Tom Geiger

Years ago my neighbor Walter came over to tell me a story. He was visibly shaken up. He had gone to Sears to pick up his new mattress and box springs. They loaded it on the roof of his Grand Caravan. He only got a few miles down the highway... a local 4 lane highway, not an interstate at high speeds... when it all broke loose. The car behind him drove up on the mattress. It's exhaust system set the mattress on fire. Car burned to the ground! I'm trying to keep a straight face and be concerned for Walter since he's a clueless guy and is really upset. Then he asks the question.... Do I think he can sue the guy with the burnt up car for destroying his mattress?? That's when I lost it!

Dale is a class act. I've known him for years as he is one of our NNL East vendors. He always set up right next to Modelhaus and is good friends with Don. I had no idea he was 79! If asked, I would've thought he was in his mid sixties! I guess that chroming process keeps you young!

Hey Darryl- Looks great! A super little work truck. I have one of these on my bench right now. It's a fun kit, a bit of a challenge with fit and finish though. I'm happy to see you added the fuel filler. Many people overlook this detail! Are your doors open or did you glue them shut? I glued mine shut on my current build. Great build!

I bought the slant six engine on eBay. The entire thing was full of Vasoline. I had to soak it in CSC for a week!

What's going on in my world! Grandfather to one, headed for three! This will be an interesting year!

Yea, but the good thing is it's somebody else's problem! I'd rather be a spectator in this activity!

There was someone on this board that was pretty far along in the Valiant conversion. Someone should be able to pull up that thread. Also, there is an Australian resin caster that has done an Aussie Valiant 4 door sedan.

maybe gold with black accents

It would help immensely to know what the project is! I tend to get that mental block into Beige -- gray -- black, but there are better options

And then they STOP when they get to the merge point! ARGH!!!

tastes like chicken!

Yes, that's a Heller Citroen. They did a number of different body styles on that same chassis. Here's the Borden's milk truck I've been working on. This is probably the kit you are looking at. There are other versions, a hotel bus, a fire truck and a Normandie woodie pickup. There may be more! Kit wise, think early 1960s Revell. A lot of small fiddly parts, some with questionable fit. But nice kits and good results can be had with some work.

Great period build! Weren't they all Verdoro Green?

Yup, I had my heater core done on the PT Cruiser convertible and it was the same deal. I did the A/C evaporator at the same time. Cost me $1200. I'd rather pay up and observe a job like this one!

Went to Hobby Lobby looking for paint brushes... didn't find the set I wanted so this one followed me home. I don't know why it was $22.99 while everything else was $29.99 but with the magic coupon it was $13.79 and with tax for the state the total was $14.62. I had some $15 or so left on a gift card. The artwork is very nice. It's signed "Shepard", anyone know who that is? I already have the Jeep, but I wanted the ski mobile! (Like I need any justification to buy a model)

MIchael Guest from MCW Resins contacted us today about coming to NNL East. We are happy to have him so it's up to him!

a whole lotta fun!

Since the Europeans are spotting American cars I thought I'd post this one! Photographed in front of our local beer store on Friday afternoon! Interior was gutted, roll bar and two racing seats present! Didn't see who owned it, but he had it out on a rainy, dreary afternoon.

A lot of headliners today are hard cardboard. So I make some of them from a ribbed cardstock, an old stack of business cards I have been working off. I generally work from the center, with a card folded in half so I get symmetry. Then I trace it onto the final flat card to cut. I save the templates in my decal box. This is the Model King AMT 1979 Ford kit. I use white glue to glue it in place.

Thanks everyone for the kind comments! Someone asked about the rear tires, I should've mentioned it but they've been on the car so long it just looks normal to me! They came from the MPC '28 Lincoln Phaeton kit. I had to carve on them a bit to fit on the Model A wheels, but they work very well.

fried magic mushrooms?

Very cool pair!

I gave one teaser shot with my 2018 end of the year report, as I finished it up that afternoon. I did make some final adjustments on New Year's Day. I originally wanted to finish this one for my birthday in September, as I hit a certain milestone. It was not to be, so I took my time and enjoyed the build. This one started out as an original issue, parts kit that someone had started. I found it along with an original '62 Nova convertible kit on some obscure sales site on the Internet. I bought both kits for $22 plus postage. The lady selling it emailed me that she couldn't sell them because she discovered they were incomplete and started. It took a few emails to assure her that it was very okay! The original release had a few parts that are long discontinued.. the tonneau cover, the roll bar, the cycle fenders and low mounted headlights. That's why I just had to use them all! I cut down the windshield and then the roll bar to match. The flying horse decal was in the original kit. I was very careful to coat them with Testors decal fixative prior to attempting using it. I was relieved when they slid off the carrier sheet into place! But not without some yellowing, I guess that comes with the territory. I made the number decals on my inkjet. You can see the skull shifter in this photo, this was also in the original issue and is just too cool not to use! The kit comes with four cycle fenders, I just used the rear ones in this build. Those are the Red Chariot parts, if I come across another pair I'd love to build that version of the Phaeton too. I was originally going with all red wheels, but in the end they needed something. I used my Molotow pen to add chrome caps on them. These are the kit tail lights, so I used them on the mounting bumps provided. I just noticed the right side fender is crooked in these photos, no worries as they are not glued on yet. I added a chrome exhaust tip. The tonneau cover is held in place with the same double sided clear tape I use for windows. The original kit came with the stock four cylinder engine, as I was building a TROG car I wanted to use it since the Chevy engine in later versions wouldn't qualify. I wanted to wire the engine, and did my best at it. Of course right after I did so, I saw where someone had a better idea. So be it. I did add a coil on the firewall. And as usual, my simple builds go down the merry path to overcomplicatus! That's when I got the evil idea to add a real wood floor. A couple of tries with bass wood later, it looks pretty good so I'm happy I did it. Chassis view to show off the wood floor. Top view with hood in place. Finally after my third build of a Monogram Model A, I got the hood fitting procedure down! Still it's not perfect, and took a bunch of sanding on the inside to make it sorta fit. And here we are with the hood in place, along with a friend. I had both of these As on the bench at the same time. I finished up the blue coupe in time for the Liars show in November. I sacrificed finishing this one at the same time to get that one done in time for the show. And the entire family to date. I've gone off on a tangent with this kit series, and have a few more versions in my head. No show winners here, just having fun. These kits do have their quirks and ill fitting but they are fun and nostalgic. This Phaeton turned out exactly how I envisioned it so the voices in my head are pleased.

I'd steal that pickup if it was 1:1! Super builds! A man after my own heart!

It's great to see it done! Let us know how your father likes it!