charlie8575

I'd like to try building one of these sometime as a more stock truck. An Oldsmobile truck from that vintage is very rare; I know a few people have made the mods, and I'd like to give it a shot. Charlie Larkin

Trust me, Ed. After trying to teach for eight years, I've been watching what's wrong (and some of the things that are right) with our kids first-hand and in large dosages. It appears I may finally be able to move into something else, and I'm looking forward to it. Charlie Larkin

Are you doing the Hudson or the Atlantic? I for one, would LOVE to see that. Charlie Larkin

1966 Pontiac color samples. Charlie Larkin

Excellent paint work. I'm not sure if the wheels fit the character of the vehicle or not, but the whole package works reasonably well. What's most important is this young man is displaying a great deal of talent and a willingness missing in many of his peers to delay gratification more than 30 seconds. Charlie Larkin

And the rant of us younger guys who want something besides an over-priced idiot-mobile convertible! Great job with this. I've often wondered if that could be made stock. Were you able to use the kit chassis-plate and interior or did you need to find suitable replacements elsewhere? For me, add stock wheels, maybe a more Rambler-like color (yellow or light blue,) and it's pretty much how I'd do it. Charlie Larkin

This is going to be an interesting build. I'll keep an eye on it. Charlie Larkin

Well, I have the block/heads/intake/front cover on my GTO done. I just need to go get some Pontiac Engine Blue. I'm leaning towards doing mine in Barrier Blue with a matching interior, but I haven't made a final decision. Other possible colors include Palmetto Green/Bronze or Parchment, and Nightwatch Blue/Blue. I may also just do a nice simple Cameo Ivory/Parchment scheme. Charlie Larkin

Hi, Brandon. Welcome aboard. There aren't a lot of people who build demo derby as a dedicated specialty, but if you look on this board, and others, you might find one or two. There are a lot great ideas you can pick up from other modelers in different genres, too, so be ready for a learning experience. You'll find the learning experience here at this forum one of the best. Don't be a stranger! Charlie Larkin

I, for one, would love to see pictures of that sort. I think it's always interesting to see a theatre of war from the soldier's perspective, not the news. You and your comrades in arms are in the constant thought of myself and many others, Clay. We all hope and pray for the safe return of each of you and the return of peace to a ravaged, brutalized part of the world. Charlie Larkin

Very nicely done. Charlie Larkin

I like the idea of a street-rod Prius. Although to be a bit more "sensitive" to the Japanese, I'd consider using that lovely inline-6 out of the Supra/Cressida....and lengthen/raise the nose accordingly. Sick, I know. Either that, or widen it ala' Volvo S80. Other ideas: 1. Diorama with the owner of said smug-mobile being attacked by an angry mob of drivers of real cars, after being boxed in by said cars. 2. Accordioned between a mid-60s Cadillac and Lincoln at a stop light. 3. Placing a squirrel-cage under the hood and displaying it as an open-hood model. That might give the real one more power. 4. Monster-truck fodder. Charlie Larkin

Mark: Try hitting it with a toothbrush with good stiff strokes, and that should help break off anything that's loose and perhaps get something that isn't off. I would further suggest after removing the stuff that's loose, you might have more success with removing what's left. If worst comes to worst, you might want to consider changing soaks to something like DOT-3 brake fluid or Simple Green. I've also had very good luck with Easy-Off oven cleaner (I use the fumeless so it doesn't stink as much,) and Whestley's Bleche-White whitewall cleaner. I've also had a little luck with ammonia. Charlie Larkin

I don't see these in silver too much. I usually don't care for silver too much, but this looks good in it. I have a couple of the old-tool '57s and one or two new-tools. I think both kits have their advantages. I love the detail of the new tool, but the ease of assembly in the old one has a lot going for it, too, and both look good when they're done. I also have all four of the Revell Tri-5s, c. 1980 issue. Someday, I'll actually have the stones enough to put them together, too. They are daunting, although I've seen some assembled, and once done, they look good. Charlie Larkin

Interesting subject. Nicely done. Charlie Larkin

I like a lot of what I see here; some very creative builds and nice work. I especially like the '41 Chevy. I might jump in on this, but I'm not entirely certain yet, between some other matters I've got going on and the muscle car CBP. I will, however, enjoy watching this one way or the other. Charlie Larkin

Allright, count me in. It'll motivate me to get a build done. I think I'll do my Revell 1966 GTO. I need it for an idea I have, anyway. Charlie Larkin

Looks good. I'll keep an eye on it. Charlie Larkin

Yes, that's the low-rider snapper. The body and interior are very nicely done. The chassis is another matter altogether. It has "adjustable" suspension for different poses. It doesn't hold together well. In fact, it's poor enough that I can't even get it to stay put long enough to epoxy it in place. You can use the frame/suspenion/floor-board off an AMT 1970 Monte, as they're the same chassis, and find an SBC to use as a colored slug for the engine, as it's a curbside, or, if you want to go for it, do! Charlie Larkin

Nicely done; that's one body I'd like to see released as a stock model, myself. Charlie Larkin

MEK is very nasty stuff. It works very well, but you need lots of ventilation, and you might want to wear a respirator if you're using it. Xylene is the basis of a lot of plastic cements. To be very honest, I've always used Testors tube and liquid cement with good results. Don't use it too sparingly, or too much, and you'll be fine with it. I have used Plastruct Plasti-Weld, too, and that seems to be pretty decent. For some fiddly assemblies, I actually like superglue because it holds quickly and fairly well. Charlie Larkin

I see both sides of the good/bad to be invitation only. I tend to agree that the exclusivity is a little pretentious for a model contest, but to showcase the best say, ten or twenty builders in the country would be spectacular. But...aren't most of the Concours events for 1:1 cars like that? And I most certainly don't hear anyone complain about that, and that most certainly is elitist! I don't see the cruise night at Joe's going that way, or large contests/shows like NNLs or the MassCar show. But, I see that as being a way to help hold what can be described as a platinum standard. The best of the best. I think it would be a fantastic show to witness, even if just in a magazine. Charlie Larkin

I paint bodies when it's convenient for me to do so. Sometimes, it's first, sometimes it's in the middle. I've never done it to the end of the build, except for the Ranger I'm building now, but that's because I had to repaint it because some shmutz got on the paint. You bring some good points up, Jeff, and I never thought of them before. Then again, it's so rare I actually get anything completely finished, that I guess it's an issue I've never needed to really address. This also does bring up one other important thing: the importance of test-fitting. Charlie Larkin

Very interesting, Peter. My complements to you. Charlie Larkin

Absolutely amazing! Peter, I do hope you take Harry's request to write an article...or perhaps a series. This is incredible! Charlie Larkin