MrObsessive

Man that Caddy is NICE!! I wonder if he ever finished that? The page was from a couple years ago, and it'd be nice to know how it turned out.

I wanted to add that whoever built that, it's sure a very nice and clean build!

Well, if I ever bought and built this one again, I'd have to do SOMETHING with those door jambs! That's one of the main "empty" areas that jumps out at me big time! I understand that MPC didn't want to spend too much time in this area, but it's one of those detail omissions that drives me crazy as it's so far off the 1:1's appearance. Nevertheless, the body shape looks spot on to me as MPC was very good at getting those F-car's shapes correct.

Mike what you posted is how I remember the kit 30+ years ago. While not a bad kit at all, it looks a bit "empty" in spots and the rear seat is among those places. With some time spent detailing, these can look very nice and can hold their own with most modern tools. Edit: And I want to add that at LEAST it still has the T-Tops! This gen Firebird/Camaro always looked their best with the glass tops.

Very interesting videos Doug! This technology is fascinating, and I can only see really neat things to come about because of it.

Good! That's what I was hoping for as that's better than no whitewalls at all. Nomads look so much better IMO with wide whites than without.

If I'm not mistaken, didn't the 1/16 scale Trans Am have opening doors? I'm quite sure I built this one back in the early '80's and it, along with then new for '84 Corvette kit had opening doors and hatch. Very well done they were, and I don't remember them being terribly fiddly as I was still somewhat of a novice in this hobby back in those days.

Had I known (not sure they were available then) I would have gotten this detailed carburetor from Fireball Modelworks. It's a very detailed, practically scratchbuilt carb to go on AMT's '67 Mustang kit's engine as the one in that kit was nothing more (to my eyes) than a plastic block. In fact, I probably could have started out with just a plastic block and no one would have been the wiser! Here are a few pics to show the sequence of what was done.............. If you click here and start with pic #53, that's pretty much the start of the carb buildup in the Mustang WIP, and I have text with some of the pics as to what was done.

Word has it that the 1/16 '55 Nomad is out now. Anyone pick this up yet? Pics? I'm curious about the tire setup if it has the separate whitewalls or not. Also, if the box is still that too flimsy cardboard of yesteryear, and if that will lead to warping (again) of this kit. I have to wonder if there's some inside info on Round 2 bringing back the '57 Nomad. I've been seeing a steady number of them turn up on eBay recently, and I'm wondering if folks are getting wind that this is about to be re-released, and they want to dump the kits to "cash in"? Interesting.............

I got my first kits for gifts on Christmas of '68, but I remember being VERY disappointed when I opened up the box, there was all these pieces and it didn't look all nice and pretty like on the box! It reminded me of a puzzle, and as a kid I HATED PUZZLES! I went to play with my half dozen Hot Wheels and set instead which were new that year. IIRC, the kits were a '68 Chevelle, and a '40 Ford. I don't know if that Chevelle was an annual or what, I do remember that it had pretty neat box art. Fast forward to 1978, and I'm a senior in high school working at a McDonald's. For weeks I could never get a Saturday off, and even my Dad complained that someone was getting Saturdays off, why wasn't I? Well that following weekend I DID finally get a Saturday off, and wouldn't you know it? It rains. So, I decided to get in the car, and head to our local mall. I happened to notice a hobby shop that I hadn't been in before, so I step in, and the place was loaded with wall-to-wall models! I was for whatever reason fascinated, and I ended up buying Monogram's (new in '77) '57 Corvette kit and a tube of glue. I literally put it all together that afternoon and evening and it was a MESS! Glue spots everywhere, no paint whatsoever, but I was hooked and went back later to get another--------a Cobra kit I believe. I've been building steadily since then, but wouldn't get into superdetailing until the early '90's. The rest as they say is history!

Mike, you make a good point and it's part of the reason I've been buying more aftermarket things lately, than kits. Time marches on, and what we took for granted as a sure bet as far availability just 10 years ago, is starting to fade as those we've come to know for things we need will someday no longer be around. It's sad, but it's also inevitable.

Thanks for those links Bill (especially Morris)! The prices are a little steep, but I'm sure well worth it. I have enough on hand to suit me for a bit, but I'll definitely be keeping them in mind!

