Mr. Metallic

This is strictly my opinion. Basically, if Wal Mart isn't interested, they aren't either. After the lackluster sales of the Pro-Modeller and Pro-Shop series of kits in the late 90's they have kind of pulled away from the "enthusiast" market. For now they are content to let the Model Kings and Stevens Internationals of the world do their limited runs. A couple of those limited runs have even prompted R/M and AMT to do their own runs of the kits, so there is a faint glimmer of hope. Hopefully one day they will realize the enthusiast market is still viable and will tap into it

Now that I see how easy it is I might try it myself. Why am I picturing it with big wood panels running down the sides, and maybe a straight roof instead of the taper? Your looks great so far!

You got it mostly right. It's a phantom vickie body with an narrowed and shortened AMT '55 Nomad roof. It also has the cowl and windsheild from a revell '32 speedwagon. Will have a slightly modernized straight 6 for power. Once I'm finished moving I hope to get back to this one, and many others.

What's the engine?

Both look great. Nice solution on the delivery. I was going to try something similar, but do a pickup instead. Good to know the parts swap out well, despite the Vampire Van modifications to the tooling. I wish they would re-issue the roadster. Here's one I started awhile back, need to get back to it once I finish moving.

I like that car alot. i've been thinking about buying that kit, and it was well reviewed in the magazines. Are there any problems with assembly?(I expect not since it is Tamiya)

Nice build, Matt. can't wait to get my hands on one of these kits!

Cool concept, nice bodywork.

The roof on that green rod is very cool. Thanks for the pics!

I knew they'de be GM, based on their contract with Indy, but was just wondering if they would do any in a similar color scheme like they used to. I remember a C1500 pickup done in the same colors as the Camaro pace car in the early 90's. Just wondered if they still do stuff like that

I was going to skip out on the Charger, but your build looks so good I'll have to get one now. I like the 1:1, from the front doors forward. I'm not against the 4 doors, just don't like the design from the rear doors back, except for the taillights. I'll be making mine a fastback...somehow I do have the STS, and if I can make mine look half as good as yours I'll be happy.

There area couple methods to heat the paint. 1)One is the saucepan, but do not heat it on a stove, use hot tapwater. Heating it using the stove will overheat and could cause an explosion. It happened once to a club member. Very messy, and dangerous 2) the mentioned dehdrator, it's a nice even temp. 3) I usually use an old coffee mug(unless it's a big can). i put hot tap water in it and let is sit for about 5 minutes. The size of the mug keeps it from tipping over, unlike the saucepan. Also, if you are doing a lot of spraying buy a cheap candle or coffee mug warmer. it's like a tiny hot plate, and keeps the water warm for long spray sessions. i bought mine at a flea market, but they can be had cheap at walmart, office supply and candle stores Using clear on multi color paintjobs is to prevent bleed thru under your masking medium. Before you spray your color coat spray a light coat of clear along the masking edge. this seals the enge and prevents the colored paint from getting under to the other color(It's easier to polish of clear overspray than color) Then proceed with you color coat. Hope these tips help

Best advice pertaining to the hobby i ever got was from Vince Lobosco. You might remember his Orange Yenko Camaro from the cover of Car Modeler #49, among many other fabulous builds(including last years NNL East winning Supra Tuner) He tought me to build for me, not to meet anyone else's standards. He then proceeded to take one of his award winning models and show me the flaws. He was happy with it, and that was all that mattered to him. Ever since then I build to my own standards, for my own enjoyment. The detail and accuracy level varies from project to project, but I build what makes me happy

If it has to be a GM product at least it's a Corvette, not an Aveo or something. Do they still do other support vehicles every year too?(can I hope for an HHR done in the same colors?) Anyway, looks as though the"light" bumps/head rests from the '98 Vette pace car would adapt well to make this conversion. Now we just need the decals. I miss Fred Cady already!

That copper framed chopper is awesome. A lot of craftsmanship going on there. Who is building it? Thanks for the pics Lyle

Nice work so far. Keep the updates coming!

By far the best straight six is in the Galaxie ltd 46-48 Chevy kits. http://public.fotki.com/crstan/galaxie_ltd_46-48/ There are lots of Chevy 6's out there, depending on what era you want. The AMT Chevies from '37, '51, 53 Vette, '60 pickup come to mind. From R/M how about their '41 chevy pickup, '53 Vette, '53 Sedan. Trumpeters '63 Novas have them. There are surely many more out there, but those are the ones that spring to mind. Monogram '53 Chevy Trumpeter '63 Nova Galaxie Ltd '48 Chevy

ScaleMotorsports are the best. Order online from their website!

Looking good. Are the intake trumpets the eyelets available at craft stores? I think I bought some to use for that application, so if that's what they are then I know they can look good now. Keep those updates coming. Deuce day is just over a month away!

I don't know if those are made by RC2, are they?

The handle bars are actually Evergreen styrene tubing. I inserted a matching diameter peice of brass rod into the tubing and then SLOWLY applied pressure to make the bend. Next time I think I will heat up the plastic so it bends better. I then driller bigger holes into the kit hand grips and inserted the new bars. Thanks for looking.

Yes, the rear fender is two aircraft canopies glued together. I went thru several different designs to solve my rear fender problem, and then it just kind of hit me. The color is Tamiya clear orange over white.

Not finished, you say? Where's the "tins"? Well, look closer! It's based on the Revell "Torch" hardtail frame. I lengthened the frame ahead of the engine and grafted in a beefier, more graceful backbone. To allow the curves of the new frame to show I decided to eliminate the typical "tins" from standard motorcycles by intigrating them into the frame to keep the overall design clean, hence "Simplicity". The gas tank was relocated to the space between the front downtubes. The oil tank is now located within the backbone. I scratchbuilt shorty exhaust pipes and other details to minimize distractions from the frame and driveline. And that's it. It is a pretty basic buildup of the excellent revell kit aside from the frame mods. As always, comments and questions are welcome, and feel free to drop by my Fotki site for more pics. http://public.fotki.com/crstan/finished_mo...licity-chopper/

Thanks for the review. I'l probably pick up one of these eventually on clearence down the road. I have sooo many of the others that I can wait. Hopefully Revell will announce something at Toy Fair(or whatever it's called now) next month. They've really created a great product with these, they don't stay on shelves long around here. Hopefully they won't rest on their laurels and throw some new parts at this tooling. I'm going to dream here a bit and wish for a hubless rear wheel, springer front end, wide tank... and maybe a carb?

Love the '32 Chevy. Wish they would reissue that one. Love the color, the stance and the details. Very nice!