charlie8575

I'll step in and answer this having a little AMC experience. American Motors, until 1966, used torque tube on almost all its cars. I'm not sure if the 1964-up Rambler American went to the Hotchkiss drive (open driveshaft with universal joints like we see today,) but I know that the Classic/Marlin/Ambassador used the torque tube until the 1967 model year. In a torque tube, the driveshaft runs through a steel tube welded and/or bolted to A-arms, which in turn are attached to the rear axle. The torque tube can be disassembled by unbolting it at the differential and pulling the tube and axle apart so you can service the trunnion, or rear seal. There is no rear universal joint, only up front. The torque tube should be painted semi-gloss black along with the rest of the suspension. Charlie Larkin

Looks great! I love the color and the accessories are just right...enough without over-doing it. Charlie Larkin

That really is coming out nicely, Joe, and that green is really quite striking on that Challenger. It's unfortuanate Chrysler hasn't seen fit to have a wider variety of colors on that car, or more than one interior color. Green with a camel interior would look really nice. Perhaps I'll do one like that as a "if I had it done-over as a mild custom-" type build. Charlie Larkin

Ummmm...."LEECH" perhaps? Charlie Larkin

Pretty color scheme on that, and I love all the things that are important to her that you're putting into the display. What a wonderful way to help make her feel better. Which can speed what I'm sure we all hope is a full and speedy recovery. Charlie Larkin

That Mustang nose looks really nice on that pickup. It says how narrow the truck is...and how w-i-d-e that Mustang is! I'm going to be very interested in how this one turns out. Charlie Larkin

I don't think it'll sand out from what's been said, but Windex will strip it right off. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work, Brian. I can see white and other light exterior and interior colors being rather popular in Arizona. That looks like a nice model, I might pick one of those up for myself. Charlie Larkin

The kind feedback is well-earned, and I'll add mine. Nice work, especially on the truck. Charlie Larkin

That green does look nice on that car. It's a nice, simple-looking kit. I might pick one of those up for a quick build. Charlie Larkin

I'd say you're in pretty good order to get things going, Don. Don't forget to pick up a few tools and such as your need and budget arises. That paint booth looks good. I might pick one of those up for myself, as it looks like it's big enough to do anything I'd be likely to do. Charlie Larkin

Earl, how did you cobble up that auto rack? It looks great! I don't really have anything to get in on this with, but I'll certainly be checking in on it, it sounds interesting. Charlie Larkin

Mike, a thought occurred to me. A lawyer's car in Massachusetts needs a low-number plate. If you haven't run across this yet, Licenseplates.tv will allow you to make one. All you need to do is copy and paste it into Paint, or Open Office Draw (my preference) and reduce to 0.23 x 0.47 inches (just about 6 x 12 inches in 1/25 scale.) To explain Massachusetts' low-number plates to the rest of the world... Massachusetts low number plates were formerly given out as political favors, however, starting with the Dukakis administration, the RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) holds an annual low number plate lottery. Low number plates may not be sold, but may be transferred to relatives or persons with whom the plate holder may document a long standing relationship. The plate number "1" in the BUS series generated some controversy, since the owner Biff Michaud utilized the plate on a Caddy rather than a passenger bus, and was ordered by the RMV to surrender the plate. [18] Source: Wikipedia's write up on plates Last I heard, the Michauds are still holding on to Bus 1 and may add jump seats to their Escalade to get it to the 10-seat requirement for a bus. Charlie Larkin

nice work. Foiling takes some time, but you're getting there. I like your approach to black paint. I might try that myself. Charlie Larkin

Okay, this is officially amusing. Who made this kit? Charlie Larkin

Interesing concept, subject and execution. I'll have to see if Tom still has those. I like the early 1950s Pontiacs. Charlie Larkin

Reminds me of Grape tonic in one of those glasses with the little sparkles cast into them... Looks great, Brian! Charlie Larkin

Very nice work. One small suggestion: a little better lighting in the pictures would help a lot. Charlie Larkin

I found a Town Car with a bad engine....I wonder if it'll fit??? Hmmm....kinda off-beat, but I can't help but wonder if they went back to the old-style starter so it'll even sound right when it's cranking over...that'd be cool. Charlie Larkin

Looks great, Mike. And those wheels look good on it, opinions of others not withstanding. Frankly, I prefer them over Cadillac's factory offerings. Charlie Larkin

I don't know of any services that do that, but I remember seeing in a few of the modeling magazines some photo-etching kits. I don't remember how much they were, but it might be a place to start. Charlie Larkin

I remember reading someplace that MPC made these when new as annuals? If so, they must be very, very rare. Can anywhere verify the accuracy of this? Charlie Larkin

The chassis plate isn't warped, the engine looks good, and that gloss! Very nice, Mike. Charlie Larkin

While getting an oil change for my mother this afternoon, at the gas station I went to, under a semi-translucent cover was a 1971-73 (I couldn't tell) Charger in that pretty pastel light blue with a white vinyl top and presumably a blue interior. If I do the SE (which this one was,) that's looking like a leading candidate for the color scheme. Charlie Larkin

Pictures will be appearing eventually, but I've primed the Chevy, started with some of the sub-assemblies and will have the engine painted within the next 24-48 hours. Charlie Larkin