Chuck Most

Don't let that bug ya, Fujimi-Man! THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO HAVE FUN!!!! I think the Retro Ram has taught us that! I'm itching to see what type of head & tail lamp setups you pull out of your hat!

One of the few late Carter/early Regan era Pontiacs that actually looked good. Yours is the first one I've seen that was not painted pea green and/or rusted out from the door handles down! I've seen the MPC kit of this body style GA, but I am a bit reluctant to pay the "collector price" on the tag! Now, let's abruptly switch back to the topic at hand: Many of you have wondered why GMC truck hasn't gotten the axe (yet). GMC exists only so that non-Chevrolet franchised dealers can have a truck line to sell. They tried making GMC "upscale", since the Pontiac, Olds, Buick, and Caddy car lines it was sold with were once considered a step up from Chevy. It didn't seem to work. But there will probably be a GMC as long as there's a Buick- In fact, I think GM rolled Pontiac, Buick, and GMC into one division a few years back. Yep, the new car menu is getting thinner. I've hung up my dream of ever seeing Ford bring back the Edsel and Merkur lines. A world without the possibility of an all-new Yugo 2.0 deeply saddens me. Sigh.

True dat! Sure, individuality still exists, but back when you couldn't dial a 1-800 number and rattle off the number to your Platinum card and were forced to use mostly the materials at hand, I think the rods and customs built by "the old masters" had more character and uniqueness than 80 to 90% of today's stuff... not that I don't like today's stuff, either!

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes and aeroplanes, Lenny Bruce is not afraid..." From there, I kinda get lost.

This was definitely the '96- down body style. It may be that I'm thinking about the Monogram version, but I remember it being done in gray plastic. Then again, I was 12 at the time, too. Maybe this gloo is eating my brain. I know it wasn't anything resin... my discovery of THAT medium was still nearly a decade off at that time!

Or, in my case, one to replace the engine you pirated from another '60 Starliner kit to use in a hot rod! The fact that I already have eight or nine of these kits stashed away (stock and custom versions) makes me reluctant to spring for this latest issue, but it looks like I just oughtta bite the bullet, huh?

In the current issue of Hot Rod Deluxe, they mention that in the next issue will be a story on model cars, penned by modeler, ex-HOT ROD staffer, current proprietor of the Funny Car Farm,and "Barrett-Jackson Finger Cam Guy" Steve Magnante. Since this is HRD, the models will most likely focus on early style rods and gassers... but that isn't exactly a bad thing, is it?

Alyn- Thanks for digging Little Red! It's my most crude, inaccurate, and underdetailed model of all time, and it's the one everybody digs! Go figure. Totally different animal from the Retro Ram for sure, but kindred spirits none the less. I'm currently working on a "sequel", based on a 1980-1996 Ford F-series cab. (You might well deserve at least some of the "blame" for it!) But enough about my junk- this is your post! The Retro Ram looks completely different from what I envisioned by the early posts. I knew it was going to be off the hook,but, WHOA! I think part of my brain just melted!

The '61 fullsize Plymouths are one of my all time faves. How can you not love a front end like that? (Okay- it's an easy one to hate, but I like it!)I particularly like the color you used. I've heard many good things about Tom's castings... one day I'll have one on my shelf, for sure! As far as YOUR castings, KDog, I can already say from personal experience they are top notch!

Reason #3 "other" mostly. I've built several 1:1 cars over the years, but I can't afford to build, say, 200 or so a year!!!! (Would if I could though!) So, I guess the models are a more "cost-effective" way of keeping myself from going totally flippin' nutso. Everybody needs a creative outlet- mine happens to be model cars.

Too tall? That's like too low- can there really be such a thing?

Oh, no, Dave... I WANT one of those. I mean the AMT Flareside Courier is the one I pass up every time. Now, I wouldn't mind the "Bush Baby" version with Four wheel drive, but the mid '90's Courier Flareside had the 2wd setup from the Monroe Magnum version- those things seem to be falling out of the sky! I'd love to see the AMT Courier kit reissued, with BOTH beds and BOTH drivetrain setups in ONE box! I would REALLY love to see the Rebel reissued, as well.

This is the first builtup Modelhaus Tucker I've seen in a looooong time. Thanks for showing it to all of us, and for reminding ME in particular that it still exists!

Wow. That's all I've got to say!

That, or it's that spoiler-extendo- thingamajigg growing out of the C-posts. Then again, using that piece, you'd have to extend the rear fenders to compensate! Either way, I think it's gonna be a cool build. I love '60's Fords, but I love the '60's Mercs even more. Semi-obscurity rules!!!!

Wish I was you! The second I get a part of the sprue, it instantly vaporizes, and/or teleports itself off into The Great Beyond. Even if it's a 1/8 scale dragster body! My clear snap boxes may never see a single kit part! Funny thing, though... whenever I finish a build, after I spent hours scouring other kits for the part(s) I lost or scratching up a replacement, I set the finished model on the shelf, turn around, and - THERE'S THE FORMERLY LOST PART, LAYING RIGHT THERE IN PLAIN SIGHT. MOCKING ME!!!!

Another way to lower a vehicle with A-arm IFS (independent front suspension) is to cut the top coil off the spring or replace the kit spring with a shorter part (or even with an airbag for that matter), then reposition the control arms and spindle higher up by either bending them upward, or cutting them off at the pivot bolts and gluing them back on at more of an upward angle. It's not the easiest way to do it, but it's still pretty easy, and it helps to hide all those butt ugly suspension components by tucking them up into where they're blocked from view by the bumper. A MacPherson strut style suspension can be dealt with in a similar manner. If you really want to go extreme, you could even move the front suspension X-member up higher in the chassis. This would do the trick as well, but be advised: It will almost surely cause engine (and by proxy, hood) fit problems,as well as possible inner fender fitment issues, though a custom notched oil pan can usually solve the first two problems, provided you don't go ape with the crossmember lift. Basically, it depends on how the kit is broken down and how low you want it to sit.

I've built many of the 1992-96 style AMT Ford F-150s- the Flareside, Styleside, Lightning, and longbed versions. All these had the standard cab. I could have sworn I built one around 1994 or therabouts that had the Super Cab (extended). I've never seen one since. Did AMT produce such an animal, or is this just a figment of my imagination?

Looks like something I've got to see! Thanks. I always dug his "Grundy Salvage" builds, good to see he's still up to his old weathered, crusty exploits!

My way of avoiding the Swine Flu is just simply to remain locked up in my home, with nothing but my Hot Pockets and seasons one and two of House on DVD to keep me going. That, and dropping anybody who crosses my flaming moat with my trusty ol' laser cannon. But, I guess not letting pigs lick you works, too. Uh,oh... I'm running low on MREs! May have to venture out once again into the cruel, uncaring world!

Truckster rods rule! And now I can say that drag trucksters rule as well! I built a '53 Ford "F-Bucket" rod, inspired by 1:1 rat-rodder Ian Roussel. Feel free to check it out: http://public.fotki.com/ChuckMost/buildup-53-ford-f-bucket/ That's the link to part one of the buildup, but part two is posted on there as well.

Lyle building a drag car? That's almost as out of character as me building a replica-stocker! Can't wait to see this one.

She's a beaut, alright.

I can see enough of the model to know I like it!

What in the name of all that is holy has Pat Covert been up to lately? I'd appreciate any enlightenment...