deja-view

I have a few of those, and three that are "parts only". I got the complete body/chassis/interior set out and gently pulled it apart, then put it back together. If you angle the rear of the chassis down into the rear body guiding it into the bumper area, push it down until the frame "tabs" hit against the body, then spread the body at the front edge of the rear wheel wells about 1/4" or so on each side. It should slide right down into the body. The one I tried is actually more flexible than I thought it would be, so it didn't seem to be in danger of cracking. I did see that the right A pillar is slightly bowed outward, so if I wanted to use this body as it is I would have to straighten it with a little heat or use the windshield glass as a form to glue it in proper place. If you are missing something, let me know. Good luck.

Ya know....if this was a Pre-L Pantera or a Ferrari 275GTB4....or almost any of the beautiful 1950's-60's Ferrari/Maserati/Jaguar/Aston race cars I'd jump all over it. While the new exotics are powerful and creatively designed, I'm not a fan of building them. There are so many amazing historic sports, race, or touring GT cars that need to be offered in large scale, I don't know why Pocher, Tamiya, Kyosho, etc. want to do the new stuff.

Yes, I have one of those and the '55 Nomad. Both really nice kits. I'd like to build one in 1/12 though.....just to go with the coupe I've already done and a convertible that's been wip for about 10 years.

Do any of you think this could be taken apart and rebuilt into a mild street rod/machine Nomad? It's the only 1/2 scale Nomad out there as far as I know, and I've played with the idea of converting one of the Monogram coupes, but the whole rear tailgate and window arrangement would be almost impossible to replicate. http://www.ebay.com/itm/131044020330?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1523wt_1219

I think I have 4 or 5 of the Entex/Grip/Edai 1/8 scale Lotus 72D kits...some still in bags, a couple started and awaiting time and space to work on. Seems ridiculous, but I have plans to build 3 different versions of it. If I could come up with an accurate set of "Lucky Strike" decals for that version I'd drop other projects and start working on it. Same with the 1/12 Fujimi Nissan Skyline GT-R. I have the Calsonic version almost ready to detail the body (decals and paint on), but I am converting the red/black Taisan to a surprise I won't reveal until it's well into WIP or done. I want to pop them both onto the show circuit while they are rare and in the case of the second one, nonexistent.

Since I build almost exclusively 1/12 and 1/8 scale, I'd have to say Doyusha/Otaki first, then Tamiya/Fujimi/Rosso/Hasegawa, and Entex in the 1/12 kits (although the Testor's Lamborghini LP 500 was a spectacular kit (and, I think it was really Doyusha). The 1/8 choices are slim, but the Revell/Monogram have had nice offerings over the years while Entex/Imai/Grip had the great Lotus 72D kits. The Lindberg 1/8 hot rods are pretty good, to. But that's just cars. Ships, military, planes are another discussion.

Hood hinges, huh? I've placed first in a lot of competitions over the years, and I don't recall ever having the hood hinges questioned. In fact, as a judge in a few I never really gave the hinges much thought unless replica ones were actually built and used, which was a big plus. The fact that there were seldom realistic hinges available, and not even in the aftermarket until fairly recently (Detail Master 1/24), made that a "given" inaccuracy that everyone accepted. If they are easily constructed from aftermarket sets, then they should be considered a plus like all the other detailing and PE stuff available. But what about "box stock" or even "box stock plus" categories" Filling in the firewall and having nothing would not be acceptable I don't think, and in more detailed classes a blank firewall with no hinges wouldn't be any more "accurate" than what the kit came with. IMO that's just one of those "no points off" for leaving them alone, but "+ points" if someone really can find the realistic solution to the kit's failure to address it.

Tom Cruise? As Carroll Shelby? Ridiculous! Mr. "I wanna be a real hero" is so overplayed in his fantasy roles it is nauseating. Shelby deserves better than this...MUCH better. Too bad Steve McQueen isn't still alive.

In 1962 I'd guess your dad was an "advisor".

Wow....long time ago. I was a freshman in high school in Northern California, playing football....but still building models. That was a pretty big deal then, and the "Needle" was quite a conversation piece. It was still an impressive structure until I watched Bob Stupak build the 1150' Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Bob was a wacky guy but had great vision....although many thought his gorilla climbing the side of the Vegas World Hotel was just weird. It seemed to be a bigger version of the Seattle Space Needle, with more glitz and scary rides on the top. I swear I thought the first big wind would bring it down, but I'd bet lots of people said that about the Needle.

