Carmak

Turns out the correct answer is: 63 Nova wagon! That makes us all winners!

Today I spent a little time putting things back where they belong as much as reasonable.

Steve, I noticed this on the side of the box today. Turns out the third car was a Buick convertible.

I had a 1:1 67 500 for years and I agree with your comments about the grille, the shape bothers me way more than the qtr panels. I am going to use a Charger grille and build a Mexican market Coronet (they also used the 500 tail lights).

I just stumbled on to an un-built 55 three car assembly set! Is has a red 55 Cadillac and a blue 55 Ford (one car is missing). It is an AMT kit and it still has the instructions. The plastic is way more glossy than any vintage promo I have ever seen. Both bodies are warped but just a little. I will get more pictures tomorrow.

We have a local hard core Crosley guy and hes displays a straight 6 Crosley he welded up from 4 cylinder parts. I runs good and doesn't shake. His name is Paul Gorrell, google him, he has made many interesting engine configurations from Crosley parts.

There is a surviving "Border patrol" 69 Belvedere wagon with a 383 Magnum. Top engine available on paper was the 383 2bl. Have to assume it was built to a contract with the government.

Just last year I sold my 63 Ford Country Sedan wagon with a 352 3spd and OD. Even though it has a governor make sure to keep the handle pulled out (turned off) unless you are on the highway. We have a lot of 35 and 45 speed zones with traffic lights and it can get a little confused in those situations. Out on the highway - no problem. Enjoy!

Very Cool build!! I have a Kenmeri (Ken & Marry) Nissan 4dr for one of my next builds.

My new neighbor has a similar car to your 72 Chevelle. It's a 72 Chevelle convertible in Hugger Orange with white top and white bench seat interior. Car is a nice unrestored example. Bought new by his father.

Late 80's / early 90's. I built a couple models this way. It was the rage and then it was gone. Cool models. Mine were not this nice (or even close).

A 68 Impala with the rare headlight cover option is so good looking!

The Cragar mags in the 65 El Camino kit are really nice wheels and will look great! Just an FYI for the 1:1 Pontiac followers the 65 and 66 factory tri-power intake will fit every Pontiac engine 65 and later (except the 301). The caveat is that a filler plate (or special intake gasket with the filler plate built in) is needed for the exhaust crossover after 71 as the crossover opening got slightly taller in 72. In the 80's while I was in high school a friend put a 65 389 4bl intake and AFB on a 75 400 in a Catalina to upgrade to a 4bl. He figured out the block off plate on his own. Most currently available aftermarket intakes are designed to seal to all heads 65 and later (except 301).

I have a 1:1 71 GTO and it is more of a bugeye or triangle mesh air cleaner on Holley and an aluminum intake day 2 car. Mix in some slots and you are there.

I was just pointing out the missing section of runner contained a couple key elements. I expect (really hope) they will return or re-tool the stock hood and stock buckets. I also expect that they will correct the rear wheel openings and add the windshield back. I am very excited to see this one back. The 64/65 Cutlass is a very clean attractive car.

Take a look at the hanger shot and Casey's un-built kit picture. I looks like the hanger shot has an entire section of runner blocked off (or missing) that has the stock hood, wheel backs, interior retainer rings and the bucket seats.

I had that crusher also. I used to form the cars the night before and paint them with leftover house paint. It was a fun toy. Might still be in my parent's basement. Carmak

My 23 year old daughter just told me today about a brush on chrome nail polish that looks really good. She told me it has to be cured quickly after brushing with a UV light to produce a good clear chrome look. She wants to get some to touch up the faded vacu-chrome on the dash of her 69 Mustang. I can't wait to see how it looks. Carmak

My wife's uncle is Charles (Charlie) Strang (he passed in 2018). He was the senior engineer at Mercury Marine (under Carl Kiekhaefer). He was in charge of building the 55-56 Chryslers run by Kiekhaefer. After Kiekhaefer left NASCAR in 57 Charlie maintained close ties with the France family and many of the greats of NASCAR. He was the national commissioner for NASCAR 1998 to 2008. At Family Christmas parties and other family events Charlie would tell stories about the 55-56 seasons as well as other stories relating to NASCAR. One time while discussing the Dale Earnhardt crash investigation he started talking about crashes that changed NASCAR. He specifically talked about the Don MasTavish crash in 1969 involving a 66 Comet running in the Sportsman series. The Car hit the wall right where an outside gate was and the entire front of the car came off leaving the driver completely exposed. As the car spun to a stop on the track another car hit the Comet head on. The crash was horrific and it was televised. The Comet was not running a full race chassis, it was jut a reinforced unibody. Charlie said this crash got everyone’s attention and it spelled the end of the stock chassis car. I recommend you google Charlie (he also invented the inboard/outboard) and the Don MasTavish crash. Carmak

Does anyone know how to directly contact Vic's resin? The Vic's resin is sold by SMH (and possibly others). They are mostly body kits (body with hood, bumpers, tail lights etc..). I want to see if I can buy some piece parts rather than whole kits. I asked SMH and they do not sell piece parts. Thanks. Carmak

The person to host a weekly model car show would be Steve Magnante. He mentions models every time I see him on TV. If he is half as knowledgeable about models as he is with cars he would do great. Carmak

I wonder how many early builders gave up on models after getting a Revell 55, 56 or 57 Chevy (the 60's-80's version with the opening doors). The 3 in 1 kits (and Craftsman kits) could be quick builds with low skill and look good. The same can also be said for 70's-80's Monogram kits. Think about what a huge percentage of the kits made over the years fall into the "simple build" bucket. Another angle on this: I am a design engineer and I design small detailed ABS plastic parts that are injection molded. If you are not in the business you might not realize how expensive tooling is. The tiny molds I have made (similar in size to engine block sides, heads and intake) are 30K. Carmak

I believe I have the cars from a 1954 3 Car Assembly Kit (Buick Roadmaster 4dr, Ford Sunliner and Pontiac Coupe). They were found 30 years ago by a friend who was surveying a property with a partially collapsed house about to be redeveloped. The attic had collapsed to near ground level and he was able to kid of scoop the models and parts into a suitcase he found. In total there were over a dozen 1/25 scale models all 1960 and earlier. The 54 Buick, Ford and Pontiac were the only three promo type models in the stash, everything else was SMP/AMT 3 in 1. There were bits of the assembly kit box lid in the mix. At the time (pre-internet late 80's) I had no idea what a 3 Car Assembly Kit was and I tossed the bits of the box. The Ford and Pontiac are in fair survivor condition. The Buick is broken in a bad way. None are warped that bad. Carmak

Although my wife is not into model car I am very lucky that she is into (and very skilled in) vintage cars. The 57 Cadillac is her's and she has 100's of hours in the resto. I took the 68 Coronet convertible to prom (back in the 80's) and a friend in high school had the 71 GTO which he sold me about 15 years ago.

Argentina and Brazil have some very interesting cars. Many are based on US designs but with just enough difference to have a very distinct look. For example the Polara R/T is built on the Mopar A-body platform but visually resembles a B-body. Very cool stuff!