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July 4th Build Off! - finish them yet?


Jantrix

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MeyersManxbox-vi.jpg

I'm kinda sorta thinking of building this one. I've always wanted one for my shelf as well as in my garage... so I think I'll build one to the way I'd want a 1:1 to be. I will even go with the chrome engine theme of the kit. I may not even wire it, depending on how visible the engine is in the finished model.

I bought this kit out at the GSL in Utah for $10. The seller had swiped out the cardboard hamburger joint, no worries for me. Trivia- AMT used Don Emmons actual Manx as the car they measured. I did buy the kit to have Don sign the box for me, but every time I saw him I either had left the kit in my hotel room, or neither of us had a pen. So it never got signed. Oh well, next GSL!

And on to the build!

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Okay here's the kit and the plan. A Monogram '57 Hardtop. The plan is to lower it on wide whites and Chevy slotted mags. Keeping the small block but going with a single 4 barrel intake. Black over green two tone. Gonna take the color combo into the interior like the 1:1 versions. It's going to be all flat paints, with a slightly weathered patina. Gonna de-chrome all the bumpers because there's some issues with the parts that need to be cleaned up and I'll paint them a bright silver, which will fit the theme. Add some hot rod pin striping and decals and we'll be good.

This kit was given to me by my wife's cousin who is a very special fellow that I love a lot. He seems a little disappointed when he comes over and the kit is still on my shelf. So I'm going to build it up in my style and I'm sure he'll like it. The bench is all cleared off and I can't wait to start. B)

176428-12155_zpshgmibg9y.jpg

Edited by Jantrix
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Wow! Tough kit, Tom. I thought of that one, but I decided to go with Revell's Del Rio. I would have started another Ford Truck (The '69) but it looks like I was just beaten to it. This way, I'll still be doing a little bit of test piloting on the Del Rio, as I haven't seen one built other than the test shot. Rangers, Blazers, Manxes... This is going to be fun.

I'm doing a mild street machine, as I can paint it any colors I want to. I just need to find a good set of photographs of the back end of a two tone model, so I can get the color separation lines in the right place. Of course, I can paint it any way I want to. I have seen customs with the tailgate in both the upper color, and the lower color. I have a few sets of tires and wheels standing by, and some rod and tubing to fabricate mounts as necessary. I will get the car mocked up and primed, then make the final decision on wheels. This kit has a lot of parts, so I am going to have to move, but it should fall together pretty easily. I figure with the modern fit, the larger number of parts shouldn't kill me. It might not be a good choice for a 24 hour build, but the two extra days should let me get it done. I know the '57 Customs go together pretty well. I don't see any real hangups in this kit, so I am just going to go for it. The cool factor will be worth the added hassle.

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I'm debating entering with a 37 Ford panel.I say debating because I mentioned it to my wife this morning and she said, and I quote:

"Sounds like a good waste of time."

So, I say count me in!

I'm thinking a minimally modified lowered suspension from the 32 Ford, painted flat olive green with gloss black fenders and modernized artillery wheels.

Later-

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Just for grins here's a list of thoughts on building quickly.

1. Test fit everything you can before starting the build, body, glass, interior, chassis. Any fitment issues, try a different kit.

2. Do a kit you have some experience with.

3. Great opportunity to do a nice shelf model of something with a simplified chassis.

4. Forget the engine. Glue the hood shut and paint. Very useful idea if you've already pirated the engine for another build.

5. Flat or semigloss enamels. Model Master & Testor lacquers, automotive paints like Duplicolor or Plasticote. Very quick drying.

6. Weathering/patina. Makes a perfect paint job a non-necessity.

7. Low parts count kits.

8. Avoid engine swaps. I do them on near every build, but they are usually a serious time sink.

9. Avoid body work that requires filler.

10. Avoid opening/hinged doors/trunk. That one bit me in the butt on the '56 Ford on the 24hr build off. I ended up gluing them shut and then had final assembly fitment issues.

