W-409

I agree. What other "Foose-Parts" does this kit have than those horrible wheels and tires? I don't have a single 1/12 Scale Model Car part, and in my bugdet, buying many parts seperately doesn't work. Then, if the kit has no Stock parts, then I'm not going to pay that big bucks on a kit I could never build, since I don't put those horrible modern parts in my cars.

Three More: I also installed Fram Decal to the Oil Filter...

Thanks Alan, the Driveshaft Loop is installed now, but looks like I forgot to take a picture of it... Anyway when the body was dry, I decided to test fit it to chassis, and everything fit really nicely. Then I put the decals on, those Cobra Jet textes are from the kit, others are from my parts box. Now I'll let it dry for a couple of days, and then spray a clear coat on it.

Thanks Gene! These Pontiacs are really nice, just like all other GMs from that era. I'd like to get one more of these some day and make it as a Street Car with body colored Steelies and Dog Dishes.

Yes, Tamiya works fine (Or better, haven't tried to polish it) too. I have painted one car with Tamiya paints, but never have polished Tamiya paints, which is next in line I hope...

Thanx David, I appreciate the kind words!

I have to say also that the wires are...Strange. It would have looked better if it was built without those wires, the best way is (I think) to build a couple of Models straight out of the box before starting to add details or make modifications. This is just a tip, to help you out. I am no expert either. I don't know what age you are, but I have to say that maybe one of the best quotes ever goes "Every Model Built By A Youngster Is A Great Model". I don't know who said it, but that is how I think also. You said you were more interested in Paint Work. That's great, paint job is in my opinion maybe the most critical thing in Model Building, of course in a side of overall finishing and parts fit. Your paint looks very good from the pictures. Just a minor tip to make it even better next time: Sand the Mold lines before painting (Now there's one for example on the Trunk Lid). And this is just an advice to help you out, I'm not trying to be a "Nitpicker" or anything...Just trying to help you out, just like other people have helped me during the years and that's maybe the most important thing why my Modeling Skills have improved. GREAT job for the First Build, congrats!

Nice Catalina! This one inspired me to build my Catalina too in Under Glass. Beautiful Paint Job as always, and nice detail all over. The panel lines are so nice and even too. My favorite is the interior colors, they are excellent and very realistic, not just regular flat blue or turqoise, but they have the "Metallic" Paint effect on them, and that's something I've rarely seen in Model Cars. Excellent work!!!

Just got this one wrapped up. More pictures behind the link, I posted it Under Glass by mistake... http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74783

I have wanted to build the DragStrip Starting Line for a long time too. But the problem is, that regular asphalt you see on public roads does look different than the Drag Strip, that has many coats of rubber and the "Track Glue" or what is it called in English?, Anyway I mean the liquid that's used to get better traction. See here: It's more like "Shiny", but then there are those black stripes on the middle and they should be matt finished.

Thanks for the great comments guys! The tires came like that, as Andy mentioned, and they are excellent. I have also the Racemaster Parts Pack that has those tires with different kinds of sidewall details, but they are too nice and I haven't used them yet on my builds. Jonathan: Yes, I've never been a fan of decal work, especially on the bodies. But luckily these were good quality and I managed to get them installed pretty nicely. Bill: I had no masking tape on the interior, or the one I had was too strong and it would have pulled the paint off also. And since then, I haven't built three color interiors. Nick: Bummer about the Hood. I didn't know there was one available, so I just went with the kit hood. Oh well, if I ever build another one, then I'll have to keep this in mind. Sean: Post pics of your build also. I'm a fan of all Stockers and Super Stockers in any scale, not only because we're building a 1:1 '74 Chevelle for Stock Eliminator with my dad. Thanks again for the nice comments, they all are greatly appreciated.

Somehow I managed to miss this post, but luckily I saw it now...WOW! That's very nice Ford, paint job is smooth as glass, as usually in your builds, and the assembly looks overall very clean and tidy. Great job.

This is cool! I like the stance on it and you have nailed the wheel and tire choice also. That primered front end looks great also. Nice engine work too, great details. I guess it's a 348, I've never seen a three carb intake for 409.

