randyc

I do foil in straight strips. Not too bad. There is a seam in the rockers a little below the top. Windshield is several pieces. Some molotow as well. Inside the fins and one of the vent wings. Coincidentally, I broke one of those of and one is not there. Like Franklin mint used to do. You really can't tell.

I *think* I colored them in with a silver sharpie. Then rubbed that off leaving the silver in the recesses. Then I put a large drop off Kristal kleer in each and let it dry facing up so they would dry like a lens. Best I can remember. Been a few weeks. Thanks for the compliment

Box stock. I used HPIguy's paint technique of couple quick coats of primer, couple quick coats of color, let it all dry. Straight from can. I think it turned out well and displays great. Pay no mind to the giant water drop. Didn't see it at the time. I do love how easily these make great display models. This will look fabulous in a case from a few feet away. I got a set of embossing powders that included this light blue. Worked great other than my glue cracked. New glue experiment. "Tacky glue" from hobby lobby.

I owned not one, but TWO Vegas. A 73 hatchback and a73 GT wagon. So I love following your builds. I thought the Mustang II was a great looking car. I was 10 them but still think it's a pretty good looking car from that era. Keep em coming

That's EXACTLY how I feel when I finish and post a build! But your builds look neither amatuer nor inexperienced. But let's get on with our next builds.

Ok, I didn't mean to offend with the "loser" comment. Just that your main focus is that type of car and you make it so much fun to read the articles. Mutt is a much better term for these. Thanks again, Adam, for what you do.

Well that is a holdup... ? I used to build NASCAR models and the crazier the paint, the better to me. So I learned to figure out how to paint the colers and breaks so they worked with the decals. It's challenging, but it can be done.

I thought so too but wasn't sure enough to comment.

I looked at the Lego instructions and the pages. Like you, the textures are disappointing to me. But I think Lego ppl see their models differently. And it is not a replica in teh way we think of. I do like the Airfix models and intend to get my son one. That looks like an attempt to bridge the Lego builders and modelers like us. That might work to get him into building scale models? We'll see. My son doesn't play with his cars too much anymore so play value isn't as weighted. He does like a new car once in a while, hotwheels or diecast usually. If he gets a new one, he displays it and "manages" his collection.

I have a 12 y/o son who whill build a 1000 pc Lego set. That is modeliing in it's own right. Have you seen a Lego set instruction BOOK??? Those things are crazy nice. Models? He probably would build those IF the subject matter was there. He LOVES modern supercars. He check on me at my bench sometimes, but has no interest in the cars and the little stuff on those. However, as someone said, make some Forza cars and he might? Tie it in. Hotwheels is doing that and I bet it's working. Heck I have Forza and GT game cars in my hotwheels stuff. And gave my sons their favorites as well. We all have a Forza car. We all share that interest. but right now, the boy is into real soccer and soccer videos to improve his soccer. Older son is into music and is at college studying classical piano. he has no time for models. Or much of anything else. He tried to build, but it just didn't hold his interest like driving a car on a video game. Thos of us that older remember slot cars and the driving thrill. Well, let me tell ya, nothing like the thrill of sitting in front of a big screen with Forza on it and DRIVING a car you might build as a model. If you haven't ever played, they put the actual details of the real car in there - not some generic representation. If you haven't, you should; and if you're young and laughing at me, go ahead, I do love some Forza Motorsports. I love driving a Greenwood Vette, or Cobra Daytona. I was brought up spending summers and vacations at my grandparents' house. I had an uncle who was typical early 70s car guy. He was always building a real or model car and I was always tagging along or breaking his models. He introduced me to Roth shirts and 327s and Keystone Klassics and clackers (remember those? Still have a set somewhere). I'm not sure how to get my kids to beinterested in a 69 Camaro if they have no interest in it. A Ferrari or Bugatti Chiron? Maybe. The S&H torino was a masterstroke for revell. the reset of S&H meant new builders were exposed to the older car. And the older guys watched the original. And my mom had a 72 Torino vbase. So I was pretty stoked. F&F? Big sellers - those sell - look at how many mfrs are making some sort of F&F replicas. It is a hobby for many. If we're on here, it is likely a way of life. Or newbies trying it out to see. Hopefully we'll keep a bunch of those. And there are probably a lot of older modelers who don't use tech like this that we'll never know about. How many on here don't use cell phones or Facebook? I haven't fouond a FB page I like as much as this or a paper copy of SAE. We may not be seeing some of those folks who are building that we don't know are out there in the hobby. I have a collector friend that LOVES diecast models. Recently started paying me to build plastics for him for cars he can't get in diecast. He's part of the hobby, even though he does NOT build or participate in anything but buying on ebay. But he's part of the hobby. It will survive.

