Stock or custom: how would you build?

[MitchP]

While these two kits may not be taken seriously by skilled builders, I picked them up because I love promods and kits that also promote that "over the top" build. The first is the Matt & Debbie Hays Pro Street T-Bird and the second is the Dobbertin J-2000 Pontiac.

I examined them both and while the yellow molding of the J-2000 is passable for refinishing, the pink of the Hayes requires extra work and forces me to wonder why manufacturers can't stick with white, black or even grey!

Anyway, with the exception of a replacement distributor w/boots, perhaps some blue paint for the silicone collars between the all the chrome piping and maybe some wiring if there's any NOS involved. Despite the minimal room under the hood, both engines might accommodate a set of 3 aftermarket cogs & one of those new resizeable cogged blower belts from Teds.

So, how would you build 'em? Straight up? Mildly modified? Or not at all ?

Well, I like 'em anyway! Thanks!

[freakshow12]

I would send them both to me...

[geetee66]

I guess it all depends how much time and money you want to invest in them.

I almost never build stock, because I enjoy the creative challenge...

But some kits are enough of a challenge already, without making things more difficult for yourself.

[superbike-shaun]

They are crying out to be built to the hilt, or you could just build one fully kitted,and the other your best box stock buildup! shaun.s

[MitchP]

Freakshow:

GEETEE66: I too go overboard sometimes, well pretty much all the time with my builds. I need to stop and really study the art of 1:1 instead of buying throttle P/E for instance and guessing and barrel valve connections. I've walked through the Dobbertin parts and the instructions; I'm realizing with the addition of an M.A.D. distributor & wires, some wiring for the battery and maybe a little braided steel fuel line (heck, there's barely any room for the stock parts) the model will be just fine for my expectations,

The Hays has too much bling for me - pink paint, white interior and flocking, P/E touches inside and the sound system just aren't my thing. The B&M shifter and tach, perhaps some guages, a NOS setup and fire system will help fix that. As for under the hood, I'm not sure yet.

Shaun: you hit the nail on the head (sort-of) LOL. The Dobbertin has so much already with twin blowers and turbos; along with some fuel lines to the carbs and what I mentioned above would put that build in a nice upperclass category.

Thanks everyone!