charlie8575

Very interesting; I'll be watching with interest as you do the wood applique', Dave. Usually I'm not a big rod fan, but this build, for technical and execution, has my attention. Charlie Larkin

I like Acryl better for brushing, actually. It seems a little heavier and coats better. I've been able to put it over plastic with no primer and have it cover very well. I also like Tamiya and will use either. I haven't tried Acryl in an airbrsuh yet, but it's supposed to be pretty good, it may need to be thinned a little first, though. Charlie Larkin

I'd say that came out very nicely. This is a very nice mild custom. Charlie Larkin

Quality and quantity! Very nice. That Bugatti was especially impressive from a build standpoint, and all look great. Nice job, Curt. Charlie Larkin

Oops...still a nice collection. Let's see some builds now! Charlie Larkin

Good to hear from you Clay, even if only briefly. May the Almighty protect you and your unit, especially during this time of year that is supposed to be a harkening of joy and peace for the entire world, across many faith traditions and cultures. The mission you are on is performing the greatest of deeds, protecting people in a very bad situation from a far worse one at the hands of truly horriffic scoundrels. Keep up the great work, and thank you, as an average American citizen, for everything you've done for our benefit. Charlie Larkin

Nice to see some of your builds, George....and they're very nice builds indeed. Charlie Larkin

Pretty-good lookin'?! Absolutely beautiful is more like it! Say...she have any single friends willing to trade cold Michigan for cold New England with the prerequisite of being able to deal with a rabid model car builder and railroader?! Charlie Larkin

After this year, not much of anything. But pleasant surprises are still known to happen. Charlie Larkin

Looking good. I told you Easy-Off is the way to go. Charlie Larkin

Would you be willing to share your findings with us and corrections? Charlie Larkin

I like it! Charlie Larkin

Small bit of progress to report. The front suspension is now attached and clamped to the chassis plate to promote holding. The front suspension member seems to have been slightly sprung, so it wasn't holding or going in right. I also noted that while test-fitting parts, it seems that simply painting the parts caused tolerances to go out of whack, as did my pre-assembly of the suspension parts front and rear. Such things not withstanding, it will go together nicely I think. Charlie Larkin

I was thinking more B-movie mad scientist meets Artie Johnson's German solider from Laugh In. Charlie Larkin

More! More! More! And to Ford: Build it! Build it! Build it! Build it! The real thing would sell like hotcakes. Great job, Bruce! Charlie Larkin

Oops.... I was thinking Lowell was a little far for you guys to travel! Charlie Larkin

I've heard very, very mixed reviews on Trumpeter's car kits. I was talking to someone that built one of the Novas, and he did say final assembly was a bit touchy- do lots of dry-fitting. But once done, it doesn't look bad. It's almost worth buying one just for the beautiful new-generation Stovebolt. The Bonneville was....a failure. Too bad, it's an interesting subject choice that deserved a better fate. I've been told the Monte Carlo isn't too bad to assemble and looks reasonably nice when it's done; some people think the tires look a little small, but if you think about it, on the 1:1s with the standard ER78-14 (P195/75R-14) tires, the tires do look a bit small. On my mother's second Cutlass, primarily because we had a fairly new set from a wrecked Taurus, we put a set of P205/70R-14s on it, and proportionally, it looked much, much better (and handled much better, it's a very easy, cheap upgrade for those of you with A/G-Bodies.) As to the Chinese doing anything to make a quick buck......well, how can you argue with what has turned into a self-evident truth, and not just with models, but almost every other industry they've entered, and in too many cases, ruined? Charlie Larkin

If the back issues came out on CD, I'd buy it, too, if the price was right. It rather surprises me that more magazines haven't started doing that. I realize it's a bit expensive to set up, but I think it would sell like ice cream cones at the Fourth of July. Charlie Larkin

I was surprised (and a little disappointed) they didn't offer the panel doors from the factory as an option. I was really not happy when they stopped offering them on the Suburban. Dad was toying with ordering one and that nixed it because my mother can't reach the tailgate. Are those doors custom-fabricated or are they an aftermarket accessory from someplace? It amazed me how the PT has such a huge aftermarket customizing market, while the HHR, which is conceptually similar, doesn't. Charlie Larkin

Very nice! Charlie Larkin

I've been considering re-joining Classic Plastic. They're a great bunch. When money gets a little better, I'll be back in. Wish I knew you fellas were heading up our way, I'd have loved to come by. Charlie Larkin

Nick, I don't know if Jo-Han (who made most of the Cadillacs) made a de Ville convertible in 1970, but they did make a Coupe deVille. All you need is a razor saw and a boot, which you can probably find from any one of a number of sources. I suspect the Modelhaus will have a 1968-69-70 (if made) boot you could use. http://www.resinrealm.net/Star/RRGalleries...llac/index.html Charlie Larkin

What a great idea for making a use of a newer chassis for a greatly under-represented car. I'm so glad AMT started making those separate frames; I never would've thought of that. As a note, remember that even for a LeSabre, the frame would need to be stretched to a 123-inch wheelbase. As a quick wheelbase reference for the 1965-66 full-size cars: Chevy: 119" Pontiac: Bonneville/Star Chief: 124" Catalina/Grand Prix/2+2: 121" (all wagons 121" wheelbase) Olds: 88: 123" 98: 126" Buick: Le Sabre: 123"; Wildcat/Electra 225: 126". Cadillac: Calais/DeVille: 129-1/2", Fleetwood 60 Special/Fleetwood Brougham: 133" Fleetwood 75: 149-3/4" Great idea! Charlie Larkin

Very nice work, Sam. That '56 Ford is something else, as are both of your teardrops. Charlie Larkin

Welcome, Jeff. Nice '68. Would we be asking too much for some pictures for reference for those of us interested? I'm curious to see what you did to your HHR, too. Charlie Larkin