Ron Hamilton

I have always wished that Cadillac would have continued the rear drive full-sized coupe after 1984, So I decided to build my own once Revell released this kit. I painted it with Testors'1995 Chevrolet Dark Cherry Lacquer, with a silver pearl urethane trim like the factory, and a Dark Cherry Cabriolet Roof.. The interior was too plain, so I upgraded it to the "d'elegance" pillowback trim in light gray"leather". I used a set of Detail Master 100 spoke photoetched wire wheels, mounted on a set of "Vogue" Tyres.

1975 Chevy Blazer -RC2 (AMT/Ertl) A790 - 1/25 Scale 42 Pieces and Decals, Straight Reissue It's very interesting that the model companies are going into their "vaults" to re-tool and re-issue kits that have been out of their lines for over a decade. Over the past couple of years, the modeling community has gotten re-issues of the 1971 Chevy K-5 Blazer, and the 1978 Ford Bronco from AMT/Ertl. A big thanks goes out to Dave Burkett for having the foresight to market these kits. The 1975 Chevy Blazer kit is one of the old tools which languished in the RC2 archives for years, finally re-released to us hungry modelers. This kit was in the MPC line as one of their "Super Snap" model kits. Assembling one of these kits negated the use of any glue, as the assemblies were snap, or press fit. Simplicity is the key. Normally, I would not even consider such a kit to build, as it has very little challenge to me, as it was a curbside (No under-hood detail), but recently, curbside kits have come very appealing, in that the build time is short, the fit problems are minimal, and the subject matter is fantastic. I cannot remember the last time that a 1975 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer was available in a 1/25 scale kit form. In examining this kit, this vehicle represents a 1975 Chevrolet K-5 Blazer 4x4, in the "Custom Deluxe" (base) trim level, with a few factory options (hardtop and chromed bumpers), aftermarket items (custom steering wheel, chromed push bar, sunroof, chromed wagon wheels and oversized tires) and emergency vehicle equipment (Bar light, fog/driving lights, whip CB radio antenna) added for interest. In looking at this kit, I was a little disappointed, in that the vehicle represents a mildly modified “emergency†vehicle. A little modification and kit-bashing is in order if I wanted to build a "Replica Stock" off of the dealership's lot vehicle. The rolling stock consists of a set of aftermarket, chromed Wagon Style Steel wheels, mounted on what represents a set of worn two-piece Goodyear 33" Tires. Curiously, the tires are body colored hard plastic, so the modeler must paint them in order for them to look a little realistic. On the real vehicle, the front brakes are disc type, and the rear tires are drum, neither of which are represented, even though the inner half of the kit tires are closed in. The wheel/tire assembly snaps onto a one piece front and rear drive axle assembly, which in turn press fit into machined holes in the well engraved chassis plate. The interior assembly consists of a pair of two-piece front bucket seats, and a two-piece rear bench seat, which press fit onto the bosses on the floorboard of the one-piece interior tub. An aftermarket custom steering wheel/column mounts into the dashboard, which snaps into a slot in the interior tub. The interior finish is finished up with the insertion of a chromed 4-wheel drive lever. The body assembly consists of a one-piece body with the hardtop, and the hood molded in. The one-piece "glass" unit consists of the windshield, rear quarter windows, a tailgate window, and an after market sunroof, which mounts into the body. The sunroof opening is molded open, along with holes for the side view mirrors, CB radio antenna, and the roof mounted bar light. I wish that the manufacturer would have allowed the modeler to open these holes up themselves by flashing them over. The chromed rear bumper mounts on pegs at the rear of the body, as does the chromed headlamps/grille and the chromed front bumper/push bar combination. The roof mounted driving lights, the side view mirrors, and 5-piece bar light assembly round out the assembly. A set of optional fictitious emergency vehicle decals finish off the model. The model seems to have the right look of the 1975 Chevy Blazer, and with a little body-work (seam removal and hole filling), careful assembly and a good paint job will a pretty nice shelf model. The Replica Stock builder, and the more adventurous modeler will do a little research on the real car, go to their parts box, kit bash, and add a few aftermarket items to make this one pop. Thank you RC2 for reissuing this kit. Ron Hamilton

http://images1.snapfish.com/348%3A%3B%3A%3...%3C69%3B9nu0mrj

work the windows Bill!!! work the windows!

