Exotics_Builder

I haven’t finished anything recently, but thought I’d post something I did back in 1992. It’s the Fujimi M5: First off, I converted the model to US Specifications including adding side marker lamps and center mounted stop lamp. The interior needed a lot of work to be corrected. Not really noticeable in the photos are the corrections to the dash controls. The seats were also corrected, including adding seat belts (I used clear plastic “stubs†for the shoulder belt and the super glued them once the interior was inserted. It’s impossible to notice unless you look very, very close. I also added swinging armrests which should be on the US car seats. I got the arm rests from an extra Revell of Germany 750il I bought highly discounted from a store that was closing and moving out state (Washington to Florida). Since I had the 750il, I decided to a little more. So here’s the surprise: I chopped off the front end, added and adapted the 750il front frame to the car and then added a Fujimi M635 engine from an extra EM kit I also picked up from the same store. So now, instead of curbside, we have a full detail model. The only thing I’d do differently today is add trim around the sunroof to make it look more realistic. But, that’s for another kit. All told, there was about 200 hours in the conversion and US spec’ing of this kit.

Thanks Bill. The ones I used on the model were from Steven's International. They also had a blue line tire as well. I'm not sure if they're made anymore. American Satco later did a gold line as well. But I went to Satco site and it says out of stock as well. Let me see if I have any extras in my parts box. Gerry

How about a decade old build. Here’s the Revell Chevelle Z-16 built factory stock, with factory colors and gold stripe tires. Engine was detailed with a combination of Model Car Garage PE set and various Detail Master frets. I really enjoyed building this as the Z-16 is quite a unique car and it took a little effort to research it to get things looking right

I'm leaning the same way, Bill and waiting for the RM kit and kitbash the two along with the Z06 block and heads. RIght now, I'm far enough behind on building that the Camaro is not high on my list. On the deck right now are: 1) Tamiya 360 Modena with Lion Roar/AcuStion PE sets. This one will be done as a mild tuner 2) Revell 56 DelRay as a street machine with the SMB Chevy with Model Car Garage PE and R&MofM Turbohydro 3) Fujimi Mini Cooper S (LHD) with custom wheels and some added tuner body cladding. 4) Fujimi EM Ferrari 246 Dino GTS (the original issue) along with S27 Photoetch.

That's true, but the info I have on it is that it is a curbside like the C6 convertible. Saying that, it would likely not have the wheel issues on the AMT Camaro.

I just got my first order from Hobby Link Japan. I used their standard shipping and the price wasn't outrageous. Package made it within 15 days delivered to my door. One RS Watanabe is 15" and the other 17" per the specs. As I said earlier, I don't have the pakaging or remember w here I got my wheels from.

Here's the wheel sets to look for: Supposedly Aoshima also made a set, but I've never seen it here in the US or in Vancouver, BC when I'd go up there during our Seattle area living. I thought I saw a set during a quick scan on eBay. I did find the above Fujimi wheels on Hobby Link Japan, and it appears they have some in stock.

The Replica and Miniatures sets I have are 5 bolt. I think those are the only ones Norm offers, no four bolts. Lyle Willetts could likely confirm as my R&MofM catalog is not the most current. One thing to consider if you find these wheels is that they're relatively wide if you're trying to fit a period correct car with appropriate tire. You could always file a set down to appropriate width, though. RandD unique sells Minilites, shallow and deep offset, but I don't know the number of lugs carried and the website photos are too small to tell. You may want to contact Tony and ask him. The Fujimi wheels above are called "Watanabe" wheels and there are some on eBay. HTH Gerry

These are Fujimi 4 lug Minilites that I got several years back. I don't recollect what kit they were in or if they came as a wheel set. I think they were recently released as wheels but were quickly bought up and out of stock.

Thinking the same thing, Bob. Was also wondering how hard it would be to adapt the AMT 300C to an SRT-8.

Man, I'm waiting for the Cheetah! Got an order in with Ed Cervo!

Perry's Resin Hiroboy in Britain carries Part Box from Australia along with a lot of other detail parts. Parts Box in Australia Also various kits have/had them HTH Gerry

Got two sets of the Kranz and 1 of the TE37. The last time I was in the local HL (Palatine, IL) they didn't have these but they were there today, and 30% off. Gerry

We'll likely be here in the Chicago area for at most 2 years before looking at moving back. We may even consider Portland area over the Seattle area.

