SteveG

The build was inspired by a 69 Hemi Dart that cruises my area every summer. Modifications include swapping the Automatic from the stock 440 engine, adding a scratchbuilt Hurst Pro-matic shifter. I also mini-tubbed the rear fender wells and narrowed the rear axle so the parts box slicks would fit inside the Quarter panels. The Torq Thrust wheels were kit bashed too. If you missed any of the build up photos you can check it out in the On the Workbench section, just follow the link. http://www.modelcars...l=&fromsearch=1 Thanks for looking ..... -Steve

Sorry it's been so long for an update ...... Here's the latest photos of it. I'll start with the painted chassis ..... Here's the engine ready to drop in ..... the intake manifold was modified so the carbs would sit flush. I also used the Automatic trans from the 440 engine. The distributor cab is a resin piece from R&M. Here's the engine installed ...... ....... and the finished chassis Ready for final assembly ...... Thanks for looking ..... -Steve

...... Bill Borgen and I made the trip again from Northeast Ohio. I got to see many old friends and see some new faces of some the board members I hadn't previously met. There were other folks I was looking for but apparently our paths never crossed. Anyway, here's some samples and the link to the album. -Steve http://public.fotki....nnl-east-2012-/

Well done Art !!! I really like that style of two tones on the Hudson. I hope you bring it to some of the NNL's for all to see.

Well done !!! Love the nailhead engine and the stance is perfect .....

Looks like custom stainless trim similar to a 38 Ford ..... I like it !!!

With very minor changes it could represent any 80-85 Fleetwood Brougham Coupe. Here's where it the project was when I gave it to Kevin. Hopefully it will get finished one day. I've always been a fan of the big Caddy's owning quite a few over the years including several RWD Fleetwoods like a '81 Fleetwood Coupe d'Elegance and a Triple black '86 d'Elegance Sedan. The one I really kick myself for letting go of was my '75 Fleetwood 60 Special with the rare Talisman option package. That was the most elegant Cadillac I ever saw, hopefully I'll find another one someday ......

Here's the finished interior, I decided to place the fire extinguisher behing the shifter. I'm moving on to installing the glass and upper interior trim next .....

Harry, Here's some photos of the Stutz Racer I built for Lindberg for comparison if you want to use if for a starting point. There's more photos of it and of the Mercedes Racer build in my Lindberg Album. http://public.fotki....ects/page5.html -Steve

The Pontiac G8 GT is with the exception of some trim pieces is virtually indentical to the Commodore SS V and the redline edition even borrows some parts from the US only GXP package. There are several online sources available to get the Holden style trim pieces for those who want to cruise their American G8's Aussie style. You can even buy the HSV parts and body kits. I have a G8 GT and I love it, best car I ever owned !!! If your in law enforcement you may be lucky enough to get one of the new Holden built 9C1 or 9C3 Caprices based on the Statesman model which is the longer brother of the Commodore. Anyway, I'm looking forward to having the V8 Supercar races here.

Here's the finished Hurst Pro-matic shifter. I ended up flattening a stainless steel paper clip then sanding and polishing it to shape to make the shift lever. I topped it off with a parts box shift knob and used the kit decal for the gear selector. I think I got it pretty close to the 1:1 part. My next debate is if I should add the fire extinguisher or not. I doubt I would ever place it like that where the owner has his in my own car. I might place it behind the shifter or just leave it out all together. In the mean time I'm going to finish up the dash, steering wheel and column ...... Steve

One of the choices I struggled over is either going with the 4 speed like the kit provides with the Hemi Motor or swapping to the automatic like the car that inspired this build. It has a Hurst Pro-matic shifter which has never been kitted as far as I know. I finally convinced myself I could make one. Here's the results so far. Starting with sections of the stock console, I cut it down and added some bits of evergreen until I came up with this. The housing and the upper plate are separate pieces. Now all I need to do is find a correct looking flat style Hurst shift lever to finish it off along with some paint and foil. more to come ..... -Steve

Very nice work .... !!

Here's another view showing the paint better ....

I finally managed to get the foil trim done and apply some PPG lacquer clear cloat. It's about half way polished out so far .... The actual color looks more Purple then this photo shows. Anyway, it's a close enough match for me ....

It only comes with the one set of specific decals but it includes all the lightbars. The only other differences are the box art and instructions. The Lindberg Police Chargers are all the exact same kit parts-wise.

Right back at you Tom !

I think I got the color pretty close, I made it mixing some HOK pearls with some black applied over a black primer base. The full effect of the pearls won't show until its clear coated. I'm going to let it dry a few days and foil the trim first before the clear. Stiil lots of work to do if I'm going to get it done in time .... -Steve

I've decided to jump in on a NCAM club build using Revell's Hemi Dart. This is going to be a quicky as it's due in less than two weeks. Here's my inspiration, I'm going for the overall look but not an exact match. I'm going to try to make this color some how. Here's a quick mock up photo. The front tires are from the AMT Pro-street Coronet, the front wheels are from Lindberg's LRW Dodge A100. I still need to find a similar but deeper rear wheel. The rear slicks are from the parts box which have thinner sidewalls to fit the slightly opened up rear wheel wells. Suggestions are welcome ..... more to come.... -Steve

Per the conversation I had with the folks from Revell who were at the last Toledo NNL, it's an all new tool not a repop of the "Route 66" diecast kit. Is there anyone here who has the diecast kit to compare ? -Steve

I doubt this move will have any effect the retail pricing. It does show that Tom Lowe and Round2 are making a long term commitment to the Hobby industry. I expect they'll be doing more with all the brands now that they own them (and the tooling) vs leasing. -Steve

Dave is right, they're from the same tooling. Apparently the Maverick inserts were missing at the time that Comet was run for Testors. Assuming that the Comet tooling could be located restoring the Maverick parts would be very high on my to do list.

A website is coming soon. In the mean time I'm using my Fotki Album to host some IMC pictures. You can always send an email to me at sg-imc@hotmail.com if you have comments or questions. Here's a link to my IMC album. http://public.fotki....llinois-model-/ There's always snail-mail too.... Illinois Model Company 409 S Second St. Rockford, IL 61104

I would like to but there's a licensing question to resolve because of the Movie connection. That may be why they weren't an exact match in the previous issue that Okey did.

IMC is a new total separate company not affilated with Okey Spaulding or the old IMC brand. Okey is still in business, I just saw him at Toledo. IMC is based out of Rockford, lL and has a molding facility in the Northeastern US, R&D is being done in Northeast Ohio. IMC will not be using the Johan or X-el names on any of their products. Steve