I have the original release of this kit, and that molded in vinyl top is one eyesore to look at due to those sink marks! But, I'd get rid of it if I ever build it simply because IMO the El Camino of this vintage look sooooo much better without it! The vinyl roof appears to interrupt the smooth flowing lines of the roofline into the bed, at least from my view.

Thanks for all of the suggestions Fellas! I'm going to use the auto out of the AMT '67 Mercury Cyclone kit I have in my stash. The others were reasonable suggestions, but I have the Cyclone right at hand, and the plus is at least the kit came with two transmissions. I can always build the car (if the ambition ever strikes) and build it as a 4spd since IMO this is more suitable for that kind of car.

Excellent! I just checked my stash in the attic of my place, and I have both of those! If I'd ever build either of those kits, I'd build 'em as 4 spd's anyway, so it's all good! Thanks Stu for jogging my memory as indeed the last Green Hornet I built, that's where the trans came from!

Ooh! I LIKE that box art! Round 2 is DETERMINED to keep me poor this year! The '68 El Camino was already a nice kit, so the excellent box art along with some other goodies should make this one a must get!

Ok, you Ford guys! Down the road, I'm going to run into a roadblock regarding my '68 Shelby Green Hornet WIP. The actual car uses an automatic trans behind its fuel injected 428. The kit I'm taking the 428 out of (Revell '69 Shelby) has only a 4 spd tranny in the kit. When I built this one back in '96, I did use an automatic trans to replicate the 1:1, but for the life of me I can't remember where it came from. Anyone out there know which kits or even resin would have a correct auto trans that was used by Ford for '68? Thanks in advance for any help fellas! I keep looking at my old Green Hornet build of the trans that I put in-----If I can just remember what kit I swiped that from!

Art, even for masking off black trim that newer cars have particularly on the window surrounds and certain trim (like on my recently finished BMW), nothing beats BMF! I don't look at it as being wasted------whether it's nice shiny chrome or neat, straight black trim. The end result is that the model appears neat and clean and yes, the extra cost is worth it.

Jealousy I believe is the root of why folks (not necessarily those on this board) sniff at Paul's ability to make what he does on his models. What some folks don't understand is that Paul's been doing this a LONG TIME, and he didn't suddenly start making these "big bucks" when he began. He had to EARN a reputation for building top notch stuff, and then earn a good reputation for shipping said models to whoever won safe and sound. I talked to Paul once years ago as I wanted some advice on packing something and he told me how he does it, and he's never received a complaint about a busted model. I see what I would call "copycats" on the 'Bay that try the same thing as Paul as I follow their auctions as well, and most of their items end up with no bids or for very little compared to what Paul gets. In all fairness, once again these guys are relative newcomers, and they'll have to earn their stripes just like Paul did. I applaud him for taking a hobby and making money at it! I personally couldn't do it because as I mentioned before, it would become a job and I already have that! However, someday when I retire..................

Bill, I think one of the items that gives the most razor sharp edges as far as that would BMF. I've used it a number of times when I want a crisp, clear separation. Yeah, it's a little pricey to go this route, but it's worked well for me.

Very Nice!! Love that shade of blue!

I've been doing some fishing around on the 'net for the last 10 minutes or so, and I see nothing in the way of notices that they would be or have closed up shop. Sometime places have to close abruptly for one reason or another. What a shame if true...............

Oh man! I clicked on your link and yup...........they're gone! Usually that's a sign that they've closed up shop, but here's hoping that either there was a name change, or they switched up URL's. However even if they switched URL's, there would usually be a redirection to the new addy. Sigh.............thank goodness I stocked up a while back! I'm not sure who else sold what they did!

I've never seen one of those either----very interesting! I have to say however that I cringe each time I see them on the road. They can tout all day long how safe they are, but there just wouldn't be enough real estate around me for protection! And to think those things have the engine in the rear?? Yikes!

I dunno guys, I'm not crazy about any of the liquid masks homemade or otherwise. Here's what I use to keep paint, glue, etc at bay. Good ole fashioned Tamiya Tape, and Parafilm. I've used those liquid masks (not just Microscale either) and I've found them to be troublesome when it comes time to lift them off. Scratches or marks where you're trying to get an edge to lift it out of the way, can make for a mess of a nice paint/detailing job. This is what works for me------your results may vary!