Ron Hamilton

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???

Looks to me that the top picture was the original '59 Buick Pattern, and the bottom picture being a custom pattern.

Welcome. Kewl Rod by the way.

I have a restorable '71 Formula, which is in line for a restoration. I plan on Red with White/Black interior, honeycombs on polyglas white letters, and maybe a better detailed chassis/underhood area, utilizing the AMT Camaro kit parts, and the Revell '68 Firebird driveline. I plan to get some good photos at GM at Carlisle next week.

Are you going to do the "spinner" on the wheelcover, like the 1-on-1? The spinner add a little spice to those "flat" wheelcovers.

I missed you yesterday at the meeting. I will be at the GM at Carlisle show next week, taking pictures for future projects. I'm getting ready to order a 1-on-1 '07 Z06 Corvette for my dealership. It's not sold yet, so the color, trim and equipment is wide open. I have pretty much decided on the combination, which while not my personal favorite, will still look good. It is narrowed down to either Lemans Blue with the Ebony interior, or the Victory Red with the Ebony interior w/ red accents.

I like what I see. I was turned on to this forum by some of my club members (M.A.M.A.) at the meeting today. Keep up the good work, and thank you for this forum.

I used Plasticote Gray Primer, and I have had no crazing problems. I am almost afraid to apply paint at this point. I have painted the '66 Chevelle wagon in Lacquer (Model Car World), over Plasticote primer, and had no problem. I'm going to write and publish a review on the Cadillac kit on this forum in a few days.

2006 Corvette Z06 Revell 1/25th scale; 99 pieces, plus decals – modified reissue] The 2006 Chevrolet Z06 is the most powerful, best all-around performing, street driven automobile ever available from General Motors. Period. With a 7-Liter, 505 horsepower, aluminum V8 engine with a rear mounted 6-speed transaxle, carbon fiber body panels, and 1 G cornering capabilities. As a manager at a Chevrolet Dealership, I have more than a passing interest in this car, as the one our dealership received last year, was sold in one day.. I figured that Revell would get around to issuing the Corvette Z06 Coupe as a full-detail plastic kit in their line, and I am not disappointed. This kit is based on their excellent 2005 Corvette Coupe tool, and it shares quite a few of the same parts, but Revell has seen fit to include the Z06 specific parts, as well as the original 2005 C-6 Corvette kit parts, with the exception of the body shell. Engine: This 17-piece unit is a well-engraved rendition of Chevrolet’s 7.0 liter V8. The engine block halves are mated to the rear-mounted transaxle as a unit, as in the real car. The other well engraved parts complete the assembly. The Z06 specific dry sump oil pan, exhaust headers, and engine covers are present as replacement parts from the 2005 kit. Proper detail painting with various flats and metalizers will bring this assembly out. Chassis: The front and rear suspension units are simplified, with separate, Z06 specific cross-drilled well-engraved disc brake rotors and high-performance calipers at each corner. Poseable steering is not part of the equation. The larger diameter Z06 specific exhaust system has a nice set of chrome metal exhaust tips, which attach to the muffler unit. Shock absorbers are also included. Interior: The interior assembly consists of a tub unit, which incorporates the underhood area, molded in a dark gray. The console, floorboards, and interior sides are engraved and textured properly, and are integral with this unit. The door panels, firewall, interior rear wall, pedals, master cylinder and firewall are separate, well engraved pieces. The shifter, handbrake lever, and under hood hoses are also separate, and well engraved. The dashboard is also well engraved, with a decal for the instruments, a separate glass panel, steering column and a new 3-spoke steering, with decals for the steering wheel hub emblem, as well as the Z06 “head rest embroideryâ€. If you can, get some photographs of a Z06 Corvette interior, as there are some ‘ optional accent colors’ for the Z06 interior, which are not called out in the instructions. The seats are also well done, but there is a resultant seam that must be taken care of for a more realistic appearance. Curiously, there is no seat belt detail in this interior. This assembly mounts to the chassis, which makes for a rigid, stable point to mount the body. There is a three-piece radiator assembly, and intake air cleaner unit, which are hidden, once the body is mounted onto the chassis. Wheels & Tires: The wheels are a very well engraved renditions of the current Corvette Z06 aluminum wheels with decals representing the emblems The wheels should be refinished in the following manor if a replica stock build is desired: A. Standard Wheel- Silver Painted Aluminum B. Competition Gray- Dark Metallic Gray C. Polished Aluminum- Chrome finish dulled down with semi-gloss paint For the 2006 model year, the Z06 aluminum wheels are not available in a chrome plated finish from the factory, but chrome plated aluminum wheels for the Z06 are available from the aftermarket. The rubber-like tires have a nice tread, but no manufacturer’s trade name. The front wheels/tires mount to the chassis on metal stub axles with plastic retainers, while the rear wheels/tires mount on a metal axle, much like the attaching system utilized on the Chevrolet SSR from Revell. Body: The body is a beautiful, well-proportioned rendition of the C6 edition of the Z06, molded in white plastic, exhibiting a little flash on the fender and down the front fenders, the roof sail panels, and around the rear spoiler. The windshield and rear window mount from the outside of the body, for a proper flush appearance, and the rearview mirror mounts inside. Follow the instructions and mount the hood after painting and finishing, allowing for glue. The roof panel is fixed, as on the real Z06, and the body also has the various scoops with screens and flares as the real car. The Z06 emblem for the front fender scoop is a well done decal. The various lenses for the lights, and the mirror “glass†are separate units. Instructions: While the kit instructions call for painting the car in the new ‘Velocity Yellow’ exterior paint, with a Black leather interior, there are other interior/exterior color combos available, which are as follows: Interior Exterior Solid Paint Color Code Ebony with Red Accents Ebony EbonywithTitanium Accents LeMans Blue Metallic 19U A A A Black 41U A A A Velocity Yellow Tintcoat 45U - A A Machine Silver Metallic 67U A A A Daytona Sunset Orange Met.71U - A A Victory Red 74U A A A A good source for these paint colors is "Cobra Colors", which is run by Leon Tefft. Leon is an extraordinary modeler, with a great portfolio of paint colors, clears, and primers, and sealers for the latest model kits. Even though I have not used his product, I have personally seen models that were finished various paints from his line, and I am impressed. His company can be contacted on the web. For the 2007 Model year, the Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Exterior Paint will be discontinued, and a new color called "Atomic Orange" replacing it. NOTE: The plastic used by Revell on this model kit is very sensitive to certain types of "automotive grade" paint. It has been reported by several modelers that the styrene is easily "crazed" when a strong sealer is not used under these paints. I suggest that you talk with either and experienced modeler, or paint expert, as to what is compatible with this plastic, or at least practice on some scraps. Decals: The sheet is impressive, complete with , exterior emblems, wheel centers, dashboard gauges, speaker sections, and a full array of under-hood stickers. While the kit provides excellent raw material, there is plenty of research material out there on this car (i.e. manufacturer’s brochures, magazine articles, web photos) to help the modeler. A beautiful model can be built from this kit with care and proper painting. I recommend this kit to the modeler who has a lot of patience, and has built a few models, as this kit requires a lot of proper detail painting to get a pleasing result. It is fairly demanding and cries out for some extra detailing. I expect to see quite a few of these built up over the coming months, including my own. By: Ron Hamilton