Motor trend super models

[Brian Austin]

From:   https://www.motortrend.com/news/super-models-show-steve-magnante/

 

The first season of Steve Magnante's Super Models is four episodes long. In Episode 1, titled "Factory-Backed Street Racing in a '67 GTX," Magnante demonstrates the procedure for creating a scale-model replica of the Jimmy Addison Silver Bullet Plymouth GTX. The remaining episodes highlight an altered-wheelbase 1967 Chevelle SS, the Dodge Little Red Wagon wheelstander, and a 1968 Hemi Charger.

We wondered how those specific models were chosen. "We needed to choose models that actually exist and are currently available," Magnante explained, "not only so that we could get a bunch of them to use for the show, but so that people watching would be able to find these models, as well. From there the question became, 'What can we do with the kit to make it more interesting than just building it out of the box?' In the case of the Jimmy Addison GTX, I knew that Revell has a wonderful model kit of the Sox & Martin 1967 GTX, and I knew that my parts box was full of parts."

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One thing that struck me watching the episode was that it appeared to have been filmed at Steve's home, without a large TV crew.  So it seemed to be a relatively easy show to produce during the current situation.  Actually, it kind of reminded me of some of the YouTube channels I'd discovered during the past year or so, as their hosts were either building things or cleaning up old toy trains they found in their attic during the lockdown.

[sfhess]

I was reminded of this guy...

[Daddyfink]

I have the MT app and have seen all four episodes and I did find it entertaining and informative. It might not be the biggest voice for Model Car builders, but, it is one of the few out there. And I appreciate that MT and Steve are doing it. 

This show is more of a love letter to the hobby and than a full on how to. Shows someone enjoying building something interesting, like we should, and you get some cool info with it. Not a bad deal. 

Who knows, maybe I'll mail him a vintage kit for his hacking pleasure! LOL! 

 

 

[Snake45]

13 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

Who knows, maybe I'll mail him a vintage kit for his hacking pleasure! LOL! 

I have two of those already pre-hacked. I'm trying to figure out how to un-hack them. 

[NOBLNG]

15 hours ago, Daddyfink said:

 

You can send that to me if you want. That was my very first car when I was 16. It had a straight 6 and auto. I paid $400 bucks for it.?

[webestang]

Just watched the show on the hack job Folk art....LOVED IT......!!!! Being in an apartment right now and can't really paint too much I want to hack away at some kits and build Drag Folk Art. 

[espo]

I hadn't seen his model show on TV until last night. He did an altered wheel base build using a Revell Chevelle SS396. He moved fast thru the build but explained how and what he was doing and it was easy to follow. Anyone considering such a build and wasn't sure on how to go about it might want to look at his show as he does a good job of showing how he does it. I will look at what he does next week just to get an idea of his work. 

[Jon Haigwood]

I just watched episode 2 "hack and glue" . Interesting and a bit (just a bit) informative. But it was ok for what it was supposed to be, "Folk Art". I did realize it maybe able to encourage young and new modelers to the hobby by showing that it is Ok to accomplish a build without being over ambitious. (kind of like most of us when we were 9. He did do a lot a kit bashing for parts , kind of made me cringe until I realized I had just been looking thru a Ala Kart kit for parts. I would like to know how the inward exhaust is going to work out with the engines side by side ?

[Joe Handley]

His builds did seem a bit “dumbed down”, but it may be geared more towards beginners as it did show some basics as well as basic body mods and kit bashing.

[Brian Austin]

I think he's going for a general audience.

[BlackSheep214]

Last night, I stumbled on a show called Steve Magnante’s Super Models. He recreates models with accurate parts using model parts of different auto kits. Just finished watching an episode where recreated Jimmy Allison’s ‘68 GTX Silver Bullet. Wow! The episode I happened to stumble upon (I missed the first 15 minutes) he was recreating an accurate Little Red Wagon.

