charlie8575

That looks really nice. Like others have said, I'm not so sure about the wheels, but the overall execution is great. 1965-'66 Pontiacs are one of the few cars that I think look good lowered. Skip- try one of the places stateside that custom-mix paint. As long as they can get the code from someplace, they'll be able to make it. As a side-thought, Model Master Anthricite Gray is about the same shade, perhaps a hair darker. Tamiya also makes a paint in their acrylic bottle line called Gun Metal (X10) that's also pretty close to that. Charlie Larkin

Will you have that ready for MassCar's show? From what I'm seeing, it will be very well-received. That car, as executed is screaming for something like Testors Lime Gold Metalflake over a gold base. Charlie Larkin

The front is looking really good. Keep it going in that direction. This will come out very nicely when you're done. And I'm with Steve, I would love to see this cast in resin if this comes out right. Charlie Larkin

Nicely done paint. The colors work very well. Charlie Larkin

The theme of the last few posts got me to thinking about this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw5Ski9yB58

I was being a bit of a literalist about Lincoln the division. A Mk. II definitely goes under my list "Show Stoppers," too. One of my favorite cars of all times. Charlie Larkin

Can this be built stock? I have a woody that was issued sometimes in the last 10-15 years downstairs, and that would make a nice companion if it can be. Charlie Larkin

Seeing this is pure fantasy.... Daily driver: A bunch of 1980-2011 Town Cars (1 or 2 from each generation), driven in rotation for the nice weather; a Navigator for the winter. A 1970s Continental as a celebration of what a real American car once was. Fun newer car: A Mk. VIII without sunroof. Going out without a crowd: A Mk. III- perfect for myself to go someplace special. Convertible: 1961-62 Continental convertible. Make mine blue, please. Show stoppers: 1958-60- any body style. 1956-57 Capri or Premeire. I think the coupes flow so nicely, but all of these are beautiful cars. I especially like the two-tone of white with sort of aquamarine accent I saw a picture of once. Gorgeous. 1949-'51 Cosmopolitan. Just weird enough to be cool. A 1937-38 Zephyr of any body style. The coupe is gorgeous, but I'd be happy with any of those. A custom-bodied car from the 1920s or '30s. Charlie Larkin

Well, I'm working on an AMT 1925 Model T coupe. Fun little car to build, and I might even have it done in time for MassCar's show, so I'll actually have something to enter this year. My question is the interior. I can't really find any good reference pictures online, and was wondering what color the upholstery should be? I saw reference to some kind of brown/tan/buff color, but no really clear pictures. I'm guessing the rest of the interior would match the seat with the metal base the seat is on black like the rest of the body? Anyone? Charlie Larkin

Z Corporation in Billerica, Ma. makes 3-D scanners. I've had an opportunity to see them in action, and they work amazingly well. What's really nice about those is that you can go straight into CAD with the files it generates, and being hand-held, you can do an entire car with them. It'll take some time, but it will do it. Charlie Larkin

I received mine in about a week and a half after I found out they were offering the replacements. The corrected tires are very nicely done, and even with the unbranded sidewalls (i.e., no "Firestone," "Goodyear," etc.), they look very nice. Charlie Larkin

Those Shabo transfers really do a nice job at fixing what are otherwise at best ho-hum tires. Gotta love those blank sidewalls. I think when I get around to building mine I'll be using either those or Scale Equipment's dry transfers. Looking very nice so far, Mike. Charlie Larkin

That looks good, John. For curiosity, what masking tape did you use? Some seem to be a bit more aggressive than others, and as we all know, some paints are far more fragile than others. Charlie Larkin

I think it looks pretty good myself. Nice job on the rollcage. Charlie Larkin

Nice touch with that photo-reduced N.Y. Times, Nick. Things seem to be progressing well overall. Charlie Larkin

The two-kits-in-one Model T with the parts for the coupe and a bottle of Tamiya Gun Metal paint. After seeing it in use a few places, I liked how it looks like clean cast-iron, so I'm going to try it. Charlie Larkin

I really like that display, Carl. You're giving me an idea to try replicating the old elevated Central Artery in Boston (pre Big Dig) or I-290 running through Worcester. Charlie Larkin

Nice piece, Jason. Looks like Heywood-Wakefield? If so, that was great furniture built to last a very long time. Charlie Larkin

And remember to get yourself tested! While we all don't have someone special, myself included, take the time to acknowledge your friends and family. They're important, too. Charlie Larkin

Man that's looking good, Geoff! I like that dash, and the whole interior is shaping up nicely. Charlie Larkin

I think the best idea would be to soak the wheels in bleach in a closed container (shouldn't take longer than overnight, maybe a day), and then paint the rims with the buffing Aluminum Plate Metallizer (be sure to use the sealer!) which will make them look a little closer to the factory finish. If you want something a little less involved, if you have a can of Tamiya Aluminum spray paint, that will also do a nice job of replicating the non-polished rims. As a heads-up, I think you'll find those transmissions are aluminum instead of a ferrous alloy (i.e., iron or steel), but that does look very good, and I think I'm going to use that for some of my projects I've had trouble finding a completely satisfactory color for. If you're able to, Nick, c'mon up for MassCar's show, and if that 'Vette is done, please do bring it with you. Charlie Larkin

My biggest problem with Ikea, at least the one we have here, is that it's set up like a maze designed by deranged scientists intending to torture rats! Charlie Larkin

I'm looking forward to seeing what comes in the boxes. I'll buy one of each. Charlie Larkin

I have to agree, the Billy bookcases are probably the single best item Ikea has. I had a couple of those before I moved home, and they are very nice. I didn't have doors on them or anything, but they're well-made and look nice when they're together. I would use those in conjunction with some display cases to make them more dust-proof, and it will also provide better protection for the models from other damage. Charlie Larkin

There are six decent full-line (or fairly close) hobby shops in Massachusetts that I can think of: My primary shop is The Spare Time Shop, Marlborough (about an hour west of Boston). Harry's Hobbies and Collectibles, Norton (about an hour south of Boston). Centerline Hobbies, Hyannis (on Cape Cod). Hobby Emporium, Tyngsborough (about an hour north of Boston on the New Hampshire line, and as Mike said, GREAT shop). Pioneer Valley Hobbies, West Springfield. Hog Heaven Hobbies, Sturbridge (about 20-30 minutes west of Worcester on Rt. 20, go visit Old Sturbridge Village while you're there! www.osv.org). There are a couple of other shops scattered around that are good back-ups. Charlie Larkin