Monty

Apparently I missed a memo. While sniffing around on ebay last night, I saw AMT kits (ex: 32 Ford Vicky) with a black, silver and red DTR insigina where the old AMT insignia used to be. What's up with that?

Nick, those wheels look sharp on your R/R, but as others have pointed out, they're meant to emulate a 1:1 stamped steel wheel instead of the aluminum wheels I was asking about. Look at the depth of the slots in the first picture (Ansen Sprint) and compare it to those in the second picture. Admittedly, wheel selection for a real car (or model) can be subjective, but in this case I was looking for a rather specific wheel to achiefve a certain "look".

Yes. It's kinda the 1/25 scale version of the wheels Monogram put in a lot of their kits in the early 70s.

I know some editions of the Avanti have them. Any others?

I ended up with some of these when I was trying to find some Gunze Sangyo acrylic paints. The on-line description said "acrylic" (technically they're right, but it's a solvent-based acrylic). Eventually I learned I should've been looking for the word "aqueous". Anyway, I apparently now own paints that may require a proprietary reducer. Do I have to bite the bullet and buy the Mr Hobby thinner or will something else work as well? If you've painted anything with these, please post pics, comments etc.

Blake, can you post some pictures of this kit?

In the attached picture you'll see a silver flex tube arching over the valve cover and extending up to the bottom side of the air cleaner snorkel. In real life, this piece is about 2" in diameter. The MPC kit I'm using has a piece that's meant to depict this, but besides being too thin, it looks more like a chromed tube and nothing like a flex-hose. Yes, I'm aware that the "flex" part might be hard to depict in scale, but I gotta try. Enlighten me!

There only seems to be one model of my favorite Porsche, but I wouldn't bother chasing one down. For some reason the 'tards at AMT, in their infinite wisdom, decided to tool up a 917/10, but relegated it to 1/32 scale. Can you imagine what could have been done with this car in 1/25 scale?

Great work! Can you tell me what you did to make the headlights stand out. Most MPC headlights seem to blend into the chrome around the grille, but yours look more realistic.

I did a search using "pin vice" but didn't find the thread.

In the last 2-3 months or so, I came across a thread that may have started off as a demonstration of how to drill out a distributor cap (kit part and sprue-made). The author also showed how to make 90* plug wire boots to go into the cap. Someone in the thread eventually asked for advice on where to buy the best pin vice at the best price which resulted in some great links to various vendors. I assume the thread was in the Tips & Tricks section, but my "search" came up empty. Help?

I'm looking to create the look of an engine with some miles on it. I don't think the rest will be a problem, but I've never figured out the secret of making a convincing exhaust manifold with surface rust. Pics, specific paints and procedures would be appreciated.

Beautiful build! Thanks for the pic. Anybody else?

I'm fully familiar with Chezoom Teal, so no need to post any of those pics. Testors' acryl teal seems to have a slightly different hue to it, but I'm guessing the primer color may have an effect on that. Also, I'd appreciate hearing any pertinent info about ease of use, coverage ability (opacity) drying time etc. The vast majority of my experience with acrylics has been with Tamiya paints, so I'm curious as to how well this stuff works. Thanks!

Now that's a work of aaaaarrrrttaaa! (Well, it is a 300, you know) In all seriousness, that's an incredible build. Way to go.

Maybe some of these? http://modeltech.tripod.com/ http://www.escalemodels.com/forums/index.php?act=idx http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=927 http://kustomcarz.proboards.com/index.cgi http://z9.invisionfree.com/Model_Car_Lounge/index.php http://carmodeling.proboards.com/index.cgi http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zeroforum?id=140"]http://forums.thecarlounge.net/zeroforum?id=140 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat="]http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat http://focm.proboards.com/index.cgi http://www.modelcargarage.com./"]http://www.modelcargarage.com./ http://s13.zetaboards.com/B_n_B_Auto_Builders/index/"]http://s13.zetaboards.com/B_n_B_Auto_Builders/index/ http://spazticplasticz.proboards.com/ http://z6.invisionfree.com/The_Modelers_Haven/index.php"]http://z6.invisionfree.com/The_Modelers_Haven/index.php http://inscale.proboards.com/index.cgi? http://carmodeling.proboards.com/index.cgi http://z3.invisionfree.com/L_O_E_M/index.php?showforum=11 http://wwwboard.spotlighthobbies.com/ http://www.briansmodelcars.com/

I'm going to agree with VW Dave here. If you're trying to duplicate the "mags" on the car in that picture, the MPC wheels are the closest you'll find. If you don't want to buy the kit, there's at least one resin caster who offers them. (Cool! VW Dave just provided an answer for us) Ask the Alclad II enthusiasts on here for pics of items painted in "chrome" or "polished aluminum" and go from there.

. If memory serves, Marc Nellis uses one as well, and he seems to produce some mighty nice paint jobs with his.

Oh, believe me, in hindsight I think it's hilarious. I just happened to be reading it at 2:30 in the morning (insomnia) and it seemed like such a great idea that I couldn't wait to see if it was still available somewhere. Give yourself a pat on the back for your efforts.

The Spotlight Hobbies board agrees with you. I'm sending this to myself:

I was reading an old Model Cars magazine (April 2001) last night and I found a one page article on this stuff. According to the article you can cast whatever part you need using their materials and the piece will come out with a chrome finish. They cast an old Cadillac grille and it looks at least as good as kit chrome, although the pics are in black and white. The article lists an address in Wisconsin, but no phone #. My Google search didn't turn up anything of value, so if you have any info I'd appreciate it.

I've been wanting to do a '70 Charger, but I don't want one with the R/T "scoop" at the leading edge of the door. See 1st pic. The two resin bodies I've read about so far are either listed as "R/T" (Modelhaus) or are depicted as an "R/T" with this piece already molded to the door. Anybody else got a regular one? (See 2nd pic)

Marc Nellis recommended these guys when I was looking for an authentic HEI distributor.

Maybe you should find an auto parts store that carries engine enamels and grab a can of AMC blue. You may need a special primer, as it may be "hotter" than regular enamels. '

How would you say this one compares to the Heller kit? I've been told the Heller version is virtually unbuildable unless you're a professional builder. Nice job on yours, BTW!