Put it on the lift! I need photos!

[Jon Cole]

The internet has everything! Well… not quite. Or at least, not easy to locate. For an OCD like me, trying to accurately figure out where everything on the chassis goes, is an exercise in frustration. Same goes for all that engine bay plumbing & wiring. I wasn’t one of those guys with a yard full of old cars in my youth. To this day, I still have a hard time trying to run gas lines, brake lines, e-brake lines, locate the master cylinder, front steering linkage, etc. on my models.

Same thing goes for guessing accurate colors.

The 1:1 cars are out there. We photograph them at shows. Now if we could just find a way to get it up on a lift. Let us under there with a camera!

Some cars were built in large quantities, and combined with their popularity; there are enough survivors out there that restored versions show up on E-Bay and other web sites. But this Hudson I am building, well, E-Bay isn’t much help for clean chassis shots! And that front steering linkage looks wonky in the middle! I need assurance… I need pics!

So there you have it. If you own a '53 Hornet, want to lift and click for us?

What other cars could we use some "hobby reference" photos of?

[sjordan2]

Would Moebius have this kind of reference for the Hornet?

PS: Far be it from me to suggest something to one of the forum's most experienced members, but wouldn't it be better to put something about the Hornet in your thread title?

Edited March 3, 2012 by sjordan2

[Jon Cole]

Well, if it was just about the Hudson, I probably would have. But I was thinking more of starting a conversation about cars we have a hard time finding the details we need. More of a "reference" thing as I see it.

Thanks for responding Skip!

[sjordan2]

Hey, I'd go straight to the most authoritative source I could find. You'd be amazed who will help you. I got one of the world's most accomplished Mercedes photographers to post extra images on his website for my reference for a 1/16 SS, I found superb reference from Rolls owners, and recently I got major help from one of few surviving witnesses to the restoration of one of the world's rarest classic Mercedes. The worst that can happen is no response.

One source I recommend is the Antique Automobile Club of America, aaca.org

[Foxer]

I think Skip has it. I have a '51 Plymouth engine I'm working that I was looking for close up details of a few parts that I couldn't find on the web. I found a site of people owning '50 Plymouths and posted on their forum asking for photos of the specific items. One owner went out and got detail shots of everything I asked for. priceless! All these owners are proud of their cars and happy to share.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Foxer

[Mercman]

Check your local public library for Chilton Auto repair manuals. Look for the year you want and check them out for reference shots. I did this with Mercs Fords engines of different saorrts, and more. A quick trip to the Xerox machine, and you have a print of all the info you'll need. They usually have these books in the reference area.

[charlie8575]

If you go to New England Chapter, Hudson-Essex-Terreplane Owners Club, and ask, they'll get you some pictures, Jon. They're great people.

Charlie Larkin

[trogdor]

For my Wildcat I'm building, I was able to get pictures of everything just by e-mailing the museum where it is kept. It may take a few e-mails or phone calls but you'd be surprised what people will help you with if you just ask. For the record the worst people I dealt with were from the GM Heritage center . All I got from them were readily available internet publicity shots along with a legal letter telling me I'd be drawn and quartered for misuse of their photos

[Jon Cole]

Lots of good things here that I wouldn't normally consider. Thanks all.