I'm not familiar with these, but have done a lot of real vinyl graphics over the years. If the masking is not removing, try wetting the masking on top a little to get it to release from the vinyl easier. Also maybe rub the whole thing a bit after applying but before wetting and do so vigorously to get some friction heat into the vinyl adhesive to help it stick more aggressively. Or hair dryer heat, which will help the vinyl stick and conform better. Make sure the tires are clean and oil free as much as possible before sticking the transfers. These are things you can try to get the masking to release. Seem like the older the masking gets, the harder it gets to release from vinyl decals. Good luck. Post photos if you get a chance - I'm sure others have or will face this again and if we can help...

Looks great! And you're right - the kit tires are pretty awful, especially on those wheels. Hope you do change them later.

I do love your take on American cars. I even LIKE the stripe right where it is. Looks like it was supposed to be put there by the owner of the car.

Nice! I often think about your "losers" when looking at kits now. This is defintiely NOT a loser. Quirky little car that remembers the days when it was ok, even FUN to be relegated to the bed of a truck. And we weren't worried about everything like we do today. Sadly, my kids will probably never know the joy of riding in the bed.

Wow! A new high-water mark for all of us I think. Absolutely beautiful. And captures so many different little details. My question is are the emblems done using your method of foiling before paint? You seem to have the touch on that technique...

I have an older issue of this car - CMW I think. When I owned a hobby shop, you could buy them in plain white and add your own decals. And there was a semi-local guy making LEO decals. He had a set for the local Sherrif's dept, so that was my choice. Everyone should have at least one LEO/commercial car in their collection. Nice taxi! And good luck bringing another generation into cars. That's tough. My 12 y/o loves exotic/super cars. And that's about it. But he does have the beginnings of a collection in his room at my house. All his choices. Right now he wants to be soccer star, so that's what we do mostly.

Interesting to see the differences in the kit body and the photo car. That picture shows several. Do you have other period photos for reference on taillight covers or removal? I would assume headlights were taped or removed? blanked panels? I'm stretching here, but looks like the tops of both seat backs are visible in photo. Keep going, this one just gets better and better.

Oh you can do it. The blue stripes are wide enough to give you some leeway. Almost the whole side between the fenders is red with decals for the white. If the drawings are actual size, you could get measuerments for reference points for the tape lines. And if you missed by a bit, move the decal just a bit. I bet the real car wasn't perfect either. most race cars aren't. Good luck with if you move forward. Or send it all to me. Looks like fun!

Those look really nice, especially for the price. Welly & motormax have come a long way from the crude offerings of old. I usually find my self pleasantly surprised by the quality of such inexpensive cars.

Yes any of the monogram Esprit kits will have an engine. Dann Tier is reworking the 300 version and I have a thread about the US turbo version that details a few of the issues you will encounter when building. BUT... the engine is a real beauty in these kits. Just know that the ride height is awful straight from the box. The tires are questionable - Dann's version has much better tires. Kit wheels and tires will work but just aren't right. Good luck with it.

Nice! I have this one, the Corvette concept and the Pontiac Banshee concept. Fun cars to build and look at.

Nice! Liking your race cars. I did similar many years ago - tried to build as many different race cars as possible. It's fun to compare the real cars and the kits.

Looks good. The fender lips are very pronounced on the Maisto, but what ya gonna do?

Love it!

I'm in complete agreement with the comments about Tim and Hpiguy. Although most of the time, I get more inspiration from them.