Chuck Most

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...

Hey... what about Courtney Cox, guys!? SHE'S the one who carried that show!

Neither of the above, thanks! I'd go for a prize like an event T-shirt or a sealed Revell '49 Merc or something, though.

I've never had the chromed parts come out different colors when stripped. I built a Lindberg '40 Ford a while back, and when I stripped the chrome- the sprue was clear! So now I have some transparent '40 Ford parts floating around. Well, somewhat transparent.

I got Swine Flu! Oh, right, model car related topic... I picked up two more AMT '29 Model A roadsters and a '41 Plymouth (can't have too many of those), a box full of parts, with a '61 Pontiac Promo grille and some old Annual kit custom parts being the most interesting things. I also got two Revel-o-gram engine parts packs- the Cadillac and Pontiac V-8's. I passed up yet another AMT Ford Courier kit because it was the Flareside version... I wish those Monroe Magnum versions were easier to come by! On the other hand... those 1960's Lincoln promos I'm always seeking still elude me. One o' these days...

I checked the roofs on both models, and the curve of the roof at the windshields of the two bodies match up perfectly. It's the back end - Mainly the lower backlight trim, I'm worried about. I'll have to check out that issue, Jairus! I'd really rather make my own Starliner out of the Galaxie kit than buy one ready made, even though I'm sure nobody but me will notice the effort! The Modelhaus kit for $32? Wow! The one I saw was close to forty bucks... BEFORE shipping and handling! Guess it pays to buy direct, huh?

Somebody out there is as sick as I am. I am loving this! To anyone interested, I built a "late model" Dodge pickup based rod a while back. Feel free to check out the buildup: http://public.fotki.com/ChuckMost/buildup-little-red-/ It's not as "nice" as the Retro Ram, but I did chop the cab in approximately the same manner. Can't wait to see the Retro Ram done!

That would have made it quite a bit more entertaining... and it was pretty entertaining to begin with! Now, where's there a link to a hearse screeching it's tires in a funeral procession?

I recently picked up a reissued AMT '61 Galaxie kit. I planned to swap the roof from a '60 Starliner onto it to build a model of a local guy's '61 Starliner, but I'm not so sure I can pull of the switch. Just in case, was there ever a body and window unit for a '61 Starliner made for this Galaxie kit? Part of the reason I am reluctant is because if I screw up the swap, there's no "Plan B"! I am aware of a resin '61 'Liner trans kit for the AMT '60 model, but that's my last resort!

There is one other reason engines are covered- so the hoses, lines, and wires can be just scattered about like so much spagetti by lazy assemblers (and, later, lazy mechanics)! Pop the cover off, say, a 3.8 L Le Sabre and it looks like Satan's own snake pit! There's an easy solution... when you buy the car, unfasten the engine cover and toss it over your shoulder. I've done it on every vehicle I've ever owned that came with one and it's never failed me. Of course, now there's a pile of 20 or 30 engine cowls belonging to cars I no longer own at the end of my driveway...

Still not up yet, Harry! The last GTO was a gorgeous car... it was just too heavy, a bit underpowered ('04 models, anyway), and looked too much like a Grand Prix. This will sound nuts... but I think the "new" GTO would've sold better if they'd done a 4-door model! Hear me out- Pontiac was targeting this car at the BMW M-series, and most of those are more-door. I don't think a "muscle car" automatically means 2-doors. It might have worked. (And let's not delve too deeply into the new Charger... I could care less it's a sedan- I don't like it because it's an ugly car! I'm sorry, but it looks like a Dakota Quad Cab that got stepped on!) The performance car landscape has changed dramatically since the original Goat, the old rules don't always apply. Okay... MODEL CAR related rant... I guess we'll never see that 1/25 Solstice GXP or G8 sedan/sport pickup kit now, will we? Maybe GMC will get the G8 sport truck (it was originally planned to be a GMC, anyway). I've been itching to do a Tin Indian model the last few days. Who else?

Porsche owners are growing up, perhaps Porsche thought it was time to provide them with a "sensible adult" (by Porsche standards) car. Personally, if I had the cash, I'd pass and get one of those 4-door Aston Martins. And, to all who think the Porsche sedan is ugly... you should check out the Lambo 4-door. Yech! Looks like my grandma's Dust Buster!