Rockford

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!!!!?

That last picture has got my juices flowing, looks fantastic!

That's an impressive build sir! Looks factory too!

I was going to leave it there but then I had an urge to add the pushrod from the chamber, the slack adjuster and the 'S' cam into the drum. I rummged through my box of bits for something to use. I found this piece of sprue and had an idea. I cut the tab down and rounded the edge off. Then I cut the end off. I then cut 4 small slices from the section and hey presto - 4 little slack adjusters. I drilled two holes in each for the pushrod yoke and added a piece of round bar for the 'S' cam up to the backplate of the brakes. It's not perfect but it looks ok and no one will ever see it but I've proven to myself that I'm not as stupid as I look!

I found a piece of thick sprue and put in the chuck of my "lathe" (drill). Using a hand file I turned four spring brake chambers. I also fabbed a quick release valve from a piece of square rod and drilled it for the hoses (it's impossible to make these things to scale, a QR valve is only a little thing). This can then take the hoses to the brake chambers and the feed from the air reservoir. The valve would normally be mounted on the axle so I let the wire hoses position it for me.

Another main let down on these "snappers" is the chassis rails. They're just moulded square when we all know pressed steel chassis rails are a 'C' section. To remedy this I cut 3mm strips of plastic from stock card and laid it on the top and bottom of the main chassis rails. I filled the edges and sanded a round profile on the edges to mimic the pressed 'C' section. I'd already added a couple of fillets to the end of the centre crossmember.

It has to be said that if the hi- po days of the late 60 's were still in operation in the days of the disco Nova it would be seen as an iconic design, sadly the gas crisis relegated it to being an underdog. Without doubt it is one of GM 's best ever body styles.

Beautiful Bubbletop!

It's not the most luxurious of garages but it's dry. We've had nothing but rain for weeks, wave after wave of rain coming in off the Atlantic. Any vinyl roofs in the offing ?

Stunning!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes adding detail to these snappers (although I've never done a Volvo). You're doing a grand job!

I'm possibly going to turn the rears into white two hole discs and just tidy the tyres up. I desperately want to find something that looks like hubs in the rear wheels. I know the wheels and tyres are one of the main let downs on these kits but I don't see any alternative. The AMT1/32 pieces were better but they're unobtainable now. I'll have to work with what I've got.