I had it planned out since the kit was issued. The engine is the 440-4bbl out of the '71 Charger Kit. The Charger sacrificed its underhood area, chassis, and interior for this one.

MPC 1966 Pontiac Bonneville

THE BIG CAR CHALLENGE is one week away!!!

James Testor sent me a photo of a car, which was my inspiration. When I decided th build this one, I combined mine with the '71 Charger R/T Kit. I drilled out the molded in headlamps and added clear lenses. I detailed the kit wheels, and added a set of 60 series Polyglas GTs Here's the Charger interior tub, combinedwith the seats from the Road Runner Here it is all mocked up, ready for paint I painted it B-5 Blue, with a Bright Blue interior, Keith Marks' White Stripes, detail Master Hood Pins

1968 Barracuda Formula S Fastback, converted from a '69, using parts from a derelict '68 glue bomb. I'm leaning towards Turbine Bronze with the black side stripes and interior. 1968 GTO Hardtop, using chassis from MPC '69 442 The GTO will get a vinyl roof, and maybe a set of red lines on Rally I or Rally II wheels, instead of the 5-spoke/Polyglas GT combo. The color is up in the air, but it will be a '68 Pontiac hue, with a black vinyl roof, lower body pin stripes, and GTO letters..

The company went out of business I believe.

AMT 1974 Roadrunner. Kit combined with AMT '71 Charger R/T, MCW B-5 Blue Paint, Keith Marks' Decals, Detail Master Hood Pins, clear headlamps, and a lot of work Revell '63 Chevy Impala SS Convertible, converted to a convertible, using MCW Daytona Blue Paint, Replicas and Miniatures' '62 Chevy Convertible Boot, AMT ;63 Impala SS Wheelcovers, and a 409/400 V8/4-Speed combo from the AMT '62 Impala. Scripts are self adheisive from Auto Dynamics. Revell '67 Corvette Coupe, using Rainbow Marina Blue Lacquer, American 5-spokes and Blue Streaks from the Revell '32 Ford Coupe, L-88 engine, w/Detail Master Wiring, and Aluminum Disc Brakes w/ Replicas and Miniatures BrakeCalipers, Holley 780 Carb, and Wood Steering Wheel Rim, and Model Car World Photo-etch. Body work includes opening up the fender gills. Revell '66 Malibu Wagon, converted to Replica Stock, using parts from the Revell '66 El Camino, Parts Mastered by myself and Norm Veber for the Replicas and Miniatures '66 Malibu Conversion Kit, 327/300/Powerglide Engine From Replicas and Miniatures, Photoetch from Model Car Garage, Aztec Bronze Lacquer Paint from Model Car World, and inspiration from the '66 Chevelle Brochure. Revell '65 Malibu SS396 Converted into a convertible. Model Car Garage Photoetch, Monogram '65 Corvette Aluminum Wheels, Modelhaus '64 Tempest Convertible Boot, Rainbow Products' Black Lacquer.

This one started as a busted up promo. I have no before pictures, but here are the in progress photos. THe roof had busted "A" pillars, and a cracked windshield., and the body had numerous scuffs all over it. I used the windsheld frame from a Johan '68 Chrysler 300, as well as its floorboards to deepen the interior tub, and the seat frames to add further detail to the front seats.. I got new chrome (Front/rear Bumpers/wheelcovers), and a convertible boot and vacuumformed glass ('68 Chrysler) from the Modelhaus. I haven't decided on the color combination yet. I photographed a white on red one at Chryslers at Carlisle, but that color combination is not particularly striking to me.

I stripped the paint off this one, and put it in primer. I replaced the kit wheels with a set of "honeycomb" wheels on Goodyear "Polyglas" whitewall tires, and added a body side moulding ( I may remove it). I have a new steering wheel for it(Pontiac Custom sport wheel), and I plan to paint it a 1971 Pontiac color combination.

