Ron Hamilton

This thread brings back memories of that era. The happiness, and the tragedies, we will never get back that time, but the memories will linger forever. Did your Dad build model cars? I have been on a kick, building models of cars of significant people in my life, if memory serves me, as my dad built very few models. I only remember two, a 1963 Buick Electra 225 Hardtop (unpainted plastic), and a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible (brush painted black body, everything else unpainted). It's funny, he gave me the cars after he built them, and threw away the rest. I would have loved to have the parts. I have unbuilt kits of the two cars, but I have to build them my way, with at least full body detail and full paint.

It seems to me like Revell is the only domestic model car manufacturer developing several new tools, as well as modifying and adding parts to other tools to produce new subject matter, and re-issuing former Die-cast Metal kits to Styrene plastic. Like it or not, this is an expensive undertaking that the other domestic model manufacturers are not doing on a large scale. Sure, the re-constituted AMT is a major player in the game, but it seems to me, with the exception of the 2008 Dodge Challenger, they are doing re-issues of old, and not so old kits from their vast tooling, with some additional build variations ('60 Ford), and some beautiful box art (everything they have done so far), which collectors will buy, as well as the modeler who missed the kit(s) on the first run. I feel that if it was not for brilliant marketing efforts of Model King(Dave Burkett), Stevens International, and Hobby Heaven(Tom Carter), the limited runs of the older, significant, out of production tools would not have happened, and AMT/RC2/Polar Lights may have not been seen as a viable investment by Tom Lowe et .al.(Auto World). I applaud the company for the work they are currently doing with the old tools, and I hope they see fit to order up some new and exciting kits, as well as un-earthing, and restoring some prime, vintage old tools, as well as modifying the current tools into a new variant. Lindberg had a resurgence several years ago with some decent new tools ('06 Charger variants,'53 Ford, '66 Chevelle SS 396, '64 Dodge 330, '61 Chevy Impala SS, Ford Crown Victoria, to name a few), and the re-issues of the old IMC tools, but I would venture to say that the old Pyro and Palmer tools were not too successful sales wise, as the subject matter appealed to the fringe element at best, and frankly those kits were not that satisfying to build. However, Lindberg seems to be hanging on too. I applaud them too on their efforts. Everyone's kits are now priced higher, as the cost of petroleum products was said to be the major reason for the price increases earlier this year. Higher kit prices goes with the added costs of investing in the development of new tools, raw materials, labor, distribution and shipping costs, as well as licensing fees, so it was not just the spike in raw petroleum. If you noticed, I did not mention the resurrected (or not) Jo Han(Okey Spaulding), or the various Resin kit and aftermarket detail part and paint manufacturers and suppliers. I have a different opinion of these companies, which I will not dwell on in this writing, however, I have supported them in the past by purchasing their wares, and will continue to purchase from them, as the subject matter, execution of said subject matter, and my wallet dictates. In the past few years, the distribution channels of all of the manufacturing entities has been shrinking, as well as the available retailers(storefront and mail-order) in this business. Demand has also shrunk, as we(the modeling community)do not have the available disposable income to purchase as many model kits and supplies as we once did, even a couple of years ago. Of course there are several factors influencing these occurrences, most of them being beyond any single faction's control. We are in the midst of a serious recession folks, plain and simple. Some of us have been hit harder than others, but we are all affected. I have been building and collecting model cars for over 45 years, and I am proud to say that I never stopped building, or collecting during that time period. I tend to be very critical of my own work, but not so much of other people's skill level, as I enjoy looking at, and getting inspiration for my builds from other builder's work on this site, no matter what their skill level is, and on the other modeling message boards, model magazines, shows, and the monthly model club meetings (M.A.M.A. and its affiliates). The comradery in our community is great, and we all have our opinions. Even though I am not directly connected to the model business as a retailer or wholesaler of kits or supplies, I am a consumer. I relish the release of the new kits, in the subject matter that I follow by the major model manufacturers, foreign and domestic. I buy most of the new releases, and give you my honest opinion of the said kit in the form of a written review, which is my opinion, and no one else's. Sure, some kits are pretty good executions of great subject matter, and some are less than good execution(but workable into a decent replica of the subject matter). Some modelers here will lambaste a kit(either in writing or verbally), without actually seeing the kit, but relying on the written opinion of someone they trust, whether or not the opinion is valid, so I take their opinion with a grain of salt. If you notice, unless the kit is an absolute abomination(and there are some pretty bad kits out there), I tend to stay positive in my reviews, as I try to look at the positive attributes of every kit I buy, and/or review. I look at each kit as raw material for a potential masterpiece. If the kit is terrible, I will write(or state)in my opinion as to why it is so. I let the marketplaces decide whether the kit is worthy of my money, which I have less of each and every day. Ron Hamilton

