VW Dave

I'm a sucker for E-body Mopars, and that was easily one of my favorite models at the NNL East....I'm sure my Charger lurking in the background made the 'Cuda look even nicer

Nothing personal anybody, but I'd be leery of the clean-up after putting Vaseline or cooking oil on a model......even if it's a car getting a flat finish, contamination could be a real issue.

WOWZA!! Gotta say I'm more than a little stunned by that model, I've heard of it but never seen one in person(I have the 'stock' version). I'm sure somebody thought it was a good idea to market it, and somebody out there wants it for their collection, but nobody at my house. IMO the swastika makes the rebel flag look like child's play. I was going to say you really need to do more homework before posting, but why change your M.O. now? Ferdinand Porsche designed the Beetle, and the KDF('Strength Through Joy') philosophy was his; the initial plan was to call the little car the KDF-wagen. The German government, with Hitler as chancellor, provided the financial backing that was needed to make Porsche's little car a reality. Hitler's government instituted a savings book plan, promising that everyone could afford their own car.....the "peoples' car," as they renamed it.....strangely enough, nobody ever received one.

I voted 'real' on this one, but I'd love to have it regardless of scale.

'How much to spend?' is a very subjective question IMO; it cannot be answered in an easy fashion, as each model brings challenges and special needs to the bench. More money doesn't automatically make a better model. My philosophy, if I had one, would probably be: spend what you need to in order to build what makes you happy. As a rule I try not to think about how much my hobby costs me per model, as it could be very depressing.....I do have a couple of examples that spring to mind, now that I'm on the subject: I have an original AMT Meyers Manx that I bought off Ebay a couple of years ago, and it is the most expensive unbuilt kit I've ever purchased: 75 beans . I've also spent at least 30 more on paint to test for accuracy; matching the 40-year old metalflake gelcoat finish on my 1:1 original Manx is no easy task. If it weren't for the fact that I'm using it to build a replica of my Manx, I would not have laid out that much green. I'm backdating a pair of Hasegawa/Revell VW Bus models(a '67 and a '63) to the '50-54 'Barndoor' era; Between 4 or 5 Bus kits, 2 PL 'Herbie' kits, a Hasegawa Kübelwagen, a Bus reference book, supplies and some 'horse trading' for resin parts, I've got over $200 in the lot.....and there's no paint on anything yet. It's easy for me to justify the Bus and Manx money in several ways - in both cases the 'investment' will ultimately be spread out over a few years, and my finished models will be unlike anyone else's.

Wax paper might work as well, and almost every kitchen has it. I've had good results with it when I'm gluing stuff with epoxy, and I don't want the epoxy to go certain places. I used it to protect my spare Beetle body from drips when I epoxied the roof rack pieces together: I also used wax paper to keep Squadron putty out of the seam on my diecast Falcon's boot lid, kinda like masons use forms for pouring concrete, and it peeled right off the dried putty after a few days:

Light gunmetal would make the low-profile street racer look for sure, but I'm a sucker for lemon twist E-bodies

Yes, the lights are different between '68 and '69. '68: '69:

If you'd still like to do it, drop me a line first. I've got lots of good reference material, and a bunch of fuzzy seat material left over as well

You took the words right out of my mouse, Tom.....they can't land at my LHS soon enough IMO.

I hear you there...I'm not big on building within time limits either. Would if I could, but I'm content just to share a few done 'beaters.' It's obvious I like 'em dirty too. (photo location courtesy Ken Hamilton) Three of the above models are slated to be part of a junkyard scene on my buddy's G-gauge railroad layout, and the Charger will likely make a 'guest appearance' as well.

I made one small order from Chuck about 5 years ago, and he treated me like I was his only customer....in customer service, that's crucial. I don't use too many resin parts, but I will not hesitate to deal with him again.

Real, no doubt.

Can't say why, but I'm gonna say 'model' this time....it does appear to be pretty big too.

I've been to the NNL East enough times to offer my take on it: The fact that the 3 theme class awards are given on the basis of participant balloting, it really isn't a 'contest' per se. There is no strict judging criteria, no point tallies, and folks simply pick the model they like; not an attractive forum for trophy hounds to strut around in, if you ask me. Our VW club's annual show was run the very same way for 12 years, and every year we heard from participants that it was a very nice way to run a show. The Joe Cavorley memorial award is selected by the TSMCC in Joe's honor; he built amazing weathered vehicles, mostly municipal trucks, and the club selects the one vehicle that Joe would have appreciated the most....far from a 'contest' there as well. IMO having SA select 2 of my models for pictures beats any trophy I could have brought home.

It's good to hear you got home safe, and also hope your back feels better soon Lyle; it was great as always to meet up with you and the missus. Thanks for sharing those pics.

Great models, great pics, and I had a blast meeting you at the show; thanks for sharing, Gary.

I agree with you guys, it was a fantastic event....and I'm still kinda reeling from it all, but very happy to have been a part of it. John couldn't have said it better: while having models on the table is a nice part of the NNL, most of my time is usually spent meeting new faces and catching up with ones I have met in previous years - hard to believe it's been about 21 years since me and the Glue Crue first hooked up, no? So much has changed since then, yet so much has stayed the same.

I got home about 3 hours ago, and my head is still spinning. I had the chance to put faces with many of the names I already knew, and visit with old friends as well; The TSMCC puts on one helluva show. Here's a couple of my favorite pics.....yeah, I like 'em dirty alright: And the whole album is here: NNL EAST 2008

I concur, another top-shelf event put on by a great group; the TSMCC has cause to be proud of themselves tonight.

I'd love to have it either way, but I voted 'model.'

As stated in an earlier reply, the method varies with the individual subject; many roofs are narrower at the top, and a little stretching & gap filling needs to be done - thanks for the 'before & after' deuce pics, Harry - but some early cars lend themselves well to a straightforward chop. I took about 6 scale inches out of an old Monogram model A coupe, using pinstripe tape to mark my lines and cutting with a thin cutoff wheel in my trusty Dremel. To ensure easy-to-fill joints I sanded the cut surfaces on a sheet of sandpaper placed face-up on a flat surface(my garage countertop). Here is the body with the newly-cut top just sitting on it; no glue had been added at this point: After a little glue, bodywork and mild weathering:

I gotta say it.....that's pure comedy right there. I'm halfway between 'youngster' and 'old fart,' but I won't be participating anyway because I have nothing to prove, and having such a challenge can only serve to deepen the rift you seem to want between the older and younger builders. This is likely the only lowrider model I'll ever build, which is fine with me. Keep this in mind for future reference: For a real challenge, have all who choose to enter build outside of their normal genre. As a builder who pretty much only builds lowriders, and hardly anyone else here does, it seems only fitting that you should 'level the playing field' by reaching outside the comfort zone of all involved.....or you can just stand on a stack of Lowrider back issues and continue hollering "I'm the king of the world" to the one or two who will listen. I'm done with this topic now.

I don't recall ALL the 'old folk' throwing stones like you say....stop generalizing and grow up.

Count me in as another Q-Tip fan; they are my preferred burnishing tool. I do, however, use them very little before tossing & replacing them because they tend to leave fuzz behind once they get softened up. A fresh #11 is another thing I agree with 100%. Use a fresh blade each time, and it's easier to avoid the dreaded blade 'chatter' and serrated-looking edges.