impcon

Maybe this something that some of us could request of the resin casting industry. I honestly think that a lot of items that would sell were they available are not being made because most guys will have a project in mind, look for the needed conversion or add on parts, not see them and just move on and settle for second best which is just using what is available. They sold a whack of the '60 - 66 Chev trucks in 1:1 and what kits have been available have only been offered as short box models - and not everyone just wants a short box. In real life, I like a '58/9 Chevy short box because they are cute and look so good. But for versatility and general purpose use, a long, wide box is usually much better suited simply because they can haul more and they also usually have a better ride than a short wheel base. I suggest that what is at least sometimes overlooked and forgotten is that the same box was used from 1960 thru 1966 on both Chevy and GMC pickups although GMC models are a real oddity in scale. I'd likely buy several resin fleetside boxes if they were available and being as how they are out there in styrene so there is already a patern with very little modification needed aside from cutting an original SMP bed floor away from the cab, it should be a relatively easy and cost efficient project. Just something to maybe consider....

Good point about the unavailability of a proper fleetside long box conversion, Casey. I too have oondered why Modelhaus or another quality resin caster has never offered a long wide bed box conversion of what really are nice kits if you want toinclude the Revel step side trucks. Lenthening the frame on this is not difficult, but creating a proper and correct box is a challenge for many inexperienced builders or guy who just do not wish to tackle such a job. I managed to buy a curious combination built up off Ebay that is at least part promo of a '64 - 66 long bed fleetside Chevy. the cab has had some things done to it - not sure why because it has the stock look, but I am not changing a thing on it. I can send you some photos if you want but I will have to retake them as my computer had a major happening and I seem to have lost everything on theh ard drive - almost 500 gigs worth of pictures, music and documents. It may take me a day or two to get some photos but I will do it for you if you wish.

Funny that you mention the Sony Mavica 83. That was our first digital camera as well and living here in Canada of course means that most things are over inflated in price. Our camera cost us 50% more than you paid for yours - $1200.00. We were starting to sell used car parts on Ebay and it was the ideal camera and we still have it and it still works well today. Today, you can buy that same Camera well under thirty dollars on Ebay and I have even seen new, unused ones on there. We bought a newer Mavica that takes video as well and uses a memory chip off Ebay a few years back for well under $100.00 because XP would destroy the information on a floppy disc and I learned that it wasn't our computer - it was Microsoft's way of "encouraging" people to move away from the floppies. We have an old beater computer that still has Windows 95 on it and it reads floppies that have photos on them that are fifteen years old flawlessly. The chip is a better deal, no question about it though. A scanner and a printer will be on my wish list in the next couple of years but I am going to wait and not rush right out and buy anything right now. I see some uses for one both in my shop and for models and I am sure that we would all use one a lot more once we had it than we think that we would. I lived for most of my life without a hydraulic press and got along and than I bought a 50 ton unit that was almost brand new and it is surprising how handy it is to have and what I do now that before, I'd have had to pay to have done or just couldn't do. As the materials with which to create things improves as it will surely do, and the price of machines and materials continues to become more within reach, so to will possible reasons to own these devices just for simple home repairs and for hobby use. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to create for instance, a replica of your first car specific to make, model, body style and year? Or just a unique part that is now only available from casters of dubious reputation? Just as our cameras that we bought have fallen so quickly by the wayside as far as technology and quality - and price - go, so to will these machines except I am going to go out on a limb here and suggest that the advances will be faster and change will happen at an increasingly fast rate even past what we can imagine today. With the ability to produce almost anything from nothing, this technology is going to change life on a huge scale as the new opportunities for the criminal element are huge. I can almost see where this will render cloning living things as a waste of time one day given the medical advancement that are out there already. It's exciting - but somewhat frightening at the same time.

