Matt T.

Neato!!

WOW, that is sleek! What a beauty.

Over on the Spotlight Hobbies Board (gonna take a while to get used to writing that) David Dale posted pictures of his Revell Merc with HoK Cocoa and indicated he used Tamiya Gray primer. Has anyone else had success putting a hot automotive lacquer over Tamiya primer? (I think Lyle might with DupliColor over Tamiya?) I'm thinking that the hobby primer won't etch the styrene at all, and then just mist the color coats and let them gas out enough between coats. Does the Tamiya hold up to hot paint? Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Mark, Good point on the no-name chrome valve covers. As for the engines, I believe the Parts Pack version is an early '50s 331ci while the Eldo is a 390ci. Externally I believe they have the same dimensions. I eyeballed the fit of the parts pack 4x2 & 6x2 log intakes and it looks like they will fit with only a little material added to where they mount to the heads. The Merc kit's engine also has 3-port heads, so swapping of the headers should work too.

Altered States does. Here it is on the Revell Parts Pack Caddy engine. I think Ken Hart (khart) has contact info for them.

I compared the Merc's engine to the engine in the Monogram '59 Cadillac the other day and they are the same mold. The Merc's valve covers are chromed versions of the Deville's with the "Cadillac" block lettering removed (licensing issues?). Oddly enough, the valley cover and intake are slightly narrower on one of the engines (can't remember which). So does that make it a 390ci? If you've got a '59 Deville in your stash, the branded valve covers will drop right on your Merc mill. Hey grey beards...I assume a heavy car like a leaded Merc would require ample torque to move it along. So a late-50s small block Chevy wouldn't be a good choice? What about a Y-block? Studebaker? Just thinkin'... -Matt

Peter, that's totally do-able and a great idea. Just like the 1/12 Revell Choppers last fall, I suspect a lot of people will be building these new Mercs this fall. Last year we set a February deadline for the builds (NNL West, IIRC) and the turnout was great with many builders submitting at least one build each to the MCM forum build. I'm in for a Merc build.

I noticed that in my local Wal Marts the Mercs are either on the top or bottom shelves, due to the different box shape. Sometimes they're stacked with the "Uptown" kits too. Don't forget to look everywhere! HTH.

WHOA!! That is way cool! You've fabbed a great hot rod there, for sure. Nice work and welcome to the board.

Period-perfect custom cruiser! I like the addition of the spare tire trunklid and skirts, and the bumper guard nerf bumpers are a great idea (that will now be stolen by me).

Stunning and beautifully detailed! Very nice Superbird. Welcome to the board!

Nice! Now that is unique. Sorry to hear about the layoff. Good Luck in your job hunt.

I have to agree with the '66 being the best Nailhead in 1/25 scale. I just received a set of finned valve covers & matching ignition wire covers in my latest Reps. & Mins. of MD order (Part # P-54). I eyeballed them against all the motors listed in this thread, and they look like they'll best fit the '66 engine and the old Revell engine (Tony Nancy or Tommy Ivo). I think we're going to see a lot of Mercs with '66 Riviera Nailhead mills!

Beautiful! Please don't be hesitant to post your work - it's great! The roof and fins look great on there, and it certainly looks like a car you'd see in an article in an old magazine. Very nicely done.

That works for me. Looks good! And period-perfect, ta-boot.

Nice work so far! The photo etch pieces really bring it to life.

Did you move the images (or the folder they're in) within Fotki, Bill? If so, that breaks any external references because the URLs change. Plus, if the two images of the 1:1 aren't from your Fotki, that would explain why they're still showing and the others aren't. That's my only idea...

Thanks Dave!

Thanks for the lead, Dave! This kit is a homerun, guys! If you're waiting for one, it will be worth the wait. Apart from the obvious beautiful chopped body, great decal sheet and multitude of build options; my quick, limited inspection last night reveals that the tuck & roll interior can be cut down and fitted to various cars, the 16" medium-offset chrome reversed wheels will fit in the Rat Rod whitewalls ( ), the Caddy mill will accept the Revell Parts Pack 6x2 & 4x2 log intakes with little modification, and the 15" Sombreros and wide whites are very nice (tires even have 'Firestone' on them!). The interior door panels don't have any engraved handles or door pulls, and none are included separately. But, as I said above, this makes for a very easy conversion to a wide variety of customs and hot rods. My parting thought is the new flat box. It strikes me that it resembles the Japanese style, with the body laid flat in one end and the other trees stacked beside it, all separately wrapped. One of the short ends has a great picture of both built versions. Could Revell be positioning its domestic line for better Euro & Asian sales? The new box will fit right in the shelf slot meant for a Tamiya or Fujimi box - no doubt about it. To paraphrase ZZ Top... "Hobbico/Revell - We Bad, We Worldwide."

Guests can view but not vote, so that is probably the difference, Craig. I voted for the '56 pick-em-up, cuz I like pickups. The vote-off is gonna be tough for me - I also like that sectioned '40 and the '32 Nomad! Matt

I agree with you, Ken. I was particularly disappaointed in the two-carb option. The windshield visor looks good however, and the woodgrain decals are really nice. The entire decal sheet is a highlight of the kit. All in all, I highly recommend this kit...just not for the straight 6 "hop up parts."

Looks great!

Nice! All it needs now is a vintage front-engine dragster on a trailer out back. Very cool.

I LIKE it! The hollowed-out grille really adds to it also. I If I may, I'd suggest smoothing that door hinge. Keep up the great custom work!

Hi Paul, Nice kustom! I'd vote for leaving the B-pillars upright. The Coral with Sombreros sounds like a winning plan. The Corvette taillight idea would be unique. Another taillight idea could be '50 Pontiac units from the AMT '34 Ford - latest release. Put them just inboard of the fenders, maybe? I'm glad to see this one resurrected! Matt