Mr. Metallic

Here's my advice as far as the body work. I am no expert, but feel I get pretty decent results. I only use Tamiya filler for slight imperfections (less that a fingernail scratch) Tamiya filler tends to shrink for anything deeper than that unless it sits for a very long time. For anything deeper I use Dolphin Glaze (equivalent to Evercoat or 2 part Bondo). Using the plastic/solvent glue method can work but you have to be absolutely sure the glue is done curing or it will ghost. My practice anymore is to get all the bodywork done and then do the entire body with one coat of fine Tamiya primer. Then proceed to color. Others may have different experiences, but this is what works for me.

My understanding of the origin of the Box Stock class, and I could be wrong, is not throwback models. It was a response to the explosion of aftermarket companies in the 80's tat continued to expand in the 90's, and the perception that simply throwing a bunch of that stuff at a build automatically equaled trophy worthy. Box Stock was then created to showcase technique over dollars spent.

for some reason i can't see the pics. Anyone else?

This is off to a great start. That engine is wild. Is it a replica of a real slant 8 or a flight of fancy?

You were right with your earlier observation that the AMT body is shorter through the cowl than the Revell. That is an issue with all AMT 32 Ford bodies. However, it can be made to work to ones advantage if you want the look of a slightly sectioned car, which is what you have achieved here. This side profile is niiiiice!

Welcome back Jay. I've seen you back on the socials, good to see your attention turned back to this build.

I've recently become intrigued by this kit. Is this version the only one that came with the full clear(non-tinted) roof insert? I know another version came with an orange tinted roof, and the version I have from the SSP series in the 90's has just a sunroof.

Ambitious project you have going here simply because you started with the Revell 56 pickup, a tough customer for sure. But the improvements you are making look great.

I know this thread is older Jim, but I'm hoping you were able to continue on with it. @OldNYJim

Are you going to use the blue glass? I think when i get around to mine I will use either Tamiya pearl blue or pearl white with the blue glass. If not going with the blue glass I would lean towards green

Elliot, I love what you're doing with this. I recently developed a fascination with this line of AMT AWB's. I think I have all of them now in one form or another. I wish they would bring back the Tempest again, this time with the tire upgrades and tinted glass like they've added to the others. I'll be following along with this build as a template for improvements to make. It makes it look better while still retaining the soul of the original kit. note on the collectors. i love your solution. My understanding is there used to be a part for this n the kits but they deleted it for some reason? 🤷‍♂️

Any further progress on this one? I always enjoy your fabrication work, so clean. I do have concerns about the location of the seat though. Not much legroom left in that already cramped interior.

Jealous that you've gotten to start this. I had an idea for the same thing pop into my head last year and bought a bunch of parts from 3D Scale Parts when they had their black friday sale. Who knows when I'll eer get to it, but I've got the parts at least. By the way, when you have STS make decals, do you have to provide the artwork, or do they do that too?

@Rocking Rodney Rat you out there my friend?

I've often thought of doing the same thing because I love the lines of the Laguna. Looks good so far.

The Revell 37 Ford pickup (and delivery) has some really nice artillery style wheels. There are lots of kits floating around out there that have stock flatheads in them. That same 37 pickup kit has a really nice one.

I went and was kinda disappointed. The sheer volume of kits was overwhelming (stacked floor to ceiling, several aisles wide and deep) but mostly very common older stock at full retail or higher. Like stuff that would struggle to sell for 1/2 what they have t marked at any any Chicagoland swap meet. Not many new kits, or supplies. Staff was very friendly.

I love your builds, so I know this one is in good hands. I will share one thing to look out for, not sure if any other builders have experienced this with this kit, but I do know of a couple in other collections of friends with the same issue. I built this kit when it first came out, and I noticed the last time I was moving that when I went to pack it up that the rear tires had split across the tread. Knowing your ability to 3D print things I was thinking you might want to make your own tires, since the wheels are awesome. That way you don't have to worry about the tires down the road (no pun intended)

I might have to check this one out. Looks like they have a ton of stuff in the pictures.

I see what you did there 😆

So very glad to se you back on this one and giving it the proper attention it has been waiting for. Love it!

Well, the actual Blue Beetle was only molded in 2 colors, a grey/blue and a bright blue. Then the tooling was changed to make the Tom Daniel designed Boss-A-Bone kit that was molded in red. Then the tooling was changed yet again in the 70's to make more of a street rod type. It's gone through minor revisions over the years until about 10 years ago when Revell retooled a bunch of the Blue Beetle parts and released it as the Blue Bandito.

When i saw they brought back the long roof for the Jeepster it piqued my interest, even though I have one with my older issue Jeepster already, and a MounT N Goat, but that boxart pushed me into I NEED IT territory. hopefully there's a cool decal sheet included too. And man, i never thought I would want another Xtreme pickup kit, but the revisions they've made and the sweet decal sheet might just make me get one if it hits HL. Anyone else think this is dying for an LS swap?

Trust me, I'm not a fan of undoing work that I felt was complete, it just strips any joy out of the project. So I understand your aversion to making the change. Thankfully it went pretty smoothly and the results look great.

Looking good. Glad you took the extra step with the lowering and fender mods. it was worth it.