Exotics_Builder

The cover is metal and the base looks like chrome plated resin.

The air cleaner is a Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland product. I bought a couple several years back. I believe Norm only offers them today in resin

I got back onto this after a few months on the shelf. The premise is taking the 56 Delray and updating it into a street machine as might have done in the late 1960’s. Since the Delray already comes with a SMB Chevy engine, I decided that it would be a 327 with new manifold, ram’s horn exhaust and Holley double-pumper. I also decided to replace the Powerglide with a Turbo Hydramatic transmission and keep the column mounted shifter. Here’s the modified engine waiting to go into the chassis: For the chassis, I decided to do the kit provided but paint out the frame and do the overspray. Because of the change to the Turbo Hydro, I needed to add a new transmission cross member. I used one from a Revell GM A body I had in the parts bin and merged it in. For color, I decided to do a two-tone using Tamiya Pure White over Testor’s Evening Orchid Metallic. I carried that into the interior as well. Wheels and tires will be Cragar SS on Redlines. Still a bunch of cleanup on the engine and continuation of polishing on the body. And yes, there is a oil tube with dipstick on the engine and the plugs wiring is correct for an SMB Chevy. The engine is dry though

It has been a while since I have done a Curbside. This is the Fujimi version of the Fiat 695 Ferrari Tribute car which is special version based on an Abarth and carries a Ferrari theme. As Fiat owns Ferrari, I guess they’re allowed to. Anyway the model is typical Fujimi in that it starts with a base model (in this case the Fiat 500) with the additional features added. As is also the case, not all features are correct. The wheels are accurate representations of the real car and the chassis as well. The body and interior are where work is needed. The body has a side molding that is NOT in the actual car but on the 500. So it had to be sanded off before the aero kit was installed: The interior dashboard has 500 emblem molded in that needs removal and there is a shift knob where a pushbutton control for the F1 paddles on the steering wheel should be. Fortunately, Hobby Design offers an aftermarket set that includes the control panel as well as other interior components, including the metal floor pan. No carbon fiber decals are offered for the dash or seatbacks, but I went to the decal stash and got some out. I added seat belt hardware, the carbon fiber decal and a simulated Alcantara for the front seats: For the Alcantara effect, I trimmed a broad, round paint brush to within a quarter inch of the ferrule. I then first painted flat black and used the trimmed brush to stipple Euro Gray on top of the flat black. This is the first time I tried it and will experiment a little more. As Alcantara is fancy microfiber suede, a fabric paint (such as Testor’s or Scale Motorsport) comes out too much like a cloth and didn’t give the right effect. Hence the method I tried. Another technique I use when applying seat belts in modern cars is to cut a clear plastic strip the width of the belt material and glue the strip to the interior bucket. When inserting the interior into the body, I’ll glue the strip to the post. Of course this technique is dependent on body style and usually necessitates front open windows or some opening to do the final glue up. The body is through its first clear coat (over Testor Lacquer Italain Red) and awaiting decals. Then another clear coat and final detailing: I also need to clean up the interior work a bit before final assembly.

Here's the link to their instructions http://www.round2models.com/files/instructions/amt772.pdf

My understanding is next fall (2014), as stated above. There is a brief write about it in the last Model Cars magazine, including the unique judging method being used.

Got there late as Sun was setting and tried to shoot only new stuff. A real surprise was in the pci below. Lighting was getting bad and auto flash didn't like it either, hence some bluring in the later pix. http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013-09-27%20Rolling%20Meadows%20Cruise-in

Not 63 Impala, but 64.

Are those not the Foose Nitrous II Wheels from Scale Productions in Germany?

mcwautofinishes@cs.com

They claim 1/24th. I would say between 1/24 and G Scale (1/22.5). Hobby Gear has a bunch of diorama stuff: http://phoenixtoys.com/Hobby-Gear

My haul from the DuPage Toy Show I’m thinning out my collection prior to moving, so I was out looking mainly for aftermarket parts. Here’s what I got:

http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013%20Arlington%20Hts%20Historical%20Society%20Car%20Show

Saw Nick and a lot of other club members. Spent a few bucks mainly on aftermarket and got a Villa Rivera 65 kit for a decent price.

Went to last Supercar Saturday of the season. A little rain shower went through early and several cars pulled out. But, there were still some that remained. Mainly sports cars, exotics, modern muscle cars, but some others as well... http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013-09-07%20Supercar%20Saturday

A lot of work, but the right way to do it. I lot of hand work is necessary even with a tracer program. Raster graphics (JPEG, PNG, TIF, etc.) will always be a bit fuzzy. I'll scan at 2400 DPI to get a good start. But that can create a file of 60-80 megabytes on a typical decal sheet.

