charlie8575

As my builds are generally box-stock, it's the cost of the kit plus finishing supplies. Once in a great while, I might add a little photo-etch or something like that, or use some stuff around the house if I need/want an extra detail. At some point, even with my own budget, which, even when I'm working, tends to be a bit short, I do want to add wiring and things like that. At some point, I plan to attempt drilling a distributor and stuff like that. It's taken me many years to find enough confidence to be ready to give this a shot. Charlie Larkin

That is indeed a first generation OHV Cadillac V8. That Revell Merc is nice, I've seen a bunch of them built up. I just wish they had made it with a stock-height roof with option for standard suspension and a Flathead. Looking good so far. When I taught high school, I used smart-alecky and smart-mouthed a lot. Not too many of my kids wanted to prove to me how smart they weren't. Ah, the good ol' days.... Charlie Larkin

That'll be a very nice model when you're done. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on this one, too. Charlie Larkin

One of my other projects- a 1925 T coupe. This will be stock as the wheels might give away. This, with luck, will be done before the end of the month. The paint is fighting me to the bitter end. I like to think I'm smarter than the paint... Charlie Larkin

Generally, the foil should be applied to bare plastic BUT.... With a decent paint job, you can foil the primer and still have it work. The idea is give the foil the best adhesion possible. Also, looking at that kit again, they might have fixed the seats. The easy way to tell is to look at the upholstery patterns on the molded in seats in the interior tub and see if they match the buckets. Also, look for headrests on the buckets, as the '67 didn't have those. I believe the '70 had low-back buckets with the big funny-shaped headrests GM used. So far, so good, keep it coming. Charlie Larkin

From the headlights, that's either a 1963 or '64. Pretty cool build, Mike. I looked again, and the firewall isn't missing- it was molded in with the body and inner fenders! Oh, this is going to all kinds of fun to paint.... Y'know, curbside's starting to look better and better. Charlie Larkin

Thanks, Mike. I've actually been poking at a lot of stuff over the last year, but space constraints make it hard for me to work well, regularly or efficiently, and the space itself is so horribly messy, that I don't want to take pictures. I'll probably be posting my other project for "Workbench Saturday." In fact, I might post it tonight because I don't know if I'll be able to tomorrow. Other update: the hood and firewall are officially MIA. Given the "detail" of the engine, building this as a curbside won't be that big a loss to me. So, if anyone has a hood floating around they can spare, my request is open officially. Charlie Larkin

I have just discovered I don't seem to have the hood and firewall for this one. Back down to the cellar to see if I can locate them. Worst case- if anyone has spares, if you could let me know. Absolute worst-case, I may just take the hood and do a curbside. Charlie Larkin

I kinda lost track of this one. I'm looking forward to seeing this one get completed, Brad. Your work on this is very good. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on the body. Do you have some close-ups of your lugnuts? Charlie Larkin Nice job on the body. Do you have some close-ups of your lugnuts? Charlie Larkin

Fury III sport coupe and a GTX convertible? Easy and good-looking solution. I didn't realize you had the R&R kit. I have the Motor City kit, which is just this side of styrene. Charlie Larkin

I'm probably going to simply use Model Master Acryl primer. While not "cheap" it covers well with decent opacity, so it's at least economical. I may also say bugger it and hit it with Dupli-Color or Plasti-Kote sealer primer, which will absolutely stop the problems. I'll be experimenting a little and seeing what works best. Charlie Larkin

More detail was possible?!? I guess it was.... Very nicely done, Brad. If you ever make your way east, please do bring this along with you. It will be very well received at any show in this area. Charlie Larkin

While I was sifting through some boxes in the cellar about two weeks ago, I cam across the box for one of my long-lost projects. This was prompted in part by seeing a couple of recent first-generation Riviera builds here. Those, being one of my favorite cars, got me to wondering what I had done with the parts of the one I had started around 8th grade or my freshman year in high school. That's the "long-lost" part, as that was between 1988 and 1990! I had started to build a then-current issue 1965 Riv, and typical for me at that point, the paint did not come out well at all. I put the body in the stripper tank (ammonia in a non-airtight plastic box), and it sat....for years. Fast forward to today, when I was finally able to re-locate the body and excavate enough so I could get over to it, and found parts from some other projects that will be back another day, too. This is the body shortly after I put it in my cleaning tank. It was covered with sticky messy residue, and I decided to memorialize the mess before the soap dissolved it all. This is what happens when a body is left and forgotten about since roughly 1990... This is the sorry excuse for an attempt to paint the interiror and some engine components. This engine will also have to be stripped and re-painted. Given the propensity of the yellow plastic to cause problems, I'm considering using this kit to experiment with an all-acrylic paint job, primer and all, just to see how it works. I'm leaning towards a light color for this, such as silver or light blue. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work, Matti. I plan on doing mine in black. Charlie Larkin

I've been feeling that way with all these cool brick building dioramas I've been seeing. I need to find some space and time to get one of those built. Charlie Larkin

I always liked Sciroccos. I'd buy one if they re-issued them. I might even buy a Brat just for something weird and different. Charlie Larkin

If that comes out right, consider having the body sent out to a resin caster. I'm quite sure a few of us would buy one. It might need some slight modifications to work with the AMT or Revell chassis, but it'd be a nice option to have. Charlie Larkin

And these things don't pull apart how? Charlie Larkin

I've used the un-cleared Testors lacquer for a couple of interior treatments before, and it does work fairly well for that. Aside from that, a combination of mix-your-own and clear topcoats is the next best solution, and in the long term, probably the best one as it does allow you to have more control over sheen and color. You could also buy the interior paints at most auto parts stores, just be sure your parts are THOROUGHLY primed, as many of those are closer to dyes than paint, and that could cause trouble with certain plastics. I would recommend a sealer primer, which is less porous than a standard prime-coat. That will simply allow the color coat to stay on the prime-coat and absorb into that a little, so it won't rub off. As always, try the technique with some scrap plastic first. Charlie Larkin

The idea of wire like that for the small trim pieces like that in an interior is an interesting idea. I'll be interested to see how the finished product works and looks. Personally, I'd use epoxy, but the idea of clear paint like you use for photo-etch might work better. Experiment with some scrap and see what works. Charlie Larkin

The GTX is a little closer to my tastes color-wise, but both great. Charlie Larkin

Gee, Mike, I'm sorry I missed this earlier. I need to scroll down to trucks more! That came out beautifully, and Toby looks pretty good, too. I do so wish I could make it to NNL this year, but when you have a guy who's been a friend since 7th grade getting married, well...priorities! I really do hope you can make it to either Classic Plastic or MassCar next year, or both. I would love to see that up-close and personal and finally have a chance to say hello. Charlie Larkin

Nice job on that. A nice tribute to your dad. Charlie Larkin