Jordan White

You could build a regular Grand National, however the wheels would be wrong for it (along with the decals of course). Otherwise, everything GNX is an add-on part. I don't think the decal sheet is too different, other than the emblems (you wouldn't have to use the silver decals if the GN doesn't have them either).

Rest of white-molded parts trees: Biggest issue I've noticed is it appears that they took their Grand National kit and just added the decals, exterior parts, and torque-rod to make it a GNX. They missed the correct parts for the undercarriage, such as the correct exhaust with dual mufflers ahead of the axle (kit comes with single 2-in, 2-out muffler behind axle; instructions show incorrect exhaust for installation, but show correct exhaust for other steps), special crossmember for the axle torque-arm to attach to, along with the special GNX differential cover with attachment points for the torque-arm. Also, they don't show in the instructions, but the rear axle track bar is included (part number 100). Overall, it's a good quality kit with a good parts count and I look forward to building it.

Since nobody has done a review of the recently re-released Buick GNX kit, I figured I would take the opportunity to do so. Bog standard instruction sheet: Decal sheet with emblems, license plates, underhood decals, and decals for the silver portions of the interior: Body. Issues I've noticed are the sides of the front air dam are molded to the body (would have been better as a single separate piece), and the driver's side rear-quarter window is molded in slightly crooked. Plain sidewall tires (Goodyear Eagle VR50's originally). I was able to find a set with sidewall detail in my spare parts for my build. Clear parts, followed by red-molded tail lights. Chrome parts:

Sure you could call them "Chrysler Jeeps" and "GM Chevy/GM GMC". However, it would be similar to someone calling cotton swabs "Unilever Q-tips". People generally don't say the parent company, just the brand. (Dunno what post you're referring to, so I may be on the wrong page with what you're trying to say.)

They're actually Goodyear tires from a 1/24 diecast pickup.

Just used some square rod for the spring front mounts and made some shackles for the spring rear mounts. You can see how I did it in the chassis pic.

Just completed this build. I used the rollbar from the USA-1 kit, the flares are from the old GMC Jimmy kit, I added some slash cut exhaust tips, raised the suspension, wired the engine bay, and swapped in an auto trans. Oh yeah, I also grafted on the cowl induction scoop from the '70 Chevelle kit.

I have a different problem: I get bored on a build, so I move on to another. I then decide for the current build that I want a part from an unfinished build, so I take it. Then, when I go to do one of the unfinished builds, I have to figure out how to replace the part I took, which may mean taking from yet another unfinished build (or from an old build on my shelf).

Could it be a 'Vette wheel in the Cobalt?

Actually there is rumour that they may bring over the ute and wagon versions of the Holden that they're basing the SS off of.

Thing is though, look at the kits you older guys had to work with: they were practically equal to the basic kits found today. Screw-together body, metal axles, low parts numbers, simplified assembly procedures, all stuff that you would find on today's snap kits and basic builders. And yes, you guys did have to "tough it alone", however that's not the case today. What's wrong with sitting down with your kid and showing them the ropes? You don't have to do anything but simply make suggestions or show them the best way to do something. If they choose to not follow, well then it's up to them. But hey, I guess it simply is a generational matter in this thread.

In my opinion, for whatever age, giving them a glue kit to start is like getting someone into woodworking by telling them to make a table with some builder plans. Sure some may have the dexterity to do it correctly the first time around, but there are some that may think it's too complex and just give up. With a snap kit (or other basic builder kit), you at least let them get a feel for it. They can learn how to clean up mold lines, use the right amount of glue, and even learn how to create a good looking paint job. Then, their next kit could be a glue kit in which they could take the processes they've learned and apply them to the more advanced kit.

First time modeler? Go with a snap kit to start since it's easy to assemble and can be a good painting lesson for him. Do you know what sort of vehicles he's into?

Well since you just said "a 1970 Chevy", then I could counter with a factory LS6 Chevelle.

That's not an abomination... THIS is an abomination! (What's interesting is if you do a Google search for "studecamino", there's a whole slew of these things!)

On (I believe) every newer transmission, such as the 5LM60, the bellhousing is part of the transmission. On the older trans, the bellhousing was a separate unit. They would generally have the same bolt pattern however for the Chevy V8.

For reference SM465: 5LM60:

Transmission in the kit is actually the New Venture 5LM60 5-speed. Trans you added is the TH350, if you have any of the SS454 kits you could have used the trans out of that (4L80E, but close enough)

Hey now, I've seen plenty of guys at car shows prop open their trunks and hoods with toothpicks!

I'm using the one from the re-released Bronco kit. Oddly enough, even though the kits are different scales, the roof rack fits perfectly.

Well what is it you're looking to build?

I'm thinking it's more due to the fact that the kit manufacturers think that people want rolling tires on their plastic models.

A few things that haven't really been mentioned that I've noticed. 1) In the GMC Jimmy kit, the extra parts all represent Hickey parts available at the time (hood, grille guard, rear spare/fuel carrier). I'm building a version of the Jimmy that Hickey customized, called the Desert Fox (this one has an incorrect red grille guard, so it may have been pre-production). 2) The Jimmy kit did include a set of headers, along with a dual-intake air cleaner. 3) The wheel arch dimensions of the truck compared to the Blazer/Jimmy I believe to be different. This is based on the flares provided in the Jimmy kit; while they appear to fit the arches correctly on the box art, they are much too large for the truck wheel arches. In order to mount them, one would either have to cut out the fenders (which makes sense since the style is generally used to cover larger openings), or cut down the flares to fit the openings (I chose the latter, since it was easier to accomplish IMO). 4) Neither the Jimmy kit nor the GMC pickup kit come with stock-style steering wheels. The Jimmy comes with a nice "Grant GT-Series" style 4-spoke wheel, while the truck comes with a nice "Grant GT-Series" style 3-spoke wheel.

How slightly? Because I'm looking at the LMC Truck parts catalog, and they don't distinguish between 2WD and 4WD for the replacement bedsides. Besides, I've never heard of that detail before, and looking at pics of both a '77 C10 and K10, I see no difference (much less a difference that would be noticeable in scale.)

There's a difference?