Zoom Zoom

Enthusiasts worldwide have been screaming for a McLaren F1 ever since it was a new car. I still think there's a great opportunity for someone. Accurate Miniatures? Tamiya? SMS? The Japanese resin is nice, but the price sure isn't. Tamiya would be the most logical source, w/their worldwide distribution and perceived quality (though the diecast chassis mentality is really hurting their reputation). I would love to support Trumpeter in their efforts to supply the adult model car enthusiast. But their products certainly don't echo a passionate enthusiasm for the subject matter, nor a passionate understanding of the people who would buy and build such kits. The Bonneville has numerous flaws; body shape is the worst. The CV has a totally incorrect interior. How could the 8-lug wheels be so inferior to what AMT did in the 60's? The Nova is much better, as long as you get the HT. But the CV's windshield is clearly incorrect (too tall), and the top boot is also far too tall. They really spoil the appearance. The Monte Carlo is one of the model car world's biggest disappointments of all time; from subject matter to execution (and apparently sales, too). Nice boxart though :wink: I don't think the folks at Stevens really get "us" at all, or they are woefully understaffed and underfunded to see projects like this through from start to finish. Or something in between. I'd love to see them right the ship, but as I said before, I'm not holding my breath :roll:

Gee Art; I could have told you of a much easier (and nicer) place to get reference photos, but it would require a ride on one of America's ten most scenic highways (according to MSN Travel and I would have to agree with them)...it's in Moose Pass on the Seward Highway that goes from Anchorage to Seward AK But of course you might have had a moose charge you, but... I'm having lots of fun w/this kit; and unlike many Speccast/Liberty models, the scale looks completely accurate.

Agreed. And not holding my breath for one either :cry: Because poorly-executed and vastly-overpriced '78 Monte Carlos are far better choices :roll: :evil:

Thanks! Auto Motif closed at the end of '04; the rest of the store stock is still being sold by Milt via Ebay. I've had this resin transkit for about 5 years IIRC.

Thanks Peter! The only reason I bought one of these Bonnevilles was after seeing your build chronicle back when it was new 8) Of course it was $16 on sale so that helped too

Those modifications to the boat are great! Very cool subject, nice combo w/the Monte Carlo...or any suitable tow car.

It's based on the same kit you see here, just w/the gullwing body. The chassis/motor/guts are identical.

No kits of the Koenigsegg, there is a 1/24 diecast Motormax Pagani Zonda. It's a pretty wild car but I'm not wild about the styling; looks a bit too insect-like. It's a very low production Italian supercar; I saw one in 2000 at the Concorso Italiano in CA. Google can answer many questions.

Top row is a Koenigsegg CCR, Lambo Murcielago, Pagani Zonda, and ?? Bottom row is another Zonda, an F50, and ?? The Koenigsegg CCR is one of my favorites. Really cool looking car that runs with the McLaren F1. http://www.koenigsegg.com/thecars/index.asp?submenu=3

Looks great so far! I have a couple of these kits and the 300SLR Ulenhaut Coupe in the "someday" stack.

Actually the base kit (panel wagon) may be a Spec Cast and not Liberty; it's been so long since I bothered to look at the box :roll: I'd say it's 1/25 scale, looks right to me, and those Dodge trucks did look underscale. Art Anderson would know for sure on this one, as he did the measuring and conversion work for the resin PU. Also, RMR is offering a similar resin kit now.

I've finally started a model that I've been contemplating for a number of years; a replica of my uncle's '62 Jeep PU. Having recently gotten a good photo of it, I am now able to build it as I can remember it. It was a work truck, and as such it wasn't babied. So the model will depict it in all it's glory and well-worn patina, which thankfully shows pretty well in the photograph. I started with a Liberty Classics Jeep panel truck diecast kit that I found at Big Lots. I purchased a resin All American Models PU transkit at Auto Motif; it was marked down $20 because it was missing fenders, which didn't bother me since they're pretty simple shapes to scratchbuild. I also had to find appropriate wheels/tires, the ones in the basic kit aren't much good for a work truck. I eventually found a set of five resin Jeep wheels/tires (one spare) from Hendrix. With the photo & lots of internet reference, I'm ready to start this and try a few weathering techniques that I don't get to do very often building my normal "shiny" subject matter. I also have one of those instant rust kits that I'm dying to try out as well. This is going to be fun Here's what I stared with: And here it is now in it's first primer coat after making the fenders, removing some hood trim and adding chrome trim to the cab: So far it's been a lot of fun; different subject matter and a completely different approach to finishing. It shouldn't take me long to pull it all together and get it done; but then again there are a lot of little details I need to scrounge up and scratchbuild.

