Eric Macleod

Okay...halfway to completion. This is the last iteration of this car before it moves under glass. I will be working to complete the other Dusey racer and perhaps have them done by the end of the weekend with a little luck. I have really appreciated all the support both on and off line with this project.

I decided to go a completely different direction with the hood. The last one was scrapped and I have started to work on a new version. This one looks a LOT better in my opinion and shows off more of the engine. Obviously it need some finish sanding and another coat of paint but I like the look better than the previous effort. I am glad to hear what you think.

You got it for the reason you just identified...Cords are cool looking! That's the same reason I bought a Ford GT40, a model I would normally not be into. It's cool looking.

I do believe model building can be very therapeutic (which is why I engage in it). I also recognize this is a hobby, not a job. I too like to win model contests but typically know exactly why I do not. It is always that desire to just wrap something up, or model builder's ADHD. We get attracted to the allure of the next project (or projects) and off we go. Allow yourself to enjoy the creative process of model building regardless of the outcome of the project and you will never go wrong. If it makes you feel better I have an unfinished Cord L-29 that I started in 1983...which still has not seen light of day. Someday maybe!

These are not the greatest photos but gives you a flavor of the projects to be built and the finished products. I am in awe of all of the rest of you! And like most of you, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I like it. It is definitely my kind of car. What did you find as flaws in the kit?

I just came across this thread. Really excellent work here.

I don't usually admit to this in social forums but yes, I am a board certified PhD Psychologist. We don't salivate over a person who truly suffers from OCD. Us model builders jokingly say we have OCD when it comes to our hobby but I find my patients who struggle with it are so debilitated by it they become essentially non-functional. For your sake I truly hope you do not suffer the profound and all encompassing effects of OCD.

Smoke. I never would have thought of it. You continue to amaze.

I am amazed by the speed you are working. I tend to be much more glacier like.

I am now at a bit of a stopping place with the white car. I have it 95% done but need to redo the hood. I find it is not a satisfactory shape and the maroon plastic keeps bleeding through the paint. So....better primer is needed. Also, I burned through the side of it with my Dremel so I am better off making a new hood. I am fortunate to have spares. In the mean time I am heading toward final assembly of the other car with only a few details to complete before I can complete the assembly. I am very happy with the overall appearance of this one. Conversly, working with old brittle Styrene is a real challenge as I handle the last couple pieces of modification. Here is where I found myself last evening. My fleet of racing Duesenbergs is attached. I think I am going to need an Indy car soon.

I am really enjoying this one. It will be a stunner when complete. Once upon a time I had a TootsieToy version of the D-Type. Even as a diecast lump the D-Type was a stunner. Yours is "just a bit" better. I am enjoying going along for the ride with you.

I have completed most of the final assembly. Remember that little part about test fitting stuff? I did that repeatedly but apparently never with the supercharger in place on the engine. So...the hood wouldn't fit. Well cr#*! So I looked over at the Mormon Meteor sitting there and realized they apparently had the same problem at the factory. Thus a solution presented itself. There actually were three possible and obvious solutions. First, remove the supercharger and glue the hood down. While easy, that solution would have defeated all the work I have been doing for several weeks, so no. Second, leave the hood off completely, which is appealing but I really wanted the hood top on the car for aesthetic reasons. Finally, the solution you see in the following photograph. Please feel free to let me know what you think of this one.

There was a long article about this process in The Classic Car, a publication of the CCCA. At the time a V-16 Fleetwood town car owned by Dick Kuhn (the owner of Lionel Trains) debuted at the Meadow Brook Concours, and it was a stunner. This was sometime in the mid 1990s. Well known Duesenberg expert Brian Joseph had someone working for him who was able to apply the canework. Later, another V 16 town car out of a well known collection in Missouri showed up at the same show but with two tone blue verticle stripping, about 6" wide. Apparently the restorer of that one elected not to attempt the canework. I tried my hand at it with a Johan Cadillac Town Car and really made a mess of it.

I get the ideathat this represents a tremendous amount of work. You have executed it beautifully and the presentation with the art work is top notch. Great, great model.

These are fabulous!

I too would be interested in a resin casting of this one. Are you basing this on the Heller Delehaye kit?

I have a few more details then I think I am ready to move to final assembly. This likely will be the final mockup. Everything seems to fit so the next steps are to assemble the pieces.

I struggle with paint also but have never dealt with the scenario you describe. Purple pond time...bummer.

I couldn't agree more. This will be another masterpiece.

Originally I wanted to use Wimbledon White (which is actually the factory color of my 1:1 Lincoln) but could not find it in a store around here. I decided on a Krylon Antique White which was pretty close. While normally I absolutely hate white on almost any classic automobile, Duesenberg used white on at least one Indianapolis 500 winner and there is a Duesenberg locally owned that is also painted white. I thought that made white with a dark chassis a good choice for this project. Honestly, it feels a little odd to be as creative with colors as I have been as typically when I build a model it is a replica of a specific car. That has also added to the fun of this model project.

I have a few more details then I think I am ready to move to final assembly. It is always funny how an engine (or other parts) look really good by the naked eye but under the magnification of the camera look...well, sort of sloppy. Here is the pre-plumbed engine and the exhaust manifold coming together.

I am a tremendous fan of these cars and your work here is stellar. I would like to learn about how you built the roof for the limo. I read about the T-bord and wagon mix but how about the windows and such?

So the engine is finally on the final stretch. I did a little more work with the manifolds and decided to make some changes to one of my Monell manifolds. I have some sanding, filling and then metalizing detail but I think another evening or two and that will be done. Finally, the engine in the blue chassis is staring to look as I intended; a very powerful looking supercharged engine. In the mean time I plan to add fuel lines and other plumbing to both engines and then I will be off to final assembly. While I had thoughts of adding brake lines and such, I really was after much more of a curbside, so I have already gone a long way past the original goal. Comments are always welcome.

You are definitely the masterwhen it comes to luxurious cars. Well done.