The70judgeman

This picture is a doll leg with a distinct line down the middle of the plastic. That is a mold line. All you need to do is carefully sand it down to match the profile of the piece.

Here is a two part injection mold. They are milled from a solid block of some sort of metal...aluminum or steel, etc. After many uses being bolted together, taken apart, and use, they wear on the edges where the two pieces meet.

I know the G8 is basically the same car with changes to the front and rear with a brand change. Also aware of the kits for conversion "back" to a Holden. Just don't want to buy a used car again. As far as the Caprice (police only)...PD's around here all use Ford's. Yes, I know the Crown Vic is out of production. I think Milwaukee bought some of the last big batches of them. We've got brand new ones everywhere. Think they're testing a couple Charger's. We'll see what they choose in the future. Maybe they'll wait to see what Ford comes up with. The Sheriff's Dept. uses Chevrolet Impala's and Tahoe's, but they got all brand new ones recently. Oh yeah...no I'm not a cop. Tried out years ago, but no. Anyway, like I said before, I just wish they sold Holden's here. I'd get nearly the same mileage my Sonata gets, but with a V8. MORE FUN...and better looking too.

The purple pond should work fine especially with fresh paint. I just stripped 2 car bodies and minor parts that I painted over 10 years ago. It ate the paint within hours, but I let them sit overnight to get in the nooks and crannies and the next day they were completely clean of paint. Good to go for a new start.

I second James' statement word for word.

Nice looking build. Unless you know this already just ignore it then. But, if you warm the can of paint a little in hot water, it'll flow/spray more consistant and you'll get a much nicer finish the first time. Spray enamals seem to "spit" more when the paint is cooler.

I've seen the series on Speed a few times. Wish Holden's were sold here. Not talking about the Pontiac GTO or G8. I want a sedan with a V8 and the Commodore SS V-Series Redline fits the bill.

That's because the '66 is a Revell kit, and the '64 and '69 are older Monogram kits. Revell stuck with 1/25 while Monogram did 1/24. Revell aquired the molds after the Monogram aquisition and now produces both. It would be too costly to re-tool and make new molds of older kits into a slightly smaller scale. The kits would probably be better like the newer Revell kits though.

I have two hobby stores that I frequent on a regular basis. Both are family owned and have found their own niche. The first store, Model Empire, is both a store (brick and morter) and also an on-line catalog store. They sell mostly plastic kits, but also have quite a bit of die-cast. Recently, they put in a slot-car track and have race nights after hours I believe. Along with the store and internet, they also travel to car shows and sell models in a few states. They seem to be weathering very well. The second store is a little more diversified. They have hobby sections to suit many people. Plastic kits, RC, arts and crafts, children, basic science, slot-car, trains, puzzles, and a huge selection of magazines/books. They also offer classes in various types of hobbies. They used to have another store, the original, but closed it years ago and just have the current stand alone store. They also seem to be doing quite well dispite the economy. So, both stores are fairing well in my opinion, because they both have found their niche and have a pretty strong customer base that is willing to spend what cash they have. They can both thank me as I am at both stores at least once a week and rarely do I not dump some cash. And I know I'm not the only one. I see some of the same people at both stores, like me...and of course walking out the door with a full bag of goodies.

You'd definately see this rolling up in the line of black limo's!

Wow...very nicely done! I had that kit as a kid. I think it was my first larger scale kit. It is definately a kit for the more experienced builder. I was able to, with my limited skills at the time, get the door windows to roll up and down. The only thing(s) I have left from that model now are the tires.

You can try Model Empire USA. It's the hobby store I go to most, but they also have an extensive on-line/catalog service. They are located in West Allis, WI so you get the right one. In store pricing is $3-$5 cheaper than most places around here, because of the on-line service. They have a pretty good stock on-hand. Here is a price comparison for the AMT Vantasy for instance. At another store I go to, they sell it for $23.99...at Model Empire it's $19.99 (what I paid). Of course, you'd have to pay for shipping, but you'd probably still save a few bucks. It pays to shop around.

Been years since I heard that one! Got the CD somewhere. Just better not listen to it in the car....probably end up getting a ticket for going 100mph.

Oh yeah...I'll have to dig them up, but I know I have a 35mm camera, and a clunky car phone or two. Bet there's a few more treasures around here in a box. I'll see what else and post a pic.

The one thing I've seen after reading all the posts after mine is "buy Donn's video(s)". That's all fine and dandy. I'm not ripping on his videos at all. I want to get them myself. My point is it's easy to show and/or tell somebody "how to paint a model car, or whatever", prep, prime, mask(if needed), paint, etc.... But, you can only get so far by that. You can do all of this easy enough. You have to take what you've learned and practice, practice, PRACTICE! It's the only way to get better at all of it. Watch, listen, and then do. I've been building models for about 30 years and, like everyone, am still learning new techniques to make a better model.

I was the same way, except I'd build a model up to the point where I'd have to paint the body. That's where LOTS of models ended, because I dreaded the terrible paint job I knew I'd end up with. So, then I'd go onto the next model and the same thing...over and over. Well...there's only one way to get any better. Read about what others do, watch them(videos), and practice, practice, practice. It's the only way to learn. I've only recently started using an airbrush for finish painting, and I have NOTHING worth showing anyone. I'm still working on it. Lots of practice ahead for me. Plus, I've just started in the last year or two with masking-off for details or two-tones. I use Tamiya. it doesn't leave a sticky residue and comes off clean. It's a little expensive, but worth not having the headaches after.

The paint I used is Dupli-Color Automotive Paint from an auto parts store. Just make sure you do multiple light coats like with any paint. This paint will look pinkish, if you still go with red, with the first 1 or 2 coats until you build up the paint. I have about 5 or 6 light coats and the paint turned out pretty good, and then 2 coats of clear.

I just finished my build for the same contest. Same model and same color (Marimba Red). Built it "stock", but added the usual stuff that would be under the hood. Guess I'd have to enter it in the unlimited catagory if I really decide to enter it. Got a little time for that yet. Good luck with your build and in the contest!

"64-'66 had tri-carb as an option...4bbl was standard. Once GM lifted engine ban (less than 400ci) in intermediates for '67, Pontiac went to 400ci with a 4bbl. And Pontiac used Rochester carb's.

Nice looking build. Brings back memories of my '72 LeMans. Looked just like the GTO and dispite how it looked, I still got lots of thumbs up. By the way...your model looks 10 times better than my car did!

They hardly ever seem to come out when they say. But your local hobby store has to order them and that's what may take them sooo long to be on the shelf. I'm looking forward to a bunch of kits coming out this year. The Chevy Van, GMC P/U w/plow, Road Runner, Cadillac Low Rider (will build as close to stock as possible), and one or two more I can't think of at the moment.

I've built both kits. The '66, being a newer kit, is better engineered. Pieces fit very well and assembles into a pretty nice model. I'd agree with the others about the '69. It's a much simpler kit to assemble, but is a pretty good representation of the actual car. It is an older kit and has been repopped a couple of times.

Man...I remember that car. Nice build. Got to watch Rusty and his brother Kenny at the Milwaukee Mile testing shocks in about '94 or '95. Rusty in the Miller GD Cup Car(like your model) and Kenny in the Red Dog Busch Car. There was quite a crowd watching and every time Rusty came out onto the track, he waved to everyone. Kind of a thanks for just being there.

UNREAL.............I don't know what else to say. Went through your pics. Just blown away! And the tires!!! FIVE of them done that way!!! Man...you have patience.

And here's the famous 427