LDO

I believe that's the car that was owned by Dr Fabrizio Violati; #3851GT. An old Protar box had a photo of his real car on it.

I think some of us are over-analyzing this...or at least using the wrong definition of "good kit". Whose definition should we use? The enthusiast or the model company accountants? If using the accountant's definition, a good kit is defined as one that sells a lot. Subject matter would be the #1 judging criteria. If Billy Bob sees a cool kit at Wal-Mart and buys it, it's a good kit. Billy Bob will never see the Revell of Germany Ferrari 250 GTO, because he doesn't know that Austin has a hobby shop*. By my definition, it's a good kit. It's an accurate rendition of the real car, decent detail, and it has a jewel of an engine. I'm really glad to see this Protar kit get reissued. I have 2 on order. I may order more. *I know this about Billy Bob because he told me. Whenever I see other people looking at models in Wal-Mart, I'll tell them about a good hobby shop with lots of paints and supplies. It's always news to them.

The vouchers are good toward the purchase of a '96-up car. It's $3,500 if you buy a Hybrid. I'm considering a '96-up Mercedes SL instead of a Mustang. I really like the SL 600 with its 400hp V-12. The people who came up with this program probably didn't envision people getting rid of a 27mpg car to buy a 12mpg car, but hey, that's their problem. I start the new job on Monday. Today I had lunch with my buddy who works there. He told me that overtime is never a problem; I can work 65-70 hours a week if I want. Being single/no kids, that sounds awesome. I need to work 800 more hours to get my license, which comes with another pay raise. That OT is not only more pay, it gets me that much closer to the license. I can't wait to get started.

It's not mandatory. I doubt anyone will hand over a '71 Hemi 'Cuda for a $3,000 voucher. I don't think anyone will miss a run-down '95 Olds Achieva 4-door. and thanks, guys.

I'm an apprentice plumber. While licensed plumbers make decent pay, apprentices don't make much at all. I was promised a raise a year ago, but I kept hearing "we can't afford it". At the same time, I would see plumbers giving away "end items" (assembled products) because they can't keep $2.00 parts on their truck. I was watching my pay raise being given away. I'm a veteran, and apprenticeships are covered under GI Bill. I applied for it but nobody at work wanted to have anything to do with the paperwork. They just didn't believe that Uncle Sam would give me money while I'm getting a paycheck. They let the licensed guys take their trucks home at night, but if an apprentice finishes up 5min from home, we still have to drive 25 miles back to the shop. A buddy of mine went to a different company and told me about it. I interviewed yesterday and got the job. The pay is 33% higher, plus it comes with overtime. My paycheck could easily double. The boss said he'd be happy to help me get GI Bill. I get a worktruck to drive home every day. No more money spent on commuting. What's not to love about that? I'm getting a huge pay raise and $935/mo from Uncle Sam. I can finally start fixing up my real '88 Mustang. In Texas, the state is offering $3,000 vouchers towards the purchase of a '96-up car if we "turn in" our pre-'96 cars. Im thinking of turning in my garbage pile '95 Olds and put that 3k towards a '99-'04 V6 Mustang convertible. Leave it stock and use it as a daily driver. The '88 can be a hot rod. Things are lookin' up at Casa Owens!

Post a link or better yet show photos of your new stuff here.

Like the '73 Pontiac that won a couple of years ago? That was a big waste. It would be a flop. If the contest were about a subject that many people would buy that's one thing, but when it's a popularity/essay contest, it's all just pointless. No matter how many people are swayed by an essay, it's another matter entirely to convince them to part with 14 dollars for a model car.

Got this off ebay from ModelMartin

Hey I just bought a '32 Ford flopper from you on ebay. I can't wait to get that one.

David- It's hard to go wrong with Tamiya spraycan lacquers. Like others have said, you've got to put in the prep time on the body, but follow that with Tamiya spraycans and you should get good results. Polish the paint with this: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?M...ct&ID=80939 Give it a final gloss with this: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?M...ct&ID=82456 Followed by this: http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?M...ct&ID=82455 The price may seem kind of steep for all that, but it's a lifetime supply. If you only polish clear gloss and only wet sand, the sanding films will last forever...well...a long time anyway. BTW if you build another Enzo, I posted some detail pics of real Enzos in the 1/1 Reference forum.