Bill, Norm has cast the more accurate '60 Ford wheel cover from the Hubley '60 in unplated resin. You will have to ask him to cast a set, as they are not listed in his line, as well as the Foxcraft skirts, which I used on my convertible. Ron P.S. That is one goergeous '60 Starliner.

Show him your '67 Lyle.

Very Nice!

Marcos, Don't forget to get a set of headlamp buckets from Norm for the PE set. They will make life a lot easier. I Alcaded mine, epoxied them in added the lenses, and I was good to go. He does the skirts for it too. I Bare-Metaled mine, as the real car had stainless skirts as a dealer installed item. I did mine to represent my Uncle's car as he brought it home in 1960. I know yours will be spectacular. I plan to do another one next year. I haven't decided on the body style yet. I have a couple of options other than the Starliner.

A Quickie Review of the Revell ‘64 Ford Fairlane Street Machine 2' N 1 I recently purchased the Revell ‘64 Ford Fairlane Street Machine 2' N 1 kit, hoping that the manufacturer made some significant changes to this kit. A few changes occurred, and while I am not surprised that one of the versions was a true “replica stock†version of the car, there were a few changes in the kit that made it worth a look. There were a few parts added to the kit, which are: A set of 14" Steel Wheels with a-c-c-u-r-a-t-e ‘64 Ford Dog Dish Hubcaps, and 14" Tires. A flat hood with no hood scoop. A low profile oval air cleaner to use with the 427 Engine. A set of glass-packed mufflers with side exit exhaust pipes which attach to the exhaust headers. A new set of decals, with a fictitious racing team theme, and “Flames “ Inboard Headlamp lenses and buckets. Fortunately, the parts to build an accurate “Thunderbolt†race car are still there, as well as the three wheel styles, and the two different transmissions, which has been a part of the Revell Thunderbolt Kit since its inception. It is also moulded in crisp, white styrene plastic. With the limited amount of capital a company has to work with these days, I have to ask the question: Why would this company devote additional tooling dollars to a kit that has been in continuous production in various liveries over the past decade, and end up with this result? Don’t get me wrong, the parts provided in this kit are very welcome, and will build into an interesting street machine, but most modelers I have been in contact with wanted to see the following changes happen with this kit: Taking the concept a little further, and adding a bench seat, a 289 V8 or dare I say, a 6-cylinder engine, with the appropriate interior and chassis modifications to this tool to make a “Main Stream Replica Stock “ build possible with the parts provided from the kit. - Or - A newly tooled 2-door hardtop body as either a Fairlane 500, or Fairlane 500 Sports coupe, with the aforementioned modifications. Neither of which happened, and the true “main streamerâ€replica stock builder will be disappointed in this kit. To build this kit as a true “Replica Stockâ€, it will take a lot of work, aftermarket parts, and parts box raiding to make it happen. The dog dish caps, and steelies will have a home for me. Can we say full size ‘64 Ford Galaxie 500 “R†code from the old AMT kit? Why yes we can. The rest of the kit will be built as a Thunderbolt with some aftermarket decals, or as a “As Delivered†race car. Is this a nice kit? Yes indeed, but I feel that Revell missed the mark on this one. Ron Hamilton

This one. It took a lot of work to get it right, at least to me.

Nice Save!!!

It's out, I have already got one up on it's wheels to check the fit. I haven't decided on the color yet, but it will be a "restified GT, with "C" stripes, and emblems. A full review will come later. The kit has only one version, the "Bullitt" car, not a stock '68 Mustang GT out of the box.

