Chuck Most

Mechanical poetry!

I want one. That's all I have to say!

Yeah- I hear ya! The kit manifolds are like misshappen pancakes! I have no idea what the headers I used for this came from- I just dug them out of my spares box. I just fished around and test fit stuff until something worked!

Looks a lot better the second time!

Very cool!

I've built seventy or eighty trucks in a row, seemed like the time was right to build a model CAR again. This is based somewhat on HOT ROD magazines recent 'retrograde' of the Crusher Camaro, which was taken from a modern Slo-Tourer into a retro '80's style street machine. So, I took the AMT kit, some parts from a Revell parts pack 427, and some spares to do this- The only thing missing is the sound of Ratt blasting out the speakers and the big feathery roach clip hanging from the mirror!

Mold line or none, those castings look incredible. Almost like raw metal. Tamiya kits are generally molded well, but this one looks better than any Tamiya kit I've built in the past. The fact the 1:1 car is drop dead gorgeous doesn't hurt, either!

AMT Ertl, it's basically a modified reissue of the '93 STX kit.

Heck, man, I think she looks great without those big, clunky stock bumpers! Really dig the wheels, too!

I'm not so sure, Harry! I had a '75 El Camino in high school. Wasn't much of a car, and was an even worse truck to boot. But, it said "1975 Chevrolet Pickup" on the title, and had a truck licence plate, so it must be more truck-like. I guess. Maybe.

Simple. Can't afford to do it in 1:1.

Every square scale inch a stunner, my man! Very nice job on the weathering!

Other than the wheels and steering wheel (AMT '60 Chevy Street Machine Pickup), and, of course, the engine (Revell Deuce 5-Window), it's alarmingly box stock: I painted over the all red-taillamp lenses (yeah- I let off in the Rants and Raves section about that subject), left the cornering lamps clear to resemble the aftermarket APC units, and hosed it off in Dark Highland Green I had left over from building an '08 Mustang Bullitt. Not my best work, but it kept me from beign totally bored for a couple of days!

My, my, my.... SOMEBODY's done it! Infiniti has actually introduced the first car ever that looks like it's constipated! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to FiatChrysler to pressure them into styling the next PT Cruiser to resemble a '61 Plymouth...

All the issues of the USA-1 kit I've ever seen had the '90-'93 Silverado grille with the composite headlamps. I don't think the W/T grille was ever offered in the kits.

It is kind of funny to me, they won't let their precious name be used on a model kit, yet they slather it all over the worst, most poorly made workboots you can buy! Hope they go bankrupt... (And I don't mean the 'good' kind of bankrupt, like GM. )

These aren't mine (they're my father's), but I'd love to see any one of them in kit form! (Yea... dream on, Chuckie... )

If you can find the old All American grille from the early '90's, that might save you a little work. The headlamps for converting to the dual halogen W/T style would be easier- I think getting the grille inserts to look right would be a bit more of a challenge!

I've got a few ideas in mind for this one...

Or this...

I think I may have a little too much time on my hands...

It appears Mr. Ross has spilled the beans on Japan's latest "Japanimation" hit-"Smiley, the Malevolent Mazda".

So I guess what you guys are saying is- I just need to start thinking positive?

Who approved this design? Who... WHO, I ask you!????

You're correct either way, Mark! And yes, a great build it is!