Not a review per se...

[MitchP]

Just wanted to post how fortunate I am despite this "We don't get fooled again" economy we're stuck with (love The Who). I'm 90% done with my extremely customized AMT '66 Nova and will post pics. Despite great advice from Cruz and others, it's got some orange peel but I think I know why and will improve. It benefitted greatly from a Revell donor '55 Chevy top sportsman pro mod and some Ebay and Comp Resin parts.

The amazing thing is the number of kits I was able to acquire before my wife went berserk and called a halt to my purchases. So, I'm just assigning them to future events like Christmas, birthday, Father's day, etc. The batting order will be: Revell Shoebox Ford top sportsman, Revell '55 Streetburner top sportsman (hopefully to have a Ross Gibson blown RGE605 shoehorned between the framerails), a new Chi-Town Hustler which I may build or keep boxed for a while until my skills can do it justice and a Candies & Hughes from Polar Lights I just acquired yesterday. Nothing else will be coming in as I'm sure the cost of paint and other prep items will add up, but I'm happy as a clam right now.

Just to make the thread a review of sorts, I will say the AMT Nova lends itself easily to mods (I've seen one in MCM that just the body appears to have been grafted entirely onto the '55 Chevy T/S), but has a MAJOR flaw in that it's molded in a horrid shade of blue. It appears to have been designed for a novice with only glue and white/black paint from the pics on the box. The 327's breathers don't fit well into the valve covers IMO as there's little notching or room to clear off the chrome plating from the cover to ensure good adhesion. The carbs aren't a high quality molding as there are no barrels, just another tiny peg in the center to attach either the stacks or the air cleaners. I had to sand the tops and add the barrels myself with a dremel to look authentic. If you need touching up or want a different look, I used 2 Sharpies, one gold and one brass to touch up the carbs and the match is one on one with Testors paint!

Anyway, I hope to have some pics posted soon; a couple of the completed chassis/tubs/motor/ wheels, some of the interior drivers compartment and then the assembled car. It's my 2nd altogether and 1st of any real consequence since seriously taking up modeling; the 1st was the JJ F/C Vega which is NOT replicated of the true original due to decal issues, my poor 1st attempt at painting and glue residue on the windshield. This required an adhoc shoe polish forgery of qualification markings LOL. Just for a laugh, it did win a 1st place blue ribbon at our county fair last week

Sorry for the novel; hope it had a few laughs!

[Dragfreak]

Some pictures would be great! Looking forward to seeing your other projects to as I'm a huge drag racing fan.

[cobraman]

What he said.

[MitchP]

Wow, this has been forever. I now know that most here post seriously often when "on the workbenck"; rather, I have pics of coming to a close after a long and enjoyable build and much amatuer detailing followed by a horribly tedious learning experience at painting. However, all has ended well with a decent paint job, much learned about different paints and the discovery of Pledge and Holloway household vinyl clearing products. So here it is, readying for some additional decals and final assembly. I tried to get the headlights too, but my camera is really cheap. I picked up some decals from a Revell pro mod '55 chevy and trimmed them to fit the headlight buckets, then used clear windshield glue to fasten the round, clear plastic headlights. Comments are welcome!

Chassis with tubs, interior and engine. Sorry for the poor focus.

Bottom and shaved slicks

More detail on chassis and engine.

Choice of hoods

Body with BMF and silver Sharpie detail

Hopefully this angle shows the paint and clear better

Criticism is welcome, but please be a little kind LOL. It's my 1st real model in 45 years and the fuel system, cage and NOS/battery pack in the backseat area are all home made. Hopefull I'll be able to afford to use RB Motion fittings and Teds fuel lines soon!

[DSHWoodworks]

Nice job!! Only thing I would do is next time sand off the trademark. Paint and BMF look good!! Its funny seeing your build since I just picked up the Nova and the 55 Pro Sportsman at the show this weekend. I was thinking kind of the same way you are. Keep up the good work!!!

[MitchP]

Thanks! I've got a Revell in the wings too, the same '55!

[1930fordpickup]

Looks good.

[MitchP]

Thanks Andy!

[MitchP]

Here's a couple more pics which show the closing details. The wing bums me out as I didn't line it up very well. I do like the way the headlight decals turned out behind the clear plastic and I added some more BMF to the rear window opening on the bottom to fill it out.

[MitchP]

Gonna go outside if the weather improves here in VA and finally take pics of the completed build. After looking at Tyrones work this morning and some others I've been following, I'm almost ashamed. Yea, it's my 1st in almost 45 years, but it leaves a lot to be desired. The BMF on the rear window is coming off and a Sharpie is going on before anything!

I'm on another project now, an '86 Monogram Glidden Motorcraft p/s. It's going to be MUCH better and to the point, a true drag car and not a muscle car gone mad. I'll post some pics of the box, body in primer and my progress so far with the stock chassis build and some simple wiring upgrades for the MSD 6AL and the line-loc.

Real fuel lines and fittings this time, along with fuel block, MSD coil box and M.A.D. detailed distributor!

Edited October 16, 2013 by MitchP