Rodent

I don't really have a Holy Grail, but the first 1/25 kit I bought with my own money and built with minimal Dad Help was the Mr. Norm Charger funny car. If I could get another one for a somewhat reasonable price I would like to build it again as Senior Citizen Me instead of 9 year old me. Side note: Dad prepared me for adulting by letting me try to buy it with my $2.00 lawn mowing money. The California sales tax rate in 1969 is no longer in my brain, but I think Dad laughed and fronted me around 6 cents so I could get my kit. More Old Guy Stories to come, stay tuned.

with room-temperature I.Q.

Was in the HL neighborhood today on coupon day. Seems like every time I go there, the retail prices are higher. Didn't buy anything even at 40% off.

Nice! I have 328508 which I think I bought in 1980-81, so yours is probably from the mid-80s. I no longer have the box because it was disintegrating. Everything is in a plastic box now. I just took the H5 parts out and put the H3 parts back in so I could spray some chrome. It worked much better, but I like the H5 for bodies.

I have mentioned on here a couple of times that I (used to) work with one of Dale's sons. He had indicated to me quite a few times that he wanted to take over LMCC, but the logistics of moving the vacuum chamber and other equipment from Pennsylvania to California made it difficult, if not impossible. Early on in the pandemic, he quit, and I have no idea where he is now or what he is doing. Maybe he is living in Dale's basement now, plating model parts? Or not....

Still experimenting here. I mentioned that it fisheyed, so I wound up putting it on too heavy to compensate. Also, my phone has too good of a camera, so it magnified the flaws in the sun. I may have some Alclad base, I would have to look. Just painted another spoon with Tamiya gloss black and I am going to keep trying to see how this works out.

How did your test go? I painted some spoons with SpazStix black, then clear. Nice and shiny. I made some other tests, and I shot some SMS on one of them last night at 15 psi through my Paasche H. Observations: I don't know what was on the spoon, but the SpazStix went on fine. The SMS immediately started to fisheye. I put a little more on than I normally would have to try to flow out the fisheye. It really does look like (as our friends across the pond say) a dog's breakfast when you first spray it. It got shinier as it dried. About 20 hours after I shot it, I started to polish it, using the t-shirt I am currently wearing. It seems kinda soft and easy to scratch. I like the shine. I was hesitant to polish too much, but it seems to get shinier the more you polish it. If I can get around the fisheye issue, this might be good.

Convertible version of a 71 with a 351 C or a 429 CJ would be amazing, but not holding my breath.

They also have 1965 and 1966 convertible instructions, so I guess Scalemates is incomplete (again).

Drastic Plastic has an instruction sheet. https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1961-1970/amt-1967-chevrolet-1/

