Chuck Most

What aboot visible mold seams or flash on the chrome parts? I don't see any in the pic, but I don't have the model right here in front of me to examine. I have seen both on high-end diecasts from the mid '90's, though I'm sure quality has improved by leaps and bounds since then.

Chrome looks a LOT better than the last reissue. The Starliner roof swap is pretty straightforward. I did it- so that means pretty much anyone should be able to do it!

I think the '53's were 1:20 scale, too. I've only ever seen one in the flesh.

I'd be up for that. I mean- Revell kitted a Trabant, of all things. When that kit was found to be, well, less than satisfactory, they tooled up a new, immensely better version.

I'd go with another rear axle (purely for aesthetics). I've seen guys put a plexi window in the step-up in the floor so the suspension and rear axle are visible through the bed, that might be something cool to try on this.

I see. That might have been what threw me. I do remember the Olds frame, but I guess I was under the impression only Chevy used the X-frame in the early '60's.

Hacking has commenced on the 'Hudon Ute'...

Yeah... top is a '52, bottom is a '53. Two cars in one scene! NEVER noticed that!

Really? Didn't the long-wheelbase Buicks (like the Electra 225) use the perimeter frame? Or am I just having one of my off days again?

Nov. It's got a Ferrari and a bunch of Pontiacs on the cover.

I just picked up 163 today- shop got them in late last week.

Assuming Jimmy has the molds, I propose this.... On an appointed day, at an appointed time, everyone on the count of 'three' send an e-mail to Mr. Couillard requesting he make this kit available once agian? If everyone who's read this thread did that, it wouldn't guarantee he'd reissue it, but at the very least it might get him thinking about it.

I don't know, Mike... all the hypothetical 'no' votes on the green make me like it even more!

A lot of kits do have the window surround molded to the clear part- the Revell '41 Chevy and '37 Ford pickups, '41 Willys, and Moebius '53 Hudson come to mind. Maybe it's just me, but I like that particular setup- and in the cases of those particular kits, distortion doesn't seem to be much of an issue. The chrome thing still kind of bugs me- on their latest '32 Fords Revell went the extra mile to have some of the sprue attachment points hidden a bit better on the plated parts, attaching the pieces to an area that, once cleaned up, won't be visible when the part is installed. Mold lines are a necessary evil, but it does seem the capability is there to minimize the effect of sprue attachment points.

Or 'downgrade' it to an Esprit.

What Ranma said, if I recall. I know for a fact Chevys had the X-frame until '64. I've never been under a '65 (or built a model of one), but my buddy's old '66 most certainly did have a perimeter frame.

Sweet! Speaking of after-Christmas sales... just picked up two more Hornet kits! Might not be seeing my '52 for a bit, I'm kind of wandering into the next one- Yes... that is a Hudson pickup. The top one is an actual 1948 prototype built by Hudson- the modified bed is from a '47 Hudson pickup. (Yes, Hudson built pickups, too.) The '52 appears to be a custom job, based around the same premise as the factory prototype. Both appear to be based on the sedan, but I won't be moving the door cut lines or b-pillar. Mine will have a bit more legroom in the cab, I guess. I'm also not planning to change the front to the '48 style, I will most likely leave the '53 nose, or do some kind of custom setup.

'62 Catalina would be the more accurate choice- it has a perimeter frame. The kit has an X-frame, but only Chevrolets of that era had an X-frame. Not sure if the wheelbase is different- I do know the '62 Bel Air chassis is too short to work in the Electra body.

What's up with that big hole in the 'engine'?

Mike- you know how I voted, right?

Just be careful with R&R kits- they can be a bit 'iffy' as far as casting quality goes.

I knew that. Just being a smart-alec!

That's true- but maybe that's an old WIP photo and it's closer to finished now. Even if not, I'd hate to have to repair and repaint it after it was damaged having a mold pulled from it.

I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Happy Days. Speaking of- anybody remember that episode where Fonzie said "Heeeeeeeyyyyyyy"? Awesome.

Every as-original Manx I've seen had black gelcoat on the underside- only the top of the body was painted, but I've seen restored and modified Manx buggies that have the entire body painted, top to bottom. I say go for it- non-stock paint schemes are a simple custom touch!