randyc

oh my gosh, thanks for all the replies. I haven't been on in a couple days. A LOT to digest here. YES to the ideas and input most of you gave. In my case, studying the photos of the 66 wagons, I *think* I woll go with the mostly 66 wagon rear and taillights. That will have to be studied. I will NOT cut anything until I have a solid plan. That way, if I still back out, I have to useable or sellable kits. I am not new here - been building since '74 mostly. A gap for a few years in the 80s. I have built a LOT of projects, box stock and beyond. So I am familiar with the planning that has to go into a build like this. But if I have a good plan that works, it may not get so bogged down. I do want the 4 door version. I'm thinking I can tape and trace the 66 sides for the door lines to get them right. I have worked in graphics for 30 years so I can make reasonbly good cuts with Xacto knife and have a set of scribers to help - will have to be very precise as noted above. I hate a lumpy scribed cut - ruins the whole effect.

Nice recap. I bought a LOT of Danbury and Franklins in 2018, but didn't have a lot to do other than cleaning. That happens a lot when you buy them cheap like I did. Did get into the Rite Aid cars about same time you did. Worked on a few of those. Our Rite Aid is closing this month - thanks walgreens. So that resource will dry up. But as one door closes...new resources have come into place in the form of traders and sellers and buddies making connections that tip you off when they come across things they think I may want. Supposed to be scoring two nice Danbury mint trucks this week with boxes and all the stuff for $20 each. Getting my daughter's bf to make the deal a couple hours away, so no shipping involved. If they can hook up. And of course, this has become my #1 part of the forum. I come here everyday just about and check the rest on occasion. A big part of my 2018 list was work done for others. I have a guy shipping me cars now to repair. Seems weird to me that people buy these and don't do modeling, but hey, whatever works for ya, I guess. I still have a few I need to post up here from recent works/ acquisitions. 67 GTOs from Crown and Icons. Napa 69 Camaro Convertible, 56 Lincoln Premiere - no work needed, but it's a beauty. 41 Lincoln with bumper issues, 32 Ford coupe. Thanks for the recap.

I use them all! Just got a Molotow for Christmas. I think I'd rather have the refill to be able to brush paint with it though. the hard point of the 1mm pen is too susceptible to shakes for me so far. I was able to pump a little paint out to dip my smallest brush in. If you get enough paint, the brush works nicely for me. BMF is my "go to" product. I replaced a whole section of rocker with sheet plastic and foil and polished it with chrome polish and then scratch remover and it looks very bright and shiny. Almost as good as vac plated parts. I also use sharpies when I don't need such a bright chrome. Sometimes, foil is too contrived on a scale model. I think I used too much pressure with Alclad and it came out dull. lower pressure and DON'T touch. I'm pretty heavy handed, so not touching is an issue for me. Use all the tools in your box. But in a pinch, Sharpie is easiest to get and use possibly. That would be my starting point if I were just getting into the hobby.

For nozzles, I used to have to paint motorcycle training ranges with parking lot stripe paint, which clogs a LOT, very thick. Things I did - kept old working nozzles for use when nozzles clogged. Never throw away a nozzle. At shop between jobs I would bathe them in a bucket of carb cleaner dip stuff, then use compressed air to clean after a day or two of soaking. Also a set of torch tip cleaners or pin vise bits can be used to clear the hole - will ikely change the hole, so don't expect it to work to paint finish work without testing first. When i was on site, I kept a can of carb cleaner in the spray can - the little straw tube will fit in many nozzles and between the solvent and the pressure it sprayed with, would work as a quck fix if not too badly clogged. Biggest help on cans is to shake well and keep warm so paint doesn't get so thick. (THE FOLLOWING IS DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK) To shake paint, I bought some hose clamps, lined them with stick on foam from craft section of box store. I put a can or bottle in the hose clamp, slide it over a blade of my reciprocating saw, tighten, and use that to shake the paint at a SLOW speed. Has made a huge difference in how my paints work. I have a couple sizes of clamps for the different cans and jars. Make sure the blade is fully down in saw so when you mount the can, it doesn't hit the foot. i think there are vids on the net on how to do this. Maybe even on here.

