Scale-Master

Interpretation of a definition? Hmmm... The correct definition of scratchbuilt is that the builder made the parts from raw materials. Just sourcing parts from other kits and combining them to make something that is not a factory produced kit is actually called kitbashing.

The decades long running annual Model Car Contest at the O.C.C.A. Labor Day Cruise will be held on Sunday September 2nd 2012 at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Address : 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Usually the entrance for the cruise is through Gate 4 from Arlington just east of Fairview Rd. Up to six models per entrant. Entry fees are covered by the admission to the cruise. No additional cost to enter the Model Car Contest. Trophies for the winners. Entry cut off is 12:00 Noon. For more information please contact Mark Wing at : Mcwing99@aol.com

Please tell me again..., How can it be "scratchbuilt" if it was built from a kit?

Simply depends on the size of which real car Pocher made a model of. Is a Trans Am larger than a Rolls Royce or Mercedes?

I had something like that for doing paste-up work some 30+ years ago. Got it from the art supply house, but also saw them in stationery stores. Like those are still around?

Yep, the regular 99 cent variety...

The Shocker Racing Team, originally from the late ‘70s as a privateer team has been spotted at various nostalgia races semi-recently. No definitive word if it is a true race car restoration or a replica built from a street car. Charcoal bronze base color with the bold panels and graphics done as custom made decals.

I was referring to the effort, even more so than the subject matter. If I am satisfied with it, I expect it to pass muster by the judges too. If I didn't build my "contest models" to meet my standards (not some unknown set of judges) which I do for my own enjoyment (and the challenge which I enjoy too) they would not come out the way I want them to. I can't count the amount of comments I have received of how ugly a Super Seven is, or how the subject matter and style does nothing for many people, and how the modifications I have done to them also are not many people's cup of tea, including judges. Had I tried to please “the judges” I would not have built them as I did, which is clearly “for myself” in both subject matter, and level of effort. So again, I have to disagree with your "logic".

I respectfully disagree. I build what I want to have in my showcase, i.e., to please me. I enter contests with those models too. Whether others are impressed or not has no bearing on my efforts to build to satisfy myself. Side note, see my sig line...

Now that I have the engine positioned I knew where to put the scoop. I smoothed out the roof and filled the holes for the rack and went with a Dodge theme for the scoop and new roof details. I also shaved the door handles off.

I decided to go with a V12 since I have the some of the main engine parts from the Enzo.

I have to agree with you on this Mike. I thought it was a work in progress first, and that some latitude should be given to O.P. to put it where he thinks it should be, within the forum guidelines of course. Kind of like when someone enters a contest and chooses to put, for example that van, in curbside instead of trucks. If it meets the basic requirement it should be up to the participant... It's not like you were posting it in both Trucks and On The Bench at the same time, that's just plain tacky.

The plastic the Lindberg kit is molded in is relatively soft, and this one had a mild warp to it. It assembled it including the windows and interior and taped it down to a sheet of glass to unwarp it. Then I built up the flares and boxed them for reinforcement while it was fixtured. It is very rigid now without any warpage either. Tires from a Nissan Skyline GTR race car, BBS style Porsche rim centers …

A $500.00 car or a $50,000 dollar car at 45 mph can do far more than $2500.00 in damage when it hits something, or somebody...

This is the Lindberg kit. It is a SnapKit. 1/25th scale. It was issued as this stock version, and an Illinios State Police version which can be built stock too. I agree it has a good looking Ram style front grille.

Go for it. (The bodywork on mine is pretty much finished.) All it takes is an Enzo (or two) and a Caravan. Your Photoshopped version reminds of a Mad Spy vs. Spy character.

This is a project I have been building in my head for quite some time, but never fleshed out the details other than starting with a Dodge Caravan and mounting an engine amidship. I decided to start cutting and see where it goes. A full day of work got me here. I cut out the grille and headlights. I made a new rear bumper and some other little parts to make the flares “fit” the body. Once I get the body sorted out I’ll deal with the powerplant(s?) and wheels… Hey, both companies are owned by Fiat now…

In regards to the talk about not finishing a model when something is not coming out as well as hoped, but instead starting a new model... (Not talking about any one person, just in general.) Why not apply the effort you use to start another model (or heaven forbid another failure) to learn how to overcome the issue and ultimately finish the model? Even if it does not come out "perfect" you might learn how to address that issue, and practice to do better in the future. Which is worse? A - An unfinished model with a flaw you decided not to try to fix so it sits in box out of sight. (High emotional attachment, low participation.) B - A finished model with a flaw probably only you are aware of that you learned how to do better that is on display. (High participation, low emotional attachment.) Maybe you actually learned how to overcome that issue and there really is no flaw...? To me the latter is a far better investment of materials and time.

Oh shucks, and I was all ready to provide a stupid question...

AMT SnapFastPlus kit. Painted with Tamiya Blue and a custom mixed pearl white and built out-of-the-box. I am a little surprised how much the flake in the Dark Mica Blue pops in direct sun light. I am sure the clear helped bring it out as it was nowhere near that glittery before. But then it is a fiberglass car like a Manx or a bass boat… Indoors under fluorescent and incandescent lighting it has very little flake so it is going to stay… WIP Thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60733

Agreed.

Thanks guys. It looks like LeMans Miniatures is still around, and I found a list of 1/87th scale kits: http://www.lemansminiatures.com/uk/gammes_list.php?idcateg=3&sessionid=3153233475001c55a9753a

Little resin kit from about 20 years ago. Fun build too. WIP thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60931

I don't really know, but it takes about two weeks a year to clean the showcases...

WIP Thread: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=60930