charlie8575

The brass looks good, Geoff. I like the way it settled into the steering wheel- it looks like with a little fancy footwork, that paint could almost replicate bronze acceptably. Charlie Larkin

Very possible, Johnny. Kodachrome 64 and Kodachrome 25 also had very good color and image quality. Charlie Larkin

Many happy returns, Bill. Charlie Larkin

The 4-door in the picture is Crest Blue. I've seen a couple of cars in that color- it's a nice blue-gray. I'm betting that picture was taken with the original Kodacolor 64 film, which had incredibly fine grain and superb color saturation. I'm also betting it was not 35mm, which was still a bit rare in the mid-1950s. It was probably 120/220, which produces a higher-resolution photo because of the larger negative area. These builds are coming out very nicely. I'm enjoying watching them. Charlie Larkin

Well, I entered Publisher's Clearing House's sweeps... Not exactly what I had in mind, but interesting enough that I would be willing to entertain it. Charlie Larkin

I didn't realize there were that many differences. Well, I suppose you could do a 2-in-1, but it would take a fair number of extra parts. I still wouldn't be shocked to see something come down the pike, though. Charlie Larkin

All we need now is for AMT and/or Lindberg to introduce a new tool of some kind and 2013 will go from a nice year already to stellar! Charlie Larkin

Justin, if you're within commuting distance to Worcester, there are a few companies doing medical trials around this neck of the woods and Framingham. Longish commute, but it might be worth checking out. In 1993, my dad had to take a job in West Haven, and the 248-mile round-trip from Marlborough, Ma. for eighteen months was no fun, but sometimes you do what you need to. If you pursue it and need to re-locate, or simply decide to grab an apartment for the work-week, please let me know. I do a little real estate on the side, and would be happy to help you. Charlie Larkin

I'm probably going to grab one of these just for the support. E-bodies aren't really my thing and Hemi-everything is a little overdone to me, but I do like what I'm seeing with this kit. With thoughts to the mod-top...the self-adhesive vinyl sounds like it might be an ideal solution to this problem. As Ertl used to say...just like the real thing, only smaller! I also wouldn't mind if they came out with the bench-seat; we need more of those and it would build the ultimate sleeper car, especially if done in some subdued colour like dark green or that soft metallic golden-beige with matching or black interior. Charlie Larkin

Well... The '57 Ford and Corvette were forgone conclusions. The '57 Chevy convertible....I still don't know why it took so long for anyone to make one of those in plastic, but I'm glad they did. I'm in for one. I'm not a huge E-body fan, but that 'Cuda could probably be interesting, especially if they do a 340-powered one down the road. I really want one of the Mercury wagons. I do hope they'll drop a flathead into it, though. That Cadillac engine is just wrong for an otherwise stock car. Heck, even a Flattie with triple 97s would be okay with me. And yes, to answer someone else's question, the Ford and Mercury block are externally identical. The Mustang LX coupe is a cool, and very bold, move- not being a GT. I think a lot of people are going to be happy with that. I'll probably grab one. I'd like to see them do a convertible that can be built as an LX or a GT (different wheels and glue-on cladding.) There's a certain black/black/gray '89 GT convertible and a beautiful girl two years ahead of me in high school that brings back many fond memories. I can't help but wonder if she still has it....I'll let you all ponder in what way I mean "has it." Moebius' chocie for a '71 Ford pickup is interesting. That's a highly-desired design generation. There used to be a blue somewhere around that model year truck down the road from me. It, and the nice little house that it lived at, are now gone, replaced by small-size McMansions. 2013 is a good year already. Charlie Larkin Charlie Larkin

I like your set-up Shayne. Looks very well lived in, and nicely laid out. Great builds, too. Charlie Larkin

