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The other problem which occurs is when model companies use information provided by the manufacturer. In many cases, the photos provided represent 'pre-production' vehicles, which may have different trim or interior patterns than the regular production vehicles. In many cases, manufacturers also make specification changes throughout the year, so a model tooled from a factory-stock vehicle may represent an equipment specification only offered for a small period of time. For model companies, it's a tough call on how much research needs to be undertaken to achieve a 'perfect' car or bike model (for recent examples, check the thread on Revell's '71 Mustang...)

Hi Tim, all it said was 'product unavailable for shipping', so I don't know what the situation is with Amazon Canada. I know that the book is listed as unavailable through Chapters/Indigo stores (our version of Barnes & Noble), so maybe it's a Canadian thing??‍♂️

I just received the notification from amazon.ca that my order has been cancelled, and money refunded. Guess I will have to go elsewhere for my copy.

We are getting older, it is true, but we have nothing on train guys. I overheard a conversation at my LHS two years ago, between the owner (who died last year at the age of 86), and some of is train customers. The customers, who were in their early to mid-90s, were calling the owner 'youngster', and commenting "I remember you selling at the 1949 train show, you had (obscure piece of RR equipment for sale)...". This group probably could have told you where they were and what they were doing when Kennedy, McKinley AND Lincoln were shot!!!

The easiest way I have found to get rid of the 'graininess' is to scrub the part with a toothbrush and regular toothpaste, rinse, wash with dish soap, dry, and shoot your colour coats. Takes the rough surface away, but leaves enough 'tooth' for the paint to grip. Hope this helps!

I have the Diablo kit in my stash to build a copy of the GMC Caballero my Dad drove as his work truck for three years. V6/3 on the floor. I grabbed a bench seat interior out of an '82 Elco kit back when they weren't that expensive, so I have all the needed bits!.

When I use Tamiya lacquer for painting roll cages, I prefer to prime the parts (so I can see the parting lines I missed), and then shoot with the final colour coats.

I build aircraft as well, so I do see the need for magazines. However, I find the information in FSM to be less detailed than I can find in magazines like Scale Aviation Modeller International or Model Airplane International. I want to still have a magazine dedicated to automotive subjects available to purchase at my hobby shop.

Jim Haught: Kalmbach's answer to John Dianna. Mind you, the current high foreheads at TEN have made Dianna look like a paragon of managerial restraint. I am saddened to see SA go down the way it did. I thought Tim Kidwell was doing a good job at bringing the magazine back to relevance. Unfortunately, Scale Auto was never a really good fit in the Kalmbach world of modelling generalists and geriatric train lovers.

it's like the joke: What is the difference between a BMW and a porcupine? Unfortunately, there are a number of BMW drivers who are...shall we say...overly aggressive and assertive! As the owner of a BMW motorcycle, I am glad that the styling departments have not been cross-pollinating.

Love the camper, but why did the builder have to leave those ejector pin marks on the inner doors??‍♂️

There are two manufacturers out there with a Honda S600/800. There is the one pictured here, which started life as a Nitto kit, IIRC. It came in a series with a Toyota S800 and a Nissan Fairlady roadster. You could even get them with a bodyshell molded in clear plastic. Fujimi now sells these kits. Tamiya also does a S600/800, which was first introduced in the mid-1990s. Detail is much better, and there is also a racing version (with removable hardtop) available.

You must have been reading my mind, Peter. Your post showed up while I was typing! I know that Jim at DRB has Tim's Musclecar book in stock, so if I don't hear anything soon, I'll probably order the new book from him.

We would have to pay the conversion fees and the shipping, probably wouldn't get charged by Customs for duties. All part of the joys of being a hobbyist in a smaller market. If amazon doesn't get it in stock in the next couple of weeks, I will contact my source for car books and see if he can source one for me.

There was one many years ago, think it was from All American Models. The easiest part of the conversion are the wheels-nearly all AMT '32 Ford kits come with the '35 Ford wire wheels.

I'm in the same situation with amazon.ca. Chapters/Indigo doesn't even list it as available for ordering, so who knows when we will see this book in our mailboxes.

If you need a slightly larger flathead six, look at the ones in the Moebius Hudson kits. Combining that with bits from the Chris-Craft and Plymouth kits may get you close.

Great job on the build, should get back to my WIP!

The only way it could be done with just a body, trim, and interior change is if a manufacturer converted a Chevrolet into the same year Canadian Pontiac. Right wheelbase, right engine, but would you have the interest from the US market for such a beast?

I believe a '57 Oldsmobile would do quite well in the model world. Stock, custom, drag, and stock car (the '57 was Richard Petty's first Cup ride). Some of the other cars would also be fine additions to the hobby. It just depends on how many different variations a manufacturer can offer to make the project viable.

I wouldn't mind having a new kit of the Elan to make Mrs. Peel's ride. While we're at it, a kit of Steed's Bentley would be nice to have. While we're at it, I really want a model of Crowley's Bentley from Good Omens. Great book and TV series, and the car just looks right!

Picked up a kit and some supplies today.

Received my parts in the mail today, look pretty good! Thanks again for the recommendations.

It comes down to getting more 'life' out of a show car, back in the day. Some changes were to modernize the car, such as Ed Roth changing the engine in the Tweedy Pie to a SBC, and other changes were for the sake of change (pretty much everything George Barris did after Sam's death). Very few, if any, cars were 'improved' by such actions. The L'il Coffin looked good in both the Stuckey and Starbird versions. The later mod was fugly beyond belief.

The Lada and Lada Niva were popular in Canada in the late 1970's and early 1980's, due to their standard features and cheap price. Haven't seen any in my area recently, though I did see a couple of sedans in Toronto a couple of years ago.