SSNJim

I wasn't trying to justify a Hummer at all. I just said that the ability to cross a stream is sometimes quite useful out in the sticks. Everything you said is applicable to most 4WD owners. Most people just own 4WD trucks and SUVs so that they can park them in a ditch during a snowstorm.

The ability to cross a shallow stream is quite handy out in the sticks of MD, VA, WV and PA. We run into that quite often out on our motorcycle trips. We usually find another way around - crossing a stream of uncertain depth filled with slimy rocks/mud and a strong current isn't anything we want to do on our 900lb bikes. Granted, most people who do cross on their way to the grocery store don't need or have a Hummer, but the need does arise more often than you would think.

I have a friend who is heavily into sports cars. He's had several Porsches, an Audi S5, and currently owns a Jaguar XF and XK-R, in addition to a Prius. I about fell out of my chair when he bought the Prius - he can afford just about any car he wants. Why a Prius? He is a computer guy, and loves the technology involved. He knows the car well, and can operate it to get peak efficiency. It's something of a challenge/game for him. It's not about the environment or utility for him, it's the techy factor. I know several people in IT tech jobs that have Priuses (Priusses? Prii? Priuss? whatever) for similar reasons. There is far more to being wrapped up in cars than racing between stop lights, running the Tail of the Dragon or adjusting the timing on a 50 year old V8.

My understanding is that the reason there hasn't been a 1998-2012 Crown Vic hasn't been produced is that someone (maybe Motor Max?) has an exclusive 1/24 or 1/25 license agreement with Ford. I do know that the only 1/24 model of the 98-2012 is produced by MotorMax as a diecast. Welly, another diecast maker, has the 98-2012 Crown Victoria in 1/27 scale. Testors had one too in 1/24, but that was a reboxed Motormax.

No, it was more than likely a B210 if it was the mid to late 70's. More than you ever wanted to know about them : http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=B210_Honey_Bee

I would go for Taurus, too, if the Ford logo on the hood in the second picture is any indication. I think I see it in the first picture too, but it is hard to see with the glare/exposure.

Which one are you in the picture?

I remember a while back seeing a thread that included how the Chevrolet Vega was delivered by train. They were loaded onto a train car so that they were nose down. The link below has some neat pictures of the loading process. http://www.amcarguide.com/uncategorized/car-delivery-back-in-a-day/

I probably see a few more Teslas than the usual person - I work a block and a half from the DC dealership. Every time I see one, I think it's a Jaguar at first, then I look closer. Don't bet on the coolest assortment of kool metal out in CA, jbwelda. DC has a pretty good selection, too. Most people don't build 'em though. They buy them, mostly high end cars. Joe Handley, I saw a commercial charging station in the mall closest to me recently. I don't know how much it costs or any details about it; it just surprised me it was there.

The best place would be the Monogram F-350 kit. It's pretty much identical to the F-250 you have, but with the dually wheels and bed. The F-250 and F-350 models use identical chassis and suspensions. They are out of production, but can still be located for a reasonable price.

Don't have them, but I found this in my browsing: http://www.amcarguide.com/custom/real-life-cervinis-tail-light-conversion/ Probably a few pictures you haven't seen before. It's a pretty cool car blog.

Without a doubt, the supercharged 5.4L 540HP engine in the Revell 2010 Ford Shelby GT 500 is the baddest motor out there. Flipping back through the thread, I see that Rob Hall mentioned it. With a bit of modeler's license, you could probably call it the 660 HP motor from the 2013 GT 500.... For pure power, you probably won't find anything better.

Is that the bed that comes with the kit?

Take the shrink wrap off the box. Seriously, after you've removed the shrink wrap, lay all the parts out on the kitchen table, and read over the instructions. Find the parts called out in the instructions, look at how they go together, and familiarize yourself with the kit. See if the clear parts require painting, if you can attach bumpers before installing the chassis and that sort of thing. Position the tires into the body and visualize how the car will look. Get familiar with the kit. Then throw the shrink wrap away.

Not sure what the problem is. I just put an Excel #13 blade into half a dozen various K1/K18 type handles from different manufacturers, and had no problems with any of them. The width of the #13 blade is the same, if not smaller, than the tab at the square end of the #11 blade, and certainly no thicker. Only about 1/3 of the blade length goes into the handle, and it really doesn't matter which way the teeth point. I will swap the blade end for end depending on the job I'm doing. I use the #13 blades quite often, and never had a problem with them.

Most later model Corvettes have the front engine/rear transaxle layout. Not the most exotic engine around, but it might be a good starting point. Another option is the Porsche 928. Both have been produced by American manufacturers, and you can probably find them pretty cheaply.

That is a nice model. I remember the mission pretty well (I was 11 at the time), and am looking forward to your additional photos.

Oh, I don't know. It worked out pretty well for the guy who lighted the engines at 30 seconds in this documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eENCQsjnevA

My paint's on the way!

I was on the Dulles Toll Road a couple of years ago on my motorcycle following a newer Cougar in the fast lane. It was driving at a leisurely pace. When the car moved over a lane, I pulled along side to look at the driver. She was eating Chinese food from a dish. With chopsticks. I got past her pretty quick, but I never did quite figure out how she was controlling her car.

Raptors are present-day birds of prey, in addition to the dinosaurs.

There was one other - an Academy Minicraft RS3100 in racing trim. It's another of those motorized kits, with a shallow interior, flat chassis and positionable steering. Academy-Minicraft http://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=176588 Doyusha http://www.scalemates.com/products/product.php?id=143019

Very nice - yours is the first one I've seen built. I've got one in my stash for a future project, so I know what you went through. For starters, there's no hood bulge and the body sides are quite slab-sided. I've heard that the kit was intended as a slot car. The model is a mix of early Capris - IIRC, it has the 71-72 side trim (where the twin indentations forward of the rear wheel are), but the 73-75 tail lights. What did you use for the interior and chassis? I had a 1973 Capri from 1978-1982. What a fun car. 2 liter four cylinder, 4 speed, manual everything, no A/C. Only the 74 and later Capris had the big, body colored bumpers in the US. The 73 and earlier had nice, slim chrome bumpers. Again, you did a nice job on the car. Thanks for showing it!

So it is. Thanks!

The front end doesn't look any worse than a typical 50's custom. The fins are what kills it for me; even the rear bumper isn't all that bad. No one else noticed the matching E-series van in the background of the first picture?