charlie8575

The Modelhaus Impala could be modified into a 1986 Caprice with some work. In 1986, they changed the header panel and taillights to a somewhat more modern look. I'm not sure if the header panel itself (a piece of fibreglass) actually changed or not, but the taillight panel is radically different, and would be a bit complicated. The scripts could probably be repreented reasonably with either decals or photo-etch. Here's a 1985 Impala from the brochure. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet_Caprice/1985%20Chevrolet%20Caprice-10.html http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet_Caprice/1985%20Chevrolet%20Caprice-11.html The taillamps from the 1980-'84 Impalas are identical. A picture is here. A 1981 Coupe is shown here. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1981_Chevrolet/1981_Chevrolet_Caprice-Impala_Brochure/1981%20Chevrolet%20Full%20Size-08.html This is the 1986 Caprice brouchure which you can use to do some side-by-side comparisons of a little easier. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1986_Chevrolet/1986_Chevrolet_Caprice_Brochure/dirindex.html Charlie Larkin

My biggest problem is occasionally missing parts that look identical, but are in fact, somewhat symmetrical and are mirror images. I'll try putting something together, wonder why it isn't fitting or what I did wrong, and then re-read and find my mistake. Sometimes, those small things are very hard to notice, and occur on parts you wouldn't think of them occurring on. However, I generally spend 30-45 minutes when I buy a kit going over the basic assembly and familiarizing myself with the parts sequence and layout, and refer to them constantly during construction. Charlie Larkin

Nice work for the first-time out. For Internet retailers, I like Model Roundup. I also know people have dealt with Dean's and several other places. The good shops tend to be the ones that stay around for a while. If possible, go with your local shop so you can see and feel the product, I find it makes a difference, and supporting a good local hobby shop helps keep the hobby healthy. Welcome to the board. Charlie Larkin

I'll be watching with interest Mike, as Airtrax has a couple of kits that are kinda on my "watch" list. Charlie Larkin

Great concept nicely executed. Charlie Larkin

Having seen Norm's stuff up close and personal, knowing his general reputation, and also briefly meeting him at NNL-East this year, I can honestly say go buy with confidence. His stuff is beyond reproach. Charlie Larkin

The radical custom Falcon coupe is pretty neat, Carl. Thanks for contributing some existing builds. If you have anything on tap you'd like to join in with, let us know. Charlie Larkin

Chassis fitment aside, wow that looks great. I'm with Jon, Lee, how did you do the hood? Charlie Larkin

I need to dig mine out and build those. They're such neat little kits. Great job, Tony. Charlie Larkin

It would be nice to see Revell take the '72 Olds and make either a Vista Cruiser or a new 1968-'69 Chevelle. Or both! AMT could take the 1957 Chrysler 300 and make a New Yorker with it, or possibly a De Soto Adventurer or Firedome. Both could be done with substituting photo-etch scripts for the molded-in ones. I agree with Lee. A nice, stock '32 Ford off of Revell's new tooling would be great. Or a multi-version kit. A 1940 Ford Wagon off the Revell '40 coupe tooling would be welcome, too. Charlie Larkin

Having recently witnessed not one, but what has been confirmed as three or four horrific tornadoes hitting less than an hour from me, all category 4-5, I can understand the havoc and terror even a small one can cause. We'll be thinking of your neck of the woods, too. Charlie Larkin

HELP! We're surrounded by people who think they're smart! I read you loud and clear on this one, Johnny. More reading for those interested. http://www.thefreemanonline.org/featured/chemical-hysteria-and-environmental-politics/ Charlie Larkin

