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Thanks all. Yes, built 20 years ago! Bought around 1983 and finished in 1990! The secret is very simple: keep your model "Under Glass". I can't understand people who let a nice model collect dust. Cleaning it once in a while doesn't help either - you can't get to all the nooks and crannies and you risk knocking things like mirrors off and, over time, dulling and scratching the chrome.

Thanks again for your kind comments. I've got a 60 DeSoto nearing completion where I lowered the floor but I wouldn't bother again - as you say, too much work. But these are kits that I've kept coming back to since they were new and I've come to accept some of their idiosyncracies. At least the bodies, grilles and bumbers are spot on. I don't like the original tyres though, they're too tall, and I always replace them.

Thanks everybody, much appreciated. Chris, when I first built mdels in the early sixties I ONLY built customs and hot-rods but since I got back into it in the 80s it's been all stock - so far: I've got a white 59 Impala on the bench which will get a VERY mild custom look, inspired by a Marcos Cruz model. There's a hot rod down the line somewhere too, I'v got all the ingredients.

True. And others would be risking divorce.

You're off to a great start! My first model couldn't have held a candle to your Mini.

I'm posting this one for my mate Marco here in Switzerland. He used to own a 62 TBird and is currently turning a basket case 61 into a couch. Ouch! This is a $20 Promo which I've refined - or ruined, depending on your attitude to promos. Paint is Zero base coats with Tamiya clear. All chrome parts, the tyres and the dash are Modelhaus replacements. (The dash because I broke the original while trying to seperate it from the interior.) I used the steering wheel from the AMT kit. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

That is really nice!

Very nicely done!

I agree, great paint and foil!

I've described the method here somewhere but it's well buried. I'll do a tutorial soon. EDIT..... Check out Marcos Cruz' recent Opel in Under Glass. He describes the BMF before Paint technique - that's pretty much what I do.

Thanks again for your very kind comments everyone. (Slaps forhead) why didn't I think of that. I'll give it a go.

Very nice paint and details, specially the script on the back.

Beautifully done Art, as always. Ill be having one of these for sure.

Yes, you're right and I noticed while taking the pics - should have taken a break and fixed it.Have you seen the add featuring a VERY similar car in this month's (November) Hemmings Classic Car? It has rather odd looking hub caps though, I thought.

Another older curbside build. Sikkens automotive base and clear coats, Humbrol interior, Modelhaus tyres and a scratch-built mirror. My sincerest apologies to those who expected a hot-rod! Hosted on FotkiHosted on Fotki Hosted on FotkiHosted on Fotki Hosted on FotkiHosted on Fotki Hosted on FotkiHosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Ed, I love 'em, thats why.

Here's another Johan Mopar that I finished 20 years ago. Built curbside, body paint is Sikkens base and clear coats, interior Humbrol. Tyres are Satco and I made the front wheels poseable. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

I've already said wow but I keep coming back for another look. I have to say again, this one really blows me away!

Carl, I always like your work and this one is no exception. You have a fine sense of colour.

You guys really know your hubcaps!

Thanks everybody, much appreciated. I've added a few more pics up top as requested.

Thanks for your comments everyone. Pete, this is the only other shot of that 409 I have, from the other side....

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Goerge, your ice cream is in the post.

Obviously I'm on a roll here so here's another classic Johan, built curbside about 15 years ago. This was painted at a time when I had professional access to automotive paints and it's my own custom metallic mix followed by clear coats, all from Sikkens. (I don't use automotive paints these days.) Interior colours are Humbrol and are pure guess-work. Windows are acetate. The clear went on a bit too thick with this one, which made detailing the emblems virtually impossible, so I just foiled them and left it that. Of course, these days I would foil before paint and add whatever paint detail is needed before clear. And once again the wheels are not stock, the originals need a re-chrome. And yes, a free ice cream to all who can identify the wheels I used - should be easy this time. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Wow, nice job! I love that colour.