Ramfins59

Almost looks like someone combined an electric shaver with a streamlined motorcycle inspired land speed car...

I usually use either CA glue or 5 minute epoxy. I always vertically support the wheel/tire assembly with something when gluing to the chassis to be sure they're straight.

I wholeheartedly agree... They have an eliptical shaped tank and a round tank and both look outstanding (I also have them in my stash). All you have to do is either paint them aluminum or body color, Alclad them, or have them chromed.

In most cases I usually have a picture in my mind's eye of how I think I want a finished project to look, but I ALWAYS do Internet research just to see what's out there and to get additional ideas and reference material. I findthe net to be an invaluable tool in this hobby.

Personally, I prefer to buy something like PE keys and such since they already come on so many PE sets. While I've done some scratchbuilding of small items for some of my models, these 65 year old eyes of mine would REALLY be hurting if I tried filing a piece of PE sprue to make keys. I don't even think my Optivisor and my set of Rifler files would make it much easier to do. I put an ignition key, ON A KEY RING, in the interior of the '49 Merc convertible that I recently finished and it took me 3 tries and 1 lost key, to get the PE key onto the PE key ring... tweezers, Optivisor and much holding my breath....

I usually use Elmer's Glue for windows, using a toothpick to apply a fine line around the glass. Let it sit for a few hours and it's good. I've also had good luck using non-fogging CA glue to tack in the edges of the glass and then use Elmer's. You can usually get the non-fogging CA glue at a well stocked hobby shop.

Jeff this car is looking awesome. I just LOVE Art-Deco styled cars... (My favorite is the Delahaye)... Maybe you could try the custom headlight fairings that come in the Revell/Mono. 36 Ford that came out last year... the ones that sit down on the fenders... I'm also thinking maybe a grille like the one in the Fiat double dragster kit.... more angled back than actually vertical... Would maybe fit the swoopy look better...??? I love the wire wheels too... Keep this going man... I love it.

Congratulations Derrick. Getting a model pictured in ANY magazine is better than winning a trophy... Keep up the good work.

Don't worry about the spelling... we get what you're trying to do... although.... it's Landau... FYI... LOL

I think that Modelhaus' products would be even more highly priced than they already are if he (Don Holthaus) had pictures of his hundreds of kits and parts on the website. Your advice is well taken, however, you're missing out on some really great stuff by not ordering their stuff. (MY 2 cents worth).

Good job Michael. Man you're on a roll building aren't you. At least this one has wheels... not like the mini submarine you did...LOL. Stay well buddy.

Great job Al. I love all those '50's cars. I've got a couple of Johan promos ('56 Olds & '56 Pontiac) that I think you just convinced me to work on... Thanks Al.

You're absolutely right Harry. Howsabout we actually get the kits in our grubby little paws before we start moaning and groaning about what is or what is not in the box. IMHO (but what do I know...) we should be happy and thankful that a kit manufacturer has finally given us a model of a car that has never been put out in kit form before... A huge number of us car modelers put down the military modeler "rivet counters" for being so picky... Hello...!!! What the H E 2 sticks do we have going on here...???

For a lot of us "older guys" the "joy" of building an old model kit is the nostalgia aspect... We remember building it in our "younger years" and don't really mind that the "technology" of the kit is outdated, etc... etc... It brings us back to earlier times in our lives, but, we use our updated skills and tools and modeling supplies to build the kit better than we ever could have "way back when"...

You could recess a license plate housing into the trunk...

Yeah... What he said... and you could also lay down a piece of tape against the top edge, or very slightly above the trim, so your blade won't stray...(Like Gluhead suggested...)

Yeah.... I guess I fell for this one...!! The Johan Models LLC is called a "Dead Link". Well...... I guess I can make my own taillights out of red sprue. The cracked window is the rearmost back passenger side part of the glass.... Maybe I can use some clear acetate... but that wouldn't match up with the rest of the green tinted glass.... Maybe a sedan delivery...??? Or convert it to a Pickup as suggested in the instructions...??? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm..... The wheels are turning....

I bought a '59 Rambler Wagon kit from Johan's table at the NNL East back in April. The kit was sealed. I was just looking through it, thinking I might do a quick build on it, as it is a curbside kit. Well, there were no clear red taillights, the green tinted glass was cracked, with a piece missing (not in the box), and one of the chromed antenna's was broken and it is still attached to the sprue... I tried going online to contact them at their website (per the instruction sheet) www.johanmodels.com and I get connected to some kind of car insurance thingy...?!?!?!?!? I've tried 3 or 4 times with the same result each time. Has anyone else had the same problem...??? Or am I doing something wrong...???

Great looking car Bryan. Love the name "Brown Betty". You'd never know it wasn't finished by looking at the pictures. BTW... don't forget to add front seatbelts... you've got them in the back already. I've gotta get back to working on this model myself. It wound up back in the box 3 or 4X because of #1- Paint issues and #2 - Interior issues....... But I've got 2 of the kits so I think I can get it finished. I also had problems accepting the "hole-in-the-engine" for the front axle, although I may just glue the front wheels on, skip the metal axle, and put a different engine in it, without the hole. Time will tell.

Nice work on this AMT kit. If you liked this kit, you should try the Revell '58 Impala kit.... all the chrome trim is separate pieces, except for the window trim & wipers, and no opening doors, but... the trunk opens.

Yeah, I like what Harry and Plowboy said. You can't force yourself to build... the inspiration and driving force within you has to surface all by itself. I just finished up 3 models and have been taking a break for a couple of days. After going full tilt on a couple I'll most likely do either a curbside or a slammer for some "instant gratification" and then I know that my "inner urge" will spark the fire to pick a subject out of the stockpiled herd and get serious with it. I've also been thumbing through some old issues of Street and Custom Rodder, Ol' Skool Rods, etc.., and looking around online for inspiration. I know it will come... it always does. Be patient.

Thank you very much for your kind comments guys. Yeah Mike, the Caddy taillights just seem so "right" sitting in those recessed bezels.

Arrrr... and what does a Pirate have under his hat.............................................................. his Bucaneers of course..... LOL

Thanks guys. But the camera sure picks up ALL the little flaws doesn't it... I have to do a little touch-up work on the BMF around the front wheel wells and on the body at the tops of the doors around the interior.

Sweet lookin' truck James.