Dr. Cranky

You can never go wrong with a 49 Merc. Nice work.

LOL, I think this is what the new VW Beetle wishes it could be.

I find this question irresistible. Here's my list of repeat offenders at the Lab-RAT-ory: #1. 41 Willys, dozens by now. #2. 49 Merc Special Edition. I try to build a couple every year. I have a personal challenge to see how many different ways I can build this. #3. 66 Chevy Nova (AMT)--for parts robbing. #4. 32 Ford #5. Super Bee (AMT)--for parts robbing.

Ditto on what John said.

Fantastic Edsel. Love the colors.

Beautiful. Wonderful model in your collection. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks, Glenn. It's one of the recent models that I truly did not want to finish because I was having so much fun.

Tom, I like your post. The problem with LEGO is that the imagination is already packaged for the child so that all he/she has to do is put the Mickey Mouse Kingdom together and put Darth Vader marrying Minnie Mouse up on the turret balcony. LOL. When a kid builds a kit, sure, it comes with all the parts, but the kid picks color, assembles, ends up with a unique model that is at least 50% his/hers. As that same kid grows up and learns to scratch-build and paint and kit-bash, the model takes the imagination to whole new place. Nothing against LEGO, mind you, but it's like getting a kid a coloring book. It's better to get the kid a blank sketch-book and some coloring pencils/markers, etc . . .

Here are a couple from the Lab-RAT-ory collection: And here's one I never finished:

Very clean. Love the look of it.

Nope, I don't like it. If they want it to make it a bit more muscle oriented all they had to do was make it more HEMI CUDA-ESQUE. LOL. And I would not pay the 25-28 thousand dollars they'd ask for it. I'd buy a ROAD KING instead.

LOL! I can almost hear the designers saying that. Wear your baseball hat to a game with the sun on your face and then put your hand up as a visor. Priceless.

For every professional video (they start as kids and end up in their early 20s), there are millions of others who just consume the stuff. They don't really make anything. There's no visual end-product at the end of it. At least with models, you end up with a shelf full of kits you've built.

You have good point, Harry, and at one time they had other things that they can participate in where they would be sort of making a healthy contribution to their lives and the people around them. I think at the end of the day most of these new generations will find out that the basics of human interaction still require the same ordeal: human interaction in the flesh. Real face-to-face conversation will never be replaced by texting, skyping, etc . . .

Drew, you will find that as you attend more shows, these definitions keep expanding and or changing. I think it makes sense to get the information way in advance before you get to the show. And congratulations on the wins. Keep building and sharing.

Lots of inspiration in this build. Keep it going.

Looking real good.

Want to thank all the folks who've gone head over heels for the cards. We are looking forward to seeing some healthy trading activity taking place at the shows, and also the builders featured have told me they'd love to sign their cards so if you run across a HALL OF THE INFAMOUS INDUCTEE, don't be shy, get your cards signed.

Mr. Most, you keep reinventing great looks on your models. You are still one of my favorite builders, always imagining new versions of old things. Plus, when you line your builds bumper to bumper, they all look different, but stylistically they all have the same name written on them: CHUCK MOST!

Great variety to the texture and look of the panels. LONG LIVE RUST!

I came back for seconds. I'm still amazed by how beautiful this build turned out, and how unique it truly is.

You've been possessed by the same genius that drove Augie Hiscano and drives John Teresi. Amazing, clean and beautiful work. Can't wait to see more.

Still a beauty.

Wonderful model, thanks for sharing.

Has anyone seen the new line of VWs and MINI COOPERS? Both have become less round, more square. The new VW beetle looks more like a roach now. Flattened top. The Mini Cooper convertible now has this hard top with a reverse visor thing in the back, looks like a mullet. I am assuming this is what happens when you have the same three stoned car designers whose imaginations have been choked with aerodynamic dreams and safety regulations, and all that toad-licking they've been doing in the ever-drying pool of car manufacturers. It's rather sad when you look at the Mercedes, Jaguar, Volvo and they all have that mangy sleep look with all the broken angles that don't really lead the eye anywhere. Then again, I think they are preparing for the YUGOTOPIAN SOCIETY. The same car without a driver that serves the new TACO BELL MIERDITAS (a healthy combination of cardboard gristle, skunkox oil, and bootsole all rolled in a fried crispy piece of butcher paper!) The only car I would still buy brand spanking new would be my father's 1965 Dodge Dart!