SteveG

..... I won't go as far as saying Revell nailed it, but it looks a heck of a lot closer to the real thing then the 70 Challenger 2n1 I also picked up recently. Still like the Challenger it's diecast roots are showing but nowhere near as glaring in my eyes. Some of the trim is a little on the heavy side and the rear edge of the hood and cowl panel fit leaves something to be desired. But these areas are very fixable along with the screw hole in the gas tank center. Here's the new Cobra Jet S/S drag parts and hood You can probably call this a 3n1 one as the Bullitt grille is still here, it's right above the fan blade. It looks like there are two new chrome trees for the stock GT and drag versions. The Bullitt Style mags are still here too. There are no brake details or backing plated for the wheels but I'm sure someone here will suggest an easy solution. It's looks like the same hollow tires as used in the Challenger plus some hollow drag slicks, also without sidewall details I have very few Diecasts in my collection but Revell's Bullitt Mustang is one of them. When I first got it I wished they had done it in plastic, I guess here's one time my wish was granted. -Steve

While the subject matter is certainly on the fringe of Car Modeling, Bill is clearly considered a Car and Truck modeler and has been contibuting to our Hobby long before I got back into it. That tractor has been displayed at all kinds of Car Modeling events although it typically lands in the Misc class. While the subject matter is not my thing either I have certainly have learned a lot from Bill over the years that I can apply to the subjects I do build. I can easlily same the same thing about articles on exotic cars and Nascar models. I don't build those either but I almost always get some ideas and tips from the articles that cover them. Here's a couple of photos of Bill's Trucks model. Many of the techniques used to build the steam tractor were used on these two Trucks. -Steve

Another beauty Don, hopefully it will turn up somewhere. I've shipped a lot of models around and they have all found there way home. My problem is getting them back in one piece. -Steve

Well back before good 57 Chevy reproduction parts were everywhere and you were looking for a good restoration candidate or a nice original car one of the places you always checked were the rear bumper ends. First because they were a known rust area and also they were commonly replaced after a rear collision. 1st design and still the most most desired style has a ridge or a hump on the top and a stamped and painted lower exhaust split. 2nd design lost the hump but had still the split, this was either a late production or early GM replacement part. 3rd design was also smooth top and lost the stamped split, it was just painted on and strictly a GM replacement part. The last one was very easy to spot and a clear sign you were looking at a car that wasn't all original. It's funny that I can't remember what I ate for breakfast a few days ago or family birthdays and I have even forgot my wedding anniversary once but I can remember trivial details about 55-57 Chevy's that learned over 30 years ago ..... -Steve

The back up lamps was an option on all models including the 150 series regardless of which bumper end they had. They all got the aluminum dummy plate otherwise. Your getting warm on the simulated exhaust outlets. From a distance they all three looked the same. All the front bumpers were chrome plated. The California Front bumpers were stamped in one piece. The rest of us got a three piece front bumper consisting of a center bar and two ends. -Steve

Nice to see another in depth review by Len and Bill. I've been waiting to see this kit for a long time. It's been on my wish list to Ed Sexton for a number of years. I'm glad it made to the to do list before he left. Here's a few tidbits on the 150 Series 57 Chevys. Only the 150 Utility model came without the back seat. All the rest of the 150's came with a rear seat including the non-utilty 2dr sedan. All engines were available from the 6cyl to the FI 283 in any 57 Chevy model except the Corvette as the power pack 283 was standard on it. Only the V8 optioned models had the V shaped emblems on the hood and deck lid. They were gold on the Bel Air models only, same for the grille. The 6 Cyl cars had a Chevrolet script on the hood and crest on the deck that matched the one in the grille bar. And yes there really was a California specs one piece fron bumper. There were also three different designs of rear bumper ends. Can you list them ? -Steve

Some Box Art Models are built the Art Department of the respective Model Co but most are built by Modelers who are considered an outside resource. Each make there own deal on how they want to be compensated. Some sell the finished models to the Model Co, I prefer to "loan them" out with the promise they will be returned in good condition. I also get other compensation which includes plenty of samples. Some are built with specific instructions on colors and which optional parts to use. Most of the time I get a lot of artistic license to choose how to paint and finish the model. I think the best part is when I get chance to help with new products. While I never had a chance to design a complete kit as that a job for the pro's I've been lucky enough to see some of my suggestions come to life. The only downside is there is always a deadline to keep. I've had to put many of my own projects on the back burner to make sure I get any promised jobs done in time. Last year I built about a dozen models, only two were for me. The rest were for Hawk-Lindberg. I also previously built quite a few for Model King who refered me to Lindberg. Before that I backed up Mike Kolver with some RC2-AMT projects. I hope that answered some of your questions. -Steve

I have no problems shooting anything over Duplicolor primer, Testors lacquers included. I prefer the Scratch-fill version, especially if there's a lot of prep work. If prep work is minimal I'll decant some and thin it out slightly with med-temp lacquer thinner and use it as a primer-sealer through my airbrush. If your super confident in your prep work or are working with a near flawless body, you could skip the primer with Testors Lacquers, they're mild enough for bare plastic. Unfortunately most of the kit bodies that I've worked with are nowhere near paint ready. Of course that a personal opinion, I always say if a technique works for you then do it !!! -Steve