Interesting - no - fascinating thread and viewing! I have not seen anywhere however where anyone has wondered about or considered the technology that is currently being used and tested behind closed doors that is far advanced over what we see and hear about. At risk of sounding like a conspiracy nut, I'd be willing to bet that the likes of NASA, the military and some government agencies have been experimenting and using this technology for a lot longer than the general public has known about it and is lightyears ahead of what we are offered. I think that as with many new and wonderful things that we enjoy in this world, we, as just common people owe many modern "conveniences" and "gadgets" to R&D that is funded by the tax payers. Does anyone wonder what the developers of this technology may well be producing quietly under government contracts in the name of national security? What we get are the outdated, watered down trickles of years of top secret development done in the name of the space program, military intelligence and surveillance and who knows what else but to us, it is all new and wonderful. Things like this with the capabilities that we are just becoming aware of and being informed of are usually a lot further along in development somewhere than we are ever made aware of until they are basically obsolete to the powers that be. Below are just three links to things that once were or bordered on being science fiction but are now ordinary everyday items that we just take for granted. The lists are much longer than the items listed on these linked sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off_technologies http://radaronline.com/photos/13-mainstream-products-originally-invented-for-space-travel/photo/109384/#/photos/13-mainstream-products-originally-invented-for-space-travel/photo/109481/?&_suid=139383116868409040974973164763 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_invention Remember when VCR's cost in excess of $1,000.00? I well recall when a good friend who was and still into electronics and computers bought his first one in the '70's and it cost at that time, as I recall, around $1200.00? Today, you can buy then new off the shelf for under $50.00 at Walmart. Microwaves? Our first new one was in the area of the same amount. Today - you can buy a good one for for a fraction of that. Computers? I started working at a sawmill in 1972 and the only real computer on the site at that time was huge - measuring close to 8' high and almost 10' across. Within a few short years, it was replaced with a simple desk top PC that did more and did it more efficiently. Our first home PC had a 2 gig hard drive!!!! And Windows 95!!! Today, that is a joke. The 3D printer will, I believe, result in more changes than many would care to imagine possible in the not too distant future. As technology advances, it advances faster because of new developments - kind of like a snow ball rolling down a hill. Just as not that many years ago, few people would have imagined that almost every home in North America would not just have a computer in it, but that communicating and sharing just as we are doing even as you read this - to many - it was unimaginable or economically unattainable. I have little trouble envisioning how these devices will benefit the modeler's hobby and make possible things that today seem unlikely at best. Even if a good scanner and printer is too expensive for the average person, at the very least, this should enable kit manufacturers to make models more proportionately accurate and detailed rather than have window openings, wheel wells, and/or roof and body lines that are out of proportion or place. While I am not really a perfectionist and I am grateful for new releases and products, I am often disappointed by how glaringly wrong some features sometimes are - for example, the "Christine" Plymouth with it's body issues. Some kits are fine but others...??? This should also give the resin industry a boost as well as it will be easier to produce a new model from which to be able to make new and replacement molds. Whether it will change the current actual methods of producing styrene and resin products remains to be seen, but it should give the manufacturers a better starting point to work with. Maybe I'll finally be able to one day be able to have that accurate 1/25 '59 Chevy Brookwood four door wagon that I have wanted for so long printed and become a reality. Whether change and new technology is better is a matter of personal perspective but as far as model cars and trucks go, this is something that I find exciting and welcome and look forward as to what the future holds. This has, I believe, the ability to change the hobby in many good ways just as it will change other things in life for the better. there is always a downside and there will be those who will abuse it, but let's try to be optimistic and look for good things that come from this without counting rivets and splitting hairs over details. Time alone will be the judge as to how this affects us all. I am not being paranoid or delusional here but just putting forth my own thoughts for consideration. That's just my opinion anyways.