Just an update with some recent progress on my new work area. The new desk: Hosted on Fotki And some adjustment of display areas: Hosted on Fotki and: Hosted on Fotki

Some of my hotlist HTF kits are: 1- Bandai 1/12 STP Granatelli Turbine Indycar. I had a mint one on the shelf for about 10 years, gathered lots of reference material to build it, then decided it was worth too much to put together. I sold it for just under $1000 about 5 years ago. They do pop up once in awhile. 2- Another Bandai rarity is the 1/12 1969 Corvette coupe. I have two of them, one carried from Australia. Neither is mint because Bandai, like so many large scale producers, didn't strengthen the center of the boxes. I have great plans for one of them, and the second will guarantee I have the parts to complete the project if I ever get to it. The remains will go up for sale. 3- Two of Entex's 1/8 race icons also hit the charts: the Porsche 934 Turbo Carrera and the McLaren M23 with Marlboro decals. Great kits, but mint ones are probably pushing $2000 now if you can find them. I have the Porsche in WIP, and gave up a McLaren for an offer I just couldn't refuse a few years back. I've never seen the 1/8 McLaren built or showed anywhere -- EVER.

Excellent job on that Michael!

LOL. I didn't notice the "local pick-up only". I've seen a few conversions done. In fact, about 10 years ago I bought a built version of the XKE with the roadster conversion already done from a chap in UK I think. If I squinted and turned down the lights I could barely see all the waves and imperfections. I didn't feel like trying to resand and repair it so I sold it (with detailed pics and explanation) to someone with the time to rework it. But the conversion is not that simple, really. The true roadster has a different windshield frame and some different trim. So, thinking more about it, it's tempting, but I'd rather use the resources on present projects I guess.

Found this on ebaaaay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Revell-Monogramm-1-8-Jaguar-E-Typ-no-Pocher-/221279993550?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item338550bece Does this look good enough to consider? Some pics don't look so good, but can't tell. Kinda pricey, too.

Great suggestions, guys. I haven't looked at RC stuff in years (too many years). And, TDR might just be a solution, too. The 1:1's were 215-15's....the biggest that would fit on all corners. THANKS!

I have put aside this project for awhile, but would like to get back to it. I want to replicate my 1965 Corvette that I restored into a mild resto-mod in 1984. I chose a set of Enkei wire mags to with the theme, but have not been able to find such a wheel in 1/8 scale. I have a set of resin "snowflakes" like the Pontiac TransAms used, but the difference just bothers me. Any sources or suggestions? Hosted on Fotki Here's my first build of the model where I used the original stock color and wheel covers. I dismantled it, saved the chassis, and started over with the body. Hosted on Fotki Hosted on Fotki

Chris; You hit the diamond mine!

These Rosso kits are nice. They also produced a Nissan 300ZX in 1/12 (don't know why they didn't do a 240Z instead). I have had one sitting while I collect reference pics for about 15 years. The only thing that's a negative is the pre-colored body in red. I want to do mine in yellow, but I have a feeling the red will bleed through. About 1997 or so there was a builder from Southern California who brought this model to quite a few contests. His detailing was impeccable, along with nice touches like working lights and a great display base. He won "Best of Show" several times and I'm pretty sure the car was featured in SAE and/or other pubs. If I knew how to make the extra body add-ons I'd try a race version like the Mugen or Raybrig GT cars. Mitchell; your engine is looking great.

Then, there's the "Obamamobile". His new version, of course, is electric with a loooong cord. Hosted on Fotki

"Unsafe at any speed" as Ralph Nader said.

I have a lot of spray cans that have gathered over the years...everything from Krylon, Dupli-color, Plasti-kote, etc. to regular model paints like Tamiya and Testor's. The last few times I wanted to use some of them a few wouldn't spray, but just dribbled out of the nozzle all over the place. The pressure was still there when I "tested" the lower tube below the nozzle, and the nozzles were clear. I do store a lot of my cans on their side (takes far less space and makes the shaking/mixing process much quicker). So...are these paints just getting "old" and not able to be sprayed? Are the can/nozzle becoming corroded/corrupted somehow ( I have just moved from Las Vegas where moisture was never, ever a problem)? Have any of you grabbed a can of your favorite or chosen color for a project and had nothing but PHFttttttttttttt, dribble, dribble come out?

Didn't one of his daughters just win her class this past week? I'd watch them anytime!

I recently picked up a couple of GMP 1/18 old muscle cars on ebaaaaay. The price was ok, but even though I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more for awhile I gave in to the possibility that these GMP cars are not going to be available for long. The detail is nice, and they both fit in with one of my "theme" groups, so even if they don't become more collectible I'll still like them. But I am wondering what the rest of you think about the future value of GMP 1/18 diecasts??