I think that is just some excess vinyl sprue coming off the tires. I also noticed all the small parts are still on the trees and nothing is plated yet. I guessing it's just a test shot. I also noted that the price for the promo version is already dropping on evilbay, it looks like it pays to wait. -Steve

Here's some basic math on why they probably went large scale. Keep in mind these are ballpark numbers. Lets say your average 1/24th - 1/25th scale new tool kit costs $120,000 to produce. If the wholesale cost is $12.00 each, you need sell 10,000 kits to break even. On the other hand, the production cost to make a new tool 1/12th or 1/8th scale kit is $200,000 which is only $80,000 more. Figure the wholesale cost is $40.00 each, you only need to sell 5,000 kits to break even. Now you know why so many large scale kits on currently on the market. -Steve

Bob is right on this one, no model manufacturer will invest $100,000 into producing the tooling and not release the kit. My guess is they will continue to deny that it exists until a formal announcement is made on it's release. -Steve

I got mine online from Chrysler LLC Promotional Merchadise, I ordered it back in August. As far as I know it sold out. There will be two curbide kits from AMT coming next year. The photo below is from the I-hobby Expo show. Revell has promised us a full detail kit as well, I haven't heard any news about it lately or seen a test shot yet. Hopefully more news soon. -Steve

It listed for $24.99 plus shipping and sales tax. They are going for double that on that "auction place" right now. They are all the same as far as I know but I expect there will be other releases. -Steve

.... I didn't pull any strings to get this today, just luck of the draw. I paid for it through Chrysler LLC marketing like everyone did else last August. I got a notice Weds that it was being shipped and it showed today. Check out the "Caution Label" on the box. It looks like a pretty nice promo to me. I think it should make a great curbside kit. Hopefully we'll be seeing those soon too. -Steve

Frame would be a low gloss black, most Fords of that era had Red oxide primer on the floor pans with some body color overspray. Many northern cars got the floor pans undercoated which was also black so either way could be correct. -Steve

Mike, You beat me to that one , mine is still on order from my LHS. It will probably show up tomorrow. Are there any changes to the kit over the last issue other than the white plastic and the packaging goodies? -Steve

Really .....apparently you didin't read the whole story. Here's a quote from Snopes; "Although the Postcard virus is real, it isn't a "BIG VIRUS COMING" (it's already been around in multiple forms for a long time now), it will not "burn the whole hard disc" of your computer, CNN didn't classify it as the "worst virus" ever, and it doesn't arrive in messages bearing a subject line of 'Invitation.' " OK....back to model buildng

Exactly, I thought you almost missed my point but you got to it at the end there. RC2 had the tooling and what did they do with it. Put it in a checkerboard box ......... please...... OK, well I'll give them some credit for the Masterpiece version. Round2's packaging of this kit is just brilliant, I can't wait to see what's next from them. -Steve

Well, I guess I'll be the first to post photos of the contents. I got this one at the Motorcity NNL This kit takes me right back into the sixties, reminds me of the old Trophy Series kits. Lots of little goodies including two complete engines. The Tampo printed whitewall are packed in tissue paper. No warpage that I can find. Just some minor flash here and there. This is how RC2 should have done it !!!! -Steve

Nice review, Thanks. I'm going to get mine this weekend ..... so who's going to be the first to post some photos of the contents? These are the builts from I-hobby Expo -Steve

I'm pretty sure that's an old Show Rod called the Bathtub Buggy that's being re-issued. Those Show Rods aren't my thing so if somebody here knows more about it feel free to jump in. I'm really looking forward to getting the Black Widow kit. I had been bugging Ed Sexton for several years to do one. Looks like he finally found a way to shut me up about it. -Steve

About the only thing you can do now to support the current Johan is to purchase something from Okey at one of the Toy Shows he attends or from one of his online Auctions. Currently he's only listing a couple of old stock decal sheets in his auctions. His photo-etch sheets for the AMX and 55-56 Pontiac kits are pretty decent if you can get them. I reviewed the Pontiac sheet here but there didn't seem to be much interest considering only the one reply. Here's a link to the original post. First look a the 55-56 Pontiac P-E set Personally I would be very pleased to see Okey and Johan back in the big game and not a just a one man cottage industry as it stands today. -Steve

Back when I was working pretty closely with Dave B. I asked him straight out if I he had ever thought of working a deal with Okey to help revive Johan. Apparently he did try to work out something regarding the Rambler kits when they first came out but the offer was shot down......"In flames" or at least thats the impresion I got from our conversation. It's a real shame considering Dave's reputation for getting things done, especially when it comes to old tooling. -Steve

The shows rods aren't really my thing either, but I built several of them as a kid and there must be enough interest to bring them back. Considering how profitable reissues are I can see why they announced them before another new tool. That's just good business. Even if they needed repair or some missing parts replaced your still looking at way less investment then all new tooling. So assuming Revell does well with these and considering their recent hits with the Custom Merc and Nova kits I think we can still bet on seeing some new tooling in our future and I'd love to see a '57 Buick as one of them. -Steve

Along with those two were also getting the Red Baron and the Bathtub Buggy. Here's a scan from the 2009 release flier. -Steve