Here's the idea I have. Take the 66 Chevelle wagon I found in my stash and combine with a revell 66 GTO for a GTO wagon. I saw a similar car in Hot Rod recently. Was studying a built up GTO with the unbuilt wagon. And photos of a Tempest wagon on the net. The wheelbase is pretty close, side by side. And revell was thoughtful enough to provide MOST of the cut lines one might need. I think the interior seats and door panels could be carved out easily. I was thinking of cutting up my GTO since I have recently acquired a diecast 67, but have decided if I try this, I will get a fresh GTO. the chassi are very similar, could likely use the GTO so engine and all would work. Just depends on which body you use the most of, I would think. Need the GTO wheel openings at the rear, which would be the hardest part - getting the doors and quarters worked out. Could use the wagon top and rear of wagon and scribe new door lines and fuel filler in the GTO body. My scribing is errant sometimes. Not as clean and pretty as I would like. Taillights of wagon are close enough for my purposes. Use chevelle rear bumper. I have no idea if the real wagons were same wheelbase. But if anything the chevelle kit is a scale inch or two shorter. Nothing that couldn't be adjusted if using the Chevelle chassis. I feel like everything else would work pretty close together. Can't remember how the dash mounts but probably workable if you used the whole front of the interior panels where the dash meets up. Maybe use front half of interior floor from GTO to have the buckets and console. Would have to cut the GTO door cards up carefully. But Tempest wagon photos look like they are just shortened versions of the GTO kit panels. Same for rear I think. Would have to cut/swap the upholstery pattern out of rear seat to keep the rounded seat corners of the 4 door wagon. My biggest hold up is that I am afraid it will become another project that never gets finished. I have the skills and tools necessary to do all the work. Just the motivation sometimes goes away after the excitement of the idea. Suggestions? I may pick up a GTO and pencil in some lines to see what idea works best and if I think I can stay motivated long enough to see it through. I have plenty of projects I have lost interest in. But so long as I don't cut anything, I can always sell the kits later.

Are they really 1/24? Seems like we've all noticed the scale weirdness in the diecasts and plastics. All it would take is for them to each be slightly off and it might work. But I probably won't do that. I have a JL mach ! I like a lot and a Shelby GT 500 as well. Like both of those pretty well. No need to build another Mustang any time soon. Unless they do a Parnelli Jones TA car. Then I'd be in for sure!

I have one of the icons Cobras. Very nice. I don't have the Thunderbird because I have hte Ertl first issue of hte 1/18 Authentics Birds and it's so nice that I don't want another one. I'm going to look at your post on the GTO now. I don;t remember it. My uncle is a big GTO fan and I may have given him mine. I'm missing several cars but my ex packed up most of my cars when we split. I can't see her keeping stuff so it is likely there are cars I just have not found yet, or I already gave them away or sold.

I have it built. It builds up nicely and at that price, who cares? I got a 67 GTO by Wix/Icons recently. I missed a few missing parts in the photos so have some modeling to do, but got it for $8 plus $7.70 shipping - there are deals out there! And those Icons cars are pretty nicely detailed. I think they are as nice as the Mint versions for a fraction of the price. I'm straying off topic now. Sorta like the Testors cars. they made some pretty nice stuff. the 32 is one of the nice ones. I have a Daytona that is going to be okay. the GTO was pretty nice as I remember. I must have given it away - haven't been able to find it recently. Be sure to post up as you build

Last time I went to the Rite Aid, they had 69 or 70 Mustangs. One red, one yellow. After evaluating, I decided to pass. For one, the new Revell was still on the way. And two, the interior wasn't up to snuff. Same thing I have said in the Mustang thread on the plastic side. And got blasted for not wanting one. A guy can't win, eh? LOL Now makes me wonder if I could get the Welly and swap in the door panels and any other good stuff from Welly into the plastic kit. Hmmmm. The Wellys I have bought, I have liked pretty much. I even bought the 68 GTO and struggled with what to do witht he wheels and tires. Couldn't find somthing that would work like I wanted. Ended up drilling new axle holes just above the factory holes. Lowered the car enough to fill in the wells better. Still waiting for more detail work, but looking better already. I think I have a MCG detail set somewhere as well that might donate a few pieces to the project. Oh well, I'm straying. Back to topic.