How fortunate you are to have these priceless little models in your possession and it is SO refreshing to read your words - "Just to be clear, I have no intention of selling these and am not interested in their monetary value. I'm just curious to have more info on them. For now I'm going to leave them exactly as-is. As they say, it's only original once! It is very tempting to do something with them, though...". In a day and a world where the dollar is king and all that matters on what seems to be a growing scale, it's music to my ears to hear someone who cares about something simply because it is what it is. "It is very tempting to do something with them, though...". I think that what you are doing with the models is exactly what should be done to them and what they deserve - simply to be preserved as your dad or uncle created them. Each one of those cars is a part of who ever built it and once you change anything - you begin to erase it's true value - not in a monetary sense, but in a way that is far deeper, meaningful and I believe, respectful. Your dad is still alive and you treasure these - but you can't begin to imagine how once he is no longer with you, how to "value" of them will increase dramatically. Untouched, they will remain a part of him or your uncle - because it was his hands that built them and he put a part of himself into each one. Each one is a product of his dreams, his vision, his imagination and more importantly, of his mind and soul. These are precious beyond dollars and once gone or changed, given with how you feel about them at this moment, the time will come when you will regret your actions. If you have children, these are no different than passing on a family heirloom except that these were actually created by your father - your children's grandfather. inheriting a watch or a book or some object is significant, but when that item is the only one that ever has or will ever exist exactly as it sits at this moment - there is no value that can be attached to it. By "one of a kind", I mean that no where out there exists or ever will exist the little cars that were built by your father. They are truly unique and no matter what they are made of or how much someone says that they are or are not worth, they are a part of your family history in a small, but particularly meaningful and special way. On a much larger scale, I have tucked away in my shop, what was given to me for my twenty first birthday by my parents. It will never be sold and will pass onto my middle son who may do what he wishes with it, but it will never leave my possession unless it is destroyed somehow. It's a Snowcrest White '59 Impala convertible and to me, because it was a gift from my parents who are no longer alive, despite having refused offers to buy it, I still own it. Some may say that it would be better in the hands of someone else, but it is warm and dry and safe where it is and I did at one time consider selling it when we were facing huge mortgage payments and it seemed there was no where else to turn for financial relief. We made it through, we still have our home and it is paid for and I have no seller's remorse. I have the option of doing something with it or just keeping it safe and dry. Options are much sweeter than regrets. Maybe I am just a sentimental old fool, but life has taught me some harsh lessons, one of which is how important some things can and should be in life and how some things can be bought again, but they can never truly be replaced. Were I in your place, I'd put them as together as I could with what you have and make a safe place to place them and store them where they can be enjoyed by all such as a nice, wall mounted display case with locking glass doors and you will one day be able to open that case and touch a part of your dad which once altered, will lose it's uniqueness. If there is a tail light or an engine missing, then that would only make it more genuine and intimate, IMHO. I'd change nothing. But that's just me. I am happy for you that you have found these and happy that they will be treasured and preserved for future generations in your family. Will your children appreciate them as you do? Only if you instill in them and teach them the true meaning of the words priceless and value beyond what money can buy.

Thanks for posting that. I am going to see if I can download some of those. I have "Thunder Road ( just love that sweet looking little '57 Ford that Mitchum drives.. ) and "The Lively Set" on my hard drive - you just gotta love those old rods - especially the W head powered one driven by James Darrin! I really like seeing the cars in the background of these movies. That was back when building a hot rod took imagination, skill and ingenuity unlike the check book rods that are built today using manufactured components and lots of money. However, they forgot a few such as "It Started With a Kiss" Starring Glenn Ford, Debbie Reynolds and the main star - the Lincoln Futura - the car that would become the Batmobile for the '60's TV series. I've been searching for a download of that movie for some time but so far, no joy.

You've done a VERY nice job on your build and that just HAS to be a show winner! I like emergency vehicles - especially old police cars! Yours looks fantastic and you have obviously put a lot of time and effort into the project - well done!!AAAAA+++++ Speaking from personal experience, Tom Coolidge's resin products are second to none when it comes to quality and Tom is a true gentleman and a prince of a person to deal with. The fact that the resin is polished with no real prep work done to it should speak volumes about Promolite models. Tom doesn't seem to get the recognition that he deserves IMHO and while there are other good casters, I'd personally place Promolite at the top of the list for speedy delivery, excellent service and a top grade product that takes second place to no one. The quality of the casting and detail and the excellent chrome work makes Tom's products worthwhile and while you can buy cheaper resin kits, his are still a good value for your money. I have to say that the detail on this kit is on par with any styrene kit that I have ever seen. I have this kit as well as his '60 Chevy Nomad wagon kit although life keeps getting in the way of me building them. But I can certainly vouch for the quality of the product and the man. I'd never hesitate for a second to buy any Promolite product or recoment Promolite products to anyone..

It's too bad that the kit manufacturers are so hung up on 4x4 short box trucks, big block cars and hardtops and to a much lesser extent, convertibles. A sedan with a six cylinder is always a very welcome diversion from the usual builds IMHO. Every manufacturer of 1:1 automobiles made long box, two wheel drive trucks, panels, sedan deliveries, sedans and wagons, Yet you seldom see kits of those subjects. I know that it is all about profit but it would be nice to see some really unusual stuff released. The recent '57 Ford Custom and the Kaiser from Mobius are examples of how popular something unique can prove to be - sometimes simply because it is unique and different from the usual, mundane offerings that are on the shelves of hobby shops. Having said that, the kit manufacturers do seem to be starting a bit to "think outside the box" and there is some good stuff coming. The Ford pickups that are soon to be released are an example - I just hope that they aren't all short box trucks. But then I guess that's what will make your conversion stand out from the crowd - because in the world of styrene and resin, you are building something that will be in the small minority. Good for you! It's looking good and I am sure that this will just look better and better as the project goes on.

you could try is gluing the window in to be used as filler... then putty over it ( because with out some kind of backing and if it's too thick it will shrink too much and crack.. ) Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I guess that it's been a long day - or life Problem solved. Than you for the suggestion. I'd still like to get a resin three window cab though.