So we won't hate you so much for that steal; you must build them all within a year :shock:

I love the car; I was lucky enough to get an advanced sneak-peak at the photos several months back, and it was tough keeping quiet This is a full-scale wooden model of the car; it's going to end up probably as a wall hanging by the owner. The real car is still being built/tested, and apparently has many subtle detail changes from this, after advanced wind tunnel testing at Pininfarina. Smaller intake, rounder headlight openings, a small gap between the body and the roof. The glass isn't dark tinted like this model, so it will look more open/airy than this model. I can't wait to see the finished car, which should be on Pininfarina's website on the 29th. Some people say it looks too much like an '80's concept car. I don't have a problem with that at all; you morph a late 60's Ferrari race car with an early 2000's Enzo and you get...the 80's :wink: The owner sure seems happy with it; that's all that really matters. And it would look amazing in black 8) This certainly would be a great way for Tamiya to get some more miles out of their Enzo :wink:

Greetings! That '57 is fantastic.

Nice save there! The two look great together. Sure wish open wheel racing today had a bit of the character these had.

Hey Mark! Glad you could join the party.

Looks great Lyle 8)

Beautiful as always; the subtle rake, wheel choice and color really give it character.

I'm not sure whether it's the resin or the paint, but it definitely is happening because it's been sealed under the foil, it sounds like "solvent pop" in paint that gets waxed/sealed too soon and little bumps form where the solvents are still trying to escape. You might just have to remove the foil and let the paint cure a bit longer...unless it's something in the resin.

Peter, welcome! Great and inspiring work on the Monte Carlo 8) I saw the kit up-close and came to the same conclusions you have; I expect better if they want the market they aim for to take them seriously. Your work to improve the kit is inspiring; I didn't buy the Trumpeter Bonneville until I saw your writeup. Your interior/engine details look very realistic. Keep us posted with the progress!

Modeling is a bit like riding a bike, you never forget how but you might not be in the best shape if you haven't tried it lately! Easy tip for headlight covers like this, most have a black surround or "o" ring seal. Run the edge of a black Sharpie along the edge of the cover, and use a thick/strong white glue like Microscale Krystal Klear or Formula 560 canopy glue; a little excess dries clear and also wipes up w/water before it dries. Formula 560 is one of the best glues I've ever found, it's far stronger than Elmer's when dry. More like epoxy.

Hey Leon! Welcome aboard. Great job on the Lambo!!

Cool! Looks like you can have a Laurentian and keep the Bonneville to restore 8)

Edit: I posted this and Bill's new post was there after I was done. I like his idea a lot; it may work as-is, or work as described below. There are several ways to look at this project. There is more than one way to accomplish the task, I looked at it from a "big picture" aspect. Funny, I have a red brush painted '59 restorable glue bomb that looks a lot like your model! This Laurentian looks "Chevrolet" through the midsection because that's what it is, and looks "Pontiac" on the ends. I would look seriously at seeing just how much of a Chevrolet I could start with as the foundation of the conversion, and then utilize parts cut from the old Bonneville and fit to the Chevrolet. Measure/cut/fit the front/rear ends and graft to the Chevrolet body. It wouldn't be easy, but I don't see it being any harder than all the complicated cutting and grafting and reshaping required to work with the Bonneville as the foundation, and the resultant model would be stronger. I realize that Revell '59/'60 Chevrolets are HT's and the roofs are all wrong; but that Coolidge sedan (don't they make a '59 Chevy sedan?)might be the most logical place to start. It would have the roof, doors (you would have to fill/rescribe to a coupe), wheelbase all ready to go, you just hang Pontiac parts on the ends like GM did.