Von Don Koolkat

I don't know why everybody is in an uproar over model kits from fledgling companies from 60 years ago when ERTL's box art for some of their AMT reissues was atrocious. Plus is it being the box art LAYOUT being questioned or the quality of the BUILT MODEL (if shown)? The negativity here no matter what the subject drives me batty.

It's silly to be counting all these rivets. And WHO is the judge of what is accurate and what is not? The best judge of accuracy is the person that built the original car. Otherwise, there are a lot of self appointed experts, and most of them disagree.

First time I ever heard the term was via the IPMS. I never heard it back in the fifties/sixties.

I've gotta agree. The title alone turned me off.

The term 'rare' is often loosely tossed around. Most of the models already mentioned are not truly 'rare', just hard to find. It also depends if you are speaking official model company domestic production. To me, the models (not kits) that would be truly rare would be factory styling models or Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild models... or any one of a kind scratchbuilt models. Of course, the term 'scratchbuilt' is also loosely tossed around. Of the kits mentioned, I'd have to go with the 1911 Chevrolet, Stude Champ pickup, and Corvair Rampside. Then again, suppy and demand make rarity a vague term. Many model kits just are not very desirable to any collector or builder.

Lookin' great, John!

If not enough people buy the kits and parts, they quit business. I think the Modelhaus is the only one that can make a living at it. Snooze ya lose.

I don't see any problem with moderators 'moderating', as long as it's reasonable. If forum participants conduct themselves in a gentlemanly fashion, there is no need for moderators....but..... that's in a perfect world. . The forum represents Gregg's magazine so Gregg can't be blamed for being concerned if it takes a turn he doesn't like. It's his sandbox.

There are also model clubs in Cookeville, Nashville, and Knoxvile.

Anybody that has ever worked in similar production can verify this, and that it doesn't just happen with automobiles.

A piece of wood plaque on the wall doesn't impress me at all. What impresses me is a model builder's attitude and REAL contributions to the hobby,- whether they build awesome or ho-hum models --- or even build models at all. I know the Freakshow real car is not the epitome of beauty, but that's one of the kool things about building it. One of my my own projects if Frank Marrata's 40 Merc (The Pink Beast), which is way up at the top of the list for wierd, wayout (yes, ugly) customs. Just the project itself gets a lot of looks when people recognize it. If the steering wheel on it is wrong (I'm not that far) and I've tried to find the right one - I will still call it a replica model. I don't care about the rivet counters, because it's my lifetime hobby. I don't care about 'winning'. I care more about a fellow modeler telling me "nice model". I can't wait to see this finished, John!

I agree. There's also the recycle bin.

My mag ships in plastic sleeves, no reports of damage ever.

Why aren't all REAL cars awesome? Sometimes the smaller companies outshine the larger ones. Same with models. Tamiya/Aoshima/Fujimi don't manufacture the subjects I like. I see many of them at model swap meets, mostly going much cheaper than retail.

The valve covers are a non-issue. Not everybody is an ASE certified mechanic. I challenge anybody to post their own perfect model. I've never seen one. Better yet, please post your own model YOU'VE BUILT of the FreakShow. I've considered building it, but it seemed to be a rather an intimidating model to construct.. At the same time, I'm sure John appreciates the correction about the valve covers. I am sure many modelers aren't aware of some superficial differences like that. Super model, John!

Sixteen feet worth by two feet deep, made from a 4'X8' sheet of plywood ripped lengthwise on 4X4 legs. Yet by the time I have everything on it, I'm left with about one square foot of actual work area, which fills up fast. You can never have enough work space... or storage space.

Back when it was a current kit, my sealed one had a funny car kit in it when I opened it. I was highly perturbed, to say the least. The 'point' was you don't know what you are getting when you purchase a 'used car', and you may get ripped off. Someanager's idea of a practical joke, I'm sure? It is a rare kit - it's reputation got around.

A "no sales" policy makes sense to me. I had to make the same policy on my Facebook forum. Facebook has plenty of buy,sell, trade pages devoted to just that. It frequently results in excessive drama due to poor behavior by one person or another.

Many model swap meets have an abundance of magazines available for a buck each.

I've talked with several modelers who already had this kit - but bought this version just because of the box art. http://images57.fotki.com/v300/photos/4/504634/10207040/62_pontiac_beswick-vi.jpg

There is also Kustom and Hot Rod Models magazine (like Model Car Builder - a supplement to the other magazines) at http://koolkat.magcloud.com There is also a lowrider model magazine at magcloud. To be historically and technically accurate, NNL West was begun by Tim Boyd, Gary Gollehon, David Dale, Rick Rothermel and myself several year earlier (right Tim Boyd?) - a couple years later Roy and Kevin co-founded the NNL Western Nationals event and later renamed it NNL West.

Nobody will every agree on a definition. Rat rods started out essentially as an anti-high buck, anti-establishment, and anti-street rod phenomenon. If rat rods irritate the snooty street rod crowd - they serve their purpose,

Uhhh...Luke... probably not the ideal place to say that? I'm sure Luke meant to say as far as far as kustoms, hot rods, and vintage style models, which aren't everybody's cup of tea.

Luke puts out the BEST kustom car magazine!

Hey, Luke! Good to see you! Koolkat.