randyc

years ago, I bought the Revell woody similar to this 29, 30, 31? IDK at this point. Shoulda bought the monogram. I would have finished it at least. I got wrapped uip inthe working doors and such and eventually put it on hold to do something more fun. It's in a zip lock bag now, unfinshed, while yours is finished and beautiful.

I was really surprised and pleased with what was in the box. Thanks for the compliments.

It is AMT 1981 1/2 280zx turbo. Originally AMT/Lesney, I think. AMT model and art in the kit I built (gray background). This should be the current release. http://www.autoworldstore.com/product_p/amt1043.htm No affiliation with that website. Just first one that showed up when I googled. I hope the decals have been redone. the ones in the kit I used were horribly pixelated (dotted - pixelated is a current term). Different printing process "back in da day". I didn't need them for this build. It needs new tires - maybe a set of BFGs or something besides bias ply goodyears. It builds way better than the revell 240Z for certain. Not as crisp as a Japanese kit, though.

Yes it was. Got a set of sprue cutters I would never spend that much on myself. And some paints and decals and odds & ends. It was a fun project. Makes up for the other 3 so so zip cars I've built I the past. And doesn't take up space in my collection. I like the building proceSS as much as the display part I think.

I just did this. Actually am still doing it. I use whatever the purple stuff is at Lowe's in a gallon ice cream bucket. Dropped the car in, poured enugh stuff over to cover it and let it sit. First few hours, nothing. Second day, starting to come up. By third day, paint was bubbling up nicely. Pulled car out and put chisel blade in knife handle. Started lifting paint. In about an hour it was mostly done. As you're holding it, it dries. May need to wet the car as you're working. Screp and lif the paint. Carefully so as not to gouge the paint. Wear gloves - the purple stuff is not friendly to my hands - dires them out and feels weird. The hood paint peeled off like a decal. It's a 1/24 or 25 Maverick. And under the thick paint is some nice detail. All the window frames are there. They disappear under whatever paint the factory globs on. The solvent-y stuff would have been quicker, but I can use purple stuff indoors. In the air conditioned air. "bought air" as my wife calls it. Once the paint gets a bubble in it, you can get a knife corner under that and start working it off usually. that's where wetting it seemed to help. And when done, will seal the bucket till next time. And yes, I plan to use Plastikote or Duplicolor primers and paint ass well. I have read they work fine. Good luck.

Here's my latest. I see it is being reissued soon, I think. Built for a guy I met on one of the forums who lost interest in model building but offered his modeling supplies as payment. I thought that was cool enough. I'm happy with the deal. Most of it was brush painted and I stripped it all down and started over. Cleaned up all the panel lines possible (yes behind the rear side windows are still visible). Made new side glass from some thin clear so they would fit flush. Car built to replicate a car the guy owned. vanity plates from Acme plate maker. Wheels & Tires from the recent Revell Cuda. The kit wheels are ok but not what he had. the kit tires are outdated for such a cool car. These looked good in the fenderwells and wer close to what he had other than probably way bigger? I painted the insert areas with brass and covered the whole wheel with a transparent mix of black and clear. Same thing I mixed to spray the T tops. I think it gave the wheels a pretty realistic appearance. I may use that on future chrome - looks less like toy chrome. Hand lettering on tires is a bit rough, but no other options on hand. I love the headlights in this kit - the little metal ring is just about perfect and details nicely. Engine bay is a bit sketchy - check out the brake booster and how it doesn't attach to the reservoirs. The rest of the engine is nice, but could use some superdetailing, which I am just not up to at this point. Interior has the embossing powder for carpet - comes out nicely. I did change the pedals to a stick (pedals from an 88 Daytona scrap dash?) and shifter from unknown project. My modeling goals are currently to make things as realistic as possible with what I have on hand and this is about the best I can do. Not super shiny, but real cars aren't show car shiny. When I started, I still didn't have my airbrush set up, but did get it before I finished, which helped a lot. Comments welcome. Always looking for ways to improve - the cheaper the better. Working on a 67 Charger original issue now and a diecast Maverick next. Have stripped the maverick and found some really nice body details under the heavy factory paint. Replicate my wife's car from high school as close as possible. And because MAVERICK. What could be more mainstream? Where's Faust? lol

new reissues except the Camaro. Dang it. But that gives me more time to complete the OLD kits I have. Thanks for the news.

