TimKustom

Most awesome model I've seen in quite some time. Can't wait to see it finished.

Fantastic build! Really like the base. Good to see you around here Marc!

This is what works best for me as well. Much more control, esp. in areas that have "flat spots" or other casting flaws. Another good tip is once finished sanding the tires, scrub them with some Comet cleaning powder. Takes that vinyl "sheen" off.

Email me if you have any specific questions or if you need a pdf of the flyer. Hope you all can make it out.

Guess I’ll try to add some legitamacy to this thread... From heresy: My ‘72 Chevy Impala had a 450hp/460trq Racing Head Service built 383 small block. With it’s 2.73 gears, I saw the 120mph speedo “buried†many times. Friends riding with me timed “flying†miles (from mile marker to next marker) in under 30 seconds with stopwatches FWIW. It would run over 90mph in second gear. As others have said, pretty crazy to drive a car like this at those speeds... Ah, what you do when you’re young... Here’s a pic of it doing what it did best... On video: Talladega “fan appreciation day†Sept 20th 2009. 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. Rolling start of about 20mph to a tick over 115mph. Caught the pack that was going approx 80mph pretty fast. WARNING: Some “adult†language in below video thanks to Tommy May riding in back seat...CLICK AT OWN RISK! From Richard Petty Driving Experience at Talladega: Have a certificate at home that says I drove 164.73mph. Don’t know if that’s “real†or not, felt a lot faster than the Lincoln laps. Much more stable as well. Rode along in the cars as well. They say those are running over 170. On water: Since it was brought up... Now I get my speed kicks (when it gets warmer) with a Sugar Sand Tango jet boat. 210hp two stroke Mercury V6. Book sez it only goes a bit over 50mph, but planes in 1.5 seconds. It’s got “OS†handles all over it, ‘cause you need ‘em! Hurry up Springtime!

Very cool build! Nice job!

I'd be VERY careful applying any lacquer over a dry transfer. I've had many sheets made over the years and have ruined some with Testors "mild" lacquer dullcote. My thoughts about it are in this thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=24790&st=0&p=230019&hl=transfers&fromsearch=1&#entry230019 HTH.

It was very fun to participate in the "event" with ya Alyn! Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

I LIKE IT!

Very Kool build Merc! Can't wait to see what you do with it next.

Thanks for all the nice comments on my Vette. It was a real fun model to build. Hope you all can make it to the Birmingham Classic that will take place in Anniston, AL March 6th, 2010 and see it in person. Keep up the great builds! TK

Built this for Cranky’s Christmas Contest on another board. Waited until after the “judging†was complete before posting anything about this. Despite not placing, this was one of the most fun models I’ve built. One of my favorites as well, especially since it went from “opening the box†to completed model in less than 60 days. AMT 1953 Corvette “Skinny Dipper.†The modifications are fairly obvious... Engine is from the Galaxy ‘48 Chevy with the head converted to a 12-port cross flow design. Interior is all stock, just missing a seat. Chassis has Revell ‘59 Caddie rear suspension, front suspension is from the ‘Lil Coffin show rod. Trunk lid opens to show a battery and a fuel fill. I think it almost looked better “in pieces.†The in-progress shots are at the link. http://public.fotki.com/timkustom/model_car_stuff/crankys-kustom-build/ Hope y’all enjoy! TK

I stuck the 4.6L from the 1999 Cobra in my Merc. Fit great, even with the twin superchargers on top.

