iBorg

Actually the '70 Camaro was both the wide Logghe style and the digger style chassis. First the '70 body was added to the older chassis to make the car more bookable. Then the digger chassis replaced the older chassis to make the car more competitive. The '70 car did run a hemi near the end of its career. I don't know if it debuted with a Chevy or a hemi. My guess is it debutted with a Chevy (just a simple rebody) and then was swapped to the hemi either when the chassis was changed or later. This wasn't totally unknown. Jungle Jim's Camaro had a big block Chevy in it and then was swapped to the hemi. The BB Chevy was a very good race motor. What it lacked was durability. When it ran well, it was very competitive with the hemi. When it wasn't running well it was splitting parts.

You mean you're going to make modern funny car bodies that actually look like the cars they're supposed to be? That's an original thought that if the 1:1 folks would do, I might watch them. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

The Camaro might sell. Revell does have a 1971 Camaro funny car in their stash, the Funny Hugger/JJ Camaro. Not a good model, but a Camaro. The 68/69 body would require a new tool including body, tin and hopefully engine. The most logical choice to lobby for an early Camaro is AMT/MPC. MPC's Dick Harrell Camaro, while a multipiece frame design, was a high water mark in the early funny car releases. The Johan kits may have been better but the MPC kit lacks only decals to make a good representation of the 69 Camaro. It really should be re-released as it has NEVER been re-issued. As for the '71 Camaro, MPC released it in the early 70's. I had one and sold it as I was disappointted in its lack of accuracy. With the amount of correction needed, I felt it would be better to scratch build it. It is a much better box to display in the box than build. MPC's Vette model, while a logical choice for USA-1 decals, doesn't compare to Revell's funny cars of the era that derived from the Duster/Charger chassis or the later Monogram funny cars. I don't think it would sell anywhere as well as either Camaro due to the inaccuracies. I hope Revell would release a host of other bodies before a Vette although a new body for the old Monogram Firebird/Olds funny car chassis would be a fairly accurate model. Remember Corvette funny cars were the exception rather than a rule. The only really successful Vette funny car was Tom McEwen's which did win the NHRA funny car championship. Most other 'Vettes self destructed.

While I like my Sherlines, I'd really love to have your toys. Just don't know how I'd get that mill in my basement. When I die, my wife and kids would really curse me when they moved it out. Mike

What brand solder are you using? I find Stay Brite to the best and I can get cleaner joints. Mike

I think one thing that hinders out youth from getting into the hobby is the amount of free time they have. My son plays video games when he cans. If he can do that for two hours a week that's a lot. Those two hours will more than likely be broken down into two half hour periods and one one hour period. Mike

I think model building will remain among a certain die hard group of high quality builders. Look at the growth in the aftermarket. We have resin do-dads that I didn't know even existed in real life. We can get decals for so many cars that some of us have such a decal collection, we'll never get around to using them. The hobby will follow model railroading. I think that is the model (no pun intended) the hobby will need to follow. I do agree that more modern cars are needed but how many new cars excite. If it doesn't excite most builders will ignore it.

What would be REALLY sweet would be for MPC to release the Dick Harrell Camaro with USA-1 decals.

I feel like you've teased me. What a beautiful build. Great history lesson. What kit is this based off of? Can you tell us more about your model? Beautiful build!

What ONE MINUTE......the April issue for 2012 is available in April 2012. Is that a joke? (Sorry guys, couldn't control myself)

That's a great job on the frame. I really need to try my hand at one. Why plastic and not brass?

Rat Nasty on the forum has the Maverick.

This is a sweet project. I have most of these parts. I need to get started on mine along with a 100 other projects give or take thirty or so...... MIke

This think is so right in so many ways....almost makes me want to give up this hobby and start building 1:1.........potted plants. Amazing work!

Now the paint looks right. Without the red stripe something was missing!

You got to be kidding...... Did you hire the seven sub dwarfes to build this? Absolutely stunning!

Can you give me the dimensions of the hub? What size bit did you use for the spoke holes? Thanks, Mike

If I catch you kids in my backyard again, I'll call the police! Nice job on creating a great piece of junk. Amazing how hard it is to make something look so used up.

Sure I'm kidding.....I'm also jealous of your skill. I need to get busy and try my hand at a few parts. Are those CNC or free hand? Mike

Thanks goodness you didn't say it took you an hour to machine each carb. Then I would have felt hugely inadequate instead of just highly inadequate as to my abilities. VERY impressive work.

Can you provide a link? Mike

I'd love to have the Dzus fasteners as a first step. These could be used on almost any drag car. One challenge with many of the suggestions is the lack of readily abvailable donor kits. The Revell drag kits are more readily available than the MPC 1/16 kits. The exceptions are the Street Charger (I know its been re-released but haven't seen one) and the C4 Corvette, a kit everyone has at least one of and no one builds.

Look for any of the Olds funny cars from Revell. I'm pretty sure the kits really didn't change during the various issues of the molds.

I took a look at your albums. Truly nice lathe work. Question.... How did you get the bolt detail in the valve covers? Mike

This is truly nice work. A great inspiration. I'd love to see your set up for making the body. Mike