Kmidd65

With Daytona right around the corner, I thought that I would try to wrap up this project. This is a box-stock build of the 1992 Team Ireland Lumina driven by Bobby Hillin Jr using Mooseworks decals. I had hoped to have it up on all 4 wheels by this time but broke the front suspension trying to tweak the stance! These cars sit way to high when built out of the box IMHO. Anyways, I have a replacement in process from the parts box.... I still have some polishing to do but have started decaling the hood. The Lumina insignia on the nose was accomplished by filling the recesses with paint, before clear coating. This is my 4th build since returning to the hobby so any pointers, tips or advice are welcome. I have additional pictures in my Fotki album at the link. http://public.fotki....ireland-lumina/

Nice set of Luminas there, John. You know I always enjoy seeing your builds! I actually have a Lumina in the works that is about finished. First time I have built that kit. Did you run into fit problems in and around the engine compartment on any of yours? I had to work through some issues on mine. Quite puzzled as the engine is sitting squarely on the mounts and locater pins....

Wow, quite surprised to log in tonight and see this build back up at the top of the list! I feel I got lucky on the paint given that I was shooting (cheap) enamel straight out of the cans on that one. I really appreciate all of the feedback everybody! Actually, I finished clear-coating another all black Nascar build last evening. I will post it up here as soon as I get it polished out, decaled and final assembled. It is the old #31 Team Ireland Lumina driven by Bobby Hillin. Do not see that one built up too often.

Terry, definitely finish up that one! Very sharp! That was Jeff's T-Bird from 1997. That was the last year for the T-Bird in Nascar. After that, they moved over to the Jelly Bean shaped Taurus in 1998. All his Roush Exide cars were sharp rides IMHO.

That turned out really nice. The weathering makes it! I would have barely had the motor together in 24hrs.....LOL Congrats on a job well done!

Thanks for the pictures, Tom. Looks like it was a great show! This one creeps up on me every year and I miss it due to family-related activities. I sure appreciate you sharing with all of us!

Roger, definitely check it out if you have a chance. I took several of my models and didn't win a thing. It didn't matter because I had a great time and learned a lot of new tips/techniques from some of the better builders. I wish the drive wasn't 10 hours or I would definitely be back this year. By the way, the swap meet was huge, I definitely found some kits/parts/decals I have been after for awhile.

I agree with Cole. I ventured over to the Louisville Model Car Club's show last year and had a great time! I see where they have the flyer posted for this year on their website. You can check it out at the following: http://louisvillemodelcarclub.com/Contest_Flyer_2012.php You can view my Fotki album to see pictures from the 2011 show. I hope that this helps! http://public.fotki.com/KMidd65/model-car-shows--co/2011-model-car-shows/derby-city-shootout-2011/

HUGE Improvement on that one! That smooth paint and the Powerslides really bring it to life. I love it, nice work and a great save!!

I encountered a paint problem on my Team Ireland Lumina project earlier this year. I kept the hood and the rest of the body went into the Purple Pond. Lost some enthusiasm and it sat idle for several months... Last evening, I taped it up and sprayed some initial coats of Black lacquer. That interest is coming back! We will try to get it done here in the next few weeks. The T-Bird in the back is another newer project. That one will receive a set of Slixx Winn Dixie #60 decals. http://public.fotki.com/KMidd65/

John, I always enjoy seeing cars that come off your workbench. Wow, what a year! Excellent job on each and every one. I gotta tell you though, that Monza Funny Car is my personal favorite. Thanks for sharing with us!

Thanks for the excellent coverage of the Competition (Nascar/Drag) cars in attendance, Wayne! Hate that I missed the show this year.

Thanks for the pics, Tom!

Oh, we will definitely be watching this one! IMHO Doug was one of the best ever. I watched him every Saturday evening running the Weikert car up in Selinsgrove, PA in the mid-to-late 80's. Good Stuff!!

Welcome back Ismael, it has been awhile. I actually fell away from the hobby a few years after the old days posting over on the Corvette site. I returned about two years ago and was real rusty with the skills. I cranked up a box-stocker, finished it and then tried some more detailed tricks with another. It all came right back. This is a great place to return. I swear I learn something new here every week. Hope to see your progress on the ZR1! - Kirk http://public.fotki.com/KMidd65/

Very nice model, Mark! I really enjoy seeing some of the old "Dark Side" Nascar builds. They are a bit before my time but I always find them interesting. Your '56 is very clean and bright!