Thanks for the nice comments on the model. Dry transfers: The tutorial you might not want to hear about: SAE ran an article many years ago written by Pat Covert. I use the same people he used, Litho Plate and Negative in Birmingham, Alabama and they produce excellent products. I’ve used this company for over 10 years to produce many sets of transfers for models and real cars (custom gauge faces). Pro’s: You can make them any color including white, fluorescents and many metallics. Sometimes even foils can be done. Con’s They are very expensive. Be prepared to spend at least $75 a color. Don’t expect them to “rub them down†over complex curves (read on to see how to fix that). They will only be as good as your artwork. I create all my art in Adobe Illustrator. Other “drawing†programs can offer good results, but since AI works so well, that’s all I know. As far as applying them: I rub them down to decal paper. Then trim, apply to model. This will allow you to get them on complex curves. As stated in my post above, they don’t like lacquer topcoats. I’ve ruined a set of multicolor transfers for a 1:1 project learning this. I only spray enamel or acrylic over them now. Testor’s Dull coat can be used if sprayed VERY VERY LIGHT and THIN. I found this place that makes them. http://www.colorvu.com/ Upload a file for a quote, but be prepared to be sticker shocked. A few more examples of where I used them: Sorry for the big pic, it's all I have at the moment. This Camaro has a double pin stripe for the "Sport Appearance Package" running above the character line. The top of the pinstripe is .003 of an inch and came out beautifully. Need to get a closup of it. This is a replica of my mother's first car. Tires for the above Charger. I wanted Goodyear "Greenstreaks" HTH

I use and make a lot of custom made dry transfers. I would not recommend lacquer over them. I've seen the "ink" run off them leaving the base behind. Testors Gloss enamel (takes longer to dry) is a much safer bet. I've had good results with Testors acrylics also. Custom made dry transfer were used on this Charger.

Watch parts eh? I used this company for the watch crystals used on these Donk Wheels. You could spend days on this site looking for stuff. It's new parts so they can be rather pricey... Very nice/helpful folks though. http://www.ofrei.com/

Yeah, Post it! Ya wanna race?

Thanks for the kind words, Mark. I lurk most of the forums. Love seeing all the great models posted. Life's been pretty hectic for me for the last couple of years, but be watching...new builds are coming that are gonna blow that old Chevy out of the water...

It just comes down to how much time and effort you want to spend on a project. A little bit of money also comes into play (those machined fitting aren't cheap as we all know... ) Good knowledge and understanding of the subject matter is a must as well. I was quite a fan of Russ Schwenkler's work and a google search found what he's up to. Again, more killer stuff. http://www.dangeruss.net/

Funny, I came across this thread, since I was wondering about that car earlier today. Found this link: http://www.davemikulec.com/blog/2009/06/mi...ere-update.html Here's a good pic of it as of June '09 Looks to be cleaning up pretty well. They have put the donor car's frame under it. IMO, it should have been left alone. Now it's just a "restored" car...

Thanks for posting pics Bob, always good to see you there. At least you weren't acting like Maggie Simpson! Simon, hope to see you back in Alabama sometime. P.S. Not to hyjack Bob's thread, but here's a few my wife and I shot... One of Ken Hamilton's great dioramas Chuck Easton's '51 Kustom Chevy. Probably my fav of the show. Why it didn't get a top 15 is beyond me. Most interesting use of '57 Chevy fins I've ever seen. Painted graphics on a replica of Richie Evan's Camaro. Built by Frank Bennet. Our table fiasco had my head spinning all weekend.

Good seein' ya Cranky! Thanks for the pics. One thing though...glad you didn't get ALL the "action." Some of it can't be shared with such a family board. It's best to just experience it and savor the memories...

Great pics Craig! Always a pleasure hanging out with you LA guys!

Thanks for the comments guys. It was a fun build that I tried not to get mired down with a bunch of details. Great kit, might revisit it later. Just the fun of modelin'

Been in a mad thrash for several weeks trying to get this one done for the Birmingham Classic. Wanted to build this one for last years theme “Mercs & Donks†but I got sucked into the donk thing. Guess I’m a year behind... Even though I feel I rushed it a bit, I’m overall pleased with it. Here are the particulars: Revell ‘49 Merc. Recontoured the roof and coverted to a hardtop. Reshaped fender skirts and front wheel wells. Paint is Testor’s new lacquer “DeJa Blue†Hard to see, but it has the complete 2006 Mustang interior in it. Engine is my favorite part. Ford 4.6L DOHC with custom twin superchargers and fuel injection. Much better than the caddie motor and it fills the engine bay quite nicely, IMO. I’m off to set up for the show, wish everyone on here could come out and see it.