Dr. Cranky

Yes, you folks are right, he like the buildings and the photographs, the cars are diecast. The fun for me is in watching HIM have fun.

Joshua, I have an iPhone, but since my eyes are going fast, I still like to use the larger screen, which is also the reason I still like the feel of printed pages and magazines. Maybe it's also being old and stubborn!

I read the church marquee signs all the time, and sometimes they crack me up like this one: "The tongue, being in a wet place, slipeth!"

No, they are listing a 64 Corvette Grand Sport as well. I am looking forward to the 62, no doubt.

Mark, I like the way you are lining up your weathering weapons, pure firepower. Can't wait to see more. LONG LIVE RUST!

Sounds like you are ready to paint up a storm, Pristovnik!

Dave, I think you are right about that. I wonder how many units of the Hudson have sold already, or the Gremlin. If they move well, the companies will be tempted to put out more good stuff.

Nice details throughout, but that engine is very very cool!

Oh yeah, The Reverend of RUST is in the House, Mr. Chuck Most! Amen to that, Rev. Most!

Rob, based on what I'm seeing so far, you are having a blast! Keep it going!

And, of course, it'd be great to see a Continental kit added to that let's-hope-it's-soon list!

Mike W., I've always love that model since the first time I saw it. I think you are on to something there that the military model builders are crazy about too. And that is burned out vehicles. Of course, cars burn for completely different reasons than military vehicles, but you definitely got the right feel and look to it. Thanks for sharing it.

Skip, it all sounds like a wonderful story. Great you've done the research. How are you going to build the model to include parts of the story, or are you just going to build it and have a placard with the story written next to it. Wow, the car's final resting place is not too far from where I grew up in Cali.

If you are not, you are in for a real treat: http://www.beautifullife.info/art-works/miniature-world-of-michael-paul-smith/ http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/SmithMP.htm http://www.flickr.com/photos/24796741@N05/

Chuck, I hope you will make the rat on the hood proud!

If you built it, Darin and it's your work, I don't see why not. Remember that without the original work to get the master you would not have any copies.

It's a wonderful article indeed, Darin, thanks for remembering it. There's also this quick how-to: http://www.modelcartips.com/photograph-model-car.html

Thanks, Johnny, the Tri-Five Chevys all make great candidates for weathering, and for that matter so do the 40s Fords too.

That Chevette would look cool next to the 76 Gremlin!

Perhaps one of these fine days soon, we'll hear the PINTO and VEGA kits are coming back.

A lot of after market chrome for those early 50s and 60s cars are so cheap they start to pit right away.

Chuck, although I agree with your comments completely, I also think for folks starting out, getting the technique right is more important than accuracy. At least for folks wanting to practice on scrap kits they might have handy.

And the 64 Corvette looks very cool.

David, I think it all depends on the individual subject. For years I thought that chromed trim around windshields and in particular on bumpers didn't rust, but they most certainly do, perhaps not as fast as the rest of the body, but they do rust. Here's one of my favorite examples in my "rust" reference archives: It's up to each individual builder to research and try to understand how cars really rust out there in nature.

I just came back from checking out the line up of kits coming out that are going to keep many of us drooling and building. Interested to hear what you folks think of these REPOPPED items available in the coming months, including many already listed over at the MODELROUNDUP website. AMT: ECTO-1A "Ghostbusters" 1965 Chevelle "Super Wagon" REVELL: Orange Crate 1941 KS Pitman 41 Willys And of course, the impending new tool from Moebius: The Chrysler 300 I don't know if we are really going through a kit renaissance, but they are coming out. Lots of kits that I know personally I will add to my collection, including some that I will restock on like the Revell 1980 Cadillac.