The pictures are self explanitory. It has been cleaned up, and I am ready to start on the bodywork.

I had a Modelhaus resin '68 Impala SS 427, which was cracked. I decided to combine it with the AMT '67 SS 427 for a more detailed chassis, and a better looking body. I still have to add the emblems and side marker lamps. I am thinking '68 Chevrolet Teal Blue body/interior, dog dishes/steelies on red lines.

While I like that Idea, I may go the replica stock route on this one, as I have seen these built only as street machines with big tires, and a slammed stance. Gotta be different.

This one was not a complete glue-bomb, but she was pretty dirty, and had some strange goo all over it, along with the customary broken windshield frame. I got it apart and it cleaned up nicely. It was missing the wheels and tires (I have a set from the '63 Lincoln Kit, which are the correct wheelcovers, and some Satco Firestone Deluxe Champion Half Whites), and I got a boot and headlamp panel from the Modelhaus. I'm currently doing the body prep for paint, as I have not decided on the color combo, but I plan to do this one replica stock.

I recently bought an unbuilt Revell '70 Mustang Grande' in order to do a triple black 428 Coupe, and this kit is horrible. The only thing I want to do with it is to use it as a guide to convert the Monogram/Revell '70 Boss 429/'69 Mach 1/'70 Boss 302 into a passable replica. I recently ordered a resin '69 Mustang coupe transkit from AFX 'n scale, which may save me some building time. I also have a AMT '69 and '70 Mach 1 fastback, I plan to do a little kitbashin' on to make an accurate replica. Planning out the cars takes a little time, but like you, I like realism in my replica stock builds.

A restoration from an original kit, painted with Testors' Black Lacquer.

The reason I put the BIG CAR CHALLENGE on the 3 Major Model Car Boards is quite simple. Some of us read all three, and then some of us has been turned off by the trolldumb (constant bickering about non-model related subjects, off color, dumb comments concerning some of the modelers) on one of the other boards. I enjoy all of the boards, and I don't want to see anyone who wants to post their photos of their builds to be left out of the fun, because they choose not to participate in one of the forums. Our community is shrinking, like it or not. I still enjoy building, even though my skills are declining, due to several physical malodies. One day I will reveret to building like I did when I was a little glue-bomber. But until that day happens, I'll still do the best I can. While there are some beautiful full sized Ford, Chevy, and Plymouth builds out there, those cars are not in the spirit of the contest. I will hold a challenge for those cars too on another date. Believe me, those who know me personally know I have quite a few of them in my collection, and they will be getting their time in the spotlight. I will be posting my Bigguns the weekend of November 23,24,25,26, 2006, on all three boards. This is supposed to be fun. 8) 8) 8) If I confused or my friends from around the world concerning the date of the Challenge, I apologize.

Now that's a BIG CAR!

But isn't a '77 Monaco an intermediate sized car? A shadow of it's former self? That's not a big car. :shock: :shock:

Any plastic, resin, die cast model kit or restored promo, built in a TASTEFUL manner. Suggested cars are BIG AMERICAN FULL SIZED PREMIUM CARS from the model years from 1957 to 1997: Cadillac: Series 62, Deville, Fleetwood, Brougham, Eldorado Pontiac: Bonneville, Grand Prix Buick: Electra 225, Invicta, Wildcat, Riviera Oldsmobile: 98, 88, Starfire, Jetstar I, Toronado Lincoln Continental Edsel Mercury: Park Lane, Marauder, Turnpike Cruiser, Montclair, Monterey, S55 Chrysler Imperial Chrysler: New Yorker, 300, Newport DeSoto Dodge: Monaco, Polara, Custom 880, Phoenix, Custom Royal Replica Stock or Custom If you noticed, there are no Chevies, Plymouths, Fords, AMC's, or Borgsward Isabellas are mentioned, as they are too much of a mainstream car, and not big or luxurious enough. There will be no trophies, or official recognition by the board, as this is not an official event. Just some nice clean fun. Show off your building style, and post them Thanksgiving weekend, 2006. Are you in, or are you out???