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When not sealed and protected from any type of moisture decals will deteriorate over time . This includes a painted model and seems even worse for some reason if it is on an unpainted model. While some discount this idea it is why I always clear over any decals I use on any model.

The way you build this is most likely based on what you remember growing up and the area you were living in. The styles can very dramatically from one part of the country from another. Many of my early formative years was in the western suburbs of Chicago. Ad on Continental kits where around but were not common. The East Coast area it seemed to be a little more common. At various times growing up I lived in both southern and northern California and Continental kits were very unusual to see. This would be in the '50's and '60's. In the early '60's I moved to southern California for the next 30 years. By then it was Drag Racing and Muscle Cars and I don't remember even seeing a Continental kit. You mentioned your fathers '58 300, I'll bet it was a 352 engine. My last '57 Ford was the exact same as the Revell kit. Mine was a 312 with 3-speed overdrive with a 4:11 rear end. In '64 and early '65 it would scare a base GTO from light to light unless it was a tri-power 4-speed car with gears, then it was up to the driver. In late '65 I took delivery of a new Impala SS 396 4-speed Positraction car. The 396 would walk the Ford on the top end but the first half of a block it was the Ford. So enough about me and stories of long ago. The style among what we called Low Riders back then in SoCal was to have small dummy spot lights. Again this is what ever your going for. '57 Mercury Cruiser Skirts were very popular with a few at that time and they had a small chrome molding that ran along the top edge of the skirt. I think with all things it depended on what your personal taste was and how much money you had to spend. Some things never change.

Great fabrication on the injectors. Good save on the transmission tunnel. I was going to suggest Plastruct round tubing.I have used this in the past and just used a saw blade to split in two. With your cap you get a taper from front to rear that looks more realistic.

I really like the chassis so far. Hope you get your paint in time, this is going to look perfect.

I like the Cross Ram induction set up. Another source of an induction set up is in the reissue of the AMT '53 Ford pick-up. I just got one for another project, but the optional engine is an early Hemi with the option of eight two's on a ram log manifold or port fuel injection with eight injector tubes. The engine has a nice finned aluminum valley cover a magneto and chrome valve covers. The engine has a manual transmission on it and has sort of stock looking exhaust manifolds, a separate front water pump/front cover and belt and alternator. Have to agree these were great looking cars, the kit can be a bit of a challenge thou.

Great looking interior. I'm with you I have to tape everything any more.

Great looking color. Very healthy looking engine.

The Wires look great and very in keeping with your build style. They were a very popular dealer installed option, usually on the Thunder Birds, at that time. If your keeping with the heavy accessory look Ford offered a chrome bar that ran from the top of the two front bumper guards. As I recall it is in the old AMT '57 Ford kit. That kit offered a lot of dress up options from that era including the Edsel station wagon tail lights. The tail lights may not look good with the continental kit. As I mentioned before I had a '57 convertible when it was just another old car, but I really enjoyed it. So you can see why I'm enjoying your build so much.

There was a famous Drag Racer from Texas I remember only his last name I think was Gay, not sure of the spelling. Anyway I like how you're doing your conversion.

I also like the tudoor sedans. I wasa going to tell you to check out MCW since they have several very nice tudoor conversions, but it looks like you have this one well in hand. The mystery car, would that be a light blue mt. with the name Mickey Thompson on it ?

I really like that. El Caminos are cool anyway, but with a Camaro mixed in I want one.

looks great. This is the first Deora build that I have seen in a long time. Surfs Up !!

The color on the body looks like one of the color changing types. Almost a purple going into a raspberry.

I'll look forward to a repost after you have updated this model. I have done a couple from the past also and I agree with what we know now it just improves them so much.

That turned to really nice. Forgot just how much chrome those old Galaxy's had on them.

That really does look like the very first Funny Cars. How many more of these do you have? I'm enjoying looking at them all.

Great looking build. That's from the time when we had to paint the chrome trim. I like the color contrast between the interior and the body.

Very creative, very nice finish. Years ago I lived near Pismo Beach in California. There were several 1:1 cars in the dunes built just like this.

I'm guessing that you might of switched photos of two builds. This '53 Ford is an outstanding build.The paint is super smooth and all the trim looks just right. I'm going to go looking for your Hudson, I'm sure it will be a sight to behold.

The exhaust resonators as well as duel exhaust was an extra cost option in 1966. The only standard duel exhaust was on the 427 cu.in. engine. That said most dealers ordered the duels and the resonatore since most prople wound want them and it added extra profit to the car at sale time. You are most likely correct that the prototype had a replacement exhaust system. I know I know, just another rivet counter thing.

Still looks great even after all this time. Hard to say if you just leave it as is or blow it apart and foil and black wash some additional details or what. They are only original once.

Very nice build. Are those the kit's wheels or something you added ? They ad a great deal to the overall look of your build.

Very nice build. You did get that front end looking perfect. I haven't built this model but the others I have seen here this seems to be the biggest problem with the body on this.

Very nice clean detailed build. I like the service vehicle type build.

I looks like you got the continental kit dialed in. If you haven't already tought of it, when you get to the interior you will want to create the area where the top bows fold into when the top is down. Not hard since they were not much wider than the rear seat arm rests. I just extended the arm rest shape up to the level of the sill with styrene, and with the top down and a cover from the '65 GTO kit reshaped it look correct.