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I've been to every Speedweek since '03 (even the rainouts!!). I love the show cars in attendance (Speed Demon, Stupidbaker, Blowfish, etc.) but I have a real soft spot for the beaters which are the inspiration for this, my latest project.

This was built over 20 years ago. A 1949 Merc ready for the strip. Thanks for looking

I know a lot of you guys will have built either this, or the chopped version, so you'll know how nice this kit goes together. Anyone who's wondering if they should build one; Do yourself a favour and buy this kit. I've been used to old kits and re-pops of old kits, where the tooling is dodgy. But this is like a Tamiya kit in its engineering and moulding. The decals are also some of the best I've ever used. That said, the review in ModelCars Mag, proved to be very useful, especially when highlighting symmetry issues on the front end. All of the following photos are from my phone, so please excuse the quality. Body issues dealt with. Rattle-can primer. One of my favourite parts of building a kit, is the engine. I added a rudimentary attempt at a fuel system (it looks ok to the naked eye). I made the fuel filter from clear sprue, tinted with a yellow and silver Sharpie. I drilled out the kit distributor and added plug wires. The coil was about to be added after this photo I decided to make the Woody more 'surf'. So I gave it hibiscus upholstery . Here's the rear seats too The engine got some wires to the alternator and a basic throttle linkage. These Caddy engines are nice to detail.

...on my list of projects is accumulating, or building, a model of the major cars in my all-time favorite car movie, American Graffiti. I have acquired some (okay they are d** c**t but they are 1:25 scale). I scored a tough one recently, the Hendrix resin of a chopped '51 Merc to do the Pharaoh's '51 Merc. Yes, many folks think the Pharaoh's car is one of the ugliest sleds ever (I agree) but I gotta do it. The question is, what are the wheel covers and does any kit or caster have them available in 1:25? They look sorta like 53-55 Olds but have that funky 'waffle-weave' or ventilated painted center. Anyone? Thanks,

Please excuse me if you've seen this one here before. I had a search for it here and couldn't find it, so I reckoned as I've been sharing all my other builds with you, it'd be a shame to omit this one. Anyone who has built this will know what a lovely kit it is. Anyone who hasn't built it...do yourself a favour and get one! The paint is custom mixed 3K (I think..) and has about 8 coats of clear, wet sanded and polished for ages. Thanks for looking