Webb

VERY realistic! Love the flat tires. How did you do that?

Thanks for the compliments! It was really a fun kit to build because it was "engineered" so well. I can't take any credit for the amount of detail. It's built box stock but the level of detail included is much more than most 1/43rd kits. You can even read the numbers on the "preselector" gear shift! As for the 1st place winner of the Nationals, it was a black stock car, maybe Earnhardt? I guess you never know what the judges are going to look for. Don't get me wrong, It was a very nicely decaled stock car but..... Thanks again, Chris

Built this one about twelve years ago from a Southern Cross kit. It was the Le Mans winner in 1950. It took second place in the small scale class at the IPMS nationals in 2000. Chris

Fantastic! Especially the engine bay and chassis detail. Spot on! Wish I had the patience to detail like that. Chris.

Very nicely done! How do you like the Model Master lacquer? Does it dry fast and polish out like automotive lacquer? Chris

Thanks again Scott. I have one of the 1/16th scale kits that I'm also going to do away the the side pipes. The kit actually comes with "standard" exhaust manifolds and full length exhaust pipes so it should be easy. Chris

Me too. Except I prefer '50s and '60s.

Thanks Andy. Yes, it's FULL of inaccuracies! Most noticable is the tail which should be much "thicker" extending down at least a quarter inch. Also, the windshield is totally the wrong shape. Maybe it was modeled as an early version? I had even contemplated contacting you to see if you had an extra windshield, but figured the odds of it fitting THIS kit were pretty slim. Thanks again. Chris

Thanks guys. These were "technically" not Cobras because Carroll, may he rest in piece, owned the rights to the name Cobra and wouldn't let AC Cars use it. Hence the name "AC289". Chris

Outstanding! Especially the engine compartment. Maybe I should take a fifteen year break to see if mine come out like that. Oh wait, that would make me 70. Probably won't be able to see well enough! Chris

VERY nicely done! Love the engine compartment. Really clean build. Chris

Look's like you NAILED it! Everything from the weathering to the engine to the wheels looks dead on. Great job! Wish I could get weathering down like that. Chris

Hi again. Here's something a little more "mainstream". This was a Baldwin Motion Cobra that I converted into a right hand drive AC289. The AC289, for those who didn't know, were made in England after the 427 Cobras were discontinued. AC cars still had chassis and bodies so they put 289 engines in 427 bodies. In my opinion, the best of both worlds. Beautiful body, bullet proof chassis and much easier to live with 289 engine! These were the only cars that had the 427 body and wire wheels. I built this as a curbside so I wouldn't have to move the steering and make numerous other changes under the hood. I know my limits! The wire wheels are from Model Factory Hiro. Paint is Duplicolor Medium Charcoal. Chris

Thanks Ron. I have one of the Auto Unions myself but have only gotten as far as reading the instructions. I have to get "psyched up" to start another one of these kits. I agree about the metal. I built the '58 and '59/'60 250TR from MFH and they were both much easier to work with.

Thanks all! One of the reasons I wanted to build one of these kits was BECAUSE of the wheels. All I did was shoot them with dullcoat. The louvers were painted with un-thinned flat black enamel. I will brush it on, or "in" as the case may be, and just as it turns flat, gently rub away any excess with the side of a toothpick. It works great as long as the body paint is lacquer. I wouldn't want to try it over enamel. Thanks again, Chris

This was built from an old 1/20 scale kit by Casadio/Revival. These kits are mostly assembled with screws and a few nuts and are almost entirely metal. Very little glue is involved but there is a LOT of test fitting to get everything to line up just right. This kit came with the body pre-painted but it looked like hell so I stripped it and repainted with Duplicolor silver. Chris

Thanks everyone! More pics on the way. Chris

www.abcbrianza.com/ This is the only kit I ever got from them so I don't know much. Some of their built kits look a little "off" as far as body proportions go, and even the Birdcage body isn't quite right. The body on the Aardvark kit is much better, but it doesn't have the photo etch cage.

Thanks George. The cage wasn't all that difficult because I had already built two in 1/43rd scale that had almost the exact same photo etch. It was much easier in the larger scale. I DID have to figure out on my own that the two side "shelves" couldn't be bent down until after the body was on or it wouldn't fit over the cage.

Well, here's another one. This one was built from the ABC Brianza kit. Scratch built the gauge panel and gauges. Added wiring, safety harnesses, racing seat, and hood hold down straps. Paint is Duplicolor yellow with Caymen green metallic stripe. When ya'll get tired of me posting pics let me know. Chris

Thanks guys! Means a LOT coming from such a talented group.

Thanks Doc and Mike. I'm afraid I was a little too old for Speed Racer when it was popular so I don't get the reference to "Snake Oiler's car but I hope it was cool! I've always been a big fan of Birdcages but there aren't many kits out there.

Thanks Ray. The basic kit isn't that tough but routing the wiring through the "cage" was a little interesting. Appreciate it Steve.

Built this one a few years ago from an SHMR kit. Added all the wiring, dual coils, gauge bodies and safety harnesses.

One word. PERFECT!