I couldn't open that one page but their web site shows a Bel Air and a 210 sedan as TBA. It looks like they do some really nice work. I'll call them. Thanks.

Looking to make a model of the car that Mom learned to drive in.

Luc- I really hope this doesn't get started here at Model Cars. I found it really annoying at its old location. Someone will write an essay that makes perfect sense to them, all about why we need a model of a 1973 Pontiac. They'll go on and on, and their cheerleaders will all say "attaboy" and "I'd buy a case of 'em". In reality, they wouldn't buy a case of them. In fact, it would be a huge flop. Anyone who disagrees will labeled a jerk. Everyone on this board is a "1 percenter" in the model-building world. We're the lunatic fringe. Model companies listening to us is a gamble. I'd love a 1/24 Lola T-70 in styrene, but I'm not sure 500,000 others want one enough to buy it. I'm not holding my breath for that or a new Duesenberg. What I will do is build my Tamiya 1/12 Lola T-70 and kitbash a Judkins Coupe body for a Duesenberg. If the 250k challenge does find a home here, at least it will be one thread that can easily be ignored, rather than dominating the entire site for a month. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3991

I hope to see some of the regulars tonight. I haven't been able to visit since around March. Later, Lee

That's a really clean build and I just love the reel-to-reel player. It's 1960s style all the way.

1/24 Lola T70 coupe. I think there's one in resin. Not sure about that. 2008 model domestic full-size pickup. I don't even care if it's Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. I want to use the cab to make a model of a box truck for the business I want to own in a few years. I have a box truck model in progress, but it's based on the '99 Chevy Silverado. (No, I'm not going to wish for a model of a box truck LOL) An all-new tool Duesenberg. If not that, then a new body for Monogram's old Duesenberg kit. I don't even care which Duesy it would be. Multi-media superdetail kit for Tamiya's 1/12 Lola T-70. I've heard that one is in the works.

I have to agree with the Heller Delahaye and Mercedes. I have both. The Delahaye is in progress. The fenders are enclosed, but a seperate part is required to enclose them. The join line is is the worst place possible. The "skirt" is also raised slightly from the body, but since it's in two pieces, the raised line is not consistent. I had to use sheet plastic to the the raised area correct. The front fenders should have a peak down the top center, but it's not there. I laid down a piece of brass wire and faired it in to get the peak. It seems like the designer didn't think anyone would put all those pieces together and make a model car out of them. I'm not sure I'll even try the Mercedes. Between Monogram, Italeri, and Jo-Han, the 1/24 / 1/25 Mercedes market is pretty well covered. I don't have the Heller 917, but I do have their Ferrari 512 S. It also looks like trouble. Thankfully I got a Fisher resin 512 S in a steal of a deal with a resin kit seller. He wanted a pile of garbage resin kit that I was about to throw in the trash. I warned him, but he really wanted it. I don't have Accurate Miniatures' McLaren because I read the reviews. I may get one though, just for the big-block Chevy and mechanical fuel injection. That would look wild poking through the hood of a '70-'73 Camaro.

And there has already been a sketchpad drawing of a Magnum with 300 nose.

Cool. That works, but the ice.prohosting link didn't. I'm talking with Alfa right now. Thanks.

Wow. That looks great. I'm ordering one.

Gee...if only I could get one in 1/16 But seriously- that looks pretty darn cool.

I haven't been able to get in for months. I finally got a new computer and I still can't get in. Is it my computer or is the site no longer active?

I'm a plumber.

I had the Protar kit a while back. Unfortunately, it has been lost in all the moves I've made over the last 15 years. I've always thought it was a great kit. The box art back then showed a real car; one owned by Dr. Fabrizio Violati. Look that one up for reference information. I thought the engine was just beatiful. I can't see why any modeler would toss this engine and replace it with resin. Any shortcomings are slight, and easily remedied. I gotta get one of these...maybe several. From time to time I would look for the Protar issue on ebay but they are rare and expensive.

I LOVE the towtruck. Gotta get that cab when it goes up for sale. Is the induction for the other one off a "Muscle Machine"?