The majority of these will require you to go the Japanese model manufacturers and aftermarket. Some options are: Revell California Wheels kits with the larger wheels and tires. Tread patterns are limited and no sidewall detail. Aoshima and Fujimi do wheel sets that include wheel and tire. They do offer 17"-20" sets. Many are out of production but are reissued from time to time. Not many are big-littles, mostly same size front and rears. You need to watch for these as reissues sell out fast. Hobbysearch Japan is a good place to watch for these. Tuner Model Manufactory offers modular style wheels and sleeves but no tires. Setts are limited and pricey. With the sleeves you can apply to different tire sizes but you must have the tires. Hobbylink Japan carries these. I haven't seen a US seller offer these yet. Hobby Design offers wheels and various tires. Their older sets were a bit crude, but they have upped their game in the lst year and a half and quality is up. Many are same size front/rear, so you'll have to research. Again, Hobbylink Japan is a good source. A+ Club offers resin wheels but no tires. Mediamix Hobbies from Singapore is a good place to check for these. Scale Productions (Germany) offers sets of wheels and tires, but many oriented to foreign cars. He does sell a 19" and 22" sets of Foose Nitros with tires. Pegasus Hobby sells tire and wheel sets. Tires are limited in sizes and tread patterns. Wheels are 19" or 23". They also sell sleeves that can be used to widen a existing wheel set. You'll have to fit them. Tires are included with the sleeves but tend to be narrow wall. Detail Master used to sell PE wheel sets, including wire wheels, but not larger diameter. Also, it seems they are selling out what they have and I am not sure if they will be doing any more. There was a company called FG models (out of China) that did some interesting wheels, including some HRE's. But they seem to have dropped off the face of the earth. There is a new company Factory 81 offering wheel/tire sets, but I haven't seen good photos yet or have a sense of quality. There are some posters on this forum, such as Lownslow, that are doing wheel and I think tire sets. Scan the forums to find them. I'm sure I've missed a few, but what I listed was what I covered in a modern wheel seminar at C.A.R.S. in Minature club meeting a few months back. On any of these. You may need to do work to adapt them to you hubs. FOr example, Hobby Design wheels are geared to the Fujimi/Aoshima Hub design. Revell Calfornia Wheels aer geared to Revell hubs. Keep in mind that you may also need to consider upgrading your brake package to look right under any of these wheels. HTH Gerry

Beautiful day if you went early. Got crowded fast and there were a lot of inconsiderate people that walked into the picture and didn’t care. Some examples of the cars: This way to the album with 211 pix…

This was Friday the 23rd. Ran late that day, so decided to go back with a fully charged camera and snap stuff not in the previous and take some more photos of last week’s with better lighting. In an hour and a quarter, I still got 222 photos. Some Examples: This way to the album with 222 pix…

From HLJ email annoncement: "An all-new kit of the all-new Ferrari LaFerrari, from Tamiya! This stunning kit of the stunning LaFerrari features full detail inside and out, with detailed 6262cc V12 engine (with HY-KERS motor system), transmission, interior, and suspension, plus scissor doors and a rear cowl that can be positioned open or closed even after assembly to show off all the detail within. "

I have bought often from HLJ, and everything I get I cannot get here. Since they have added their Private Warehouse feature, it is even better. When I have a question about a product, their support answers, even going back to the manufacturer if need be. If I can buy it here, I will. Even if more costly since I firmly believe in supporting your LHS. But, a lot of aftermarket is not readily availbale anywhere in the USA, let alone a LHS. I speak of foreign car aftermarket. I just put my preorder in for the Tamiya 1/24 La Ferrari which will be released late this year. What I find interesting, is that both HLJ and Hobby Search are also carrying Revell USA, Revell Germany and Round 2 kits and selling in the Asian markets (I suppose as prices are high).

Ah, that is more clear. I understand your point as I like detail and accuracy as well. As you probably have already done, but cutting thing plastic with a compass, gluing to the bottom and painting silver are an option. But is is a bother to something that should have been molded in.

I believe it has more to do with attaching to the provided carburation. It is virtually impossible to see underneath an air cleaner when mounted on an engine particularly IF IT EXTENDS over the carburetor. Not all aftermarket air cleaners have a bottom plate either.

Okay, I found a 429 engine that I beleive is from a Johan model, Comet perhaps? The plastic is green. Anyway, I pulled out a Revell 1/24 429 Valve Cover set and placed next to the 1/25 set: And here is a side shot to get more detail: As you can see, the Johan is close, but the Revell much more accurate. You can also see the size differential. PTX Mini engines from Phoenix/Hobby Gear does a couple of 429's, but, IMO, the valve covers do not match the detail you are looking for. Ross Gibson offers resin 429 engines as well. I don't have any, but the photos I have seen are inconclusive as regards valve cover detail. And you would have to buy a complete engine set. I have a few of his Chevy engines, which are very nice. Gerry