Getting Back Into The Hobby

[Jdurg]

Hello Everyone. I am just getting back into the hobby of building model cars after a 14 year absence. While living at home with my parents in high school, I built a LOT of model cars. I have always loved Corvettes (thanks to my father telling me about them) and build Corvette models exclusively. While in high school, I tried building models of every year of Corvette. I had a large number of them and was proud to have built a model year from 1953 through 1959 by using various kits out there. Back then, it seemed like there were a TON of Corvette models available. Local stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R' Us, etc. stocked tons of kits.

I went off to college and stopped building cars as I was constantly away from home and just couldn't do it. After graduation, all of my supplies had been "disposed" of, and other things took over. About a month ago, I was involved in a car accident and while recovering in my own house, I decided to get back into the hobby. (I own my own house and am on my own now). Building model cars is helping me deal with the PTSD from the accident, and the upcoming lay-off I'm facing at work.

Anyway, I now see that local stores no longer stock model car kits so I have to go to the only hobby shop in my area and buy kits there, or buy them online. (I recently got a 1963 split-window Corvette kit on E-Bay and a 2005 Corvette kit as well for a good price).

I'm mostly done with both of the kits and currently have the bodies on both cars drying after coats of primer and the first color coats. (I use automotive touch-up lacquer paints since they are "harder" than enamel paints and easily available at my local automotive store).

Since I'm getting back into the hobby after a LONG absence, I'm trying to figure out what has changed in the past 14 years. I already know that local stores no longer carry model kits, as well as the fact that there are VERY few Corvette model kits still in production. I'm just curious about what else has changed in the meantime. Any advice or information is greatly appreciated.

[niteowl7710]

My LHS has the following kits in stock...

AMT/Round 2

'55

'09

'10 Convertible

'12

The last 3 are the new tooling "Craftsman" style aka curbside (no engine)

Revell/Monogram

'53

'63 (coupe & convertible -SnapTite)

'68 Convertible

Aerovette Show Car

'99

'01 Z06

'05

'10 ZR-1

Revell also tooled '58 & '59 roadsters which are reasonably easy to find on eBay. There is an all new '62 Vette based on the 58/59 tool coming out later in 2012 (probably late summer/early fall).

You'll also find that getting the old AMT/Ertl era kits of modern Vettes (ZR-1, 50th Anniversary, etc) are easy to find on eBay, just watch the prices, some people are now calling them "VINTAGE", or "RARE & HARD TO FIND", but in reality anything over $10-15 is too much.

[Terry Sumner]

First of all...sorry about your misfortunes. Second.....feel fortunate that you actually have a hobby shop that you can go to. Most of them seem to be closing up shop nowadays...unfortunatley.... And third...welcome back to the hobby. It's alive and well and doing fine in spite of what I just said about the LHS's (local hobby shops) closing down. More stuff available now than ever before especially online. There are a lot more cottage industry small companies making all kinds of stuf for the hobby and a lot of new kits have been released in the past 14 years!

And fourth..welcome to THE best model car forum on the net. Lot's of really good guys here.....

[Dwight55]

Howdy Justin. My two main sources for model kits are my local hobby shops and swap meets. I am fortunate enough to have 2

stores in town here. But you almost answered your own question. Evil-bay and craigslist. The problem with swap meets is the

goods ones are miles away and you can't go to one everytime you want a kit. But when I can get to one, I make up for lost time

by loading up.

[crazyjim]

Welcome back Justin and welcome to the forum. We have some great builders and tons of ideas going back & forth. The best way to see the changes in the hobby are to look at the under glass and WIP sections here. Many new parts and techniques are used nowadays.

[disabled modeler]

Welcome back to the hobby Justin!... Sorry to hear about your injuries...I have those to deal with too and building is a great escape from it all and great therapy. In my area there is no hobby shops to go to...get most of mine from garage sales,second hand stores and trading with others,etc. There have been many changes with the hobby..some good some bad but there starting to bring back many of the good old kits.

[Jdurg]

Thanks everyone. Sorry I haven't responded in a while, but I've been super busy at work. (Had to do some travelling and have finally gotten settled back down). Recently discovered that I have a stress fracture in my right ankle, so much of my time is now spent on the couch. Haha. Might as well read through these forums and the old boxes of Scale Auto Enthusiast and Car Modeler that I found tucked away in my office.

Anyway, I have been able to get some great ideas here in the forums, and did finally get my 2005 Corvette kit finished a few hours ago. The 1963 is painted and 99% completed, but good god that old kit has some horrific fit issues with the chrome bumpers, the body/chassis, etc. Not looking too great, but it was my first kit built in a long, long time so I'm pretty happy with it.

What has me the most happy is the paint job that came out on my 2005 Vette. At first, I wanted to do a Daytona Orange Metallic like it showed on the box, but when I went to my local automotive store their pain supplies were drastically reduced as they are remodeling the place. So I had very limited choices. I ended up settling on Red for the 1963 and metallic blue for the '05. I'll be posting a thread in the Under Glass forum shortly to show it off. Didn't take any in-progress photos, and was forced to take photos with my iPhone so the quality isn't that great, but I think it shows off the paint job well enough.

I did find my way back to Model Car Garage and the offerings from Detail Master. I even picked up the photo-etch detail set for the 1/12 Scale Monogram 1967 kit in case I ever find it for a good price.

But this hobby is like crack. Last night I was able to get an MPC 1/16 1988 Corvette Roadster kit for only $45 including shipping after looking around for a bit. I have always wanted to build a larger scale modern era Corvette, but never could find the kits when I was younger. Seeing this one out there is great as this scale is the same as my 1963 Coupe kit that I have, and now I have the patience back that is needed to build it properly. I'll be taking progress photos of this one as I build it.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone.

[Danno]

Welcome aboard, Justin. And, I'm sure Dr. Cranky and Jethro will greet you soon, too!

- More humor, Jim.

[robertw]

Welcome back to the hobby Justin. It's nice to see someone else on this site with a strong interest in Vettes. As you've noticed the two long time N.American model companies are no long producing Vettes like they did in the hey day of the hobby but there are still lots of those older kits out there and easy to find. Other posters have mentioned Model Round-up & ebay but my favorite is Model Express.net. Use the search engine on Dennis's site, enter Corvette and you'll be amazed how many of the older kist that he has. Obviously some of the early AMT/MPC C2 & C3 kits are pricey but he also has lots of reasonably priced Vette kits.

rob

[Jdurg]

Thanks for the info! I'll certainly go ahead and look into that.

[skmodelcars]

I can't add much that hasn't been said but "Welcome back to modeling!"

[Greg Myers]

Justin have you seen these ? Best Corvette kit ever.

[Greg Myers]

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/am/kit_am_240003.shtml

[Guest fivespot300]

i destroyed right and left shoulders i havent worked a kit in 10 years im trying but their ugy.ill work it out