Exotics_Builder

The annual event has come and gone. I had to leave about 1:45 PM, so I don’t know the winners of the contest. The GTR club had two tables at the swap meet. Tom Tanner had the contest going. It is a small focused contest, but quality of entries is high. I was working an entry, but I am only 90% complete, so no go. I did sell a few models at the swap meet. Here are some photos of the contest and the link to the album, including the 1:1 cars that were “sitting” around. http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2013%20Ferrari%20Expo%20Contest%20and%20Swap%20Meet

October 3-6. October 3-4 is supposedly the trade only days and the 5-6 is for the public. Don't know yet if a Make-and-Take will happen. Will be at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center which is located on Meacham Road a little south of Algonquin Road. It is about a mile north of Woodfield Shopping Center. WIll post more info once the club learns more.

You're right, they do. I just pulled the picture off his web site as I'm in the office today. I know Carter AFB's have been available, but I'm with you on the Holley's.

What are you trying to do? For stock, Carter AFB's would be correct for a higher horsepower 409. Morgan Automotive Detail offers such carbs in resin: If you are using the snorkel aircleaner, the bette detail would be lost unless you plan to have it lift off. Otherwise, you could look for smaller Holley single or double pumper carbs for more of a street machine option that would be streetable.

I did a similar approach but didn't drill all the holes. Iused a fine razor saw that fits in a No 11 Xacto handle. Same effect. But really tedious. But the hood hinging to be realistic is the next challenge.

I have yet to transfer mine from the DVR to the DVD.

All the above plus Model Factory Hiro and KA models offer wire wheel options. Most are in the 15 inch wheel size. You need to decide what lacing pattern best suits and whether you need big and littles (some are same size front and rear). And don't forget the awesome styrene chrome set on the AMT 65 Riviera and Fujimi sells some styrene sets as well.

It is more than done. They had a 12 minute overview on How Do They Do It show where they show the operation of the airport and a little bit of the elctronics and how they recharge the vehicles through a process where they are sent by computer to a charging station. There are several YouTube videos on this place. IT IS FANTASTIC!!

HD sells tires, but they're pricey and some people feel the sizes are wrong. Pegasus sells tires as well. I would look for the Pegasus tires, Scale Dreams carries them and Rick is great at supporting customers and answering any questions you may have. The Pegasus tires are low profile in 19 and 23 inch and the wider profile is 18 inch but stretches well. All the above have tread pattern. Otherwise you have to chose kit tires, particularly if you are looking for treadless tires. The HD wheels will need work to adapt to any suspension. And, you may have to decide what to do about brakes. HTH

Such as these... http://www.hlj.com/product/HYDHD03-0081 Unfortunately only 1/24 scale.

I do that often on the older kits that have that. I also go after the window cranks and inside handles as well, especially if the interior is very visible.

So what is your question? Are you looking for aftermarket vendors of such? For example Replica and Miniatures of Maryland makes a tri-carb manifold (amongst other options) for the SMB Chevy.

The AMT 57 TBird has all the custom parts and decent chrome and I got it at a good price. The two resin customs were done by RMR and are very good quality. The Tbird version is an “interpretation” of the Italien custom car. I’m debating whether to replicate that or do a unique custom. Bob’s paints had several new colors there that I decided would look good at some upcoming builds. The Brandywine may see itself on the RoG Ferrari SA Aperta rather than use a Ferrari color. Ferrari’s can be custom painted and I think the Aperta can benefit from this color. However, there is still time to make another color choice.

I got some great new paints from you yesterday and the yellow pearl as well. Thanks, Gerry

With a litle work, I have been able to start adapting the Revell details to the Round2 Camaro Convertible. Not a 100% direct fit, but pretty close. If Revell doesn't a ZL1, I'm hoping I can do the same to this one. Only I need to get the ZR1 engine intake and adapt it to the ZL1.

Looking forward for this and adapting Revell's Camaro detail, plus using the ZR1 engine spercharger with some scratchbuilding. Or, here's hoping Revell will announce one mid-year!