11. Plan ahead, as many details as possible.

12. Primer paint job.

13. Have fresh BMF on hand. If yours is too old, adhesive issues will complicate things.

14. Don't overdo the detailing.

That's about all I can think of. #11 is probably the most important. See you tomorrow morning. Post up as often as you can.

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My Mother went to the hospital today. She is okay, but she might stay overnight. Either way, it will eat into my time this weekend. I may switch to a much simpler kit. I have a few Monograms around. I will try something without two tone paint. If I can, I will still do this build.

I will let you all know what I am building when I get home tonight.

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Just for grins here's a list of thoughts on building quickly.

1. Test fit everything you can before starting the build, body, glass, interior, chassis. Any fitment issues, try a different kit.

2. Do a kit you have some experience with.

3. Great opportunity to do a nice shelf model of something with a simplified chassis.

4. Forget the engine. Glue the hood shut and paint. Very useful idea if you've already pirated the engine for another build.

5. Flat or semigloss enamels. Model Master & Testor lacquers, automotive paints like Duplicolor or Plasticote. Very quick drying.

6. Weathering/patina. Makes a perfect paint job a non-necessity.

7. Low parts count kits.

8. Avoid engine swaps. I do them on near every build, but they are usually a serious time sink.

9. Avoid body work that requires filler.

10. Avoid opening/hinged doors/trunk. That one bit me in the butt on the '56 Ford on the 24hr build off. I ended up gluing them shut and then had final assembly fitment issues.

11. Plan ahead, as many details as possible.

12. Primer paint job.

13. Have fresh BMF on hand. If yours is too old, adhesive issues will complicate things.

14. Don't overdo the detailing.

That's about all I can think of. #11 is probably the most important. See you tomorrow morning. Post up as often as you can.

Bingo! And from my experience with the 24 hour builds...

15. Choose a kit that is expendable. That allows you to build like a fifth grader without worrying that it's a $100 kit.

16. Choose a kit that you have multiples of. Screw up a part or assembly? Don't waste time fixing it, grab parts from a second kit and keep moving

17. Work systematically -- remove all parts from trees and prep at one time. Immediately put parts into color piles so you can paint everything in one sitting.

18. Don't think you are scratch building anything! That's been the fail of some of the guys on the 24 hour build.

19. Don't take it all that seriously... build like a kid (okay a big kid) and have fun!

20. Record the event. Post pictures, starting with the kit box, then the pile of parts, and steps along the way. Post as you go. That's part of the fun, and the responses will keep you going.

20. And if you don't finish... so what? As long as you've had fun, you are a richer man!

I will be working on the Meyers Manx. I won't get much done on Friday because we are having friends over for a cook out on my new grill. My wife is doing well since her operation and this will be the first company we've had since! Much more important than a silly model.

Good luck, have fun!

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Ok. It's official. My wife agreed to keep herself entertained for most of the weekend while I do this. It helps that I took her out tonight. We went record shopping and then to dinner. I also allowed her to pick out what kit I would build out of a select few that I knew would fit the criteria. So, here is what she picked out.

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Now yo figure out the paint color and some tires and wheels (I raided them years ago).

Later-

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I got mine all washed last night and this morning I have gotten my walk in and am ready to get after it. I have a few of the smaller pieces glued together in prep for paint. I'm excited.

20150703_071838.jpg

My one major hang up is going to be that my wife requested that I paint it in MM Sublime Green Enamel.

Here we go!

Later-

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You're off to a good start there Bruce.

I've been thinking about joining in with this since it was announced. I have built a couple of curbside kits in 24 hours before so I've decided to give it a go. I'll be bringing some classic Mopar muscle to the table in the shape of a Monogram Road Runner.

DSCF6751%20640x480_zpsogue9h9n.jpgDSCF6752%20640x480_zpsjm1i42zr.jpg

I don't know how far I'll get with it in a weekend but it'll be interesting to find out.

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