Nitrozilla

Thanx for the reminder Ace. I'm going to need to enhance the yellow pinstripes on the Charlie Allen car I'm doing. Using decal material would be perfect. Gene, if you don't have enough black stripe decals, if you have some clear decal paper, you can shoot it black then cut stripes.

Great results Gene. Here's what I use. Most hobby shops carry it.

While certainly not the definitive way to build this car, I discovered a lot of neato ways to adapt this chassis to any subject. Based on my experience, I bought 3 more for future projects. I'm in total agreement concerning the instructions. They are clear as mud, but you might find some usefull tips during my Charlie Allen project here: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=94233

You need to start providing an "Awesomeness Warning" on updates like that Chris. I'm old and I was fine looking at the first couple of pics. Then came the pic of the assembled linkage. I think I strained something. Gonna' have the doc take a look. Might be a hernia.

I make burnishing tools from toothpicks. Cut half of the tip off, about 1 or 2 / 16ths. Then use the toothpick to mix up some epoxy. Do not wipe off the excess. Put it in a clamping tweezer and hang it off the edge of your work desk / table to let it dry on there. Repeat as needed until you have a nice little teardrop on the end. Let it dry overnite and JOILA! Instant burnishing tool. If you are really in a hurry, the pointy end of a small paint brush will work in a pinch.

Well Gene, I think if you do it exactly where the box art lines are, you'll be fine. I'm assuming you have or can get matching silver touch up paint. It would be under the recess. Less noticeable and easy to sand / blend / polish the touched up area. If worse comes to worse, you could always apply a thin pinstripe. I'll bet there's a real close silver out there somewhere. If that fails, pack the whole mess up and ship it to me. I'm thinking strip the thing and go orange with purple polka dots.

I never would have thought of even checking the clutch can for the right shape, not to mention the genius way you corrected it. A treat for the eyes and brainpan at the same time.

I don't know how many times you've been called a Mad Modeling Genius. Must get old, huh?

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome.

Outrageous Tim. At first I thought the white dots on the blue were random dust bits until I saw the pattern emerge. Mind BLOWN. Can't wait to see the finished part.

Forgive me if I'm way off base here, but what about hitting the panels with a clear satin or semi-gloss to give it the sheen you're after? The paint looks right and that might also help protect it during handling. Any chance you're going to NNL West Chris?

Thank you Robert, I'm a big fan of the monochromatic look myself. For starters, it helps make the details pop. I could have sworn there was a post concerning the firing order, but it seems to have disappeared. I try to respond to all questions so I apologize to the poster. Status Report: I have been up to my neck in STUFF, literally. The VA resolved my disability case after 5 years and I'm playing catch up after living on the edge of poverty for all that time. I'm in the process of putting an airbrush station together using a desk w/ hutch and it's fighting me the whole way. Another delay is getting ready to attend the NNL in San Jose on the 31st. Got my room and flight set, now I have to prep my entries. I hope to bring the Flying Dutchman and the Mazmanian AWB Chrysler 300. I also hope to meet as many of you as I can. Just look for the overweight bald guy with glasses and long hair. Need more? I'll be wearing a yellow Testors ball cap. I might make a name badge, not sure. That's it for now. I hope to have the airbrush up and running before the end of the week.

Just booked my room at the Country Inn. I'll get the flight arrangements tomorrow. This will be my first time. Please be gentle.

Dick always showed up with beautiful equipment. You did it justice.

Jason, thank you. Bob, I had clear coat go bad on 2 models. Major fish eyes, too much to sand out on those bodies. Right up your weird alley, huh Ira? Chris, I'll keep that in mind. I'll let you know after the weekend.

Thanks Buzz, it took enuff work. Yeah Gene, it's got those taller Parts Pack fatties that complete the look for me. Well folks, the weather is still not to my liking for paint, so I did the next best thing. Finally got an airbrush and compressor. Also ordered a desk and chair to set it up on. Also picked up a LRW to use for the Flintstone A100 van body. I'm tied up tomorrow, but still hope to have the body in primer this weekend. That's the plan.

Beautiful work. Nice details.

Let me be the first to say that your use of the Top Fuel - F/C clutch can for the base (?) of the drive is inspired. Sweet

We only tolerate the delays because you do awesome work that we learn from. If it wasn't for that.........

I don't know where your scratchbuilding level is, but making new springs seems the easy way out with some plastic or aluminum tubing, and then wrap some wire around it. Better detail too. Also remember that every part you have is a pattern to make a replacement part. Love the choice of colors. Model on Pal, Model on !!

Thank you very much John. I hope the paint goes well too. Keep yer fingers crossed. Gene, yes, that creepy green vision was haunting me.

Here I am, late to the game as usual. Just when I thought you had regained some semblance or normalcy after a mild custom and a mild drag car, you just had to go whacko again. I don't know squat about boats but I know what I like and this is it. On the other tentacle, a blower sticking up where you did such a beautiful job of putting in the window split would be too much to ask, right? How about injector stacks coming up between the pillar? Okay, I'll sit down.

This build will be slowly resurrected as I work it into the Charlie Allen build. I got the new body in the mail today. I couldn't wait to knock out the windows on it and give her a test fit. She's got potential if somebody I know would take the time to build a wing for the roof. This is the Competition Resins Vega Wagon. I ordered the Don Schumacher Wonder Wagon decals by Slixx at the same time, but they are on back order. I'll explore other possibilities in the meantime If anyone has any recommendations for a 1/16 decal set that I can adapt. Just goes to show you should never abandon a build if there are options available to you. I understand better than anyone that options are not always available. Sometimes dreaming hard enough can make things happen. That ends today's philosophy lesson.

WoooooHooooo !!!!! IT'S ALIVE ! I got all of the fit bugs worked out. Now, the pics I'm posting show the stance is exactly the same as my Fave Pic of the car at Irwindale Raceway, aka, my old stomping grounds. I'll post that pic for you to compare, keeping in mind I still need to paint before attaching the front and rear grills, bumpers, etc. The only difference I can spot is the rollcage on the real car is taller. (I am NOT changing that!) Let me know what you think. P. S. Carl, thanks for noticing. Gene, thanks for changing your Avatar. That last one was freakin' me out man.

It's been a weekend of progress and frustration. GOOD STUFF: All wiring, plumbing, etc is done. NOT SO GOOD STUFF: Still need to correct main drag link (long steering arm to spindle). You'll notice the short rod I had to cut. A metal tube will fill the space. Ready for final touch up and header installation. You will recall I've had my fair share of fitment problems mating the tinwork to the frame. More chopping is still required to get the left side to come down a taste and then finally square up the frame, as it sits a little askew to the left. With the front tires on, the left hits the inside of the fenderwell and the right has a gap. I only need a quarter inch to fix it. Rain is forecast for the next couple of days, then I'll get some primer on the body. Thanx to everyone who is following and putting up with my delays.