I gotta give you a hard time, after all the work you do... you know those chunky center caps on your wheels are incorrect, right??? LOL. Those wheels look amazing - the work to make them deep dish... I love following your builds. I have to live through you guys cause I just don't seem to be able to get anything built recently. Randy

Looking great! Seeing these builds reminds me that straight out of the box is a good way to build. Love it. And your original comment about the molds being in good shape - they would have been for this release since it came out in the late 70s? Looking noce. Keep going. Randy

Absolutely beautiful! But...Maybe I'm out of touch, but aren't the directional treads on the tires supposed to go in the opposite direction?

I get the email updates, so I read your review befoire I got here. Learned a lot more about the Omni family. I didn't realize these started so early. Thanks for the 'loser" designations. We need more "malaise era" cars in model form... And great to read about kits I had and didn't have when I was younger.

I have that one built as well. not a very popular kit in the US apparently? Yours is certainly nicer than mine turned out.

Was working on the annual Pinewood car with my 9 y/o son. Asked what color he wanted to paint it. Panther Pink was what he told me. Awesome! to me anyway. I hope his buddies don't berate him too much. I offered other colors, but he insisted. So he painted it. Anyway, NICE Challenger.

Yours are always my favorite articles, be it here or in the mags. Don't stop.

AmericanRacingMiniatures.com comes back as "currently unavailable"... Is it gone? This si a fairly new thread so thought they would still be there? Or is my browser not working correctly? It doesn't look like the normal "unavailable" message.

One of the RC paint makers has some glitter that is small and can be added to your airbrush paint if you use an airbrush. Worked for me on a Manx body. Can't remember which brand but I got it at a Hobbytown as well.

Drill a hole if possible at the ends to anchor it. I used CA on one I did. Came out ok. But I'm a bit shaky at times, so it did have to be touched up.

Are the new ones a different plastic? I painted the original one, threw it in the dehydrator and a few hours later it was a royal mess. The body softened up and distorted terribly. Same with petty belvedere. And yes I did eventually learn. just be careful if you use a dehydrator for paint drying... I have the CMG, the Ramchargers, the Petty bevedere, all built up and a 330 still in the box. This holds no new appeal to me. But I did think they built up well and looked good finished.

I have looked at those as well. Thanks

You are correct. I used to talk to Kenny right often at bandit. We were both sign/graphics guys. I guess I should clarify - I would like a factory made kit. I can't justify $40 for a body. My budget doesn't allow for that. I wouldn't pay for $40 for a kit either. I'm about to drop out of hte hobby now because I juat don't get the value anymore. I don;t know WHY kit prices are so high. Can't be that much plastic. Most of the work is done in China now. Licensing? IDK. But that is a whole other subject. I still wish I had a plastic kit of a 71 Dart for $20 - $25. Thanks for reminding me abou thte Bandit Resins though. I have been on his site looking at those a lot. Just can't pull the trigger. Randy

All I want is a 71 Dart body... not too different from the 68... new nose and tail and hood. heck leave the interior old... Just give me the body... My 71 had at least 3 different sets of seats while I owned it, last coming from a 75 dart 4 dr. I just need the body, please.... Mine wasn't "day 2" - it was "year 12"... LOL

I have an original and a reissue from early 00's. neither fit worth a hoot. Not a very good kit by today's standards. Lot of work to make it "right"

I got a guy that seems to have some...hit me up in PM if you need contact. He does Paypal, you pay shipping. the normal. mine was $20. he's sorta local, so he just brought it to me.

I just went through all of your graveyard cars...I have been a fan of your columns as long as I have been reading model car magazines - somewhere back in 86 I found SAE. So whenever I see your name, I look. Your graveyard would be my high spots. thanks for sharing these. Randy

May want to have a look at the windshield trim and drip rails. Pretty large. I went through and tried to file/sand/scrape them to a more accurate likeness. As think as the overdone wheel openings, one might think they could have made the window trims a little more delicate. rallye wheels are a bit thick in the middle as well.