Harry P.

There ya go, folks. Common Sense 101.

That's not teetering on the edge of false advertising, that's falling smack dab into it.

Yeah, that's the point I was getting at. Regardless of who's reissuing what or how old the molds are or whatever other "caveat" goes with the model, if the picture on the cover is wildly different from what can actually be built with what comes in the box, that's misleading. I know you can justify it and rationalize it, and a "modeler" could kitbash and scratchbuild and buy aftermarket parts and all the rest in order to build the model shown on the box…but try telling that to the people who bought the model based on the cover, opened up the box and were very disappointed. It's not a matter of a decent modeler being able to handle the kit, it's a matter of the kit boxes misrepresenting what was inside the box, "disclaimer" or not.

That was a very good explanation!

The real question then is what's up with that???

I know about modern repro bodies. I know that you can buy an entire brand new "1957" Chevy. That's not the same as an original car. Anybody can make new repro parts, new sheetmetal, etc., that looks like the original. I'm talking about THE originals, not copies of them.

Well, since I never have, and never will, enter a model of mine in a contest, there are probably quite a few people here who think I shouldn't even have an opinion on the subject. But if you know me at all, you'd know that I have an opinion on everything! So here goes: Problem #1: The fact that there is judging and awards given out an an NNL event in the first place. That totally flies in the face of what an NNL is supposed to be. An NNL is supposed to be a model car exhibition or show, without competition or judgements of any kind made by anyone as to which model is Best Junior or Best This or Best That or Best Anything. Whether an NNL is judged by one person, several people, or whether everyone votes on "People's Choice" and such is irrelevant; an NNL isn't supposed to include judging and awards. If you want to have a contest, fine... but don't call it an NNL. I guess I'm one of a very few people who think this way, as I've been told right here on the forum that basically I'm full of it, and handing out trophies at an NNL is "correct" and that NNLs have "evolved" that way... but to me, an NNL that hands out awards is not an NNL. Problem #2: In a judged contest (NOT an NNL!), ultimately the "winners" will be chosen according to the individual judge's own personal definition of what constitutes a "best" in any given category. (That's why I put the word "winners" in quotes... "winners" based on personal opinion). Judging entries to decide which is "best" is always a matter of personal likes and dislikes, personal biases and tastes. As long as human beings are doing the judging, the judging will be subjective and biased to one extent or another. The idea of a strictly defined set of judging parameters is a good idea, IMO. It's still not perfect, but it does minimize the judge's own personal tastes affecting his or her decision because it forces the judges to look at specific categories and judge each entry in each of those specified categories via a number or point system... so many points for the paint, so many points for detail, so many points for accuracy, or whatever the pre-determined parameters are. They can't just vote for the model because they "like it the best" or because it's a subject that they themselves like to build or have the most interest in. When a category/point system is used to judge the entries, judging becomes less opinion-based and more based on the qualities the model itself has, regardless of whether or not the judge likes that particular type or subject of model. Judging based on a point system within a given set of categories is, in my opinion, the best way to minimize (not totally eliminate) personal bias in the judging process and seems to me to be the fairest, most impartial method of judging.

And is your computer powered by coal?

Hmmmmm.... Shona is a whole lot prettier than you...

Thanks, Professor...

Ha ha, that's fanny...

How about this one? Real or model? The answer: MODEL!

Pearl Jam on SNL last nite... they were great.

I don't think Kia uses American steel. Do American manufacturers even still use American steel? It's produced overseas for way less money.

Hey, that's a neat trick! How'd he do that?

We're not here to "solve" anything, we're just talking. That's what you do on an online forum. Did you miss orientation day???

Ouch! My first car was a '67 Belvedere with that same "lame" slant 6 and automatic. I got it when it was 10 years old and had 100,000 miles on the clock, and that car never let me down, rain or shine, summer or winter. I'll always remember the Chrysler 225 six with a smile on my face...

Interesting that you mention that. Yes, "over restoration" is fairly common, especially with certain MOPARS. There are many examples of restored 'cudas, Challengers, Chargers, Road Runners, etc., that are way better than they actually would have been straight off the assembly line. During the muscle car era, Chrysler in particular had a reputation for pretty crappy workmanship... and some of the restored MOPARS you see at Mecum and Barrett-Jackson look way better then they did when they rolled off the line back in the day!

Virgil, you are definitely an artist! This goes beyond just painting models, it's about design, concept, vision. I can definitely see you working on more than just model cars... like on canvas, fer instance...

Skip's post on the vintage Charger that's been "restified" into a modern street machine got me thinking. What do you guys say? Is it better, more appropriate, however you want to phrase it, to take a vintage car and restore it to "as new" condition or to modify it with modern mechanicals, modern drivetrain, custom interiors and wheels, etc.? Particularly a car that can be considered collectible. (I'm not talking about grandma's old Matador sedan, I'm talking more about cars like 'cudas, Challengers, Chevelles, etc.). After all... there are only so many old cars still left, and they ain't makin' any more of 'em! So... is it better to restore? Or to restify? Let the great debate begin!

I'd much rather see a vintage Charger used for something like this than yet another General Lee clone...

Are those wipers from the kit? They look absolutely real.

Pearl Jam is the musical guest on SNL tonite...

Not much to say other than perfect!

No! Fill me in...