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Beautiful "Showroom" build. I like the fact you painted it as a not often seen factory two tone color combination. The detailed chrome trim really stands out.

Beautiful looking build. I like how you were able to get all of the bits and pieces to come together.

Great build idea. You can really see the red bleed thru on the interior in the picture.

You got the color as close as you can get to Marina Blue. The interior looks almost factory. The two tone interiors in the Super Sports, the colors were just a couple of shades different from one another. Had a new SS in Danube Blue with Black Bucket seats. A 396 car with a 4 speed and the optional instrumentation that was mounted between the Console and the bottom of the Dash Board. This included a Tachometer where the Clock would normally be. And the Console had four gauges with Water Temp. - Oil Pressure _ Alternator - and Clock. This kit is a very good example of the Super Sport. I look forward to the rest of your build.

The tail lamp design looks nice as it follows the basic body design. With the Blue color fade the roof has a better looking flow onto the quarter panels.

I like the color. Any progress on the interior ??

I would think of them as both. In the '50's tradition the headlight moldings were usually in the stock position and welded to the body. In the 1:1 car this offered a problem when it came time for the mounting of the headlight its self. Remember these mostly chromed trim rings were one a styling element but also covered the mechanics of mounting the headlight its self. In that era when inner fender liners were not commonly used the access to the mounting points were easily reached from inside the fender. The headlight mountings and adjustments were just mounted to the back side of the fender. One of the more common used headlight rings for mounting was the '54 Ford and some Mercury cars from that time. The advantage was that the design used had a very slim chrome inner ring between the outer body painted ring and the headlight its self. This would give you easy access to the mounting points plus a touch of chrome. This is just the basics of Frenching a headlight. There is more variables of this technique than sand on the beach. This is an excellent example of the extended look that was also somewhat common of that era. If you look at any pictures of the early work by Barris Kustoms, and George Barris is only one of many who did this type of modifications, it may go a long way to seeing what all was done with headlights and tail lights that was called Frenching at that time.

I stand corrected. My knowledge of the Ford Econoline is based more on previous models rather than direct knowledge of the current product.

Man, that's a great idea. This is a technique with a lot of possibilities.

I have to agree with the others, just do what you want with it. My view on this has changed over time. I used to think I should save all of these different kits because they were no longer making them. You probably bought this originally because you wanted to build it so build it.

Being of Unibody construction the underside would have minimal overspray. The painted Chassis joined the body further down the assembly line and should not have any overspray on it.

I respectfully disagree on the Testors Go Mango. I have used it on a couple of different models in the last couple of years and I can't see any Brown in it. Of course we all see colors differently.

Not some place you would normally look for such things, but Wal Mart carries several different Sylvania bulbs and most are the brighter types.

You are 100% correct about most of the self important so called Auto Journalist. It would be interesting to see what is actually in their garages that they bought with their own money. I was in the retail auto business for over 30 years and have been working on cars since before I could get a license, that still doesn't make me an expert. #1 Does your wife like this or any other vehicle for what ever her particular wants and needs are ? Everyone of us have different expectations from your automobiles. Sounds as though you keep a car until it drops, smart move, your dealer must hate you. For me a car would have to be at the top or very near the top of the horsepower that the manufacture offers. Sounds as thought you are comfortable with something a little more practical. You should buy what you want and not what they want to sell you. I personally would not be happy in a Dodge Journey but I feel it would be a perfectly fine car based on what your needs are. Have them loan you one over night and drive your normal daily routs . How does your wife feel in it, sight lines, stopping and turning. Getting on and off the freeway. How does it fit her, is her driving position comfortable and the controls easy to reach. Drive the 4 cylinder you lean toward but also drive the 6 just to see what its like. I have lived most of my life in California and unless you go to Tahoe in the winter AWD will be a needless expense. The Journey has front wheel drive and that should work well for her even in the rain. Just remember to rotate your tires often since front wheel drive vehicles will wear the front tires much quicker than a rear wheel drive but it sounds like you have had front wheel drive cars before and this is something you are already familiar with. We got my wife a new '14 Dodge Avenger RT and she couldn't be happier. It is hard for me to bend around to get in and out so I drive our '10 Charger RT with AWD. Now that's my a car that is fun not matter what the weather is. I only mention this to illustrate that everyone has different wants and needs. Just get what it is you want and need and the Dodge Journey might just be a very wise purchase.

I like your Decal work. Very nice looking build.

That's a beautiful looking engine and I'm not even a Ford guy. Looks like a concourse restoration with all of the correct finishes and markings. Even the beloved Smog Pump is there. This should be a great aid to anyone wanting to model a truly correct Boss 302.

I agree with everyone else, great paint job on this. If you still want to try the Hood Stinger Decal, Testors offers a spray can they call Decal Bonder. I have used it on home made decals also since the Ink Jet Printer decals are given to smear. You might check with your local hobby shop and see what they have to offer. Very nice interior work on this also.

I would not weather this, it's just to nice the way it is. Your Chop and Shortening of the Body looks like a factory design. Almost a shame to hid this nice of an Interior under a Chopped Top.

While that is also a good kit the one I mentioned is by MPC and I think it has been reissued by Round 2. The oldest kit I have of this model has a Black/Red cove drawing of the Corvette on the box. It's code #301-200 and I'm unable to find a date anywhere on it. It's so old the instruction sheet paper is turning yellow. Another kit that I have is also by MPC and is code #306-200 and is a '60 Corvette with all of the same equipment in it. This one has a Candy Apple Red Corvette without a hood and a Blown Small Block with a Roll Bar and a Tonneau Cover on the box. I know for sure the '60 has been reissued in the last couple of years and I'm sure you could find one of those.

I have come to believe it depends on which way the wind blows, or who may be monitoring such things at the time.

If I can afford it I'll get the '59 Impala wagon. I had one when it was just another old car, took it in trade plus a few hundred dollars for my '57 Ford base tudoor with a 312 and 3-speed with Overdrive. I would like to build a copy of that old work horse.

Those front Bumpers are from a mid '50's Cadillac. Boy O Boy do I remember Dagmar.

Great looking build. I like the detailing of the chassis, and the thin film of "rust" on the mufflers. The trim for the vinyl roof looks just like OEM. The interior is very realistic looking. This is a great kit, and I love the subject. I had a '72 Monty that I picked up in the late '70's and it served me well and one of the best handling big cars on the open road.

Extremely sharp looking build. You really captured the look of the 1:1 GTX. Being a Johan, was the interior as shallow as their old Road Runner kit ??

I don't know if you know about the old MPC '56/'57 Corvette kit. The kit has been reissued several times and the always turns up at swap meets. The kit is a treasure trove for parts and in particular your type of build. One version is listed as a Road Racer and offers duel quad four barrels, Roll Bar, a cut down Windshield, and B/P decals. There is a Rally Version with a single four barrel, Tow Hooks. The kit also contains some Custom Grills, Tail Lights, Headrest, a Hardtop Roof, Tonneau Cover, and Drag Racing parts like a Parachute, a 6-71 Blower, Headers, and Slicks. I have been harvesting a couple of these kits for years. All of the parts seem to have a very high degree of fidelity.