Phildaupho

This will the 6th year in a row that I have made an April Fools Day post although this time the joke was sort of on me. A friend was ordering some kits from Hobby Link Japan when he noticed the availability of a new Cobra kit described as 1/25 American Sports Car Willow Springs Cobra from GTM Models. Knowing that I am a big fan of 289 Cobras, he asked if I was interested in getting the kit. Out of curiosity how could I refuse. When his order arrived, he gave me a call. I asked him what it looked like. He told me it appears to have a broken windscreen and a deformed resin trunk lid. That got me even more curious so I rushed over to pick it up. What I got was a kit that was supposed build up as a model of the white 289 Cobra seen in the movie Ford vs Ferrari - specifically in the scene at Willows Spring Raceway where Ken Miles throws a wrench at the car and breaks the wind screen and also takes a hammer to the trunk lid. This car was inspired by the car Ken Miles finished second at Riverside in February of 1963. The reality is that the movie car of which there was likely more than one is different from the 1963 race car in a number of ways and the model kit Cobra is different from both the 1963 and the movie car. The kit is based on the Academy 289 Cobra which has a 427-style body. To correct that short coming I have replaced the body with one from the AMT 289 kit with a non-scoop hood. The GTM kit does come with some neat parts like the broken windscreen which I narrowed, the dented trunk lid and photo-etched jacking brackets. There is also a photo-etched grill mess which I was able to adapt to 289 grill surround. A few modifications were required to the AMT body - molded on emblems were removed, the windshield mount recesses were filled, openings were cut for the body side vents and the trunk opening had to be altered to accommodate the smaller 427 dented trunk lid. Because the engine was not a focal point of this car, I decided to build the model as a curbside with a sealed hood. I could not however resist incorporating the Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby pre-painted figures which came in a Revell 427 Cobra issue. Please note the hammer and wrench on the seat beside Ken Miles.

Three very attractive Formula racers. Very interesting to see the Brabham next to the Honda

Great looking racecar

I live in Victoria British Columbia which has always had a very strong car culture of hot rods, street machines, sports cars, circle track racers and exotic cars. It also has a superior community of car modellers with a few achieving world recognition. We have always been very fortunate having a hobby shop and at times multiple hobby shops. Currently we have one very good hobby shop operated by a very progressive owner. Car modellers have a very good relationship with the Victoria IPMS club and are routinely the largest entrants at their local model contest. Every three years car modellers host a very popular model display at Northwest Deuce Days the largest Deuce car show in the world.

I noticed Harry's model when going through your photos from Detroit and was very impressed with its design and execution. Now I know the rest of the story. Thanks Tim.

Something else the Sedan kit had which I do not think the other Deuce kits had were stock taillights and cowl lights.

Thanks Tim. Great models - Great photos.

I my opinion the best way to build an early Mustang Notchback is with the Monogram 1/24 64 Mustang Convertible. With some sanding the up-top can be converted into a very presentable hardtop. With this option you get a superior chassis, interior and correct grill. It does have reverse lights however.

223 arrived Victoria BC Canada today. Great issue !!

Great news. A lot of people have been waiting for this re-release.

Thanks for posting. A lot of really nice cars.

Great looking Camaro and I really enjoyed the back story.

Fantastic looking Deuce in all respects. Love it.

Great looking historic funny car Jerry.

Looks fantastic. I really like the red stripes on the headlight covers.

Andrew your Cobra Daytona project has been so interesting to follow and it has turned out fantastic. Thanks for starting this endeavor. I really enjoyed being part of it. I hope you plan on starting an Under Glass thread where the cars that did make the grid can be posted.

I really enjoy seeing your Mustangs. Both beautiful models. I remember these cars when they were first shown to the public. I was impressed then and I am still impressed.

Thanks but I was referring to the red plastic of the body. Years ago I tried painting a red plastic body white and it turned out pink !!

Fantastic looking model. Very well built. All in all I think Salvinos JR has done a pretty good job with these kits and they will likely just keep getting better.

Thanks Larry Thanks Atkin - Glad you like it Thanks Helmut - I agree. The Fujimi curbside kits are very good in all the GT40 configurations and would find many new buyers if re-released with full detail. In these days of 3D scanning it seems very conceivable.

Gorgeous 917. Great job with the decals. How did you seal the red from bleeding through the white?

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your comments. I am very happy with the results as it only took me 25 years to get a GT40 MKI built.