Thanks guys. I am positive that someone was selling a three window stock roof height cab. My builds are usually factory stock and I am not into the chopped look at all. The only possible exception that comes to mind at the moment may be a 49/50 Mercury. I kind of like the corner windows but my project is a replica of a Chevy truck that my dad had when I was a kid and it was a three window. If I have to fill in those windows, I may try using automotive two part glaze putty as it's easy to sand and I can maybe build the filler enough over several light coats to actually get rid of those windows. I do have a plan but I'd just rather not do it that way.

Hi all! Does anyone know of a resin caster who produces a standard el cheapo model 1948 - 53 Chevy pickup cab? I want one without the corner windows and rather than patch them up on a cab that I have, I'd just as soon just buy an already converted resin cab. Also, is there a '54 or early '55 cab available in a Chev or GMC? And finally, does anyone produce a GMC grille for a 48 - early '55 pickup? Thanks.

Quite frankly, I think that somewhere out there, there are resin casters who could produce this car and by not doing so, they are losing out a possibly profitable deal. i think that the car would sell simply because some people like four doors and stuff that is different plus there are the modelers who enjoy the show and admire the car. My youngest son usually isn't too crazy about big cars but he sure does like that black Impala as do I. As for converting a two door, I have neither the talent or the time to tackle a project like that as from what i have seen, it requires a lot of cutting and sectioning. I'd be happy to buy a couple of the models - one for my son and one for myself and if the price wasn't to outlandish, I;d probably get a couple for myself. Maybe some enterprising caster should post some surveys on some of the model car forum sites and just see whatthe response is. This is just an honest suggestion - nothing more.

Two VERY nice builds that are close to my heart as we drive a '92 Custom F150 4x4 as our daily pickup. I just bought a promo that I am thinking of converting to a 4x4 and painting it the same sickening, disgusting maroon that ours is. It's been a fantastic, trouble free truck for the three years that we have owned it and aside from a water pump, an O2 sensor ( that it did not need ) oil and lube, it has not cost us a dime. I really dislike the truck but that is mostly because of the color which I wish was the Electric red instead of the dung color that it is. It drives super nice with a 300 six and a five speed but I still do not have any attachment to it - which is not like me at all. I usually bond with my vehicle as I love older cars and trucks but some times this just doesn't seem to happen. Our '89 crown Vic on the other hand has really growwn on me and it too has been virtually problem free over almost a four year period. Ii REALLY like the color combinations on both trucks shown and admire the skill and workmanship. Nice job guys.. AAAA++++

Now this is so cool!!! I never cease to marvel at the projects that you guys take on and how good they turn out! This will be an awesome model - definitely something to be proud of based on what you have done so far. Nice work and I am sure that this thread will have a large following!

This is most interesting! Vans are probably the most taken for granted, unnoticed and unappreciated vehicles on the road and so little tribute is paid to them. Your build is definitely one of a kind and an ambitious undertaking. I'll be watching your progress with great interest. It's looking pretty good so far - keep up the good work and hold to the faith brother!!

You did a marvelous job on these builds! it goes to show that while many people complain about Flintstone resins, they have a lot of potential. I especially like the '58! Judging by the blacked out windows, I am assuming that you built this as a curbside without engine or interior. Is that right? i have one of Jimmy's 58's too that I want to build as a delivery car. I am pretty pleased with the product, especially given the price of it! The casting on the one that I have is a bit thick, but it is VERY clean and devoid of pinholes or thin spots like some resins that I have bought from other less known casters.I realy like the color on the '58 - it looks really good on that car. The other builds are equally as nice - I just happen to prefer the '58 as a matter of personal choice.

There are a few sets on Ebay such as the ones from seller dixieland89. it would be nice if the wheels came with tires, but I got a set from a guy in Quebec a year or so ago that I was quite pleased with. The Ford, Dodge and GM duals were all the same wheel back then except that some pre-'67 Fords and Dodges had six lug wheels where as GM was eight lug. The GM and Ford wheels differed only in the size of the center hole which was ever so slight. I believe that the difference ( if memory serves me right ) was that the Ford wheels had a center hole about 1/8" or maybe ever so slightly larger but in 1/24 or 1/25 scale there would of course be no difference. the actual style of the wheels was the same for many years though. You have a pm. .

