Cato

I think we can sum up by saying that there's just not a big enough market to warrant a styrene kit manufacturers trouble. How about a resin caster's transkit?? They make plenty of obscure vehicles...

All true to my understanding Darin. Differences to fender flairs and devices like Feinstein's car were down to race customer changes. The differences among the six Daytonas are significant only if the model builder wants to replicate one exact car. Since there are zero model Daytonas now, I think a 'composite' model would satisfy me and should satisfy the non-Shelby fanatic. A discriminating builder could alter a composite kit to suit the car he wants. A 1/12 Daytona next to my GT-40 would be very pleasing.

It's my understanding that the S/Cs had no differential cooler, no dry sump, no quick change brake pads and possibly had the bronze bushings replaced for street use.

The Monogram is not even close to an S/C-OR a street car. All those examples look like Tonka toys, if built box stock. It amazes me how many like the Cobra but have no clue what one actually looks---or feels like.

...wheels, windshields, exhausts, induction, valve covers, tires, shapes, thicknesses-no one has gotten them right. Best I ever saw was the Climax 1/24-resin and white metal.

The problem is finding an accurate car to model-not which manufacturer to make a kit.

The aluminum Kirkham Coupe. The only one worth copying. ">http://

To bring this into the current time frame; my thought is that a prospective kit mfgr. may have 'nowhere' to go to get an accurate subject to digitize-with possibly one exception. The current 1:1 Daytona replicas from FFR, Lescher and possibly Unique IIRC, are little more than suggestions of the original (as pictured herein) with distortions added. There have been brief attempts by others like Upstate Motorcars but nothing that was accurate or sold in the slightest volume. There have been several 'air cars' created / restored by fame Cobra restorer Mike McClusky but of extreme expense and doubtful interest by their owners. In fact, those cars are well-hidden from public view. Interestingly, famed racer Kenny Braack recently drove a magnificent Daytona in Europe in a vintage race environment but the builder was not publicly credited. It is highly doubtful that the Shelby Museum in Colorado or any of the few private owners have any incentive to submit the original cars to model replication. And yes they were all slightly different. The only viable current alternative for a kit maker is the Kirkham Daytona, newly finished and track tested and orders being taken. This is a $100K-well+ replica roller and finished with owner-preference power and drive train is a buck fifty. This is a dead-nuts accurate product in every visual and most spec respect. Things like improved bearings and uprights are part of the Kirkham quality offerings. If a kit maker can't get cooperation from the Kirkhams, possibly a customer would cooperate with his personal car. But that too would not be an overnight proposition. The best still remains the OOP Gunze Coupe and a handful of Exoto 1/18 models. Just sayin'...

Entex never dreamed this kit could look this good. As usual, a tour-de-force Harry. It's a great tutorial on producing pleasing and accurate finishes of various materials. Short of brass fabrication this is an excellent simulation. When do you sleep???

This is gonna need a glass case...

No harder than building a good scale model. Get to work...

Here's a larger, 1/10 scale GT in its case just to show that you can get creative while building a case. The base is covered with a simple brick pattern found on the web and printed out. Its colorful without detracting but the sky's the limit on what you can do. Gravel, grass, pavement-you could almost make a whole diorama inside the case. ">

That's a 1/12 model as all my 'case' models are. Case size is 17 x 10 x 6. The nice thing about building your own is that you can display the model fully opened-up and never have dust ruin the inner detail. Hard for me to give you exact numbers because I've done professional framing and the materials (and a tool workshop) are at hand. One key is to size the case while planning so that the opening features of your model are accounted for with a small amount of extra room. Some guys just buy fish tanks which are never custom sized to the model-they're all usually way too tall and look weird. They do keep the dust out however. But the glass can be had from a glass shop or framer, cut to size for $30-$50, depending on your area. A tube of silicone is a few bucks. A little scrap wood makes some holding jigs. The base is made out of foamcore or MDF $5-$10) and the perimeter is a length of picture frame molding, mitre cut to size and joined with v-nails. You can buy a 'stick' (6', 10' or 12') of your favorite molding from a frame-supply house for $5 to $35-depending on how ornate you go. (don't-simpler moldings are best so as not to detract from your model). Or if you provide careful, exact measurements you can have a framer make just a frame for you. Might even be lucky and find one in his stock as a 'ready-made' which is cheaper. The bottom is covered with green felt to prevent furniture scratching. It's not for everyone but if you have moderate craft skills and are patient, you can do it. If you can find my article, (or buy the back issue from Golden Bell) it's all detailed there and photos show the shop tools and techniques used. Maybe practice on a small scale case just to get a feel for it inexpensively. Thanks for the kind words on car and model.

I make my own glass display cases. Dust, child, pet proof, crystal clear and air tight yet easily removable. The construction article is in back issue #156 of MCM or can be found in a search here if not lost in forum crashes. I make them during builds and use them as dust protectors while paint and assembly progress. ">

Don't get too excited boys. Here's a quote from Harry's link: "According to Automotive News, the new motor is set to debut next summer in the updated 2105 Challenger",

Yeah--like a 550HP Cobra...

Confession: I had a negative view about this when I posted it. I did so to see if I was alone in my view. I agree with each preceding negative comment. This is a 'fail' on several levels in my view, even as a 'concept'. The aesthetics of the earlier car are superior as noted. As an 'exoskeleton' type, the Ariel Atom does this much better. The choices are uninspired so how can it inspire Aston fanboys? A 500HP V-12 that does 4 second sixties is lame-even by GM sporty standards-forget about LP700 numbers. An Atom will outrun those numbers handily too. A shame because Multimatic has built some excellent sports racers in the past and they surely are technically excellent craftsman. Aston management made poor design decisions. Their standard line of DBs is far more pleasing, staying within their realm as sports cars.

http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1084263_aston-martin-cc100-speedster-concept-revealed-video_gallery-1#100427903

That's more than 50% off-fantastic. Ebay seller or ??? Please provide purchase info and / or link.

If I am talking about my own actual experience, it's up to the reader to judge the veracity of my claim. That's done by the track record we all accumulate here. If I present fact as I've learned from another source, I will always cite the source and reference of those facts. That also aids in establishing a member as a reliable resource.

Yup-see my 'Location' line. Post those builds in the appropriate forums as you go.

Cool. Skip the turbos-500 HP in a 944 is perfect and balanced. Bet the LS weighs close to the Porsche lump...

Hi and welcome Mikey. I've been building since I was 8 and I'm----a lot freakin older than that. And from way east of you too. Build that Countach and let the 'toy' cars lay-I'm a 1/12 builder (primarily) a research nut. Get good research on what you want to build and it will help you enormously. Great on the Scouts and sports too-you can $25 Mil per if you can throw the high hard one!

You're a strong Dude Terry and you can do this. Best hopes for a good result and keep up your diet and workout discipline. --and make sure you get good-lookin' nurses.