Fat Brian

So, in the early part of the game you drive in whatever fleet level truck is provided with the load. You can then save up until you can buy your own truck. Then you just pull the trailer that goes with a load. You can also buy your own trailer but it limits the kinds of loads you take to ones compatible with your trailer. The game only comes with modern trucks but classic trucks are available as mods through the steam workshop. The game had a built in mod manager which makes them as painless as possible with a game that updates so often. I typically rock a K100 in game. There are also a few sites that offer mods for sale though I've never gotten one some look quite nice if you want something really unique. Some mod trucks require a pretty beefy computer too, the Mack Superliner comes to mind.

I think I'm going to dust off a previous Cannonball entry. This was my entry in the 2019 Vannonball build but I never really got started on it. This old Revell kit looks like bugger to build with all the opening parts. I'm trying to decide if I want to try to keep all the opening doors or glue them shut to make it an easier build. I'm going to be swapping the engine and transmission to a Porsche unit, I think 75 was the last year of the 2.7 liter engine. There's also a possibility I go mid engine with it but I want to try to keep it air cooled first.

I rescued this one from the Shelf of Doom to get another build completed this year. I built the chassis when this kit first came back out but it went back in the box before any real bodywork started. It's rare for me to build something straight from the box art but I liked the color combo so much I went with it. The paint is Testors Bug Yellow. I haven't used Testors spray paint in years and it was an eye opening experience how difficult it was to use. The suspension is parts from the MPC Bronco monster truck with wheels and tires from the Lindberg Raminator kit. I borrowed the top end of the engine from the 66 Nova prostreet kit and put them on the block from the Luv kit. It's built in the style of an early 80s monster truck when they were more show trucks than racing vehicles.

That Torino kit is very different from the Johan kit, the Johan kit had a basically stock body.

Yes

A package I ordered last week has been taking a little longer than normal. I've ordered from this place in the past and shipping can take as little as two to three days, it's just a quick jaunt from Maryland to Charlotte, North Carolina. It's been about a week since I placed my order and still no package so checked the tracking. My package has been on a tour of the eastern half of the US for the last last week. Starting in Maryland it went to St Louis, then Knoxville, on to Grand Rapids, and is currently sitting in Atlanta and I have no confidence that that will be it's final stop before heading to me.

Fair enough, doesn't hurt to ask.

Before you're done with options for this engine could I suggest a version with billet Pontiac valve covers? About every big power build you see of a Pontiac engine has something similar to these.

There is a set on Cults that can be 3d printed.

I could be down for a 75 or prior build. I think period correct mods would help solidify the vibes.

The traffic AI is sketchy and does some questionable maneuvering. There are also random events like lane closures that can cause you to need to detour. There are also weigh stations you have to be sure to stop at or you will get fines.

How tools are designed has changed over time. These early kits are typically one large piece with sections that can be changed out. Modern tools can be smaller where each parts tree is a separate tool. This seems to be what Revell and Moebius in particular are doing, running smaller tools on modern machines. There is usually only one though.

Absolutely, I don't mind at all. More people playing means they may make it to my side of the country eventually.

Yes, there is much more to do on a minute by minute basis than a flight sim. The loads are also timed so you have to gauge your stops and sleep to make your delivery. Once you arrive at your destination you can either end the trip or park the trailer yourself for more experience. You can also buy garages I most major cities and hire drivers that work for you. One tip is to map the quick save button to your controller and hit it every minute or two so one crazy driver doesn't ruin a load you've carried for 1000 miles.

I play ATS, I use a Playstation 4 controller and it works fine. It has the same kind of relaxing vibes as a flight sim but you have to deal with traffic.

The guts are abou the same in both kits but the Talladega will have the extended nose. If you want a Talladega specifically build the Monogram kit, it's much better.

When trying to repair inaccuracies or add details to a kit falls short, it's not fixed but it is different.

The Revell 70 Torino GT kit with the green car on the box has a set of Cragars and slicks to fit them. The fronts mount a standard width front tire.

While not a fan of the Fauxtina look in general it is about the fastest way I know to get a kit from the box to the shelf. I've only built one other kit this year and needed to get another one on the shelf. I started with the most recent reissue of the Monogram 39 Chevy. A Monogram 78 Corvette donated its engine and suspension to the build. The tunnel ram is from the Monogram 57 Nomad and the wheels are ebay specials.

I've had issues with hot paint leaching through the tape and causing the paint beneath to look very similar to the pic you posted. Spraying in thinner layers can help that sometimes, the solvent evaporates before it has time to penetrate the tape.

You might want to look into a triangular fret dressing file. It's made with smooth edges to be able to rub on a surface without damaging it.

I end up building things I'm not super attached to because the things I want to build I want them to be really good so I'm either waiting on the perfect part or trying to find someone to make the right decals or a dozen other things. So I end up building something just to build something while I plan for the things I really want to be working on.

That looks like a Gretsch Thunderbird, very cool.

Me and Mike have been trying to get our schedules lined to go there for a while but haven't been successful yet.

You're close to me then, I live in Stanley just on the other side of Lincolnton from you.