I never said it was horrible - I'm not sure I read anyone saying it's a rip off or anything else. Just said I didn't want one. And yes, more power to those of you who want to work out the issues. I am happy that the front end was corrected. As for seeing the interior, I see it and the interiors have become my favorite part of a build. Especially when the interior is well detailed. I have built LOTS of kits (probably all) that the "naysayers" have torn apart and enjoyed the build. However, at this point in my hobby and life, I can get a nice diecast with a better interior for nearly the same price that makes me just as happy. And I have a LOT of Mustangs already. I don't take it too seriously. But if I'm going to invest my time and money in a kit, it needs to be enjoyable to me to build. this particular kit has shortcomings that take it off my list of things to build. It is a beautiful kit and the window thing would not have made a difference to me if the interior had been all new as well. Woould love a Trans Am version As an aside, I would LOVE to have an original Mustang II annual to pop together, even with the poor interior bucket of the 70s. IF that's all there is, I will build it. That would give me at least ONE of every generation Mustang and several of most other generations. I'm not even a Mustang guy. I WILL be getting a 68 Chevelle and probably at least one of whatever 69 Chevelle they make next.

So, the interior tub has panels with no armrest detail? And traditionally light panel detail? I've built the boss 429 and have a Boss 302 somewhere that is probably a dead project for me. Can't remember the interior door details. But for me, the new body doesn't make up for a lack of proper interior. That will be the biggest disappointment for me. I need to go back to page 1 and look at photos again. Edit: I looked. I have lost all interest in this kit. I'm sure you guys will build some beautiful replicas, but I'll pass. And I see the quarter window issue now as well. Oh well, I have enough Mustangs for now anyway.

We did have a wonderful Christmas. And yes, the Fresh Cherries. Have seen the Fusion, but too new for me at this point. Funny how collections chage and evolve. Or devolve since I'm doing only older stuff now? Thinking of selling my Brookfield Neons - just don't really fit with my collection any more. When I get ready, I'll check with you first as we have talked about those in the past I think. Randy

Glad to see you in the diecast section as well. I have a Motormax Vega Diecast that would have you trembling with excitement. They made a Gremlin and Pinto as well. That Pinto would look good with your Cruisin wagon.

I think I had or have one of those somewhere. Seems like mine may be green. So much stuff that I have no idea where is...lol I think this one will look pretty good cleaned up.

Well that one is older. Very crude. I have one in good shape and one in parts. I really wanted to paint it silver like photos I've seen. The gray does NOTHING for that car.

Update: Found one older than the Pierce Arrow - the 1934 Packard V-12 LeBaron Speedster. 8/1997 release date. From the diecast.org site.

I use the diecast.org site all the time when I'm considering a new car to add. I have a couple others, too, but diecast.org is the most comprehensive for diecasts. The Franklin Mint reviews arean't as thorough, but the Danbury part is first rate. Thanks for the answer. I wasn't about to dig through all of those pages looking at date. Wish you could organize the database by release date. I'm not sure that site is very active.

Hey guys, I know the Franklin Mint 1936 Mercedes 500K roadster was their first car, but what was the first Danbury Mint 1/24 car?

Those look very nice!

I agree about the issues with it. And I think the whole front end is just off somehow. Like a cross between a Studebaker and a 65 Chevy. Just my thoughts. I do like the wheels and tires and you definitely helped it some.

My wife ordered some rings off ebay from China. It was well over 35 days and one showed up so late she had forgotten all about it. When I contacted seller, tehy did reply to please continue to wait that things were going slowly at customs or whatever. So about your only choice is to wait it out? Hope it comes sooner than later.

UGh! LOL Lots of work. I lose interest too quick these days. But I am thoroughly enjoying watching this car get transformed. Randy

I think that same seller does "Boxdamage" cars as well. I boughth te first gear 68 El Camino and the box on mine was what I'd call perfect. Car was perfect as well. But I don't keep them in the boxes. they go to display cases. But I think my Elky was like $13 plus shipping. I do want one the the Econoline vans. May grandpa worked out of one of those and I feel it necessary to own. lol

I have a lot of models that are stuck to the base in their cases. I usually put the blade of my pocketknife under the edge and pry up gently. Haven't considered a barrier yet. Hasn't caused any great deal of damage yet. and keeps the cars in place.

Now THAT my son would like! I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.