Dennis Lacy

I think there's a lot more going on here than a lack of tape measure. I think, perhaps, the builders eyesight was compromised. As in, completely blind.

Fantastic model of historical and unique vehicle. I enjoyed following the build thread. Will you be bringing this to the Lower Left Coast NNL in August?

I've missed out on this event the last couple of years due to other obligations. Really hope to make it this year!

Both of your Uncertain T's are great but that trailer is just plain rad!!! Did a trailer like this exist for the real UT? Also, very cool to see the original and final iterations side by side.

I think this is an excellent point, Chris. The word criticism just has a negative connotation and by definition it's not intended to be a positive. To criticize is to find fault in someone or something, period. However, to critique is to analyse someone or something and to find both the positives and the negatives. Critique is the word that we should be using as it applies to viewing and commenting on members models. When it comes to actually putting my thoughts into words on a forum I have always found it best to mention a thing or two positive before addressing the negatives. There's always something positive to say. Even if the model is rough the builders intentions can be complimented (concept, color, wheel choice, etc...). I also find it important that if a flaw is going to be pointed out then the person pointing it out should also include advice on how to get better results on future projects. Speaking of models and semantics, models are what we are all building here. We're not building builds.

What I was getting at (but failed to, haha) was that the actual model will most likely look better than the picture that's been photoshopped.

I'm down for getting in on a community thread and I would do my own in the Workbench section for those that never venture down the category menu.

Duh!

The Ebay prices of Lindberg '29 Mercedes just went up!

Thanks for the added info, Tim. Even though I had thoroughly read your blown SBC comparison it slipped my mind as I wrote my above post. Is the blower from the Corvette kit not identical to what's in the new '30 Coupe? It sure looks like it.

Regardless if you're a fan of the Chevy small block or not, it's important to note that the blower option in this kit is one of just a couple ever kitted that features a "streetable" set up that includes a water pump and alternator. Almost every blown small block over the years has been a competition only setup. The only one for a long time was Monograms late 70's Z28. The only other one since then that comes to mind is the Stacy David Rat Roaster '32 roadster. So for anyone wanting a street going blown Chevy small block, this is a significant inclusion.

Thank you, Tim, for once again taking the time to put together a thorough review. As soon as I can get my hands on one I'll be clearing the bench. I already have a full plan for how I'm going to build my first one.

If you look close there is a ton of photoshop going on in the Police picture above. The glass and windshield frame for sure, the license plate, the stainless side trim pieces on body & fenders and all of the Police parts (siren, roof flashers and spot light.) The 1/4 glass being drawn in is also screwing with the shape of the window opening big time.

The Cobra pan in the Buttera kits is a front sump. The motor is set back far enough in the chassis that it's a non-issue. That and the Jag based IFS uses a rack & pinion.

I was just at my local shop which is the giant Pegasus Hobbies. They're like a mega store and it blows my mind that they aren't on the preferred program. Guess I gotta wait another week or two.

This kit is absolutely a perfect candidate for a moonshine runner!

Hood: Completely different stainless trim + the shape of the front nose area therefor different stampings with unique part numbers. Front Fenders: Completely different headlight assemblies (bulb/reflector vs, sealed beam) therefor different stampings with unique part numbers. Rear Fenders: Completely different tail lights (teardrop shape vs.chevron shape) therefor different stampings with unique part numbers. Cowl: Crank-out windshield vs.fixed windshield therefor different stampings and completely different inner structure with unique part numbers. Doors: Full size glass vs vent wing windows + different door handles therefor different stampings and completely different inner structure with unique part numbers. (Not to mention window glass regulators and latch operating mechanisms.) That leaves the roof and quarter panels. I did say sheet metal wise they share very little in the way of common parts and I believe that qualifies. (The two years do share many, many common chassis and engine parts but that isn't important as it applies to passing the model kit as a '39.) If you are walking a swap meet and need '39 sheet metal, you look for '39 sheet metal. If you are walking a swap meet and need '40 sheet metal, you look for '40 sheet metal.

The Spic N Span gasser box art rules! If they do a retro-deluxe version they should use that artwork. For sure! It's pretty funny that AMT suggests it can be built as a '39 as well when the only '39 parts provided are the grill, headlights and hood with slightly different trim. In reality, although similar looking, a '39 and '40 share very little in the way of common parts. All the sheet metal and trim is different, bumpers, dashboard, steering wheel, floor vs. column shift, upholstery patterns, wheels / hubcaps and the list goes on That being said, I've always thought a '39 Deluxe is way prettier than a '40, either Standard or Deluxe.

Thanks! The primer '40 was supposed to be orange like my Dad's but I failed to think about the fact that bright orange won't cover dark gray primer. Dog! It sucks because the paint layed down super smooth. The gray just showed right through it, haha. Everything else is done, it just needs a repaint but I lost motivation once the botch happened. And, now the quality of the rest of the model isn't up to my standards. I hate being my worst critic! Maybe I need to grab this retro issue and build it over again with my current skill set....

On my '40 I used the headers from the AMT '25 T kits. They were modified slightly to mate up to the heads. I cut notches in the inner fender panels for the headers to pass through. These headers could easily work with the '32 Vicky engine. I used these because they were similar to my Dad's model and how the tubes come out from under the fenders. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Although the engines in all of these AMT early Ford kits share similar mounting architecture they don't swap around any which way like you'd think. At least, not in terms of being direct drop-ins. In some cases, they do drop right in. Other cases requiring trimming or other clearance modifications. I know for sure that the Chrysler Hemi in the '32 Roadster will not fit in the '40 kits without recessing the firewall. This was one of my first projects when I started building again 8 years ago. It was intended to mimic an AMT '40 Coupe my Dad built in the 60's. I never finished the poor thing. Hosted on Fotki I've also put the Pontiac from the '36 kits into the '34 Pickup. To make the engine sit level (instead of nose diving) required spacing it up (similar to the spacers for the Hemi in the '32 Roadster). Also, rather than modify the flat floor I decided to cheat and saw material off the transmission where it interfered. With the model assembled this doesn't show. I only used the block from the '36 kits in this case. The rest of the engine parts are from AMT's excellent Pontiac parts pack engine. Everything dropped right on. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki The very first model I built when getting back into it 8 years ago was the AMT '32 Roadster and I used the Chevy engine from the '32 5-Window. In this case there engine was a direct, no extra work required swap since they are both 32's and use identical frames. Hosted on Fotki

All of these current retro-drag AMT kits have the most killer decal sheets! That sheet makes this kit worth buying. That's not a trailer tongue. It's a tow bar that would get bolted to the front of the car and then hooked to a hitch on a vehicle for flat-towing to and from the race track for those who didn't have the extra bucks for a trailer.

Turned out really neat! the scallops were definitely the way to go. I like the subtle weathering, open roof wood framing and the wrenches for door handles. It's funny, the blown Ardun-headed flathead is a total juxtaposition to the rest of the car. That's a $25k engine in a $10k car! Probably way outside of a rat rodders budget! Aren't models awesome?

This is one of the neatest build-ups of the channeled version of this kit I've seen yet. I really like the color scheme, the aggressively cut down windshield, the half tarp and the lakes weathering. The car definitely has "the look."

Fantastic use of parts, I like it!