Darin Bastedo

Hey Randy, While you have those out, how hard do you think it would be to take the roof from the MPC/AMT GT and build an LX hatch? I have little interest in the notch.

No it is a curbside kit.

The Porsche 911 has been in production for nearly 50 years and there are dozens of kits. is there a particular type of 911 you want?

you can also increase the size of the type on all pages by adjusting the screen resolution.

I do quite a bit of research but end up not using some of it. I try to determine what details are important to make a build look real, and what can be left out. Some things are not important. For instance if the engine is going to have a large air cleaner attached to it, the carburetor can be a block of plastic for all I care I save the better looking carbs for models where they will be exposed. The things I try to pay close attention to, even on factory stock cars is stance. The proper stance, and fitment of wheels and tires is instrumental to making a car look real.

Typical from what ive seen, is fairly accurate body shape though often multi-piece. adequate chassis and engine detail, though some what simplified and often lacking engraved surface detail. takes a bit of work to look good. In short not as nice a current revell, not as bad as early revell.

I have one. it's typical heller quality, will look good with some work.

I tend not to add it up, as the amount I spend is obviously not cutting into my food and housing budget. But On my current project which is an old 1959 Buick Invicta model that I'm rebuilding I got the model cheap at a swap meet for $10, I'm combining the parts from 4 other kits that on average I also spent about $10 on. So far that's $50 I'll have another $20 in paint probably, and $9 in a set of Pegasus wheels. Beyond that maybe another $6 in scratch building materials. So about $85.00 total. When you add it up, it seems pretty bad, Until you realize I've been doing this for over 40 years. With the exception of the Buick, and the wheels, I've had everything else that is going into this kit for at least 6-20 years. So my only investment in this build is about $19 or about the same as a current kit.

My 1:1 is a 2003 Mini Cooper. It's a fun little go-kart.

Buy it direct http://www.bare-metal.com/

Where can I get one?

I wasn't trying to slap you down or anything, but if we don't keep this model related it could get out of hand real fast.

I was kind of keeping this model related.

Most have heard of the mindset list. usually devoted to the mindset of those entering college this year. Here is the mindset list for model builders born in 1995. 1. There has always been several excellent versions of 1969 Camaro kits available 2. Revell and Monogram have always been the same company. 3. There have always been Photo-etched detail sets. 4. There has always Been resin conversion kits. 5. There have always been two or more high quality Model car magizines to choose from. 6. The don't remember when mail ordering a model kit invoved sending an sase for a catolog or stock list. 7. You could always find nearly any model kit you wanted on eBay. 8. Johan kits have always cost a lot. 10. The Revell 32 fords have always been available. 11. there have always been internet forums. 12. Automotive paint has always been available pre-thinned in convenient hobby sixed bottle from several sources. 13. there has always been high quality NASCAR stock car kits and an almost endless supply of aftermarket decals for them. 14. there has always been Bare metal foil and Alclad. 15. When you bought an old glue bomb you could always buy replacement parts for them from Modelhaus. 16. NNL has always been in the model car lexicon. 17. MPC was always part of AMT 18. There has always been a National Model Car Museum. 19. they have always gotten same day, (and in some cases real-time) notification of new release announcements. 20. there have always been numerous large regional model car contests.

There is no limit for me, a lot of it depends on how much I want to build a particular subject, and what my available funds are. If I really want something, I'll save up for it.

What in particular, do you see in these that would make them particularly marketable? Aside from the Copper Kart these all look like fairly generic 50's customs.

Here is a link to John D'agostino's site. Cool stuff, more traditional style. http://www.johndagostinokustomkars.com/showcars.htm

Ok I'll accept the others, but George Barris? Really? what George Barris "Kustom" do you think they should kit? Now his Brother Sam, the one with the talent did some cool stuff, But unless your target market is "Huggy Bear" I don't think George's stuff will sell.

Why is Chip Foose so popular? Well for one he does far more than just put big wheels on old cars. His full on custom designs are top notch in design. fit and finish. They are Distinctive enough to be able to tell they are one of his at first glance. Before: After: Yeah all he did was a motor swap and a set of big wheels.

Pete, that is an excellent build. I for one am happy to have a new variation to build.

I've Read this topic with interest, and found a number of people who have made some interesting points. Like always I try not to comment on the model itself until I hold it in my hot little hands. Now that I have one here is my take on it; First let me say I tend to come to the subject of scale fidelity and accuracy from a slightly different perspective. I've been building Models for the better part of 40 years. Had this kit, or anything close to its quality come out back in the '70s when I started building, it would have been met with accolades by the modelers. I'm old enough to remember when the typical kit merely bore a close approximation to the real car. Back then the only '32 fords available were the AMT (almost toy like) MPC (look at the recent American Grafitti re-release) and the Monogram (Roadster only, fenders molded to the frame and no easy way to do a fenderless car) Take a look at any of these and tell me that even this compromised kit isn't far superior to any of those options. Second, I grade kits on what I can build it into. I have absolutely Zero interest in the 1:1 Rat Roaster, but can understand that if that is what you want to build how you could be disappointed with the kit. Also I Can understand if you are disappointed that there is no I-beam axle as there are many cars I could build with that as well. That said this kit has some great stuff in it. 1. I love the wheels and tires. There are a lot of things I could do with those. 2. Buick Portholes, I see me adding those to my custom Hudson Hornet tonight or tomorrow. 3 The Engine. I can put that in anything from a t-bucket to a 69 Camaro. Heck the short block and tranny would be a great start on a pro-touring engine build. 4. The Front cycle fenders and bobbed rears will look great on a vintage hot rod build. 5. The seats look cool and would work in many period customs 6. the guitar is a nice touch 7. The Gear shift is kinda cool too, and would look good in any hot rod build. 8. Having a stock firewall that isn't resin is nice too. I'll probably buy several of these over the years because the parts are so nice. Is it a perfect replica of the 1:1? nope, but it is a really nice model kit.

Only Five huh? here they are... 1963 Michelotti Jaguar Le Mans 1953 Siata 208s Shelby Cobra 289 CSX2521 Ferrari 456 GT Venice 2003 Mini Cooper

It looks good enough for me. I'll probably build several, a few of them I'll probably cut up beyond recognition anyway.

My wife loved Cranberry Lime-aides so I made one in scale for the Ford Falcon I made for her birthday...

The 427 Cobra "Sunburst wheel" picture here came about because of my desire to build an accurate 427 Street Cobra. Because it didn't exist in scale I had to build one from scratch. The rim was the only part I didn't scratchbuild, but it is a heavily modified piece from the Monogram 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car. the center of the wheel though is made up of 22 separate pieces of evergreen styrene stock. I then had copies made in resin... The 427 Cobra "Sunburst wheel" picture here came about because of my desire to build an accurate 427 Street Cobra. Because it didn't exist in scale I had to build one from scratch. The rim was the only part I didn't scratchbuild, but it is a heavily modified piece from the Monogram 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car. the center of the wheel though is made up of 22 separate pieces of evergreen styrene stock. I then had copies made in resin...