Thanks Mike and congrats on the 2nd and 3rd place. That is AWESOME given there was only one category for automotive at that show! You should be pleased. BTW, I love the paint on your Fairlane. Very nice buid, maybe I will get to see it in person someday at a show around here in NC or SC. Yes, I agree what you are saying about Tim. I have been to his Spartanburg show the last two years. Actually, the car count trumps the military model count at his shows! He is a good advocate for non-Military builders. It seems some IPMS modelers do have a bias about automotive builders. Unfortunately, it often goes both ways... I have picked up on the Us and Them air at a few IPMS shows but I just roll with it. I enjoy viewing well built scale models, no matter the subject matter. Generally, I feel that the IPMS guys do a better job judging models but there are exceptions. I was recently at a show in Virginia where they had some IPMS guys judging the Box-Stock automotive class. A builder entered an AMT Pinto modified kit in the class. He had the motor wired, brake lines plumbed and a photo-etched/turned aluminum gas filler. I picked up on it before the judging but figured the judges would sort it out. Guess what, the car placed in the Box-Stock class!! The judges obviously had no idea those parts were not included in the base kit. Heck, he didn't even have a copy of the instructions (required for the class) and they did not ding him for it! So yes, there can be a down-side to non-automotive modelers judging our stuff. Likewise, I too would probably miss some stuff if I had to judge one of their classes...especially armor! Thanks for the link to your Album!! http://public.fotki.com/KMidd65/

I tend to agree with you Hunter. I am mainly a Box Stock builder. I do not hesitate putting my cars in the full detail classes at IPMS shows. My stuff can hang with the full detail builds and routinely place at IPMS shows. I too am not bragging; but there is a reason for the results. My attention to basic modeling skills! I will fill every visible seam, smooth/polish the paint and use a variety of paint shades throughout the build. The IPMS judges zero in on these details and will reward the effort! On the other hand, I have entered the same builds in the Box-Stock classes at some non-IPMS shows and have not placed. When I surveyed the winning models, I found obvious seams and gaps left unfilled, rough paint, etc. but boy oh boy, that HOK paint shade really drew the judges and spectators in! I have attached a picture of the chassis of one of my "Box-Stock" Nascars that has placed at numerous IPMS events. This is an example of basic modeling skills devoted to seldom seen areas of a build. The IPMS judges get it. Just my two cents on the topic.

John, my hats off to ya' man! You have a real talent. I always enjoy following your builds but I gotta tell ya', this one is my Fav! Thanks for sharing the buildup with us; I learn so many techniques studying your builds. Since I got back into the hobby a little over two years ago, I have been sticking to box-stockers. Your inspiration is leading me to step out and try to detail them again like I did back in the 80's. The Ford is a beauty man, you should be proud of your accomplishment!

Nice job on this one Tom! That carbon fiber drive shaft is pretty trick. I will be looking for this one at the shows in 2012. Thanks for sharing the pics with us!

Scott, you did a very nice job on that one. I really enjoyed seeing it in person at the CKM show in August. I was wondering if it was a new build of yours or an older one. Either way, I love it! Good to see you back on here.

Wow, this thread brings back a lot of fond memories and names! I originally entered the hobby back in the mid to late '80's after finding Scale Auto at the local hobby shop. There are some models/builders that were an incredible inspiration to me in those early years: 1) Mark Gustavson's '36 Ford Sedan Delivery 2) Randy Derr's 1/16th scale Trans Am SCCA Racer 3) Jarius Watson's Red convertible Boss Mustang 4) John McGowan's candy yellow '41 Willys pickup 5) Rocco Richardson's Pro-Street '49 Ford Custom Unfortunately, I got away from the hobby (actual building) from the mid-nineties up until about three years ago. Since returning to the bench, the models of Bill Coulter, Tim Boyd and good friend Craig Turner have had a huge impact on my current build style. These days I strive to build clean, well painted Nascars and Street Rods straight from the box. It's a great hobby, thanks to everybody who contributes in some form or fashion be it in the magazines, on the internet or at a local club or contest. Sharing and keeping it fun is the key!

This is an annual show held in Morganton, NC. Car count was lower this year but there were some very quality builds on the tables. More in my Fotki album at the link. http://public.fotki....ills-plastic-p/

Welcome to Nascar modeling! That is a very good job, I agree, black is the worst color to apply. Nice job, you will always cherish that first Nascar build. I still have mine to look back and see where I started. Thanks for sharing with us!

John, I really was not certain about where you were going with this one, but WOW! With that paint and the mockup with the aluminum rims, I am on board and sold. This one is going to be another looker. You always inspire me with your builds! Thanks for sharing with us.