But, Mike, you're an engineer, if it's physically and structurally possible, you can make it! Just ask my dad (aerospace engineer.) I was thinking about this and making some refinements to my idea based on your thoughts....take some flat 1/8" wide stock, and notch it similar to the way you'd notch floor joists at the ends to seat on sills. They'll stand well-proud of the rest of the nose, making sanding to shape easy...well, easier. I would suggest using three of four instead of five, as that might fit a rather small opening better visually. I must say again, though, I REALLY like this. And as you well know, this isn't my type of build, but I think your idea and execution has been super. Charlie Larkin

Rose-colored bi-focals, in some cases, perhaps? I would love to see the advent of what I call spiritual successors to these kinds of kits. Reasonably simple, looks-good-when-done kits that are reasonably easy to put together and are kid/early modeler friendly. The major difference would be that they can be engineered to today's standards and actually deliver what the kits of yore tried to. Charlie Larkin

I really like this, Mike. For the grille, how about thin styrene rod and made a series of vertical slats, framed with a thin piece of round brass rod (or possibly some wire) bent to the form of the opening, and then applied so it sits flush, using four very small pieces of brass off the side to secure it. Essentially, the grille would install from behind and then the ears would have the appearance/function similar to the ears some real cars use to bolt their grilles in. I would paint it body-color, or perhaps use stainless steel Metalizer for the finish. Charlie Larkin

Rep-stock in two-tone blue or maroon. As the only available interior (gray) looks funny with most of the beige/brown/cream/yellow/green combos. I'm looking forward to Tom' Coolidge's Holiday and the possibility of a fastback from someone. Anyone for trying to make a wagon like Jeff showed? Or perhaps a 4-door sedan or standard-roof two-door sedan? Charlie Larkin

Thanks for the offer, Geoff. If I can figure out where it is, I'll pick through it and let you know. I'll be more than happy to help you cover postage to the U.S. Charlie Larkin

On a whim, I stopped by the Spare Time Shop after school (and scolding kids all day...the hazards of teaching before a long weekend,) and one of the three or four (including mine) he ordered showed up, so I grabbed with the Bill and Len-recommended green for the engine. I'm still poking through it, but overall, I really like what I see. The design looks right, and the molding is done well. I was also impressed with the packaging. I'm not too thrilled with the decal Oldsmobile and rocket script/trim, though. Mine, anyway, looked a little off-register. I really do hope that someone comes out with some photo-etch. Those alone will make what looks like a nice model really good. Charlie Larkin

Let's see... Right now I substitute-teach- needed to do something to make some money; this is my main source of income right now. I'm also a trained paralegal, a licensed real estate salesman and do other pick-up work. Long-term, I'm planning on moving into teaching college after I finish up the bulk of my grad work- start adjuncting and work my way in from there. As some of you also know, I plan to start to my own model company; I'm hoping I can start that moving really forward in 2013. The plans are on paper, I'm just looking for some support businesses and some capital to do it. Charlie Larkin

That's a nice mild custom (paint,) and I must admit, those colors looks good on it. Charlie Larkin

Expunging records is best, but the CORI should reflect "charges withdrawn" or something to that affect, if it shows up at all. Charlie Larkin

I'm still waiting for them to show up around here. I have one on hold from Spare Time Shop, but I think Paul uses the slowest wholesaler known to man. I'll have it soon enough, though. Charlie Larkin

You can always cut off the transmission and grab the automatic out of AMT's '66 Fairlane or '67 Comet or buy one of Kris Morgan's C-whichever-goes-behind-a-385-series-engine. Charlie Larkin

Both? I like bench and bucket options, depending on what I want to build. Charlie Larkin

Very nice tire and a cool idea about molding it in white. I would suggest in addition to bigger tires, perhaps doing some smaller ones, too, like narrow/high profile 15" and 14" tires, which will fit a lot of cars. Charlie Larkin

Cool/humid and rainy here the last few days. Supposedly, it'll clear out and be in the low 70s for Columbus Day weekend. They're saying this winter, unlike last, will be pretty bad. I'm not looking forward to that if it is in fact the case. Charlie Larkin