berr13

Thanks, everyone. Some great information here, and y'all continue to impress and inspire me with your knowledge and detective skills. After all this, though, I think I'll probably wind up stripping the paint from the model. With that in mind, one last question--what's best for stripping lacquer? I've used Bleche White in the past, on enamels, so will it work on lacquer too? Thanks again!

Good lookin' Merc! Nice work!!

I wasn't going to strip it if I could avoid it. The current paint is smooth (except for one deal-breaking blemish) and thin, with plenty of trim detail present. If there's no efficient way to remove the polish, then yeah, I guess I'll strip the current paint job. Prefer to get around it if I can, though.

I've got a body that I painted with Tamiya lacquer and polished with Novus #2, but I now want to repaint it. I've read somewhere that soap and water will remove Novus polish, but can anyone confirm that? And if so, what kind of soap? Thanks, Jim

You're right, that roadster has some narrow slicks. I stand corrected, and although in 1/25 my tires look really puny, at least I now have photographic evidence. Thanks!

I just picked up a pair of M&H pie crust slicks from an MPC '67 Charger, and they scale out to a six inch width. So this question is for you other old timers out there--have you ever seen six inch wide slicks? In my misspent youth in southern California we used to run cheater slicks to look "bad", but I don't remember anything narrower than seven inches. What about the rest of you?

Looks great! Nice work!!

I feel your pain. I'm in San Antonio, and it's been almost as bad down here. I'm just waiting for one of those great fall days--no wind, no bugs, no humidity. Be patient...they're coming!

That's just NICE!!!

Great color, really like the color. What is it?

Welcome to "customer service" in the new millennium.

Probably an expat's idea of patriotic...

Excellent! We just don't see enough Javelins anymore. I like yours!

With just a little bit of work the five spoke mags from the Glasses Gasser Corvette will work with the Willys tires. Look good, too.

Uh, mine too? That looks like a fantastic paint job!!

The Mazmanian kit has a red tinted windshield and red headlights.

Beautiful! A terrific model of a neat car!

I'm happy these days if I get a good left or right side. It's asking too much for both.

I hope it was "free to a good home".

Excellent! Great color and wheels. Now I wish I'd gotten one of those!

That's really ingenious, Bill. I've got to try that. I wonder if a coat of dull coat spray would work, too. Great idea!

Interesting! I really like what you did...any long term adhesion problems? Another idea to investigate. Thanks!

Thanks, Steve. I've now got a set on order and on the way. I'll give 'em a try. Thanks again! Jim

Can anyone suggest a source for narrow white sidewall tires, other than the Amt parts pack? I'm looking for something similar to the old American Satco Firestone Deluxe tires. They have a wider width that looks better, to me, than the AMT tires. Thanks

I miss the ability to personalize your car for a minimum of cash, and the ease of doing so. You could go to K-Mart and buy a set of chrome wheels for under $50. Do that now and you'd probably void your warranty. I also miss all the hoopla of introducing new cars in the fall. Where I grew up all the dealerships were on the main drag, and in September they'd all rent huge searchlights and shine them into the night sky to advertise the new year's cars. It was a big deal--lots of people in the show rooms, going from one to another, snagging brochures...it was an EVENT. Now the only way you know the next year's cars are coming is when they start advertising sales on last years inventory. Then they sneak in the new year's cars like they're ashamed of 'em. I wouldn't want to drive a, say, '55 Chevy as a daily driver anymore, but nothing makes me turn my head almost completely around like spotting a classic car!!