, but I might be able to show up.

Your Camaro shows some very impressive skills. I brought the red SS396 and am currently working on an SS350. It didn't take me long to realize that I was glad we entered in different catigories! I have half a$$ed scratch built a single 4 bbl intake manifold and am curious about the source for one like yours, and the air filter too. It looks really good.

I also talked with Jim about the same thing yesterday. He told me that he too had trouble regaining his status on his own site... It will get worked out though. On a side note... Was very nice to see you again Cruiser!

Man, I really don't know what to say... Except I didn't expect any awards. There were some very impressive models at this show! It was a great time seeing all of the talent, talking with other builders, having one of my models photographed by Jim, and an award in a tough catigory. 'Twas a good day espsecially since one of your promises didn't happen... No grumpy wife!!! (I didn't think she'd be there!)

That was a great time, thanks Lyle. The experience went a long way to motovate me to get really strong back into building and at the same time, it gave Heather a better understanding of the hobby that has been a life long love for me. I'll be back!

HOLY COW!!! It's guys like you that kinda make want to put all my builds in the attic... But I won't! This is amazing! I've come a long way in all my years, but these "wake up calls" show me I have a long way to go. Very good job, man!

Thanks for the pats on the back, guys! this was a fun build and I cant wait to show it at the Mid Atlantic NNL. I'm new to competition and a little insecure. There are some fierce builders out there!!!

This is a years old build. Pretty much out of the box with about six coats of Testors Model Master "British Racing Green Metallic" for color and six coats of "Boyds High Gloss Clear" airbrushed and polished with an LMG Enterprises kit that was nearly worn out. Details are finished up with Alclad ll in various places, MCG photoetched emblems, black flocked carpeting, and of course a poor application of Bare Metal Foil. The spark plug wires are .020 silver solder rolled underneath a jewlers file at opposite 45 degree angles to replicate the 1:1 electronic sheathing. The stock exhaust manifolds and entire system are finished with Testors Metalizers of many shades. Not my best effort but certainly not my worst, either. Criticism, questions and comments are all welcome. These pictures were snapped on a gray, cloudy January day and are not the best. This thig really "pops" in the sun. I hope you enjoy anyway... J.B.

Hey Lyle... I seem to be setting some trends with this. One is loving the time spent at the meetings and the other is loosing small parts from the cars I bring. If you guys found a photoetched "427' emblem on or around the tables, the chances are good that it's mine. Didn't notice it missing until I looked at the pics you posted. Last month I was missing a turn signal bezel from the Camaro but wound up finding it under my desk while looking for something else! Go figure!!!

Hey Matt- I'm in St Marys county, on Hermanville road if you by chance know where that is.

The only things that are identical in all three kits are the tires. They each have sets of drag slicks (which in my humble opinion are way too narrow), very nicley done stock Firestone bias plies (again imho, too narrow) and really nice Goodyear Eagle STs. I'll refer to the models as follows A= "69 Camaro Z/28 B= "67 Corvette 427 Coupe C= '57 Chevy Sport Coupe It's Nice to have as many of each kit as you can get your hands on because of the deversity and interchangeability of the parts since they all have three biulding options- stock, street machine or drag. A... Has a nice set of finned stock Z/28 valve covers which are chrome, but should be natural aluminum for accuracy. It has a "Tunnel Ram" intake manifold as well as a GM cross ram. Beautiful factory Ralleys or Cragar Drag-Lites for wheel options there. Nice velocity stacks wit screen filter detail. Only headers are offered in this kit. B... Has a big block, so not too much can be used on the small blocks offered in the other two kits. Both sets of valve covers are nice, stock steel stamped which are NOT chromed and Moroso that are chrome for the modified look. Also a nice Moroso air filter for the single four borrel carb as well as the stock triangular one that goes with the three two barrels. This one has a blower that is very nice and almost identical to the one in kit C, but it differs with respect that it has a period correct three butterfly scoop. Wheel options are stock turbine style or Center Line type. Headers and stock exhaust manifolds are included. C... Has Very nice stock steel (not chrome) and Corvette style valve covers. With this kit you have your choice of stock fuel injection, a cheesy Tunnel Ram that doesn't compare with kit A and no headers, only the stock "rams horn" exahust manifolds. Beautiful blower setup with Quadrjet carburators. A nice set of traditinal Cragar five spokes or full stock hubcaps for the wheels and you do get the wide whitewall inserts too. All three of these kits build up very well and when you mix and match the different parts you can have a model that will really please you. With some inginuity and extra detailing you can take any one of them as far as you want. Here are my two examples: I once owned an SS396 Camaro and 1:25th scale got old. And I'd give alot for a '67 Corvette even my left n... err big toe!

Hi Gregg, I'm new here to this site, and newly introduced to the "live, in person" model car community. I do plan on attending the NNL as an unknown, but I look very forward to meeting everyone associated with this event. If I could get a name tag it would probably be the best trophy that I will come home with. Thanks, man John Bowers AKA "Likittysplit"

Hi Kevin! I have to say that I marvel at your egotistical attitude. If you will, I'd like to tell you a little about myself. First, I am an "old fart" at 46 years of age and have already learned some hard lessons about life just like you will. I work in the field of military aircraft flight test and heavy structure modification. Employed with me are many young United States Marines, some who think they know it all or are the best of the best when it comes down to airframes. When these young guys get themselves in a nasty situation who do you think they come running to? Bingo!!! the old guy who has been there and done that. If you really want to see how you "stack" up, I invite you to accompany me on any given Friday night so you can shoot your loud mouth off with myself and my freinds at the bar. Semper Fi! I can't believe I got sucked into this! I apologize to any and all that I may have offended with my comments to this young man.

That is an absolutley stunning build, man. Very impressive! I'd love to know your process for obtaining the rust patterns on the body. I'm new to this site and realize that you must have been asked this before, but if it wouldn't be too much trouble...?

This is one I finished up about 5 years ago. It is a conversion from a Z/28 to an SS396 using an engine from the Monogram 1967 Corvette. Paint is two base coats of Testors M-M Chrome Silver followed by 12 or 13 (can't remember) thin coats of Testors rattle can Transparent Candy Apple Red decanted and thinned for airbrushing, and finilized with 6 coats of Colors by Boyd High gloss clear, again airbrushed. The engine has been detailed with such things as .020 stainless steel safety wire for the fuel lines, .018 silver solder for the brake lines out of the master cylnder resivior, and a throttle return spring from, umm I don't know. Alclad II finish on the valve covers and headers and some mods to fit the exahust The rest of the kit is essentionally box stock with an exception for a MCG p/e kit which was a godsend. Some of you have already seen these pictures and some of you have seen this model in person, but it is the one that I am the most proud of so (so far). I thank you for looking again. J.B (AKA Likittysplit)

It was a great meeting, Lyle. Thank you. I particularly enjoyed the story about the '55 Nomad "phantom". I really wish that I had joined up years ago and had had the (obviously) great pleasure of having known Harry. On another note- I sent some of your pictures in an email to my Dad, who is responsible for my own model building passion, and the last one in your above post was the last one in my email... Things that make you scratch your chin and go "Hmmmm"!!! See ya all next month. J.B. AKA Likittysplit