Chuck Most

Wasn't the Transtar II modified into something else later on? Or am I thinking of another kit. Not that restoring the kit back to original specs would be impossible, given RC2's track record, but I'm still wondering. I can't say I'd buy all of the kits you are mentioning, but I'd be up for any IH truck, and even if I didn't buy any Generals I'm sure there'd be more than enough people who WOULD buy a few that it wouldn't matter. I'm also hoping they'll bring back the International and Massey Ferguson 1155 farm tractor kits and maybe, just maybe, bringing out a new drop-deck lowboy kit so I can haul one of those tractors on it, hooked up to a reissued Ertl semi tractor model.

Or less- I've never paid more than ten bucks for one of these kits (RC2 reissue), and have no intention of ever doing so. For $30 or more I'd rather let the collectors have this one.

Didn't think it was possible to create anything more hideous than a stock Cadillac until now. Pass the eye bleach, please...

Please pull around to the second window. Sir, it will be a few moments on your #5, could you please pull ahead and we'll bring your order out to you? My annual "If I owned a model company" answer is- said company would be bankrupt in a month because I'd make esoteric subjects that only myself and maybe ten other people would be interested in. Maybe my company is an aftermarket cottage firm as opposed to a commercial styrene kit manufacturer...

Given how popular modified, personalized, and outright 'hot rodded' tractors and large trucks have gotten over the last few years, I'm suprised it hasn't happened yet, even with an existing kit with a few new custom parts added. I wouldn't mind seeing any of the trucks built on Truck My Truck introduced as kits- a few of those were based on trucks not available in kit form. Such a thing could concievably kill two birds with one stone- you'd have a customized rig available in kit form, and the guys who'd like to just have that particular truck will have it available to them, even if they might need to kitbash to put it back to stock. Heck, provide the stock parts too, if it's economically feasible. Any of the trucks from Transformers would be a good idea from where I sit- again, suprised there aren't any available now. Wonder if there might be a licencing issue preventing such a thing.

I want a few honest opinions on this one. It doesn't look like all that great of a kit judging from the box art, and I'm just wondering how workable it is.

I fail to see any significant downside to that.

Ron and Steve- feel free to take part in the cruise- though we might need a small business loan in order to foot the gas bill if we go on a full-blown road trip! They were more or less the same basic design from 1961 to 1969, but that 'generation' is split into the '61-65 and '66-69 series because in 1966 the car was restyled. It became a bit more 'square rigged' than the earlier models (not that the Connies of this style were ever swoopy-looking or anything ). The 'dirty parts' pretty much remained the same throughout the run, though there were a few tweaks and redesigns here and there as the years wore on. Lincoln Continental was the only available four-door convertible model produced by an American manufacturer in the 1960's. The 1966 redesign also brought a two-door model, previously in the decade the only two-door Lincoln was the Continental Mark- the standard Continental was only available as a four-door sedan or convertible.

That's what I was talking about! Not sure if the wheels are 19.5- I'll have to check next time I'm out there and make sure. I'd imagine they're at least close to that.

What Rob said. The chassis from the newer-tool (1990's-era) AMT '62 T-Bird would be the best choice for that. You'd need to stretch the wheelbase and find a suitable MEL engine (if you are using a '69 kit- as I said, early '68 and older Connies would have the MEL, use a 385-series for a most '68's and all '69's).

I think it's official now...

Eh... long division sucks. I just go straight for the metric measurements.

I use white glue for mockups, but here's what I do for getting it to stick a bit more immediately and dry faster. I'll either spread some out on a piece of plastic and let it dry for a few minutes, so that it gets tackier but isn't fully dried, then apply it to the areas needed. Or, I'll unscrew the cap and scrape a little bit of the glue that has built up on the bottom of the cap- it is usually thicker and tackier than it would be using fresh glue squeezed from the bottle. Though from what I've read on this thread, it looks like there are a few more solutions I'd like to at least try once!

That does it- I might have to post a few pictures of my HO scale Internationals. You know you have a problem when you have so many factory-built HO scale trucks you forget you have them until a thread you've read a couple of times jars your memory.

I have a similar project on my to-do list. Mine's an old gun cabinet I bought at a storage sale for twenty bucks, and I want to put shelves in it for displaying models. I was thinking of using thin steel, bent to 90 degrees at the ends for a 'finished' look and sitting on L-shaped brackets attached to the sides of the cabinet. What's stopping me is I'm not sure what gauge of steel to use. The sides of the cabinet are solid and just over an inch thick so I'm pretty sure they can support the weight unless I go really crazy with the thickness, but I'd like for the shelves to display both plastic and bi-scale diecast cars without distorting over time. That's one of the reasons I was considering steel- that and I'm way better at working with steel than wood.

I suppose so- not having them would undermine the mostly stock outward appearance of the car.

Absotively! Remember- AMT was based in good old Troy, Michigan back then.

Can't be a resto-mod with those stock type rollers, but she certainly fits the bill of a resto rod. I think I'd have left the stone guards off, but even with them on that's a very nice looking little Ford.

A '59 Chevy I actually think looks good? Apparently it IS possible!

^All of the above, except for trying out scale railroading. Don't have nearly enough space at my place for that!

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but doesn't that top have engraved vinyl texture on the front 2/3 or so? Or am I thinking of some other kit with a similar optional top?

Ray pointed out the top, so... Not sure what the good points would be compared to the most recent reissue, which seemed to have most of the optional custom parts. The kit does have an opening hood and trunk. Hopefully they cleaned up the tooling a little bit for this one, it was just starting to look a little bit haggard on the last reissue in spots. It does have full engine detail. Just one engine- the 289, but if I recall it can be built with Weber carbs or a single carb. The kit also has a separate chassis with decent front and rear suspension detail- there's a metal axle at both ends, but each end has its own transverse leaf spring. Compared to the 1:24 Monogram Cobra, I think this one has better interior detail. It also lacks the wide fender flares Monogram's 427 has, so you could even convert it back to an AC Ace if you wanted. My only serious gripe with any of these I've built is the windshield frame- sometimes it fits the cowl pretty well, other times it doesn't. The hinged hood and trunk have always worked well for me.

Post title misprint- the kit is 1:25, not 1:24.

Why not? 3/4 and 1-ton Dodge pickups used an iron-block V-10, and they weren't known for being weak in the knees. Yes, there were some differences between the Viper and Ram variants of the engines (quite a few, actually), but still!

The pic may be washed out, but I like it. Maybe not the best image for showing your progress, but it has a kind of 'arty' feel to it. Almost looks like a painting.