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A couple from this year.

The '59 El Camino has engine wiring and hoses done. The suspension was lowered to get the stance. The tube grill was a kit part. The chrome trim is done with foil and the body lines were very vague and hard to follow.

This year got a slight delay getting started with the creation of a model building area that delayed the start for a few months. Late in the year some issues that have been building having to do with my eyesight became very clear, as opposed to my actual eyesight. This was brought to my attention as you will see looking at the painted trim on my Lawman '64 Plymouth build. I was fortunate with a double Cataract Surgery and the reshaping of the lens for a Stigmatism I now have 20/20 vision only needing glasses for reading and the smallest detail work on my models. As you can see, I have a great deal to be thankful for in 2023. The '67 Chevelle 300 two door post is a resin body and uses the chassis and partial interior from the Revell '67 Chevelle SS396. Tried to make a nice street small block car.

To your point in regard to skilled craftsmen. We recently downsized our living quarters for a much more manageable home for out twilight years. We did need to add a bedroom and expand the downstairs bathroom. We choose to wait an additional six months to get the remodel done by the small company we wanted to have do the work. They were far from the lowest bidder but had seen his work when his crew remodeled the shelter house at our former housing development. The work was done on time and on budget. The level of finishes are actually better than the original builders of our new home. For me it is more about what you get for your money than what you spend and get something that is disappointing for ever more.

Mentioning your cousin that is taking carpentry classes in high school reminds me of some of the classes offered when I was in school. First off, this was some time ago, and in what was called a "bedroom community" of Chicago. The point is if someone has the inclination for this trade, they do have the possibility of making a good living and steady work. The afore mentioned school offered a class that taught students to build a home from the ground up. Every year they would build a home which was later offered for sale and the funds were used to help pay for materials for the next years build. In addition, you might be surprised if you ask around as to what a really good finish carpenter can earn.

I have been pleased with the Tamiya spray cans. I know many here prefer to decant the paint and use their air brushes and I'm sure this may give them a little more control over the finish, but I just haven't found it necessary. As with anything I suggest some testing before committing to painting the model. As with any paint job the surface prep is the key to a good finish. I do a lot of agitation of the paint can and heat it by setting it partially submerged in warm water for a few minutes before actually spraying the model. This tends to somewhat thin the paint flow. Looking at the picture you have posted of the black Chrysler reminds me of a build I posted yesterday and should have the finished model posted today. I have used Tamiya Gloss Black and their Clear on the body of a '65 Belvedere. Polishing was done with Nu Finish Scratch Doctor automotive type polish followed by Tamiya Finish Compound. I'm sure if you look around the forum, you'll find better finishes here and there, but they spent far more time and effort to accomplish that finish than I did.

Great job on this diorama. You can easily pick out each car from the movie. I admit being from that point in time and the movie had so many experiences that I remember either being involved in or knowing the accused. The movie presented this as one weekend, but the reality is it took few years to get into and out of some of these situations.

Great looking Luxury Liners. Like the paint finishes and the colors all look well suited to the body style.

All beautifully built. The paint finishes and detailing look great.

Great looking builds. I like the Comet and '58 Rancheros.

All great looking and like the ones that you just don't see that often.

Great looking builds and remember following most of them. The Monte Carlo convertible looks interesting.

That is a lot of builds, especially with the detailing on the compatition models.

Great looking builds, and like the muscle car styles.

Amazing realistic looking finishes. These up-close pictures show the attention to the smallest detail.

Beautifully done. Great paint finishes and colors. All cleanly detailed.

Great looking build and I like the steel wheels. Like the flame paint job. These 1:1 cars have always been interesting ever since I saw their debut at the Winter National at Pomona when they first came out.

Great looking Kustom. You did a lot of body work on this, and the interior and paint look great.

Beautiful collection for '22. The Caddies and the Nomad are personal favorites, but they all look great.

I agree with everyone else on the creativity of your builds. Great paint finishes and the different styles.

Great looking builds and I like the everyman's car or truck build style.

Beautiful looking builds and paint work. Would never have thought of that shade on a Mura, but it sure looks good. The '65 Impala reminds me that I have one that got as far as primer and has been sitting in the box ever since it was first issued.

Trying to finish before the new year. Doing sort of a box art build as this is the picture that attracted me to this kit in the first place. The only part not box stock is the prewired distributor. Paint is Tamiya TS-14 Black and TS-13 Clear. Interior is Tamiya Oxide Red Primer and TS-49 Bright Red and Ken's Fuzzy Fur for the floor carpet finish.

Build is looking good. Like the Pearl White color idea. Just a thought, if you haven't already planed the paint work yet. I would suggest considering Tamiya white primer and maybe even a light coat of Tamiya TS-26 Pure White before the White Pearl coats of paint. Like most Pearl paints, the Tamiya Pearls are a little a little thin on coverage.

They offered a lot of great colors on these Chargers when new. Had a customer that drove one done in a rich bright high metallic gold. I think they look best without the vinyl roof cover as that seem to distract from the great looking body lines.