This is how the windshield wipers work on the spouse's Focus. I think the Fusion and the Escape work the same. Having two motors make it so you can manually move the wipers independently for cleaning, and they go through a parking process afterward that reminds me of Jeannie's arm cross / blink thing. I believe they do this so they can use the same wiper system on both left and right hand drive. They aren't parallel motion, they are separate like a 1950s car. Wipers and Washers - System Operation and Component Description System Operation System Diagram Network Message Chart BCM Network Input Messages Broadcast Message Originating Module Message Purpose Vehicle speed ABS The ABS module sends this message to the BCM . The BCM sends this data to the windshield wiper motor. The windshield wiper motor uses this data for the speed sensitive wiper feature. Transmission in reverse PCM The reverse gear input is used to engage the reverse gear wipe function. Windshield Wipers The windshield wipers operate only when the ignition is in ACCESSORY or ON. The SASM monitors the wiper/washer switch inputs and sends the wiper/washer switch data to the BCM through the LIN 1 (shared with the headlamp switch). Based on the input, the BCM sends the requested wiper speed data on the LIN 8 to the driver side windshield wiper motor. The driver side windshield wiper motor then coordinates the wiper operation with the passenger side windshield wiper motor (using an isolated communication circuit between the two of them) to prevent interference between the windshield wipers while they are operating. The BCM also receives a second input through a fail-safe circuit from the SASM . This fail-safe circuit makes sure the windshield wipers function in the event a LIN 1 circuit communication failure occurs between the SASM and the BCM . If a failure occurs on the LIN 1, the wipers operate at LOW speed when the wiper/washer switch is in any position other than OFF. If a communcation failure occurs on the LIN 8 circuit between the BCM and the windshield wiper motor, the windshield wipers operate for 5 minutes at high speed, 5 minutes at low speed, 5 minutes at an intermittent timing, and then turn off. The wiper motor has a thermal protection strategy which disables the wiper motor when travel of the wiper arms is impeded by ice/snow and or excessive resistance as the result of operation on a dry windshield. The wipers may slow to a lower speed before being commanded off when a high friction situation/concern exists. It may be necessary to disconnect and then reconnect the battery after the repair to enable the wiper operation. Windshield Washer When the washer switch is pulled towards the driver, the SASM sends the washer request to the BCM over the LIN . The BCM activates the windshield wash relay (internal to the BCM ) and sends a message to the driver side windshield wiper motor. When the BCM activates the windshield wash relay, voltage is provided to the washer pump, directing washer fluid to the windshield. When the switch is released, the windshield wiper motor continues to activate the windshield wipers for 3 additional wipes and then turns the windshield wipers off. Intermittent Wipers When the wiper switch is in the intermittent setting, the wiper motor activates at timed intervals. The lower the setting, the longer the interval between wipes. Speed Dependent Wipers When the wiper/washer switch is in any intermittent setting except the lowest setting, the speed dependent feature increases the frequency of wiping as the vehicle speed increases to compensate for the extra moisture that accumulates on the windshield. The BCM receives the vehicle speed from the ABS module. The BCM then sends the vehicle speed data to the driver side windshield wiper motor through the LIN . Wiper Activated Exterior Lamps The BCM turns the exterior lamps on within 10 seconds of the windshield wipers being activated by the wiper/washer switch when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. Approximately 30 seconds after the windshield wipers turn off, the BCM turns the exterior lamps off. Rear Window Wiper When the wiper/washer switch is in the INT 1 or INT 2 (continuous wipe) position, the SASM sends the request to the BCM through the LIN . When the request is received, the BCM supplies ground to the rear window wiper motor relay, activating the motor. The position of the wiper/washer switch determines how many times per minute the BCM provides ground to activate the rear window wiper motor. The rear window wiper motor is self-parking. Rear Window Washer When the wiper/washer switch is pushed away from the driver, the SASM sends the request to the BCM through the LIN . The BCM energizes the rear washer relay (internal to the BCM ) and activates the rear window wiper motor. When the BCM activates the rear window wash relay, voltage is provided to the washer pump, directing washer fluid to the rear window. When the switch is released, the rear window wiper motor continues to operate for 3 additional wipes and then turns off. Reverse Gear Wipe If the front wiper/washer switch is in any position other than off and the vehicle is in REVERSE, the rear window wiper activates. Component Description Wiper/Washer Switch The wiper/washer switch is mounted directly to the SASM . The windshield wiper/washer inputs to the SASM are: Mist wipe Windshield wash Off AUTO 1/INT 1 AUTO 2/INT 2 AUTO 3/INT 3 AUTO 4/INT 4 AUTO 5/INT 5 AUTO 6/INT 6 Low High The rear wiper/washer inputs to the SASM are: Off INT 1 INT 2 (continuous wipe) Rear window wash Front Wiper Motor The windshield wiper motors contains a logic module, internal sensors (to monitor the wiper arm position) and a multi-speed motor. The logic module from the driver side windshield wiper motor continuously monitors the wiper/washer switch inputs from the BCM when the ignition is ON. Depending on the input, the wiper motor activates to achieve the desired request. The driver side windshield wiper motor is the primary wiper motor and controls the operation of both windshield wipers. There is no mechanical linkage between the motor and the wiper arm, the wiper arms are mounted directly to the wiper motors. If a windshield wiper motor is replaced, the windshield wiper motors must be initialized. Refer to: Windshield Wiper Motor Initialization (501-16 Wipers and Washers, General Procedures). Washer Pump The washer pump is controlled by the BCM . The front and rear washer system share the same washer reservoir and a bi-directional washer pump. The washer pump delivers washer fluid to the windshield when the BCM activates the windshield washer relay (internal to the BCM ), which provides voltage to the washer pump. Ground for the washer pump is provided through the rear washer relay (also internal to the BCM ). When activated, the washer pump delivers washer fluid to the windshield. When the BCM energizes the rear washer relay, the rear washer relay provides voltage to the washer pump. Ground for the washer pump is provided through the windshield washer relay (internal to the BCM ). When activated, the pump delivers washer fluid to the rear window. Rear Wiper Motor The rear window wiper motor contains a single speed motor. When the BCM momentarily energizes the rear window wiper motor relay, the rear window wiper activates. A separate power circuit is used to continue the rear window wipe and park the rear window wiper.

Yes, seeing that with mine as well. I think I can scratch something to prop them up.

Both? You can paint over embossing powder with flat paint and it still looks OK.

Didn't notice the vinyl front seats. They are buckets and look fine. Guess I may need to use adhesion promoter when I paint them though. Bonnet lid is fine as well. Overall, the molding seems very good on mine.

This is what is in the box of the stock GTS. The wheels are what looks like or pretty close to Pontiac Rally IIs. The envelope with the screws and tools has foil appliques for the dash and emblems. No decals.

Forgive me if I missed it if it has been mentioned, but what do you clean the airbrush with?

I got a "not available" message when I put it in the cart. I was trying NOT to look at the resin, LOL.

Seems to currently be out of stock everywhere. I would like to try it.

Flex-Seal works better

That Tesla doesn't make a vehicle suitable for their own roadside service use?

I was a little surprised to see the "lift off" boot lid with a detailed boot interior. I will have to mock up the body and interior to see if it is feasible to scratch hinges. Also, that "thing" that is supposed to be a distributor must go. Otherwise, a pretty high parts count for what I was expecting, and basically no flash.

Sorry to hear that Ron. Their service was excellent in my transaction, but I have noticed that their feedback is either very positive or very negative. I want to preorder a Sandman, but I may wait until they actually arrive in stock.

Alan, there is a picture of mine in the "What did you get...." thread, but it is still in the (open) box.

too much dirt