The Revell Camaro LS's are great options with the tranny attached to the engine rather than a transaxle as in the Corvette. The Polar Lights GTO LS engine is NOT (IMO) a good option. Another option is the Revell 99 Silverado which depicts a cast iron version of the LS, but still usable. In some cases you will have to work the intake/induction systems to fit what you want and also what you want to do to shroud the coil packs. The 2010 Camaro and Silverado are auto transmissions. The 2002 Camaro has a manual trans. Also the recent reissue of the SSR would have the Sliverado LS engine as well (again auto trans) HTH

Also the reason why it looked flat on the panel from my photos and I thought it was metallic. An interesting approach. Plus some decent detail photos on that site for those interested.

OK. A little sniffing around and I found the Hot Rod Institute photo archive of the Rat Roaster prep and paint. It appears they used the polished body metal, masked it, highlighted it and then clear coated. Here's some selected photos: And here's the link: http://www.hotrod.edu/siterun_data/photo_galleries/?image_category=41

I recollected real, but it was a year and a quarter ago. But the more I look at the hi-res photos, it appears to be painted. So, My put is that it is painted. The tell tale piece is the end of the "chrome" spear appears level with the body line. Looking to see if I have any more info.

Here is what I took at the 2011 IHOBBY show with the Rat Roaster on display: I still have the hi-res images on my computer. HTH Gerry

Well, it is a sales only event for some years now. The model contest was dropped a few years back. The February one is the February 24 at the usual venue, DuPage County Fairgrounds, Exhibition Building, 2015 West Manchester Rd, Wheaton IL

I got some preliminary information. It appears it will again be the Protar Kit. Still trying to get more info.

Well almost finished. Just a few tweaks to do in the engine bay and a final polish. Had to make some adjustments from what I originally intended to do. The concept was to update the 1966 El Camino to Pro-Touring (or Resto-Mod) with suspension, drive train, wheels, tires and brakes. I started this about 11 months ago as a club project. So, using the base kit big block, I essentially made it a ZZ-502 with modern Holley double pumper on a high rise manifold. I added an Accel coil (boy is it big and hard to find a mount point) and a Holley electric fuel pump. I used the kit suspension parts and treated them with an anodized finish to replicate replacement sway bars and springs. I took the base drive shaft and covered with Modelers Kevlar decals to do a composite drive shaft. I finished off with adding headers, H-tube exhausts with cat converters, electric push fan, and a power steering pump. For the body, I shaved the emblems and added flush door handles for a cleaner look. I frenched the radio aerial (power of course) and added the Concept Camaro side view mirrors. On this model, I decided to experiment with all shaker can on a two tone exterior. I primered the body using Tamiya fine white primer. Then I used Testors White Lightning Lacquer for the bottom and Flaming Orange for the top. To accent the separation line, I added three separate decals, bronze (microscale), fluorescent red and fluorescent yellow (Modelers) that I had in the decal stash. I then covered with Testors Wet Look Clear and polished out. On the interior, I detailed it out, adding new instrument cluster, modern radio, speakers and power windows. I drilled the door panels for lock knobs, and shaved off the window cranks. I added Concept Camaro seats with integral seat belts. Wheels and tires were from an Aoshima set plus Fujimi disc brakes that were adapted to fit the Revell suspension. This will also be used as an example for a future club seminar on adding modern wheels to American car kits. The larger Camaro Concept wheels I originally wanted to use were a tight fit in the rear and would have required flaring the wheel wells or the frame would need altering. As a major project at work chewed heavily into my modeling time, I decided to go an alternate route. The wheels I choose were from my stash and selected last Friday (down to the wire). Here are some photos of the model:

For Pegasus, I would recommend Scale Dreams: http://www.scaledreams.com For the others, I have not yet found a consistent US outlet, so you have to go offshore. Also, many of the sets above are sold out or discontinued. Some manufacturers (like Aoshima and Fujimi) do these in limted runs and there can be a long time before a reissue, if at all. So, be aware, watch them and be ready to buy if a set pops up you want. I would recommend looking at: HobbyLink Japan: http://www.hlj.com or HobbySearch Japan: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/car/ I've also been told Hobbyeasy in Hong Kong is good and has better prices, but I have never used them: http://www.hobbyeasy.com