I have neither wife nor girlfriend to praise or pan my hobby. Although my girl friends think it's pretty cool that I build. Occasionally, when we're together as a group, I'll bring a kit along and build while everyone else is off doing whatever, and more often than not, people will crowd around and watch me manipulate little pieces of plastic and explain how I'm doing things. The usual reaction is of interest and wonder. Most of the people I know say they don't have the patience to do this. Sometimes, I don't either, but I simply plug along. My last girlfriend thought it was "cute," and although was very much into art herself (and a pretty good sketch artist and painter,) couldn't quite understand, but didn't bother me about it because she knew I enjoyed it. One of her friends' husbands is also a builder, so once in awhile, we'd go and hang around together and drive the women nuts (we did a good job with that.) When I've gone on a few dates, I tell any girl "Masonry, cars, photography, models and my friends all come as a package." Very few have ever taken me up on it. Perhaps someday, I'll find one brave enough to. Charlie Larkin

Some people have far too much time on their hands and are given far too much money to try and occupy their time... I suppose anything could be a cause of cancer in sufficient quantities, but this- one of the most stable, widely-used polymers? I suppose next they'll be telling us to vent the room for half an hour like after you break one of those "improved" light bulbs after we hit a kit with the sprue cutters. Charlie Larkin

You're even scratch-building the tires? Wow. This is truly a remarkable effort. Charlie Larkin

Silver with the red/black interior looks very nice with that, Mike. I'll look forward to seeing this at one of the shows. Charlie Larkin

Neat idea, Bill. Is that a Jag 6 powering this little fire-breather? Charlie Larkin

The Micro-Scale adhesive is for use with non-adhesive foil only. Charlie ALrkin

That's coming out very nicely. For primer, I would suggest moving to Plasti-Kote or Dupli-Color. It works much better than most of the other primers. I personally wouldn't pay Tamiya's prices when I get very good results with the automotive products. Charlie Larkin

As the front-wheel-drive A-bodies were simply stretched X-bodies, the Citation is probably your best starting point. If your car had the fuel-injected V6, a 1988-89 Beretta GT would probably be your best choice for the engine. I'm not sure where you'd find a TH-125 automatic transaxle. The Citation has the carbureted 60-degree V6. To answer other questions- I rather doubt the police department would've used Eurosports, as that was mostly a trim package. I could, however, see them ordering the F41 suspension in the Eurosport package, which was also a stand-alone option, as were the P1975-R14 tires. The body and interior will, without question, be the toughest things to do. The Citiation coupe will help establish a basic shape. The pictures here will help you establish the basic shape of the 1986-'89 Celebrity sedan; in 1986, the front and rear clips were redesigned substantially, altering their appearance from the 1982-'85 models. This is a 1987 model. Remember that the 1986 DID NOT have composite headlights, but rather four rectangular headlights. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1987_Chevrolet/1987_Chevrolet_Cars_and_Trucks_Mailer/dirindex.html The 1985 brochure will give you the basic dimensions. http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet/1985_Chevrolet_Celebrity_Brochure/dirindex.html Charlie Larkin

Some general ideas. 1. Don't try to be the biggest out the door. You'll fall flat on your face. Concentrate on building your business with.... 2. Good cutsomer service. That means products in a reasonable time, or refunds/credits if you can't. And if there's a problem, such as a mangled box/part, resolve it quickly, even if strictly speaking it's not your fault. Sometimes the little ding in profit is worth the saved panning. 3. Do the best work you can, and don't sell anything less. Both in masters and output. 4. Listen to your customers- complaints and praise alike. It'll help you run a better business. 5. Always look for ways to improve all aspects of your business- casting techniques, materials, masters, packaging, everything. That is how you succeed in any business. Charlie Larkin

The solution to the gas problem! I like it, Tony. Those little Pyro kits build up very nicely. Charlie Larkin

This is a spectacular effort. Great work. That looks very Tatra-like indeed. Seriously- see if anyone wants to cast this. I'd buy one. Charlie Larkin

Jim, that '60 looks great. I've tried the kitchen-foil method too. I found the Micro-Scale foil adhesive worked pretty well, and I'd use a fresh blade, as opposed to a re-sharpened one. It does seem to make a difference. I'll look forward to watching that '64 come along, too. Charlie Larkin

I have to say, that aluminum paint does look pretty good as a body color. Nice build so far, Mike. Charlie Larkin