charlie8575

Anyone tried removing decals from tires? My wheels/tires are assembled, so strippers like Super Clean aren't a good idea. Do you think the alcohol will work on vinyl? Charlie Larkin

Actually, Art, most Step-downs max out at about 4000 pounds, that's before people, gas, and whatever else goes in a car. But, yes, they are VERY heavy, and you feel it riding around in one. They're also very comfortable to ride in. I don't own a Step-down (wish I did,) but I think they're still one of the best cars ever produced in this country, as do many people. The Monobilt body is very much as Art described. They're built much like a NASCAR race car is today, and the engineering on them is quite something. Every once in awhile, a Hudson does get into an accident. Usually, the "safer" modern car is reduced to a smoldering pile of rubble and its passengers are very badly injured- even Volvos and Saabs. The Hudson passengers usually walk away with little or no damage. One of my friends has a largely original 1952 Wasp with pushing 260,000 miles on it. With proper care and maintenance (you need to see the lube chart to understand what I'm talking about,) Hudsons will run rings around almost anything built then...and a lot of what's built now. I have seen a couple of chopped Hudsons. They really look silly unless you channel the body, which on a 1:1 would be near-impossible because of their construction. There are other ways to lightly customize a Hudson that still look good. But how do you improve on perfection? Charlie Larkin

After waiting for my bank to perform an auto-recto-craineotomy, I finally received these two gems from Model Roundup (very nice guy, by the way, we spoke on the phone and he's very customer-oriented.) All I can say, guys...I really hope Galaxie does more kits of any variety, and/or makes another run of these. I couldn't wait to open the box and was amazed at what they put in it. Or, as my dad put it "if they could make it a separate piece, they did. Wow." Dad doesn't really build cars- he does planes. When I was 6, I got one of those '51 Chevy convertibles. I always wanted to build it, but it was missing several pieces. I was thrilled they re-issued this. This is the first product I've bought from the new AMT, and if anyone is wondering, the quality is light-years ahead of the recent past. I was very, very pleased with the quality of the molding and the plastic didn't feel like cheap garbage. Definitely worth looking into. Charlie Larkin

May you avoid being the in-carnate of all the bad jokes about marriage. Seriously. But remember to have fun and enjoy the time you've been allotted for each other. Best wishes to you both, Brian. Charlie Larkin

I've been noticing it, too. Perhaps as the tools get amortorized (paid for) they can reduce the prices a little to keep the product moving? Whatever the cause, it's welcome. Charlie Larkin

As a member of the Hudson-Essex-Terreplane Club, I will tell you without any reservation right now- there are about 6500 H-E-T members, and a very, very large number of those will buy at least one of those Hornets. Whether they actually build it or not is another matter, but the sales will occur. I can honestly say that both of these kits, when marketed to people who are not only model car enthusiasts, but real car enthusiasts, will probably do very well. I've long argued that advertising in 1:1 magazines, like Hemmings Classic Car or Cars & Parts would really help drive sales. If the awareness is created, the sales just might occur. A gamble? Yes, but so isn't everything. I, for one, am waiting for these eagerly. And Dave, if you're reading this, and open to product ideas, how about a Terreplane pickup or a Studebaker Coupe Express- two of the prettiest trucks made, I think. Charlie Larkin

I don't know if I'm going to be able to make Saturday or not- we have bedlam at the house this weekend between plumbing problems and our own catastrophic ($3200!) car repair, leaving us with two cars right now. If I'm there, I'm there, and that's how it'll have to be until Saturday. Charlie Larkin

That is a bit of a dog, isn't it? I think I'd rather have one of Don Holthaus' beautiful kits at about 1/3 the price. Charlie Larkin

The two I've given priority to are the 1960 Comet and Corvair. Beyond that, I'm interested in almost any of them. I like the cars of that vintage. Charlie Larkin

Nice weathering job on that, Chuck. I'll bet a lot of Chevy guys' gears are really grinding at the thought of a Chrysler engine powering one of their pickups. It amuses me. *I'm more-or-less a GM guy, for the record. With a very strong affection for independents and Mopar. Charlie Larkin

Actually, Harry, at my instigation, we posted one at The Modeler's Haven in general discussion, and it's proven fairly popular. Something to "chew" on. *rimshot* *hits the deck at the incoming rotted produce.* Why not put the drinks in with it, too?! Charlie Larkin

Don't they have a major drug problem in Orange County??? I think we may be seeing an addict in early stages of delusion. I didn't realize that '40 Ford could be built stock. If they ever re-issue it, I might go grab one. Charlie Larkin

