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I did the same on a '51 Ford custom two door and later on two different '57 Fords, a convertible and a base two door. That was the style of the times and while I still like it in some cases, seeing now how builders of 1:1 cars are now embracing all of the stock trim we used to throw away that look is becoming more appealing to me.

The style and design of a lot of the commercial vehicles of this era were very stylish looking. In many ways they are more stream line or aerodynamic than some of the designs used today.

Exceptional level of detail thru out. The paint finish looks great and it's nice to see one of these in something other than British Racing Green or Red.

Beautiful color and paint finish. I agree with the "Leave the trim" style of today. The stance really looks great as well.

Great looking Mustang. The paint finish especially. Very well detailed with just using the right paint colors and finishes,

You are up against a couple of problems to consider with the tire to use on the '66 Nova. The 1:1 car would have had either a 6.95x14 tire with the optional V-8 engine. The 70 series tries were just starting to hit the after market and only a very few OEM applications. Now the real challenge is that we work with a sometimes inaccurate scale parts and tires in particular. Example, most model companies will put the same generic tire in a Chevelle kit for example as they put in a Caprice kit. To my eye this leaves you with a tire that looks to big on the Chevelle and to small on the Caprice, but this is just my opinion. So back to your question for your '66 Nova. The tire options if you're going with the 15" wheel size would be best around the E60x15 and the F60x15 as the largest. My suggestion would be to position the kits tire in the intended position, Check for reasonable clearances and appearance. Does it look right to your eye ? Then measure the diameter and width of the tire and then compare that to the tires that are offered. This should give you a better idea what would or wouldn't fit and look the way you want it to. I think in the end it's just what looks correct to you for the vision you have for your build. OO and please post pictures as it sounds interesting.

Now that's funny.

Very clean looking build. Nice color and paint finish.

I like the minimalist look.

I like the color and the stance, look forward to any updates.

The rear window reminds me of the shape that Ford used on their '60 and '61 wagons as dose the side windows.

I'd hang onto the old nicked ones for when you're cutting something like metal pins or what ever else you did to nick them in the first place.

One idea would be to start with some quarter round tubing that looks like the correct size. You can notch it for a license plate mounting point also. Also look at any older kits you may have and you may find a roll pan that could be made to fit. A few of the older Pick Up kits offered this as an option. Also any kits that have custom bumper or even roll pans in them. Some times just bending some very fine sheet plastic to shape by heating could work.

A lot of great suggestions for a big block. You did mention a possible small block. Other than a well detailed LS engine you might think about the small blocks in the: Revell '69 Camaro Z-28 (blue car on the box) since it has a cross ram 2x4s and some great looking headers. The '69 Nova SS has a stock 4 barrel or inline 2x4s and headers. The AMT '67 Nova SS has the optional 350 hp 327 and 4 speed from back in the day. One of the unique features is the duel intake air cleaner. While not very special in it's self think about the standard small block used in the Revell Pick Ups and the Suburban issues. The main reason for these beyond being very nice basic small blocks are the stock exhaust manifolds and head pipe on the exhaust. There is a very tight fit for the exhaust on these in a truck chassis with the center dump cast iron manifolds and these kits provide a perfect head pipe to clear the frame. This can be done with after market tubing but is a pain to do.

I understand what you're saying about the interior. Going with the body style in your picture it would make sense to remove part of the side moldings and just create a B pillar.

Great looking mesh detail on the cowl vent. Your stock engine is looking good. The hood hinge thing, I wouldn't try it myself unless I had some premade after market hinges. I know a few builders here would just make them but I'm afraid they would look like I made them.

This is coming along great. You mention doing something different with the side trim. I like to look on Google Images to look at images of 1:1 cars to see how the different features of the color and trim work together on a build. Ford used this style of trim to introduce a contrasting color in the side trim and often looked good without the chrome portion being the focal point. To get the style of interior it sounds like you're wanting it maybe that you will have to cut it up so that you can change it. I'm sure you have built newer kits with interiors done in this way and you can use that as a guide to reassembling the interior.

I like the basic look of the way you made this as a work wagon.

Great looking build. I like the paint and the painted chrome trim, I'll have to try that as well.

Beautiful looking Chevy II. That shade of blue really looked great on the GM cars of that era. Very clean well detailed chrome trim and I like the way you used a lot of different shades of paint under the hood for detailing the engine.

Beautiful looking paint and finish. I'm impressed that you were able to get this level of chrome trim with a candy wrapper, Great engine detailing.

The color and flat finish really look great. Nice aired down stance.

This is a great kit. I have had a chance to build a couple and really look forward to building more of them. The hood issue you mention is an issue , but bare in mind the 1:1 has the same general shape. I found mounting the radiator using the hood as the spacer between it and the firewall seams to work well. The 1:1 had the hinges on both sides of hood as well as down the middle of the hood and that's why it wasn't an issue in life. In our scale of work this can offer a problem. Mine all have just the top of the hood and no sides. Might not work in your stock build style. Leave it as a one piece and spread the bottom slightly when removing or installing the hood.

I see what you mean about the color change with the clear coats. The hint of small chrome trim around the windows makes them stand out without being the focus. Are you considering the wheel well opening moldings or just let that go ?

Great looking cars and trucks. I like the many different build styles.