Chuck Most

This one? http://www.imcdb.org/i021566.jpg

Any car looks good laid out low and chopped. This one is no exception. The fact it's a Hornet makes it even better.

'66 Galaxie is a lot better, in terms of interior detail. It isn't very close to a '64 interior, though.

It is a 500 XL. Interior isn't great- the rear AND front seats are molded in. They were reissued as part of the Millenium Series and a few years ago by Model King, so they shouldn't be too difficult to track down.

Nice.

Well- 'retro' and 'rat rod' aren't always the same. You'll see a few rat rods every now and then with billet wheels, air ride suspension, and Vortec small blocks- nothing 'retro' about any of those things! But yes, they're usually built 'the old fashion way', with parts scrounged up from various sources. I can't explain for everyone, but I like them because they're stress-free to own. I can leave a crusty-looking vehicle in a K-Mart parking lot without having to worry about shopping cart rash, I'll save a ton of money on wax, and I'll have fun- which is the whole point of owning a hot rod in the first place. And not all rat rods are death traps, which seems to be a commonly held opinion- in my area I've seen more second gen F-bodies and Fox Mustangs that are downright dangerous on the road than rat rods. I also like them because they offend the traditionalists- and if you ask me, a hot rod should be offensive to at least one other person, otherwise it's just a normal car.

Least effort for a correct engine swap would have to be the AMT/Model King '71 T-Bird- either that kit's engine or the engine block-off (if you want to glue the hood shut) literally drop right into the Galaxie chassis. Rob just mentioned the '69 Galaxie engine- that would work as well, and the '69 kit would probably be easier (and chaper) to locate than the T-Bird kit. Since the engine compartment is rather barren in this kit anyway, I usually use the block-off and glue the hood shut, though one of these days I want to go full-on and detail/correct the engine compartment and stick the Revell Torino engine in there.

Absolutely. Just saying that huge sales don't always equal a better product. That goes for roadsters and econoblobs- most roadsters are purchased more to make a statement, or just because the owner wants a 'fun' car, than for their capabilites. And again- I wholeheartedly agree the Miata is tops in its department- it also happens to be the sales leader. I drove quite a few Solstices when they were new, but when I went for a drive in a customer's ten-year-old Miata I was blown away by how much better it was than the Solstice. It didn't even have any squeaks or rattles, and the new Solstices were already making junky noises! Looks a lot better too in my opinion, though I'll admit I like the first-generation Miata over the later designs. The Solstice just looks like a flabby jelly bean with a split honeycomb grille to me. The Miata/MX-5 might be one of the rare instances where a car is the best seller in its category because it's the best at what it does.

Shaping up to be pretty cool! Hmmmm... twice blown Hemi in a Bantam? I'd certainly want to drive it, but a change of pants might be in order afterwards.

Nice! I've been interested in that kit for a while- how is it, quality-wise?

I don't see how sales figures prove the Miata is better... The air cooled Beetle was the best-selling car in history, and there were better alternatives available the whole time it was being produced. But yes, the Miata is head and shoulders above the Solstice/Sky.

Looks awesome!

I want one that sounds like a Hyundai with a fart cannon muffler- so I can blot out my Fury's frightening rumble. How much you want to bet I'll be able to get one from Pep Boys within the next five years or so?

You're right on that- I guess the old Euro cars were known more for smoldering than outright fire. If only the maufacturers hadn't made a deal with the Prince of Darkness himself... Lucas.

But these wouldn't break down every five miles and burst into flames for no apparent reason like a European luxury car of the era- I guess that's the trade-off. Then again when I think 'European luxury car' I automaticallly think of Jag, so I might be off in my opinion there.

1963 Corvette? Not a Corvette guy by any stretch, but that's almost too easy. Does that split window really make that much of a difference as far as looks go? I think the later 427s with the scooped hood and side pipes look better, but I don't have any problem with this car on the list. '63 Riv? Totally agree- fantastic looking from any angle. Unfortunately got uglier and uglier as time wore on, much like the later Olds Toronado. '70 Camaro? Nope. Kind of looks like a half-hearted Batmobile concept, only not nearly as cool. Most appealing part of this car is the front subframe. First gen Camaros were one of GM's styling high-points, though. '66 Toro? Absolutely, though again, GM saw fit to beat it about the face with the ugly club as the years wore on. '09 Solstice? Looks okay, if you're into the bloated jellybean look. I'd have to give props to the G8 (or even the Buick Lacrosse) before I'd even consider the Solstice, appearance-wise. This one seems like the kind of additon you'd make when "It's 4:55, I'm out in five minutes, and I have to come up with one more entry for the list.... uh... Pontiac Solstice? Yeah. Done. I'm off to the bar!" I also have to agree with the complete lack of any Cadillac models on the list.

There are actually several of those Big Buds, each one more gigantic than the last. We're talking about 50 feet wide with all eight custom-made tires in place.

Looks fantastic!

I believe this gentleman does- http://www.modelcars...p?showuser=1064

I don't see a Catfish when I look at the Packardbaker. Only the business end of a Dust Buster handheld vac...

Nice!

This doesn't mean your R8 isn't 'bad'. Just means you aren't the big dog on the block when there's a Dodge Caravan nearby.

This same kit was also sold in an MPC box, correct?

You had me at 'International'. If it were green and black instead of blue, it would look just like one a buddy and I found out in the middle of the woods in the mid '90's.

One minor gripe... it isn't a '37/38- it is just a 1937, with an optional '38 grille and hood treatment. A '38 Grille and hood on a '37 does not a '38 make. Okay. Off my soapbox.