iBorg

Before we get excited about a Pinto let me remind you of two things, (10) Jo-han Pinto and (2) Barracuda. For every successful Pinto there was five Cudas. No manufacturer has every done a late body Cuda, accurate or inaccurate. If you want a CUDA, your only choice is resin. If you want a second generation Camaro, kit bash a Funny Hugger/JJ Camaro with the AMT Camaro. Of course another great body to kit would be a decent ram air Mustang. Mike

I've heard from several reliable sources the MPC Harrell Camaro is the most accurate funny car of that era. Of course, it hasn't been reissued and seems to have disappeared. The other Camaro funny car kits including the AMT Funny Hugger and its variants, the Revell Camaro which was reissued as the Jungle Jim car, as well as the MPC USA-1 Camaro and its variants are all lackluster attempts that require major work to make them accurate. Mike

Of course you could also change the roll cage and the interior tin on the Hustler for an interesting flip top gasser. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Might even finish it but why ruin my record? Mike

I do hope a lot of us buy a lot of the kits. I gave my wife the hint that it would make a great birthday present. I'm clearing my bench for it. It looks like a great canvas to add a lot of detail to. Also, I agree the restoration is a bit too nice, although aren't most of them? Mike

Slixx shows the correct color choice as HOUSE OF KOLORS-KANDY APPLE RED #K1101 OVER PEARL WHITE. The next question is which decal sheet is best. I noticed the rear wheels have beadlocks. Guess that's one thing I'll be changing. Also, I wish Revell would have left off the molded in seat belts. I much prefer to use photo-etch. Mike

Hey Greg does being hacked mean this is a world wide popular site? I'd consider it as a compliment. Back handed compliment but still a compliment. Mike

I'm sure toilet paper sales went up or replacement underwear was needed. Mike

Len: Can I sorta hijack your thread? What about the best 427/454 with a blower? Also, what's the best naturally aspirated one? Mike

Have you thought of modifying the body to make it more correct for that car? That body was only correct for the first year Dusters such as the Whipple and McCullough Revellution car. After that, the greenhouse was reduced as was the rear body hangover. Mike

I've viewed several of these discussions as they've become rants. I've had my dealings with Don in the past and weren't happy with them. BUT...... Others have had much more positive results. I've wondered at times if I'm being unfair in avoiding Reliable Resin. Is it really fair to look at something that occurred three years ago and take Don to task for it? Maybe its time to give him another opportunity to earn my business. With that being said, if you have a problem with Don or another caster cite dates and details. I'm a different person today than I was three years ago. Maybe some of us who have taken Don to task before (and I have) should give him another chance and not hold something from a few years ago against him. Don.....may I suggest two things to you that might help your reputation? 1. If the discussion is about another caster, don't enter into the conversation. Even if you believe they as recasting something you've cast, unless you started with an unshaped block and shaped it to what you've cast, you have also recast something someone has made before. It may be an interior or a hood scoop from a long out of production kit. It might be a body that you've corrected. You still modified something that was made before. It is a recast. 2. You might think what you made is the only accurate widget in the world. But others may see flaws in it that you think are improvements. Simply state, "I believe this is the best widget in the world." That may imply its the best and only accurate widget but most people will find it easier to accept your opinion than your declaration of truth. 3. Don't be so forceful in your e-mails. I've saved some from you and they're not really what I think you'd want to receive or see published. While you'd like them to convince others of your viewpoint they only serve to anger the reader. You might not deserve that anger. There is no arguing that Don has been quite successful in filling a niche. He has been able to be one of a handful of casters that have actually been able to make this a long term business. For that he should be praised. I'd like to see his actions not warrant some of the extreme bitter feelings that they have surfaced. FINALLY, I must salute Don. Unless he has posted while I've been writing, this discussion has gone on for two pages and several hours. I know he has watched it. He has yet to comment, attack others or defend himself. I doubt if many of us would have shown the same restraint. Finally, part two..... Tonight, rather than criticizing or praising, let's have some fun and cut up some plastic.

Now that the McEwen reissue is out, when might we see the Chi-Town Hustler and the Hawaiian? I'm interested in the McEwen kit only if the decals are significantly better than the last release. The other two, will be going home with me. Might not even get home before the plastic is off. Mike

Time for my two cents.... There's a difference between buying and modeling. I see J.'s work and I know its the result of a skilled craftsman. I see others post their work and I see the result of someone buying this and adding it to that. I have a lot of the "high tech" tools and I'm not sure they're a help or a hindrance. Having them is great. Knowing how to use them is a skill I lack. I spent the summer moving them and if I ever get my tools settled, I might actually model. And get off of this computer.... Mike

The Jo Han chassis is smaller than just about anything out there. The AMT Challenger requires a fair amount of surgery. The 1/24 Monogram Challenger is HUGE. I haven't tried it but I wonder about the Revell 1/25 Challenger. Anything else such as the AMT Duster are longer wheelbases and require a great deal of surgery. Mike

HEY GREG...... Ever thought of doing an article on building some of those pieces? Those are really nice. Mike

Sadly no it doesn't. The chassis is the old Garlits Wynnscharger which is the MPC front engined dragster. Others that used it were the Young American. Many drag builders would like to see it reissued but I wouldn't be looking for it. You might want to consider the Ivo/Too Much chassis or scratch building one. Mike

Is this the kit that was reboxed by Revell? If so I've got to find that in my stash and start building. Your's is one tremendous model. Mike

A really cool motor for this is the baby Hemi in the Miss Deal or the Olds in the original Beatnik Bandit. Mike

Steve: Good job! Mark: Great comment! Mike

I like it. I'm not familiar with that set of Slixx decals, I'll have to look. Mike

Based upon your numerous errors, are you going to build a replacement? If so, I'll clear a spot for it. Truly an excellent build! Mike

I second the STUNNING verdict. Other words seem to fall short. Mike

Nice build. The problem with that kit as well as the Willys Pick Up and the Henry J is the frame. This is designated a gasser. NHRA rules required a stock type frame which meant rectangular frame. These all share a round tube frame which would automatically make this an altered. Mike

The top one may be from a Deora. The third one is from Palmer. A very generic chrome that was used in most of their kits. The only change would be the year on the license plate. Its amazing to see one with that nice of chrome. Mike

For inspiration try this site: http://picasaweb.google.com/montywolf/FavoriteRaceCarsDriversAndRacePeople# I might try my hand at this. My choice is in that assortment. More info if I can get the body right. Mike

The only way PayPal would allow you to transfer to a credit card is to get the PayPal credit card. Then you're supposed to be able to transfer money to the credit card balance. I think Marc's suggestion of a Paypal debit card makes more sense. Of course the problem is before you get to that point, you have to have money in the account which would require someone to pay you or transfer money from a bank account. You could always sell something on eBay but before you do, you need a credit card on file to pay for the listing fees. I think you're a victim of eBay/PayPal's trying to squeeze every penny out of you possible. Wish I could be more encouraging. Mike