Chuck Most

Kind of the opposite of what I had in mind (grafting a '53 nose to a '97 F-150 Supercab), but still pretty cool. Are you going to run the blown Mod motor, too?

What about the old E-body Mopars, the '70-'74 Barracuda and Challenger? Same 'platform', different wheelbase? Granted, only a 2" difference, but still a difference. Or a modern Ford Expedition, which is available in two wheelbase lengths, or the old Scout II (100" or 118"). And even among various platforms, all the hard parts being completely interchangeable isn't always a given- quite a few parts won't directly interchange between Ford's various 'Fox Body' platforms. I think the 'platform' thing may have more to do with who engineered the chassis, and when, than what intechanges between the vehicles the plaform underpins, at least in today's context.

Meh... not a great deal, no. Seriously though, that's pretty much how I remember it attaching!

Very cool! I've always wanted to try out one of those Jolly Roger kits. Fun fact about the Red Baron... after MPC kitted Chuck Miller's Fire Truck T show rod, Mr. Miller sort of 'returned the favor' and built a 1:1 version of the Red Baron kit using a Pontiac OHC I-6 for power.

Bingo!

If I recall, it's just a big ornate air cleaner- I've never seen a '60's fuel injection plenum that big and cumbersome. I think it fits over the dual carbs, but I don't recall- I usually just use the round air cleaners on that engine, or add another intake.

The '48 kit's big sister (the convert kit) gave the option of a chopped windsheild frame- the builder was advised to use the chopped windshield glass as a template to fit the frame back together. Offering two tops with the coupe may have been a viable idea... then both rep-stock AND rod/custom builders would probably be griping about the resulting seam which needed to be filled (as they are wont to do with the AMT and Monogram '36 Ford kits)!

Oh, the Ford C-600 DOES have the four-pointed star 'plugs' at either end of the grille, as any '66 or newer C-cab should. Not sure why I lumped them into the 'missing' category in my earlier post. (The kit depicts a '71-'74 model, by the way.)

Creepy... but still, it's kind of comforting to know I'm not the only guy here who even knows who he is...

I think I'm going to use AMT's own '67 Mustang or Shelby engine to fix the 'Fordified' SBC in the Fire truck kit. I'm not really sure why the 300C kit is back- maybe RC2 didn't tell Round 2 about 'over saturation'! Dave- you are thinking of the LN, but a car hauler C-cab variant would still be cool. Yes- the box still says '600' while the cab says '800', but you really have to zoom in close to see it, not much else to gripe about with this one other than the lack of the air vent engraving behind the doors and four-pointed 'stars' on either end of the grille. The balance of the kit more than makes up for any of that. I really like the neuclear waste placard decals which come with the reissue!

Me digs it!

Sorry for the pic quote, but yeah- THIS is the stuff I've been using for years, ever since I abandoned that atrocious 'Contour Putty' by Testors. Blech!!! Best part is, because I work for an auto parts store, I get it for 20% off! So basically, steer clear of the green stuff (and the dreaded contour putty and other one-step putties), unless I want to end up with a lumpy, misshapen mess somewhere down the road, right?

It was the late '60's/early '70's, Mark. I'd call it "The Timothy Leary Effect"... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysergic_acid

We've got a pretty killer thread going on what's to come (and what's already here) with Revell's latest new tools and reissues, but it seems Round 2 has been left out in the dark. Maybe it's because there isn't much in the way of new or significantly revised product waiting in the wings over there, but I still see quite a bit of stuff that has me going all Lady Gaga! Examples? Why, sure! I'll list a few of my favorites. '66 Olds 4-4-2 http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/66olds-442'>http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/66olds-442 I remember building one of these as a wee lad, back when they first came out. It was probably the first model I ever built using reference material (Dad's 1:1 '66 Cutty), and turned out just as sloppy and terrible as any ham-fisted kid's early attempt at modeling. Because of this (or perhaps in spite of this) I haven't built one since, though I've always wanted to add another to my stash. As I remember,it was a bit less of a struggle to assemble than the Lindberg '67, and didn't have the 'shallow as a Hollywood starlet' interior tub which plagued the Lindberg kit (think early Jo-Han, only better detailed). Now that my modeling skills have improved from 'poor' to 'partly cloudy', I can't wait to take another jab at this one, and I can see at least one becoming an AWB funny car on my workbench! Moving on to the '61 Galaxie- http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/ford-styline'>http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/ford-styline This kit represents the Galaxie hardtop with its frumpy, 'formal' roofline. Strange- I think the '61 Galaxie is a very ugly car, but I love the '61 Skyliner, which was basically a Galaxie with a different top. It's amazing how a few lines can change the whole demeanor of a car! But I digress- I've built the last reissue of this, and I hope Round 2 cleans up the molds a bit. Mine was flash city, and the chrome plating was quite a bit below standard, both because of the flash, and because it was spotty and discolored. This is a simple, curbside kit along the lines of the '64 Comet and '64 Galaxie kits, but includes some cool period style full custom bits in addition to the stock items, including a grille which can be modified into a 1:25 '66 International pickup piece (long story...). Again, I'll be picking up a few of these. Yippie! The '05 Chrysler 300C is back! http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/05-300c'>http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/05-300c If you like useless destruction sheets with unused color charts and headache-inducing 'exploded view' subassembly diagrams, and you like your engines bloblike, with the exhaust manifolds sprouting from the block, and your new-tool kits with an alarming amount of flash, this one will be right up your alley! Still, it builds up pretty easily and looks good when it's finished. I hope this version comes with the small Chrysler wing emblem and 300C trunk emblem decal which were included on early runs and, strangely, dropped on later kits. And one of my favorite dopey, 'bucktoothed' truck kits... The Ford C-600! http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/ford-stake-bed'>http://www.round2models.com/models/amt/ford-stake-bed This one is the stake version, though in the last reissue of the stake truck, most all of the short wheelbase fifth wheel tractor parts were also included. Huh- wonder if the side badge still disagrees with what it says on the box. This one can be a bit of an adventure to put together, but I still loves it! Oh, and the new COT stock car kits are out... but those are snap kits, so I guess we don't care, right? Be that as it may, I got my hands on the Lowes Impala recently, and can't wait to throw it together over the course of a rainy afternoon just to get a lay of the land. The harder-core among us will probably just skip to ma-loo and wait for the full-glue kit. Now, how's bout MPC? Well,the '76 Caprice is back... http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/76caprice'>http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/76caprice And it still has that tilt-bed single axle trailer with those cool 5-spoke wheels (probably the coolest thing in the kit). Last time around the kit was a warped, flash-infested snoozefest, again I hope Round 2 sees fit to clean up the molds a bit, even if I'm only buying the kit for the trailer! Got your cheese right here! http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/ghost-general-lee'>http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/ghost-general-lee The Most Unwanted Reissue of recent years is back... this time in glow-in-the-dark plastic! Wow! When will they stop burying the molds for this one in Pet Cemetery and just give it a rest for a couple of years! Wake me up when they reissue something better! Something like... http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/fire-truck'>http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/fire-truck Ah yes, the Fire Truck. It's a '60's show rod, so that means its cool. A guy named Chuck built the original, so that means its super, mega, uber-cool. Yeah, the engine is more Chevy than Ford (which it's supposed to be), and the cool old Wild Dream kit had to die to make this kit, but still, I might actually be inclined to build this one straight OOB, and no doubt it's a great parts donor for numerous other 1:25 rod projects! And here's one that makes the kid in me smile... http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/little-red-zinger'>http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/little-red-zinger Why? It's a cartoonish old Dodge van with a big flippin' motor in it, all blessed with comical proportions that give rivet counters seizures! I like to keep kits like this around just to prove to people that, no, I am NOT a serious modeler! Oh, there's a Batmobile or two on the way, but I'm not too worried about that. To keep abreast of the latest, keep it tuned to- http://www.round2models.com/

Mark- Every time I see this one I think "Jeesh... should really I be so critical about how Monogram messed up the grille on it's '70 Boss kits, when it COULD have been much, much worse?" (See above image...)

Not much today (but Saturday should be fun!)- Monogram '94 T-Bird Quality Care stock car Revell Beatnik Bandit AMT Jimmy Johnson Lowes 48 Impala

I think the reason the street rod guys didn't throw a conniption fit when the '40 Standard coupe was released was twofold- 1. Most of them had enough parts already in their stash to convert one into a hot rod. (Hey... all 1:1 '40 Fords started stock too, right? ) 2. Given Revel-o-gram's track record at the time, many assumed they'd release a rod version later on (which they did with the Goodguys version).

The actual grenade is from a Gangbuster '28 Lincoln kit, but I am working on a method to make a grenade shift knob. Stay tuned!

Or...uh...playing baseball. In all seriousness, this will be a cool model when done. I'd like to see you pull off the bare plastic and paint two tone setup, that molded color is pretty cool!

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

The best way to get a good R&R kit is to invent a time machine and buy one from, oh, ten or fifteen years ago. I've got more R&R resin than just about any other manufacturer, and the best (most 'buildable') one I have is an old, old casting of a '67 Galaxie. The stuff I've bought this year doesn't even come close. In most cases, those relatively crude and underdetailed kits pretty much 'fall together' and look good- the same can't always be said for the newer, detailed mega-kits out there! I'll be the last guy to knock a kit for it's age or lack of finesse... unless, of course, it needs it! (Be it a worn out mold, the kit has been 'fixed' too many times over the decades, etc.) Question, though- which is more satisfying- a kit that nearly assembles itself, a build that went so well you don't really remember anything about it, or the model that fought you every foot of the way, and now sits there all pretty on your shelf? For me, it seems like the harder the kit goes together, the better the final result.

Well, it's done. Not much else to say, I guess... And here's the drawing I started with as a guide... Considering the drawing wasn't done anything close to scale, I think it turned out pretty cool, and actually looks pretty close to the original idea. Also- big fat props to all the guys who supplied parts for the buildup!

Latest update... I refer you to Under Glass!

Good point, Steve- even a 'stock only' kit can be built into a 'resto rod' style with just a bit of tweaking. (And just for the record, no, that car not having a Flattie doesn't hinder its coolness in any way, shape, or form! ) Still- for this particular kit, which by virtue of its chopped top cannot be built 'stock' in the first place, I guess I wouldn't really see the point in including the stock parts. If a guy is building a rod, and he's going to the extent of chopping the top, sure, he might keep the Flathead, but it's surely going to have some speed parts slapped on, and he might keep the stock wheels, maybe even the hubcaps, but the stock pinky-thin tires will probably be shown the door, as well. And a lowered suspension is pretty much mandatory if you are chopping the top, so... there goes the stock suspension setup. If the '48 kit had a stock height top- absolutely, I'd love to see all the stock parts included! In fact, I'd be rather disappointed NOT to find them. But as it stands, the content of the new '48 kit's parts, looked at from the context it is marketed as a custom, seems satisfactory enough.

That, and to me at least, the headlamps seem just a titch undersized, but that's easier to look past. It's even easier to look past once you fix the ride height/clunky truck tires issues which also plauge those particular kits. The '10 looks pretty good, but I'm sure that even if it has it's flaws and issues, they won't be too tough to work out, just as with the current 'Stang kits.