Long time no see! Hope things are going well for you. Miss the SABA events I'd come down to and hearing your stories. Hopefully I'll have a chance to get back out there soon! Gerry

Kit looks great. The engine block looks like the genero setup in the Chrysler 300 and Escalade. The heads and induction are changed as the others. As in the others, the block is lost in the engine bay wiith the induction covers and everything, but think really hard if you want to use the engine in something else that is visible. I'll research it some later.

Is that what you're looking for?

Here are some enticements and a link to some more. Lots of interesting corvettes and other GM cars. Included is a photo of Mr. My Classic Car, Dennis Gage. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=glpaqu...947&.src=ph

http://shows.autospies.com/gallery/2006-SEMA-Auto-Show-44/

May I suggest following the link in the message. IMHO, there’s a little something for everybody… http://www.sportruck.com/events/sema06/

I know you both were at the iHobby Expo and probably already have photos, but I have the 2Mpxl orignals I took if you want them for a magazine issue.

NO, that's Gerry Chevalier. I know Gerry and am friends with Tony Willing of R&D Unique. Tony and I helped get the PSAMA up and running in the 90's, along with Wes Hofferber and Dennis Pierce. I'm the one who sent you the Revell (nee Aurora) Ford GT40 you were looking for a few years back. I was in Bellevue Washington at the time. The SABA guys like Mike Pearsall, Bob Paeth, Ron Martinolich will remember me. Same with Steve Hinson, Rex Barden and some of the other SV2 folks.

Yes on the 1/32's. Can't say much on the choppers. Not much of a motorcycle fan. The only Motorcycle kit I have is a Ducati 916 from Tamiya that I'm doing as a Senna version.

No new info. Just a relocation of my post from other boards. If you've seen elsewhere, it's the same. Of the major platic manufacturers, RC2 (AMT/ERTL) was not there. They were at a mass marketing show in New York. According to conversations I had, so were Tamiya as well as Fujimi and Aoshima importers. So, there is no real information on these other than the RC2 list posted previously on other boards. I did see Gregg walking around and chatted briefly with Jairus. He gave me a copy of the October issue since I hadn’t gotten my subscription copy yet. Of course, the subscription copy came in Monday’s mail. REVELL(USA) The big time news here. You've already seen the list posted. Let me fill in some blanks. Dodge Magnum. About 5 weeks out from release. Is an SRT8 with 6.1 Liter Hemi and a full detailed model. 49 Mercury. With multiple options, including wheels and bumpers. Uptown series. Plastic conversions of the LARGE diecast series. Apparently, per Revell representative, zinc costs have risen dramatically, hence the switch to full plastic. Lambo-type scissors doors do work in plastic, but you could just glue shut if you want a more stock appearance. Bad news for detailists, these have engine inserts. In regards to the Cadillac STS-V, it may be a moot point as the engine is shrouded and there’s not much to see in the engine bay. Here’s a couple of shots I got off the web of the STS-V Engine Bay The Super America, as stated earlier, is from Revell-Germany. Revell indicated that they are looking into bringing in the 599 GTB and, possibly, the 430 Spyder. And, there will be added announcements in February at the Toy Show. But, no hints I can pass along. Here are pictures from Revell’s booth: TESTORS The big news here is that Testors' Charger is supposedly 5 weeks away from release (according to a representative). He indicated that the Charger and Charger RT will release first. The Police car will be later than the other 2. The engine is a 5.7 liter hemi and appears reasonably molded from the example at the booth. The models will be molded in white. The yellow body was only a mold sample. I also got a photo of two built ups LINDBERG/HAWK Lindberg looks to be releasing a lot of old tools as Tom previously mentioned. The Hawk kits appear to be metal assembled similar to Testor’s Lincoln Mint stuff. An interesting prototype was a 1/6 SRT 6.1 Liter Hemi. No details on when available from anybody I talked to. Here’s some pictures from their booth: HOUSE OF KOLOR (HOK) PAINTS HOK is into the hobby market now. Both jar and spray paint available. They’re going through Steven’s International distributors. They indicated to me that these are specifically formulated for the plastic modeler, not like other offerings that are just decanted from regular car paint. They also have offerings in supplies, including masking material and a line of graphic masks that are reusable. Here are shots from their booth: