impcon

Your Comet is without a doubt, the nicest 64 Comet that I have ever seen!! Nicely and cleanly built with the perfect color to boot. I had a 1:1 convertible that I bought on a city impound auction for $15.00 back in 1975. It had some rust on one rear quarter but other than that, it was perfectly straight, shiny and complete! When I got it home, found a key that fit the ignition and got it fired up, it turned out to have a bad automatic, but I put another one in and had so much fun with that little car!!! But back to your model - My hat is off to you for the purpose of the build.That was kind and thoughtful of you and I suspect that your love for your dad helped the project turn out just a bit better than you had expected it would. I keep looking at the photos and marveling at how pretty it is and wondering why these little cars were so quickly forgotten. They are seldom seen in 1:1 or kit form and to me, they certainly are one of the prettiest cars of their era. Well, maybe the word "cute" suits the Comet better but either way, the 64 Comet is by far the most appealing Comet of all time. How sad it is that we have come to where cars totally lack character and I have yet, aside from the newer Mustang convertibles in the right colors, to see anything that even begins to appeal to me. When the human heart stopped designing automobiles and computers started to takeover, it's been a steep, downhill road to ... well.. a place that is a lot hotter than it is here as far as I am concerned when it comes to new automobiles.

That little car looks REALLY clean!!! No doubt you stripped it but it looks like it came out well and didn't have a whole lot of "extras" glued all over it. It sure isn't easy, nor is it usually affordable to buy a clean built up let alone an unbuilt one. Blue and white will be very, very pretty and not often seen, so this will definitely be one for me to sit and drool over once you have it completed.Your tastes in cars seem to mirror those of myself, Steve and I always sit in awe of the quality and appearance of your creations. What I really like is the seldom seen color combinations that you do your cars in. It only serves to add to the realism of the finished product. Keep up the great work!

I am working on a 58 Ford hardtop that had liberal amounts of putty applied to the roof. I have been soaking the car in Puprple Power for the last several weeks and it is taking forever to get it clean. Does anone have any experience with doing this through a different method or does the car just have to soak for a few months? The body is rough but I look upon it as a challenge and want to save it but I may end up buying a resin body if this doesn't work out. Time wise, it makes a lot more sense to do that, but I really do want to learn and I am up for the task at hand if I can getthe putty off the roof. This is a model that will be a gift, so it has to look good. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

ThanksRoger. I'll post pictures later today.

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on the best process to replace a complete windshield frame that is missing from an old model? Has anyone ever done a tutorial anywhere on line that you know of? Also, what is the best repair technique for a broken convertible windshield top frame or header? I have a 66 Dodge Polara that needs a complete windshield frame and a Modelhaus resin replacement and a 59 Impala convertible annual that has a windshield frame that is broken right in the center over the windshield. Any suggestions will be welcomed and appreciated.

Looks really good Rick. I agree that these cars are too seldom seen although they seem popular. I commend you on the build - it looks awesome and will really stand out in your display as something different and unique. Good work!!

Now that is so righteous!!!!! Maybe this will be the newer replacmtn atthe fire house for the aging 53 Chevy that you built for them? I wonder why no one has ever considered making a 68 Chevelle sedan delivery before? An awesome Station House 4 Fire Departent Rescue support rig if ever there was one!!! C'mon guys - what other ideas do you have inmind for such a rig as this will be? Coroner's wagon maybe? A hearse?? Nice work!! I can't wait to see this one finished!!!!

Knowing this kit and that old Revell stuff in general, my hat is off to you with this build. You pulled it off well and showed some imagination because I have never seen one of the panels done like yours is. As a "stocker", I can appreciate the workmanship and talent, Rick. Most guys shy away from trying to build one of these in stock form but you did it!! Congratulations!!!!

Now how cool is this? If I canbe so bold as to borrow a line from an old chewing gum commercial - "Double your pleasure, double your fun, build two GTO's instead of just one!" They look great side by side Rick - GTO's in stereo!! You are crankin' 'em out there, aren't you? Thank you for sharing - I for one, appreciate your doing so.

Could you take another interior and make a seat out of the rear hardtop seat and some sheet styrene? ?

Nice build!! I really like the color that looks almost right for this era of a car. Nice work.

Seeing a build that has sentimental value is always nice. I do honestly like the color Rick and it looks like a nice, clean and uncluttered build. I always appreciate stock builds and this one is no exception. Did your grandmother's car have the rally wheels? Just curious.

Well, I guess that makes three of us then!! I love the late 50's thru early 70's cars but the turn of the decade 50's/60's vehicles are really where it is at. One of my first cars was a 60 Monarch Scepter two door hardtop which was a Mercury Park Lane with some different trim, grille and taillights. It was white with a black and white interior, 430 engine with the dual range automatic. I've been watching for an affordable 60 Mercury hardtop, but so far - no joy. You guys both really do wonders with these simple but really great old models and I love the stock theme builds that you both do. I'm really looking forward to your doing the 60 Mercury, Steve. Thank you Steve and Richard for sharing your builds.

Steve, I wonder how much of a market there would be for the more obscure cars? How about a Hudson Hornet? Now there's one that os wayyyyyyyyyyy of the beaten path and it has been received fairly well. I know that the manufacturers can only do so much, but they have to be told what is wanted and it is up to us to let them know. If you want to talk off beat - I'm still waiting for someone to come out with a '59 Chevy four door wagon... *sighs wistfully* now there's one that ain't ever going to enter even the realm of fantasy as far as being released... But you have to admit that those cars from back then have a charisma and beauty that will never be matched again. And that is because they were designed by a himan being with a heart and soul as opposed to a computer. So why not a 57 Buick? Or a 56 Desoto? I think that the Hudson is a lot more - uh - well, let's just say were that car a person and a female, that I'd have voted her the girl least likely.. yet there it is...

It's good to see someone building one of these cars. We have been driving a 1989 Crown Victoria for over five years and so far it has cost us a set of tires and a used alternator. These cars simply have to be one of the most reliable, comfortable and least appreciated cars that Ford ever built. I think that judging by the television shows of the last few years, that most of the surviving ones are owned by Hollywood studios and they are destroying them in droves. It always pains me to see a Crown Vic destroyed for the sake of dramatization. It is looking like you are going to have a nice build on your hands by the time you are done. I want to build one as an RCMP cruiser and bought the decals from Bill Bozo. What a deal! I couldn't believe the package when it arrived! The decals are spot on and gorgeous. He may have the proper ones for your car if you contact him. Nice guy with a top notch product.

That is a very pretty color indeed and it looks right on that car! Those first two look pretty good - what specifically went wrong?? Heck, I'd give them a home in a heartbeat!!!

I just tried to find that user ID on Ebay and nothing came up .. Maybe you made a typo?

I received my first lot of kits from ranma ( Rick ) yesterday and I am VERY pleased with the entire transaction. The second lot is en route as I type this. He was patient and understanding when I forgot the chrome for one of the initial trades and he accomodated my busy schedule and a couple of delays in getting the package out too him which suggests to me that he is a pretty decent and understanding guy. Rick is a stand up guy, personable and an all 'round decent man. The USPS did their usual number on some of the stuff, but that is not Rick's fault. Even with the damage, ( which is all repairable with a bit of time and love ) I am VERY happy and I would trade with Rick again in a heart beat. Based on my experience - you can trade with confidance and I have found him to be nothing less than fair and honest. Thank you Rick. I appreciate you as a person and as a new found friend.

Not to steal the thread, but does anyone know whether the Modelhaus bezels and lenses will fit the much newer AMY kit and replace the one piece light? The seperate bezel and red lens really does look so much better,,,

I've been quietly watching the builds that you have posted over the last while Steve, and I have not commented because words simply fail me and I just look on in awe at your talent and craftsmanship. Your choices of colors are always beautiful and always look - well - they look right on the subject. I like these Edsels - especially the roof line which is the same as the Fairlane Club Victoria two door hard tops - a not so often seen model as opposed to the mid year introduced Galaxie with it's thick C pillar and "Thunderbird roof line". Personally, I much prefer the wrap around back glass as it gives these cars more of a timeless 50's, stylish look plus, IMHO, it is just prettier. The cars of that era will always reflect the golden years of Detroit, in my ever to be humble opinion. This Edsel is - to put it mildly - simply gorgeous and a worthy tribute to an era gone by and a time when automobile designing came from the mind, heart and soul of a human being rather than a computer. Cars today are just - cars - tools to get you from A to B. Just look at the shapeless blobs on a parking lot. There will never again be anything built that will radiate the beauty and style that cars of the 50's and 60's did. We have really lost something important in these fast paced, generic days but your builds always rekindle the flame of fondness for those days. I never grow weary of looking at your creations Steve. You are an inspiration to us all on this board.

I've stared at that last picture for so long that my eyes are watering - between that and the saliva that dripped onto my leyboard, I've had to change the keyboard out.. ohhhh I want a couple of those long boxes so bad that I can't see straight.....

There are convertible bodies on Ebay quite often and they are not really expensive. I bought a very nice, clean unmolested one recently for well under $20.00 including shipping and I see them sell for under that amount often. I'll watch for the rest of the parts to put a model together and if you want to take your time and watch, this can be done reasonably.

I have been told different things by different people about shelf life of paint. Some say it has a life span but I've used left over urethanes and enames from when i was painting 1:1 cars that was ten years oold or more and jhonestly, I never had any problems. Again, with freezing, some guys insist that freezing will ruin enamels and urethanes but I have also used paint that I know sat in below freezing temperatures with no adverse effects. The secret is I believe, that virgin paint willlast a long time if the cans are sealed. It's always a good idea when a can of paint that has been opened and resealed sits, to turn the can upside down andthen right side up periodically as it does not allow a film to form on the top of the paint as it sits in the can. The newer water based paints which many body shops are finally realizing and admitting is BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH for the most part would of course not take to cold temperatures very well. Latex ( water based ) house paint becomes instant garbage if it freezes, I do know that much. Oil based house paints do not seem to be bothered although it is best to keep it warm. I am not a professional painter but I did paint here at home for over 15 years and I still have lots of part cans of paint to draw from for model building.

I can't say as I have ever seen one with a white interior aside from a white inset painted on the door panels in the Custom Cab models. They were usually the colour light gold/brown which, when it is clean and shined up, actually is quite pretty as far as I am concerned. That colour goes with any body colour and the seat vinyl was also a gold/brown colour. There was not a lot for options on those trucks but they were still one of the prettiest trucks GM ever produced.