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I have managed to mess up the lettering while gluing the tires and wheels together. I was using Model Master liquid cement and just I drop got out on the tire. This dislodged the lettering and while whipping it away it left no traces of the glue but the lettering was gone. Not the best method for sure but it might be a fall back if any of the other suggestions don't work.

You might check with the dealership's parts department to see if they have it in spray cans. Also Duplicolor paints at parts stores may have it. Be sure to test it on a spare spruce from the kit, some of these paints are a little "hot" to use on plastic.

Your build looks fantastic. You mentioned using Alclad paint for the bumpers. I have also been using their paint but have a problem with the "chrome" coming off the bumpers when I handle them to mount to the model. Is there a clear to put over it or is there something else that you do ?

Being somewhat older than most there was only planes and boats and the medium was wood. I always was fascinated by the automobile , 1:1 scale. When I was about 7 or 8 they began to offer a kit that resembled a Ford roadster. Just an oblong block of wood with two thin pieces of Balsa wood to glue to the sides and then sand to blend into the body. A couple of sticks for axles and four tires with nails in them to attach to the axles. The first model in plastic that I can remember was a then new '53 or '54 Ford. Not even as nice as the later dealer promos. Things go better fast after that with Revell and SMP and AMT bringing better detailed kits every year in coupes and convertibles. I was in high school when AMT brought the '32 Ford three window and roadster to market. Then their '40 Ford coupe and then the '39/'40 sedan. This was also at a time that young ladies seemed more interesting than models and of course real cars, jobs to pay for all this and such. After having two sons, one of which builds models when last checked, and many years of work and now retired. Now I'm that "Troll" in the basement building models when not working in the yard or running errands. With the models of today I'm having the time of my life with so many choices it is now hard to figure out what to build next.

I have seen articles before profiling his work. Phantom drivers aside I still enjoy seeing his photography and its settings.

Great looking build, especially the color.

The truly amazing thing about this engine is some of the detail built into it. I think it would stand up to the current Revell Oldsmobile engine but with extra detailing that may never be seen. Just think about how long ago this was created and it just makes you wonder where this attention to detail went.

Amen

The model looks great, if Jr. went drag racing if the NASCAR thing doesn't work out. Mountain Dew green ? Budweiser colors are red, just saying.

The chassis looks nice. Are you wanting to leave engraving on the floor pan ? You mentioned the axle issues and wanting the wheels to turn. That's alright if that's what you want, but there is always the possibility that the model could roll off the shelf if the wheels can turn. Usually they are glued in place to prevent that from happening.

I also think it looks better without the stripes. When I built one I had to use two decal sets to get the stripes right. They just don't want to work on the hood and spoiler and the white will let the darker body color show thru anyway.

the paint and wood decals look really great. If the decals on the passenger door don't settle down you might use some Solvaset and you may even have to gently poke a small hole with a pin if air is trapped underneath. The bumpers and grill look great.

I built the '58 Plymouth a few years ago to represent a car a high school buddy drove. John may be a little harsh on this model, remember it was done several years ago, and the quality expected now is so much higher. I used the 2-4s from the AMT Chrysler 300 kit and used the laid down air cleaners. This would be incorrect if you are trying to do a show room type build, but it was the only way to get the air cleaners to fit under the hood. I used a prewired distributer and mounted it in the correct location at the front leaning toward the passenger side. I can't find the instruction sheet any longer so I can't remember what the kit called for. For me the biggest issue was the body side moldings that go to the rear with an odd bow to them. Other than that and the fact it sits like a dog getting ready to hike it's leg it's as close as you are going to get for a '50's Plymouth.

Looks great so far. And to think at one time the '37 was called the "Ugly Duckling" of Fords.

You might consider cutting the rod and mounting a piece to each wheel. Then use that to glue the rear wheels to the rear axle. Unless the axle housing hole is to large, then you could either bush the axle with hollow plastic tubing or drill the wheels for a larger diameter metal axel to match the housing.

Very striking color, it looks like there may be a little metal fleck in the paint.

I agree with the others here on the color. I liked it so much I found I was painting everything in this and Tamiya Orange Mt.

Great looking build. Really like what you are doing with the chassis. I agree the grill should be lowered and maybe even chopped a little. If you just lower it enough to have the top align with the cowl then the bottom would be to low to the ground. Really like the look of your build.

Wait until you start blending parts from a couple of different kits together to create what ever your thinking of. That is when the fun begins.

I would think there could be a problem on a night with high cross winds.

I was all ready to buy this yesterday at Hobby Lobby. I had my 40% coupon in hand, looked it over and was heading to the checkout when I noticed the price, $39.99, really!! After I returned it to the shelf I got to looking at the price of all the other kits. A $29.99 kit that was $23 at the hobby shop and they all were priced like this. Even the special price kits that they had in the close out area were priced at 30% off of their list price that was already $4 to $5 more than the hobby shops in the area. It would seem that they are no longer a good buy even with their coupon since they mark them up so much going in.

Great looking custom. I like how you did the roof. The grill looks almost OEM if you didn't know better.

Great build with a lot of detail. I was interested in the screen mesh you used in the doors and the rear panel. Do you have any pictures on that part of your build ?

I have to echo Dwayne's feelings on the Dodge Charger. I have been fortunate to have owned many performance cars from the 60's on and we now have nothing but MoPars in the garage and I've always been a GM type before. Before you make your final decision on the performance car purchase I would encourage you to check insurance rates first. Different companies view different models differently when they figure rates and this may shock you in the rates with nothing more than a trim change. I have to agree that the Challenger would be my first pick and the T/A look is dead on. I also would want the Scat Pack 6.2 Hemi engine. A sedan may work better with a family, I still have a mental block on 4 doors even now, there is a practicality factor to consider. The Charger is also available with a Scat Pack package and might be worth looking at. We have a '10 Charger RT with the 5.7 and all wheel drive. It is just as quick as my old '05 GTO 5-speed and gets about the same gas mileage. AWD is no longer available with the Hemi which is keeping me in this car for now. Both of these cars are well built and solid handlers on the hiway and on a winding road. Ours is a 5 speed overdrive, but the newer ones are getting the 6 and 8 speed overdrive which should help even more on operating cost. Either way you cannot go wrong. I have seen where they have some really good rebate programs and they are doing just about anything to sell any '16 on the lot. Now would be a very good time to buy. I really wouldn't worry about buying a leftover '16 since years from now you're the only one that will know anyway. I'd like to know which way you go and good luck to you and the family.

Another thought on this issue. I had a neighbor who retired from UPS. His job for the last several years with them was to investigate and prosecute the employees who were stealing. They have a very low rate of theft. Maybe the USPS can take a page from the UPS play book.