David G.

Thank you Carl. I know that all those choices are up to me, I just like when when I can come up with a story to make those choices plausible in "the real world". Rather like building a model car engine with spark plug wires that are in the proper firing order. It's completely unnecessary but it make some of us happy to do it that way. David G. Thanks Curtis. I'm very pleased with the overall feel of the car. If you didn't notice, there's also a Cuban flag decal on the lower right corner of the windshield. David G. Thanks Ray. I don't like working with enamel paint and in many ways, Testors is the worst to work with. The paint comes out of the spray can like a stream from a garden hose... Two-plus coats in one shot! And the little jars are not much better. I almost always end up thinning them for brush painting and they still take much longer to cure than does lacquer. David G.

This one is done. I based my color selection on having some old enamel paint (Testors turquoise 2965) that I wanted to use up. Enamels give great results but can be finicky to work with and take up to a week to cure, even in Phoenix. The color I chose for this one is not one that was offered by GM in 1951. The factory colors were all rather drab and I wanted bright and happy. This is a convertible after all. I also selected a bright blue plaid for the seats. Again, not an option offered in 51. There was also no left-side mirror included in the kit. As I could not locate a suitable substitute, I did without. So, to explain these nonstandard features, I decided that this car needed a back-story. I think the one I came up with is pretty clever. This car is one of the vintage American cars sold in Cuba prior to the revolution. These American classics are lovingly kept in operating condition by the Cuban people. Though not frequently customized, they generally restored reupholstered and repainted as needed. If replacement parts (like a left-side mirror) can't be found, Cubans will make do, or do without. It is not unusual to find one of these Cuban American autos powered by a Russian diesel engine. Here is a top-up photo. The up-top isn't the greatest fit, but it does well enough I'm pretty happy with the way this one came out. As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment. David G.

Very cool! David G.

The color combination gives it a classy look. Great looking build. David G.

Great idea for a custom, well executed! David G.

Great start! David G.

Thanks Randy. I went and scoped out you 53, it's pretty awesome. Excellent color choice, looks very well built. David G.

Excellent! Very clean build, love the color combination. David G.

Very well done! I can almost smell the dust and grease. David G.

I've been trying to post this update since Friday, July 19th only to get the dreaded "404 Error". I've tried posting both with and without photos. I've tried linking the images through Photo Bucket without success. Obviously, if you're reading this, that means it finally went through, but sheesh! I know it's been a while since I posted an update on this one but I've been painting, polishing and foiling and well, there's just not that much to see during that process. The front glass has a few issues. The wing vents are too short and don't meet the frame. Also, the thickness of the vent glass is preventing the interior from nesting properly into the body. I've since removed these and replaced them with thinner acetate pieces which should also allow the body and interior to mate properly. In the week since I started trying to post this update, I've brought this one to the verge of completion and should be posting it in the Under Glass section soon. As always, thanks for your support and encouragement. David G.

Very Cool! David G.

I've been trying to post an update since Friday, July 19th only to get the dreaded "404 Error". I've tried posting both with and without photos. I've tried linking the images through Photo Bucket without success. So I'm trying a test to see if I can get anything at all to post and hopefully break through whatever is causing the hangup. David G.

Looks great! David G.

That's interesting. Hard to imagine but interesting. I'll try a test. Thanks for the reply. David G.

Very convincing. David g.

Amazing work! Love all the detail, could easily be mistaken for a 1:1. David G.

Nicely Done! David G.

Looks great! David G.

I'v been having trouble with this error since Friday Morning. Does anybody have any work-around tips? David G.

Looks great Jason! Your interior work is so nicely done it's almost a shame to have to hide it by putting the body over top of it. The paintwork and detail on the body looks great too. The badges and scripts add a lot to it. David G.

This build is your best one yet Michelle. I see steady improvement in your eye for detail and your painting skills. Like it says in my signature, "Each kit I build is really only practice for the next one!" Keep up the good work. David G.

Very cool! David G.

Wow, excellent work! David G.

Nicely done! The chassis swap was an excellent idea. The one that MPC provides is rather... basic. David G.

Looks great! Is that the molded color or did you paint it? David G.