I am just wondering what you guys think is the limit to spend when building a model car or light truck? For guys that build big rigs, I ask the same, but please specify what type of model you are referring to. And dioramas - that's a whole different kind of build but let's look at those as well. I know that a diorama can be years in completing and I am not so sure that there is never room for improvement or that one more detail just to add realism. Have you ever gotten into a project and gone far past where you intended to as far as spending goes? Sometimes, it is hard to resist adding those extra little details, but it's more often than not, the little things and details that really make a model outstanding. As with painting a real 1:1 vehicle, nice paint can only look so good, but it is when you start doing the little extras that a project really begins to stand out from the crowd. I know that with building just a model car or pickup, it is not at all impossible to spend in excess of a hundred dollars on one including the price of the kit and shipping if you buy on line. Then you may need another kit to serve as a donor for interior parts or engine parts or wheels, etc. that your parts box doesn't have. Add the paint and other detailing items and this can be a very gratifying but somewhat expensive hobby unless you build right out of the box and leave it at that. These are questions that I am sure some of us wonder when we look at many if not most of the builds on the forums. Inquiring minds want to know....

I do like this one and it does look good!!! You really did a good job on the wrecker deck itself and the assortment of "stuff" laying on the deck really adds realism. I like the simple paint - just like an old work horse and the weathering is very tasteful and not at all over done. it's much better than i could do, I will say that. if I may make one suggestion - and I seldom ever do this - but if you were to change the wheels out for some actual one ton wheels ( front and rear ), it would look so much more real. this is just a suggestion - not a condemnation and I am not criticizing at all. I've owned a few of this style of truck over the years including a '66 GMC one ton and I think that the 16" bud style wheels really add a touch of class to these trucks. Mine had stock racks on it and I used it for hauling all manner of stuff from wood chips to gravel and firewood and - well - what ever. But back to your build - VERY nice and it is obviously a labor of love. AAAA++++

We have an '80 Cougar and we bought our eldest son a VERY clean, totally solid '79 Thunderbird for his graduation present. he still has the car but he doesn't drive it because he lives in town and he is afraid that someone may damage it sitting on the street. It's stored at his girl friend's parents farm. These little Birds and Cougars are a forgotten car but ours was very reliable, comfortable and cheap to run. It's nice to see one of these being preserved. Good for you and congratulations.

I would think that a hearse or ambulance would have used a sedan/El Camino/wagon/sedan delivery windshield. I considered trying to lengthen a '59 El Camino body and sectioning and shrinking an Ecto 1 roof to fit the much smaller Chev body. It seemed beyond my mere skills, so I abandoned that dream. here's a photo that I pulled from a German ad for hearses of that year.. below that is a pretty good all around set of photos depicting a '59 ambulance which would essentially likely be similar to a hearse. I wonder how many of these made their way to Germany? I know that they did build some ambulance/hearse bodies on the Chevy platform, but somehow, I think that there were not many made. I really despise this thumbnail sized pictures thing but the photos will enlarge if you click on them.

That's beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice and clean and realistic! WOW!!! I just sat gere staring atthe photos for...?? awhile! The graphicson the cabinet doors are subtle but add a look of realism! Thanks for posting.AAAA++++

This is without a doubt, the most realistic "rust and age" weathering that I have ever seen! Most guys go 'way overboard with the rust and while that looks cool, your truck is rusted where these trucks really do rust and it looks totally believable. Between the rust and the dents and aging, the pictures could almost pass for real and in fact, at first glance, I did think that it was a real truck. I've been around these vehicles for much of my life and I have seen rust and yours is pretty much bang on as far as bad rust out areas on these trucks go. As with any vehicle, they have their weakness's. The color of the truck looks like an actual factory color and it is actually my favorite color on the mid sixties Chev and GMC trucks. Add to that the other awesome attention to detail and the clear show of talent and imagination and this just has to be a show winner!!! A VERY interesting post and one that I will be coming back to look at over and over. Thank you for sharing.

VERY nice!!!!! The color is so sweet and that little thing looks really cool! The whitewalls really stand out and make the model! Nice build!!!

You are right in that it is a '67.. but I would love to have one of those even with the hump. Honestly, I never knew that anyone did a '67 ranchero! The builds look great and I'd give either or both of them a home without second thought in a hurry if they were available.