Late fall and early srping are good. It's too crummy to work outside on the house and all the 1:1 cars are still hibernating. Charlie Larkin

I like Harry's final revision. Might take a few minutes to get used to navigating, but not a big deal. The only thing I've seen that I really think would be a change I'd be adamant about is a separate community builds section. The recipe exchange sounds good, too. Perhaps we could pin Sam's diner thread in dios and annex that to it? *dodges rotten tomatoes and plugs ears at the hissing and booing.* It was just an idea... Charlie Larkin

Tom, I hate to say it, but it sounds to me like the transfer case is starting to sing its swan-song. When that started to go south on my friend's Legacy, I believe she was quoted $4500 to fix it from the Subaru dealer. She bought a one-year-old Chrysler a couple of weeks later. This was in 2006. As to what the prices are now, who knows. I'd imagine you'd do well with a good used part and an independent garage who won't charge you anywhere near as much. Charlie Larkin

You'd have to scratchbuild the intake for any of the Revell 232s to make it a non-S/C version. As the intake sort of looks like an exhaust manifold on its side, I wonder if you could start with that as a way to make it easier? Charlie Larkin

Very neat build; I didn't realize Aurora made something like that. I'll be watching this. Charlie Larkin

Hi, Matthew. Yes, this is the Haulaway trailer. I'm going one of two routes right now: 1. Put an L-700 on the trailer and call it done, loaded with used cars. 2. Pick up another L-700, the conversion and semi-scratchbuild (I'd use the Haulaway trailer's floor and suspension) a 1940s-early 50s style auto rack and load that with new cars of some kind (Mopars, or I might do a mix of independents.) Actually, both options sound pretty good, and the possibilities floated for what's plausible are giving me some ideas. I like the idea of a 6-71; it seems very fitting for that truck. I saw a picture of the Dodge diesel from a 1941 conventional cab brochure- strange looking critter; it's almost like a gas engine. Actually, I'm wondering if I might be able to dummy it up with a Plymouth 6, maybe two if I need to make a little bigger block. Charlie Larkin

Jordan models are styrene and are HO scale. I've built a couple for use on my model railroad, and will attest to the detail and accuracy. They're very nice little models. Great job on this one. Charlie Larkin

Very nice work indeed. How old is she, Tom? If she keeps it up, a lot of the boys will have some very serious competition. Charlie Larkin

What a pretty car! It always amazed me how nice looking a Model A is in the right colors. Yours is proof. Charlie Larkin

In another topic, I got directed to the link for RMR, which has some nice offerings for early heavy trucks. I've been looking for something to use with my auto rack, and I think I might have found the answer. Although the rack is mid-60s vintage, as was pointed out earlier, it wouldn't be unreasonable to have a (perhaps) much older tractor pulling it. In short, I think this one, listed as a 1941-46 Dodge COE looks really cool. I could see this being used by a low-budget cartage company with a slightly newer rack. There is a problem, though. What should I use for an engine? I'd imagine that some version of Chrysler's gas L-head six was available, which means I could probably get something out of a '41 Plymouth engine with a little tinkering, probably. But, where other options available? I'm also thinking that as this kit calls for an L-700, I wonder if I could just build the chassis and use the 361, suggesting an older truck re-powered with a newer engine? Ideas? Thoughts? Here's the links, the second two are pictures of the product. Race Motor Replicas Doge COE-1 Dodge COE-2 Thanks in advance. Charlie Larkin

What I find funny is that Navistar is having Cummins build its engine!? Did they get out of the engine business? I just saw an ad tonight for the new Ford F250/350, and it loudly proclaimed a Ford-built Powerstroke diesel. That's a handsome truck. I'm not a huge truck builder, but I might get one just because it's such a nice-looking rig. Personally, I'm looking forward to Moebius' 1953 Hudson Hornet and 1955 Chrysler 300. Art, any word on their development and release? Charlie Larkin

Well, life looks like it's made other plans for me. As work and such has been a bit hard for me to come by, my dad offered to give me a little money so I could cover gas/gate and a hotel room for the night. Mainly just so I could run and hide for a day or so and get a change of scenery. Then the transmission on his car decided to tear itself apart Thursday. $3200 later.... As of right now, doubtful, but one can never tell, I suppose. Charlie Larkin

Hmm...to combine methods, perhaps an X-Acto chisel blade with a little paint thinner or liquid cement on it? Charlie Larkin