Rockford

Yay! You've come over to the big boys! I built this when I was a kid, had it in front of an ERTL Great Dane reefer couldn't even afford to buy it now! Have you decided on a colour scheme yet?

My first American car here in the UK was a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 with a 351 Windsor in it, absolutely wonderful car, I have a very soft spot for any Cougar and this is a great model. Well done! Marvellous to see.

You've captured the car perfectly, great job!

Great looking build Gareth, really looks good in those colours too! You can't half knock some good'ns out!

Does it run?

Beautiful job. Like most people here I have one of these but not enough courage to build it. Mine was some sort of anniversary addition and came with a band around the box. The kit is cast in green. Your build prompted me to get it down for a look. Then put it back just as quickly! It's a beast, so strangely engineered, even the little plastic driver is pointing one way as if to say "get out of here while you still can!" I've got about 150 other kits I can try before I get to this one.

Like that interior mate, dash looks good. Looking forward to seeing this finished @ your usual rapid rate. These must have been wonderful cars to drive, like a flying living room!

Beautiful clean build of an iconic car. I have one in my stash, and hope I make as good a job as you did of it.

Even in stock form, a pinto is a beautiful, free revving L4. You could have one in pieces in an hour. I loved them.

My question is their any way to thin red paint enough and if so how much mixture should I use or just paint it red and be done with it? I'd just try it on a scrap piece of clear. I think the biggest problem you'll have is obvious brush strokes.

I agree on the wheelbase, few more inches for a rigid ( as straight trucks are known in GB). Very brave dropping the V8 to a V6, didn't even know they did a Detroit V6.

I wanted to do something with the wheels on this truck. They're the usual generic ten hole alloys but I'd love some two hole white discs. I had no option but to do it myself. I first enlarged two of the existing holes with a little rotary file, then roughed the others up and sealed them with a blob of cement. Once that was set, I levelled them off with putty (I didn't get a picture of that stage but they looked awful) Using my motor tool and a stone I ground them down but they were rough. So I got one of the felt buffers that come with the motor tool and fitted into the dish snugly. I glued a piece of 800 wet and dry to it. Dipped the wheel in water and give it a rub down! Turned out ok. Quick coat of paint and they look fine. I also wanted some hubs on these wheels. I made them out of chunky bits of sprue, hollowing them out with a drill so they can sit over the end of the axles. I coloured them blue with a Sharpie to give some contrast. I'll be painting the chassis metallic blue. It's so much better to see the hubs sticking out in a 3/4 view. Quick mock up and they look ok!

Nigel, what do use the Tescos Cranberry Sauce for? ?

Beautiful subject matter. You'll show us just how good this kit can be too. I don't think I could take the pressure of a magazine build, both in terms of time and build quality. You're a better man than I!

My cousin in Vancouver had black Caprice like this. It was in beautiful condition but one of the head gaskets went and because it would cost a few hundred dollars to fix he scrapped it!!!!!!! I only found out after it had been dismembered. Snap kits can be great builds. Doing a great job, carry on the good work.

You've been a busy boy Gareth! When did you do the Peterbilt? What trailer is that?

I love Astros, they'd still look modern today, huge glass area giving great visibility. Far ahead of it's time. This is a great specimen, well done!

Yes, the AMT lines are too square, the roof line shows it whereas the MPC is very accurate.

I'm saying nothing (now there's a change!)

These old Promo kits really do capture the actual car, makes up forthe lack of detail. I see you've already made a good start on the chassis and the engine (425 nail head I assume?). Colour scheme sounds great. Looking forward to seeing your usual rapid progress...!

Maybe the future for kits is that you purchase a file download from the kit manufacturer of your choice and have someone local 3D print it. That would reduce the stocking costs associated with boxed kits and the retailers' reluctance to carry them. Would also save on tooling and distribution costs for the manufacturers. Have I just stumbled upon my own genius there or has that idea already been drop kicked over the roof?

I have to laugh when you exclaim that it took you two weeks! I've got cars I haven't sorted after six years! This is a joy to behold mate, absolutely gorgeous! Well done on sticking with the build despite the disappointments., you'd never know to look at the finished car.

There are not enough models of Cadillacs. They epitomised what the American car was and what the rest of the world wanted to be. I know these Eldos get some bad press but there was nothing in the whole wide world like them and never will be. You have built a beautiful representation of FWD Eldo and you have my utmost respect!

That's a great looking Trans-am! I do love 2nd Gen F bodies and you've built a fine one there!

Really, really stupid!!!!?