I've always thought that that was one of the best designed cars to come out of Ford, and I am quite sure you will do a fine job on the model. What are you going to do for the wheels? I think the wire wheels from the Tamiya Jaguar are the best I've seen. JoHan included some nice wire wheels in some of their kits too. Even though I would rather have a set of nice photoetched wire wheels for such a build (the kit wheels are junk IMHO), most seem to have a lack of depth, and I haven't seen a decent set of front laced wheels in photoetched anyway. Go for it, Bill.

The model is a '70 Montego (slatted grille instead of egg crate), and the car illustrated on the box is a '71.

You know that I love that '69 Malibu so much, I am going to do one myself. By the way, the one-to-one car is in this month's Chevy Rumble magazine.

Absolutely!!!! We are all modelers on this board, and we have our preferences. I, for one, like to build and modify kits to capture the subject manner, even with subtle innacuracies, which I enjoy fixing. I will build "new school" kits, like the much maligned Trumpeter '60 Pontiac Bonneville... I will add detail to "old school" kits, like the AMT Craftsman Series '64 Plymouth Valiant... And I will correct iconic kits like this AMT '67 Ford Fairlane GT

That's lookin'good!!! I have an original unbuilt '66 Skylark Kit I will get around to one day. The AMT '66 Riviera has the best Nailhead engine in scale. I want to do a replica stock '66 Buick trilogy with a Wildcat GS, Skylark, and Riviera GS.

Are you coming to the meeting Saturday???? If so, I have something along those lines to show you.

In my opinion, you are building for yourself, and sharing it with the rest of us, and like you said, it's not finished.You are always welcome to ask me a question, and I will give you an honest answer. I tend to use ideas from most of the modelers here, including you. I enjoy looking at your work. Maybe, I'll escape from my box and build one in your style. So many projects, so little time.

Hey! Interesting project. I tried to do one in 1968, but the putty never dried, and my skills were not too good. Fast forward to 1997. I tried it again. Like yours, the paint gave me fits. as a matter of fact, one of the fenders had to be stripped and repainted. If I were to do it again, I would have re-painted the entire vehicle. By the way, Wanna Drag???

If it were me, and I were going the same route as you, I would put an updated interior in it. Yesterday, I took a look at a '63 Coupe that I am restoring. I stripped the body side mouldings from the car, in order to do a custom Eldorado Coupe. This is a long term project, which is in the planning stages.

Lookin' good, Lyle. I was wondering when you were going to finish this one. I'm going to do a 300 deluxe 2 door post myself, one of these days.

Nice work!!!

I like that. Is that the old MPC tool? I have one of those, which is unbuilt, as well as a resin '72, which I want to do the '71 Charger upgrade to.

Thanks for the shot of the kit. I plan to do mine as an R/T also, as I have the R/t conversion kit. Mine will be Turquoise 440 6-Pack with the White guts, White Tail Stripe, and Rallye Wheels on White Lettered tires.

I have the All American '65 2+2 Hardtop and the Shawn Carpenter '65 2+2 Convertible in resin. Both transkits have had the corrections in the body, and looks true to the subject, only needing the AMT '65 2+2 kit for the other parts. I believe the All American kit had the tail panel corrected, but not the side window profile (a minor fix) on the roof. If I can find them, I will photograph them and post the photos.

If it were mine, I would re-do it, using the skills I picked up over the years, with a good paint job, Bare Metal Foil, and some Photoetch (if neccsessary). I bought this one as a pristine kit off of Ebay a few years ago. Looking at the chassis and running gear, I decided to use the excellent AMT '67 SS427 for the separate chassis and running gear, floorboards, parts box wheels and tires, and some various pieces of MCG photoetch from various sets. Bob Downie's car was the inspiration for my build. I have another one, and old built-up, and I plan to do it as a convertible (correctly), per Bob Downie's suggestion, as a bookend of this car (built the same way), but with an automatic transmission, and either Rally Wheels, or Custom Wheel Covers, probably in Red with a Red interior.