Monty

That, or take a look at the box art for Revell's Greenwood Stars & Stripes Corvette: http://www.shopping.com/Revell-Revell-1-25-John-Greenwood-Corvette-Coupe-Sebring-1971/info (For some reason I can't post pics here anymore).

I know GM only offered these hoods for a certain period of time, but I've seen aftermarket pieces (Ecklers etc) on 1:1 '78-'82 'Vettes. In the world of modeling, I'm sure there are any number of casters who carry regular L88 Corvette hoods, but the later C3s featured longer hoods that went to the base of the windshield, eliminating the cowl area. These are the hoods that I'd like to have turned into an L88 setup. The underside doen't need to be modified, as this is mostly for appearance. I hope a caster can come through, 'cuz I inhale vigorously at scratchbuilding.

Looks like Jimmy Flintstone "borrowed" MPC's 1977 'Vette Van design and changed a few things (fender gills and roof shape) so he could call it his own. If you happen to have any of the MPC C3 chassis, you might consider them as an alternative as they feature poseable front wheels and independent halfshafts on the IRS. OTOH, by using this body, I can see you getting creative with unique headlight options and possibly some kind of specialty work on the "bread van" section, such as a tinted moon roof, or a swing-up rear window a la the AMT '55 Nomad.

Before I go and spend a bunch of money on hobby paints, has anyone had good results spraying a candy color over pearl white? The idea I'm considering is Tamiya candy blue stripes over a Testors White Lightning pearl white body, but I don't know if the pearl white will provide the kind of base (like silver or gold) that would keep the blue from appearing washed out. I'm asking because these spray cans are around $7.00 apiece here, and I don't want to waste money on something that won't work. If you've done this and have pics, I'd love to see them.

Nice work on that! I still wonder why none of the kit mfrs think the '70 is worth another shot...

To the best of my knowledge, the last time they released it was around 1978.

I built this kit as a kid and loved it, despite the fact that it was molded in a hideous, eggplant-like shade of styrene that JoHan would've balked at. I wasn't aware that there were body panel discrepancies, so I'll watch to see how you handle them. I do remember wishing I could do something to make the doors fit better since I'd prefer to keep them operational. The tiny amount of research I've done so far seems to indicate that this engine has two distributors, so spark plug wiring will take some time and effort, but the payoff should be worth it. Matt, would you mind incorporating your refrence materials in with your WIP pics so we can use them too? I can't wait to see how this turns out!

1963 full-detail Corvette 1973 Pontiac Grand Am 1983 Hurst Olds

The guy pushing 1/20 scale models was George Toteff. I remember being elated the first time I heard that MPC had done up a decently detailed '69 AMX. Imagine my disappointment when I learned what scale it was. Thanks for cluing me in on the age of the Lindberg Gremlin. I'd never even heard of it until its latest release, and I didn't pay much attention to it then because of the scale issue. As I said, some of the 1/20 stuff they did was very nice. I recall being impressed when a friend of mine showed me their '94 Firebird kit. If it had been made in 1/24 or 1/25 scale, I probably would have chosen it over anything comparable from AMT, Revell or Monogram at the time. I'm not a big fan of most mid-'60s Mopars, but you're not the first one to mention that Lindberg could have done so much more with their Plymouths and Dodges. OTOH, some of the stuff they did (Hoppin' Hydros, anyone?) just leaves me convinced they'd prefer to be a cheesy plastic toy company.

I don't think there's ever been a more schizophrenic model company than Lindberg, especially during the '90s. The '53 Ford and '66 Chevelle proved they were capable of designing models that could hang with anything else in 1/25, but, just like MPC, they seemed determined to shove 1/20 scale models up everyone's dorsal orifice. These 1/20 kits were generally very well done, but as MPC found out, there's not enough interest in 1/20 scale kits to make them viable. I have no doubt that AMT is cleaning up on the 1/25 Gremlin they reissued, despite its flaws, because it's in a scale that the majority of us have been building since who knows when. Only a schizophrenic company like Lindberg would look at information like that and insist on cranking out...a 1/20 Gremlin. OK, enough 1/20 bashing. Let's go to the other extreme Lindberg's known for: 1/32. Every auto model magazine "wish list" I've seen since the early '90s has had the '73 Pontiac Grand Am on it, but for some reason, no one has taken up the challenge, although Lindberg did create a series of 1/32 snap kits that included the Grand Am as well as a number of other models. Unfortunately, they're more like 12-piece toys than anything you'd feel pround to display. OTOH, those of you who like building "donks" would've appreciated the oversized tires & wheels. I guess I'm just wondering where Lindberg would be now if they'd put a little more thought into what they decide to produce. Case in point: the Gremlin. On the positive side, it looks like they decided to do an earlier model Gremlin than AMT's '76, which is what most of is would have preferred. And even Lindberg wouldn't have had to sweat too hard to outdo the AMT kit for features and accuracy (such as a kit without a wire axle through the engine). Coulda been a big win in the right scale... Now imagine that the same people who engineered the '53 Ford kit were assigned to do a full-detail 1/25 '73 Grand Am. Too bad we'll never see it. If Lindberg survives, they will probably be happy to just continue pooping out more snapper cop cars and more 1/32 junk.

Got any more of the fastbacks hidden away?

Unfortunately, JoHan only did theirs as a snap kit with a closed hood & no engine, but it seems to be the only game in town if you want to build this car. I know one of our better casters offers the notchback version of this car, but I'm only interested in the fastback.

Wow, looks like someone tried to do their homework on the bus. That's a huge difference in length, even in this scale. I'm not a Mopar expert by any means, but I'm inclined to believe the white piece replicates the 1:1 more closely. Where are all our experts? I thought we'd have this resolved in half a day.

Emmanuel, please check your Intenal Messages (envelope symbol at the top of the page) when you get a chance. Thanks!

Grandpa, it sounds like he only had one lung. Why was it aqua?

This is so nice I expected to see Jeremy Clarkson sitting in it. You certainly do beautiful work, Gaurav. Wecome to our board!

I agree with Mr Boyd on this.

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Wish I could see what Chuck sees...

Indeed. And keep in mind that the body was done with acrylic paint. Great job, Mike!

It won't be long before saying this word will make me look like the ultimate anachronism, so, while I still can...Duuuuude! Incredible work, Rod!

It may not have ended up the color you originally intended to paint it, but I think it worked out in your favor. In addition to making it look like that car just rolled off the assembly line, that icy blue paint just makes it pop! I also love the way you maximize every little detail on these old kits (see firewall). Congratulations on yet another eye-catching build.

Just imagine if Vincent Van Gogh had been alive during the van/CB radio craze of the '70s. I wonder what he'd say if someone asked him if he had his ears on Here are a couple other artist/"van" ideas: Nissan Cube - Picasso version (cubism ) Claude Monet's Brinks truck - I got my mind on my Monet and my Monet on my mind. But seriously, anyone who can duplicate Starry Night that nicely on the side of a model is doing something right. Loved the depiction on the back doors, too!

Did you happen to read the post above yours? Sounds like Vallejo created an improved thinner for these paints. If for some reason you can't get this thinner, you can experiment with water, rubbing alcohol, Windex etc. Grab a pack of white plastic spoons from Wal-Mart and spray away.

I wonder if you could still salvage this by offering to replicate the 1:1 cars he has in his garage.

Craig, can you elaborate on this? What's missing or in need of replacement?