Ron Hamilton

Excellent workmanship and concept.

I love this topic. One thing I have noticed over the years, is that quite a few modelers assume that what the kit manufacturers put in that box is an accurate representation of the real thing. Nothing is further from the truth IMHO. There are allowances made for tooling, as some angles of the real car make it impossible to remove the thing out of the mould. I take a lot of time doing reasearch on the real subject, and I also take a lot of time test fitting, and "massaging" the bodies on my builds (removing mould lines, deepening door and trunk lines, block sanding the model before and after priming, etc. (Thank you Darin Bastado for showing the work you are putting into that Firebirsd!!!) Most modelers do not research the model they are building against the real thing, therefore unless it is a full custom, a junker, or heavilly modified race car, unless they do a lot of prep work, their efforts will be passed over in the contest world. Gloss paint used in the interior of a car is quite silly to me, unless it is a race car where the real one used a gloss finish in places. Bad paint jobs often hurt one's chances of winning anything in the contest world. I once judged a contest where the modeler, clear coated the colored plastic on the model with a heavy coat of clear, represented an "up" convertible top with masking tape, painted gloss black, and used Testors Silver to represent the chrome on the car, over the kit's moulded in hardtop. He was quite proud of his effort, as his friends told him that his model was the most accurate rendition of the subject they have ever seen as a model. The modeler who built this "gem" was not a child, but a full grown adult. On the other hand I saw a built up model with NO exterior paint, just the polished out plastic, and Bare Metaled detail painted and decaled, and let me tell ya, it was beautiful. We all have various skill levels, and I compensate for my declining skills by just taking my time. I do not profess myself to be the best modeler here on the board, but I know a well built model when I see it, and I am happy to offer my assistance to any modeler who needs it.

That model looks great!!!!!

Purplelicious!!!!!

Go get 'em Cruz!!! I have built 3 of those kits, and I have several more, and I love them. I cannot wait for the finished model.

Beautiful build. Makes me want a Orange Float!!!

Very Niiice!!!!!

I have just picked this one up today, and I like it. The new additional pieces set it off, and the white styrene is just what the doctor ordered. You still have to go to the Modelhaus for a set of stock wheel covers and pin whites for a true replica stock non-roadster convertible. Time Machines Resin does the hardtop transkit that fits it like a glove. You have to scratch build a rear window and package tray (no biggie). The Model Car Garage has an excellent photoetch set for this kit, and if you are like me, and have some of the earlier interrations of the kit, Replicas and Miniatures Co. of MD. has the fender skirts and stock air cleaner.

Here's my '61 and my '67 I have another '61 to restore, probably as the other '61's alter ego, and a '63 Sedan, which will also be a replica stock build, probably in a Turquoise color combo.

Chuck, I like where you are going with this build. I love those suicide door Lincolns, as I have one of every AMT kit done. I have a '61 and '67 built, and I want to do my Dad's '66 (White with a Burgundy interior). I am not going to hijack your thread with pics of mine, as I have posted them before.

That is beautiful. You are going to make me strip and repaint my '67.

Those are absolutely beautiful!!!!

Very Nice!!!!!

Gregg, How about a black interior with orange piping on the seats and black carpeting?

Ok. I'll play. All American Resin 1958 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery 1996 GMC Jimmy 2-Door, Converted from an AMT 1996 S-10 Blazer. Modelhaus Resin 1965 Chevrolet Impala Wagon Revell 1966 Chevelle Malibu Wagon, converted into Replica Stock "Brochure Car" Modelhaus Resin 1967 Chevrolet Impala Wagon converted into a 1967 Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon I have quite a few wagons to be built. So many kits, so little time.

I built one of those back in the '80's for a friend who had just bought one for his wife. I have an unbuilt one waiting to be built.

Nice work, Phil, considering what you started with (lol!). The '63 Impala Interior works well with it.

Dale, Norm will not be at the meeting this month, but he will be there next month. You can contact him by phone during normal business hours. He will answer your questions in an accurate, courteous manner. He is one great guy. And his products are great too.

Spike, Thank you for your comments. I drew the white stripes on the kit tires with a circle template, using a fine gel pen. The paint is from the Testors' Lacquer line, which I believe is a GM 1990's color, which looks very close to the '70 Mopar color. A 1971 Barracuda Gran Coupe is a rare beast.

The Model Car Garage has a set of '71-74 Barracuda Scripts you can use on your project. I used them on this. Your car is looking good so far. I would like to do a '71 the same way as you are doing too.

It's mine Marc. This is the very nice Air Trac resin kit. I'm using the AMT '71 Duster for the chassis and other bits, and a Ross Gibson resin engine for the 360. I have to find an appropriate set of wheels and tires for it. I may cut a set of T-Tops in it.

From what I see, this is one beautiful kit. I have one of the AAM 1970 Chrysler 300 kits in my collection to be built. I have decided on the color combo for it. I am waiting for the weather to warm up so I can paint it. Sure the kit is expensive, but it is a unique subject, and everything fits.

Chris, I like what you are doing with those. I have a resin '72 and a '71 in line for building in the next few years.