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Like so many others I well remember what and where I was at the time. I was at work and happened to be passing thru the customer lounge and saw the TV sometime after the first plan hit. I was transfixed watching the TV when the second plan hit. Hard to describe what I felt inside, but anger would be a polite word. I called my wife at work and told her to go fill her car with gas as I was about to do the same not knowing what was to come next I thought it was best to stay a mobile as possible. This and the assassination of President Kennedy are events I will always remember. When I here someone speak of the Twin Towers attack in a manor that minimizes the event I have to question their loyalties in life.

Interesting build style. I like the spoiler/trunk mods.

This a beautiful looking build of a model not often seen. Great looking paint and trim finish and the interior looks just like OEM. I also like the way you detailed the interior. I built on back when they were first issued by JoHan and needless to say it never looked anything close to this. I left it on my then work bench when called to dinner by my mother. I also left a wood burning tool that I was using plugged in on the bench beside the De Soto. I wish now that I had saved it since building models of cars that have been in an accident has become popular.

I have always enjoyed watching this type of machine in racing so this build looks like a lot of fun. As for your 1:1 all I can say is wow. Now you have to build a copy of that unless you already have.

Great looking paint job. These Thunderbirds had a somewhat custom look in a stock configuration.

I'm glad to see you're back working on this. I was relooking at your pictures and I now noticed the jig you're using. Is this to hold the model in place or is it to help with the front wheel alignment ? Maybe some insight as to how and why this was put together, it really looks interesting to me and I'm sure others might also feel the same way.

I don't know what all you have in your parts stash, but that is where I would look first. I your going for a day 2 type build you might get an after market radiator mounted fan. There is also a section here on the Forum where you can list your needs and maybe someone will trade or comp you a fan.

I will use a large construction type nail to give the tip a little flair, what we used to call "Bell Tips" since I think the style originated in the Bell California area in the early to mid '60's. The nail is a hard metal and you needn't worry able damaging it. Also the taper on the end of the nails point is steep enough that it will flair the tip easily. I have also used a Micro Mart miter box designed for cutting plastic and cut the end of the aluminum tubing at a 45 degree angle. The only draw back is that it's hard on the saw and it will dull the cutting edge over time.

Very nice looking Hot Rod. Not much of the Fruit Wagon left withal of the changes.

Great looking custom. I'm glad you included a couple of pictures of the body changes you did. Hard to fully appreciate all of the changes to the body without them.

Great looking build.

The great paint work looks just like Chevrolet's Rally Green color. Just to right stance and the rear tires just fit inside the rear fenders.

Well I learn something new every day. For myself the Flat Heads that I have owned or worked on happen to be from '37 on and the '37 I owned I never had to touch the cooling system. I had a 1 owner '46 that was the first one I actually did any engine work on. All of the others were early '50's engines and they are somewhat different in several different was.

Beautiful looking Super Stocker.

First let me say your build turned out great and the story is that of so many past and present. I agree with you about this kit. I have built a few including a resin fastback. Revell really did a great job of designing both the appearance of the kit but also the assembly of all the components of the kit.

Just an FYI on the Flat Head Ford engine. The water pumps are actually mounted to the lower front area of the engine block and almost always serve as engine mounts also. The radiator hoses going to the heads and attach to the thermostat housings.

Great looking Impala. The paint and chrome trim looks good. The paint color and interior look like a showroom car. I enjoyed watching your build.

Years ago I bought a '53 Buick Special two door. I bought it cheap since it wasn't running at the time. After repairing a lot of basic maintains items it ran and now stopped on its own. The big problem with winter arriving was the under seat heater was shot and the heater core had leaked and rotted out the floor around it under the passenger seat. I bought a cheapy Sears universal car heater and fashioned a floor patch out of a larger coffee tin and was good to go. I did seal the underside with some spray underseal.

Another well weathered looking build. Your photography shows your build well also.

Very realistic weathering on the paint finish. A 1:1 El Camino like this would have an interesting story to tell about its life on the road.

Great looking build. The side panels cry out for a business sign of some sort. I like the paint finish and the colors. Stance looks like a stocker to me.

Always enjoy your photography of all the automotive events you attend. Great subjects and lots of model building ideas. The little black '50 Ford reminds me of a '51 I had many many years ago. Same type of engine setup, just never got a paint job any where close to this.

Beautiful looking build, especially the paint finish. You picked a rather hard kit for your firth American build. The multi part front fenders can be difficult to get correct. I look forward to seeing more of your builds.

They both look great. I like the over the hood and trunk stripe and remember when that was popular to do. The colors also play into the appearance. The '58 Impala looks just like the movie car.

The chassis engineering looks impressive. I'll watch this build just for that information alone.