So, I immediately DVRed future episodes of his show. So... look in MotorTrend Channel on Friday nights and DVR it.

[BlackSheep214]

By the way... he never bothered to paint the Little Red Wagon body. Makes no sense even though it was molded in red. Geez.... put a little more effort into it. And for the love of God, apply the decals last. LOL!

[vintagerpm]

My wife made the comment that he builds BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH models.

I do have to say, I don't understand going through the all the effort to "Accurize" a model, but then have the poor fit and finish he does. I'm nt asking for Best In Show quality, just a clean build.

 

[vintagerpm]

1 minute ago, vintagerpm said:

My wife made the comment that he builds BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH models.

I do have to say, I don't understand going through the all the effort to "Accurize" a model, but then have the poor fit and finish he does. I'm nt asking for Best In Show quality, just a clean build.

 

Really? "BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH"? I didn't type any word that you wouldn't hear on any TV sitcom.

Edited August 28, 2021 by vintagerpm

[BlackSheep214]

1 minute ago, vintagerpm said:

Really? "BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH"? I didn't type any word that you wouldn't hear on any TV sitcom.

I hear ya. The mods will do that even if it’s an innocent phrase in place of the actual swear words. I don’t get it. We’re all ADULTS here. Don’t kid yourselves that we get offended by a swear word. We’ve all heard worse in our lives in real life. Not to start up but geez.... get over the power trip of editing simple slang words. No one really gets offended by them anymore. Ridiculous, petty and childish to replace it with “BLAH-BLAH-BLAH-BLAH” Just telling’ it like the truth...

[Jon Haigwood]

He seems to build models in the same fashion as they build 1:1 cars on RoadKill  .Throw them together. 

[keyser]

 

[cobraman]

I have seen the first 3 episodes. I heard there would only be 4. The models he builds for the show are not the same as the builds he does for serious builds. These are fast and fun builds. You need to see episode 2 if you have not. Body mods without any primer or paint. Not the way folks here would build but I still find the show interesting .

[keyser]

Uses parts from uncommon kits, Johan Turbine car and Roadrunner? Yeah. I’m cool with cutting them up if you have one but level this is aimed at is goofy. And $$$

[espo]

I think he is trying to show the hows and ways of doing different styles of builds. They are quick and dirty but do show how easily changes can be made. 

[stitchdup]

I dont have a problem with him cutting up kits, he owns them so its up to him. Just the fact he's got a show about models is something to celebrate and it could very well bring more people into the hobby which can only be a good thing. Does it really matter what he builds if it inspires someone else to build? Its not like hes going into our stashes and using our kits, and detailed builds just wouldn't fit into one show so it could get kinda boring to the target audience which isn't us. I'm looking forward to seeing the show if it ever gets shown on this side of the pond

[mchook]

I like it for the fact that it might get more people involved in the hobby. I thinks he's trying to make it simple and to have fun building so eventually you'll want to do more detail on your kits. I don't think many would watch if he spent the whole half hour sanding a kit for paint, and we ALL spend a lot of time doing that. Hopefully as the show goes on he'll dive into more detailed work. Just my 2 cents.

[Richard Bartrop]

I fondly remember Adventures in Scale Modeling, and they had some good tips.  One I remember particularly was using dry transfer lettering as a mask for painting.   Mind you, I'm not even sure you can get that stuff anymore.

[Snake45]

I just downloaded the MT GO ap onto TLMS's IPad. Apparently this show isn't available through that. 

My cable company doesn't offer Motor Trend TV. 

I'm not paying good US dollars to watch the thing. 

[keyser]

Point about cutting up old kits is that a new builder won’t have stash to rob.
Could have robbed current kits so noobs or just guys without Johans to cannibalize could follow. 
Sell more kits too

Doesn’t make sense for audience or quick and dirty unpainted build. 

Snake don’t bother. Barely worth my time   Certainly not worth money. 

Edited August 28, 2021 by keyser