Monty

I had no idea this kit could look that good out of the box. Mine's been shelved for over a decade because I assumed I'd need all kinds of upgrades to make it look presentable, but your build proves otherwise. Congratulations on completing such a clean build with a sharp, if not as common, color. We promise not to tell the Ford guys. Anyone else think AMT screwed up the trunk decals for this kit?

I loves me some burgundy, and that paint just pops! Thanks for the source reference! Are those the tires & wheels that came with the kit? The one I built back in the late '70s had some huge tires and wheels.

Unless your non-drilling hand is very steady, you may want to find a small vise to hold your distibutor while you drill the holes you need. Also, once you've found a bit size you like, stock up on them. They tend to break at the least opportune time.

If you have to have that exact shade, you've got a couple choices. Jameston at scalefinishes.com deals in OEM paints for models. (http://www.scalefinishes.com/welcome.html). I've heard a lot of good things about his products and his services. Your other choice is Model Car World http://www.mcwautomotivefinishes.com/paint/catalog.html . I've been told this is also very good paint. Even though Opel was sold through Buick dealers back then, I'd suggest that you contact either one (or both) of these paint suppliers to make sure you can get the color you're looking for since your car was technically an import. I'd also recommend that you check to see what both companies recommend for primer etc. IIRC, both companies' paints are intended for airbrush use. If you must use a rattlecan, I've heard that some car paint businesses can mix a small quantity and put it in a can for you. HTH

Can I get some information on pricing & shipping costs? I've got a friend who may be interested in a few of these.

James, the fact that you asked for constructive criticism tells us you're serious about improving your skills, as opposed to some of our thin-skinned members whose motto is "I build for me", despite how the kit turned out. As others have suggested, do a Google search on this truck & engine and see if Ford was still painting the blocks and heads blue. Did Ford offer it with chrome valve covers & alternator bracketry? Painting the model's components (or sometimes assemblies) to match the various shades found on the 1:1 will help you create a more authentic build. There are some great tips in the posts above about plug wires etc. When you do your Google search, look closely at the way plug wires lay and sag. Most importantly, don't rush things. You can build this quickly or you can build it nicely.Your choice. Keep posting pics of your work.

I remember thinking how cool those Toronados looked when I was growing up. It's not often that we get to see one built, and even rarer to see one with the '70 grille, which I still consider an attractive design decades later. I'm glad to see that you were able to rescue this one. As I've told you before, you seem to have a knack for choosing the perfect shade of paint for a given subject, and Toreador red absolutely rocks on this build. Well done!

I'm not sure that makes a whole lot of sense. 1:1 RWLs don't project out much past the sidewall of a tire, so how would a decal be out of scale on a 1/25 tire? Got a better solution?

IIRC, the Revell '64 Chevy pickup comes with a set of BF Goodrich Silvertown tires, which I assume were period-correct for that truck. Maybe one of our members can post up some pics of those. Tires changed quite a bit from the '50s to the '70s, so again, you may need to narrow your focus. What, specifically, are you building?

It would be helpful if you told us what they were going to be used on. Stock '57 Chevy? '70 Chevelle SS?

I'm thrilled to have so many different tire mfrs to choose from, and I like how Mr Osborn included some of the lesser known brands among the big names. Not everybody ran Goodyears... but if you did, his selection of their performance tires extends from those offered from the mid '60s through the mid '80s, so replicating a 1:1 car you built during those years will be easier. Best of all, these decals are available in either 1/24 or 1/25 scale. Also, those of you looking for a smaller MickeyThompson front tire to go with the AMT '70 Camaro's rear steamrollers can now create your own rather inexpensively. Way to go, Chief Joseph!

Any issues with waterslide decals?

Some of you may remember the tire and wheel sets that Model Rectifier Corp.put out about 12 years ago. The wheels seemed to be nicely done, while the tires, IMNSHO, ranged from poor to mediocre. I happened to buy the Mickey Thompson / Keystone combo and was amazed at how poorly the sidewall lettering was replicated. I painted the letters on mine anyway, but couldn't bring myself to put them on the intended kit because the sidewall script looked like it had been tooled up by a dyslexic. (I've worked with dyslexics; I know whereof I speak ) So, my question is, can the sidewall script be sanded smooth so that I can use tire decals? * I don't know what the tires are made of and I don't want to mess them up. * Board member Chief Joseph will be releasing some accurate MickeyThompson street tire decals, among others, in the near future.

That's good to know! I thought they only carried Testors model paints. Thanks!

The '72 was always my favorite Torino, but I never saw them in kit form until JoHan was long gone and the prices had gone way past my comfort zone. Good job on that one, Al!

I'm just going to agree with the other guys here. Looks like you've done some very nice work on this one, Kevin. Impressive!

If this had happened, do you think they would've changed the name of the movie from Bullitt to Pellitt? Nice job on that Maverick!

Look at that black paint...nicely done!

Didn't that GTO come with Uniroyal steel belted radials? I had that kit (briefly) in the '90s. Seems like the openings for the wheels as well as the wheels themselves were slightly larger than normal, even for 1/24. OTOH, a 1/24 G78-14 might work for my '67 Impala if I could find the right wheels to go with it. How is the red stripe done on it? If there was demand, what would it take to put it into production? I've been researching internet hypnosis methods so I can get you to concentrate on 1/25 scale stuff...you'll know when I've found one that works

So far I haven't been all that impressed with any of the redline tires from the kit mfrs, so I'm curious what else is out there. I've heard there is a resin redline from Modelhaus, but IIRC, it's only available in one size. What else is available (vinyl or resin)? Pics and part numbers would be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes it's the small details that make the big picture all the more impressive. Those valve covers and hard lines really sell it. Impressive work, Doug. Glad you stuck with it.

IMNSHO, Testors makes some fairly decent enamels as far as opacity and coverage are concerned. As others have said, keeping them stirred will help, as will dipping your brush in clean thinner before dipping into the paint. Make sure the brush you're using is big enough for what you're trying to paint and minimize the number of brush strokes over the same area. HTH

Andrew, what's the secret to lettering the valve covers? I'll be wanting to do this in black on mine, bit the "how" part eludes me.

I didn't want it to be said that I didn't do my own due diligence before asking for the board's help, but yeah, I'm very surprised at how few pictures of the 1:1 tires exist. I appreciate the help, 'cuz I can't wait to get a set of these on a model.

Interesting stuff. I assume you were able to do this via some photo manipulation software? I've had no luck finding pics that would make it easy for Joseph to use, so I may see if he can work with what you've done here. Thanks!