A Few More: And The Last Set:

This was basically finished last year, but I FINALLY got the Hood repainted properly. Or it's far from perfect, but that's the best I could get. This started from AMT '62 Catalina 2 In 1 kit. The Custom version was nice too, but because there were optional parts for Early '60s Super Stocker, it was clear that I'd build that version. My dad decided to build his as Howard Maseles' Packer Pontiac, so I went with the kit decals to create "Mr. B's Passionate Poncho". The kit was really nice, and my build started from the engine (As usual). I had to find correct paint color for Pontiac's engine, and this is the best one I came up with. Engine got some extra details, but not as many as some of my other builds. I had to sand material off from the Fan Belt and Fan, because they were way too thick and other little touchups were done, but nothing too critical. Kit's interior is really nicely done, but from my version, there was a big part of rear seat missing. Luckily I managed to fix the problem with some sheet styrene and bondo. Interior seat colors are mixed from a bunch of Enamel Paints to create maybe a bit more accurate paint scheme for the interior. Seat belts are only thing I added there, otherwise it's Box Stock. Chassis is nice too and especially I liked the tires and wheels. They went together nicely and caused me no problem. Paint is Maston (Spray Can) with clear coat and polishing. This was nice kit to work with, really worth buying.

Yep, after the paint and decals were dry, I Clear Coated the body with Maston's clear from spray can (Same Manufacturer's clear and paint). You must paint a bit thicker clear coat, so there is material to polish, otherwise it will go through clear coat to paint, and that does not look good. But of course, too much clear isn't good either. Then I tape the tight curves before polishing, so it will not go through clear so easily from those places, and get to work. I hope it helps.

Yup, this one was easy. I've seen those cars live here in Finland.

Honestly I have to say that I have never seen a car with bigger wheels than 15" and thought that it looks good. I know I'm Old School in this thing, but still I would never install Low Profile Tires or big wheels to an old classic. And new RetroMuscles look much better with High Profile tires too, I'd put 15" wheels and high tires on them if I had one. When looking at my Display Case, I have a bit over 50 models. Two of them have bigger wheels than 15" with lower profile tires... Another one is Martini Porsche and another one is Lancia Stratos... Same thing with modern LS engines, or actually all too modern parts on Classics. I'd say that Old School Is Cool, and as my beformer Signature said, "I Rather Eat Worms Than Install Big Wheels With Low Profile Tires On A Car". But of course everyone has their own opinions, and in Models & 1:1 cars, all that matters is that the owner likes them just as they are.

Wilkommen Jürgen! Ich komme aus Finnland und ich habe viel Englisch in hier gelernt. I hope that's correct, or at least understandable. I'm currently studying German in High School. Looking forward to see your builds!

The bodywork is done. I glued the rear panel to the body, and filled the seams with Liquid Glue, sanding, more liquid glue and more sanding-method. That means I didn't have to use any putty at all, which is always great. Then I primered the body with Maston Primer. That one turned out better than I thought, so after the first primer coat was dry, I just sanded the body over all smooth and painted some Blue. At the same time I painted other, smaller body parts blue too and the front spoiler with Flat Black.

Even if the decals silvered, it looks excellent! I have wanted to build this kit also, since Hurst Hairy Olds is a part of DragRacing History. Nice paint job, and clean assembly!

This is going to be a cool project to follow! Your builds are always very nice, and the subject is excellent, as usual. Have you tried the body on chassis, I mean does it need any cutting to get the wheelbase etc fit right? I'll be watching.

Stunning work with the headers, Nick! Those are not that easy to make, but yours turned out excellent. Otherwise really great work too. I'm tuned in for sure.

Thanks for the comments fellas! Ray: That's the plan. But I'm not sure if I will make it, but it depends on how I get the engine installed and stuff like that. The body is even smaller than I thought! Here is the build that inspired me: I got some more done. I took a few important measures of the Double Dragster kit frame, and some styrene tubing. It didn't take very long and I had the basis of the Frame on my hands. Then I did a few cuts to the body, to make the frame sit a little lower....Channeled? Next I will need to find good Rear Axle for this build and then I must build mounts for it. After that I can build a floor to the frame.

Well I got some more done on the Frame. I sanded all the putties smooth, and since it really looked smooth, I decided to spray some primer over it. Luckily it was a warm day, so I painted outside and it dried very fast so I managed to paint another side of the frame with primer on the same day. Then I sprayed some Gold paint on it today. Still the other side to go.