Message Index

• Just finished building a 1971 Dodge Demon. The kits body is great, the interior is OK, but in my opinion, the engine and chassis and suspension are very generic. Toy like. ....... *PICS* .....
  • Looks pretty good! I kinda like it without the stripes too. It's an old MPC kit, I think. Never known for great engines or chassis. *NM*
  • Diggin that! *NM*
  • I would hit that engine compartment with some black wash. You dont have to grime it up but it will look more like a real engine, thats if i was building it , you do you. *NM*
• My Firebird Friday on Sunday; thx to all who posted your Firebirds...some very cool models you all have...TIM oru Fieerb *LINK* *PIC*
  • That '68 is simply perfect! *NM*
  • I really likea them.... great builds. *NM*
• My 7 year old great-nephew wants a model for his birthday. I probably won't be able to help him, and I know his dad/mom probaly won't be much help either. Who makes the easiest to build "snap" kits? Something molded in colors so no painting too. Thanks. *NM*
  • The old Monogram 1/32s fall together, and the Revell 1/25s are good (the wheel/axles may take a bit of adult TLC to press and not break) *NM*
  • Revell has what they call the easy click system line, I have the 2018 Mustang GT. Molded in orange and black. Only eighteen parts.I dont have a picture as its unbuilt and I am going to paint it. Only 18 parts. Do a search.I wont post a link to Revell site here. *NM*
• I completely forgot that I have 2 Firebirds. Both are painted in authentic factory colors. ........ *PICS* ........
• My tribute to Jim Keeler. Purchased by me in 1969...BOXART INSIDE...
• Sunday Seagraves
  • Magnificent X 5! *NM*
• A bit late but now I have a few minuts here's my Firebirds for Friday , , , , [PICS]
  • Who did those honeycombs on the blue TA? Must. Have!!! *NM*
    • Aren't those "snowflakes"? *NM*
    • Sorry Bob, one offs I did myself. But they're just kit snowflakes in a larger rim I cast a bunch of and had plated. Pretty easy to do. *NM*
  • Is the 2nd Firebird a relics of your 1:1? Will you be putting a Firebird on the hood? *PIC*
    • Was supposed to be but the touchup paint I bought turned out much darker then the car did. Was going to do the hood bird but I ruined the one that came in the kit and they're about $300 CDN with shipping so??? *NM*
  • Great builds, all are beautiful. What brand and color paint is on the last Trans Am please? *NM*
    • Sorry Scott, don't really know. . . It's some automotive paint Steve-O brought me over 15 years ago. Box of leftover touchup bottles. Could be anything I'm afraid. *NM* *PIC*
• , Sunday, Sunday!! *PICS*
  • Hmmm...what happened to my other Sunday?? *NM*
    • Probably lost it during the time change. LOL *NM*
  • .......Sunday...... *PIC*
  • Sunday!!! Sunday!!! SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! *PICS**
    • Yay! *NM*
  • Sunday!...pics
    • Digging that AMX! *NM*
  • I think that I understand Sunday Sunday Sunday !! Do these count ? .......... *PICS* ......
    • Oh heck yeah.... Those are perfect for the Sunday, Sunday, Sunday theme!!!! *NM*
• Another on the shelf -- 1970 Buick Wildcat
  • Those wheels and that paint are a real wake up call for that big Buick. Nice job. *NM*
• Marty, what happened to Friday night randomness? Missed it last night..Hope all is well with you and family.. *NM*
  • Cindy is doing much better, but things have been crazy busy, what with doctor visits, physical and occupational therapy appointments and just general life stuff... I simply didn't have the time to sit down and go through pictures....
• I'm not very happy with the 1971 Demon kit in a few ways. In particular, the decals. The decals are so thick, that you see the clear decal film on the edges of the decals. Clear coat doesn't help. Look at the edges of this stripe and the Demon decal. ....... *PIC* ....
  • I see what you mean, Scott. I'd be hot too after all that work. I've not had that happen, so I can't offer a fix. *NM*
  • Geez, better take all those back that I bought. *NM*
  • With body graphics especially, I've taken to trimming them regardless of how good a job the manufacturer did with the clearcoat on the decals *NM*
    • Trimming them closely like that would probably give them a realistic look, considering that the 1:1’s factory vinyl stripes have some visible thickness. *NM*
      • Ditto what he said about the thickness. I watched enough episodes of a certain Mopar restoration show to notice how thick the 70 and 71 1:1 decals seem to be *NM*
  • Did you use a decal set solution? I wonder if that would help. *NM*
• New (to me) paint pens. *PIC*
  • Just bought 4 of those myself plus this set of Sharpies...PIC INSIDE...
  • At least with Sharpie paint pens, as your spoon test shows, key is getting a consistent coat and then, letting it sufficiently cure before recoating to avoid thick and gooey *NM*
• ISO both headlight units for the AMT '37 Chevy. Thanks. *NM*
  • I might be able to help you out with some parts. *NM*
    • Email sent! *NM*
• The more streetable setup uses the stock exhaust manifold, and it IS included in this new issue. Got mine from our host, it just arrived! *NM*
• Latest hpiguys workshop video--I won't link it here but the last few minutes are hilarious! If you know, you know. *NM*
  • Glad he was so truthful, lol *NM*
  • Dang, I'm takin' that as a throwdown. I'm gettin' me one o' those kits, and we shall see.... *NM*
    • Test fit, don't re-engineer anything, it should work. I built a hardtop awhile back, it actually went together pretty well *NM*
      • Re: Test fit, don't re-engineer anything, it should work. I built a hardtop awhile back, it actually went together pretty well
        • Don Sikora did a really nice black hardtop as a gasser. Turned out very well. *NM*
  • I've followed his youtube channel for years first time he's ever said the F-bomb and gave up on a build *NM*
  • If ever there was a kit that did not align with the HPI ethos... it is that one
  • Someone please email me to describe which kit you're referencing. TIA *NM*
    • Email sent. *NM*
    • Is there a real or legitimate reason the kit can't be identified publicly - here? *NM*
      • Might be because our hosts offer it. *NM*
        • Bingo. *NM*
  • Sent the link to high school friend,the kit in question made him.quit the hobby. *NM*
  • Someone should send him an old IMC kit and see what he says about that! LOL! *NM*
  • Yeah, he tried walking it back, but truth is, he did more harm than good to Atlantis.
    • he talked to Atlantis if he should post the vid, they said yes do it, good or bad reviews are ok, they even on there site say it's not a great kit, this was posted on his FB page...... *NM*
  • The guy is basically a hack. I built that kit when I was in high school and it turned out way better than his. And I'm certain I didn't spend more than a few days building it. I used to knock out a couple models a week back then. *NM*
    • I think he does good work and nice builds. I think the kit in question and the related ones in that series always had fit issues *NM*
• I was able to score a Revell Porsche Speedster, kit H-1204. Totally out of my wheelhouse. Didn't realize it is a multi-piece body. I've never tried anything like that. Gonna have to work on my body work skills. Oh yeah, paid $5 for it. *NM*
  • Good for you! It's good to try something different from time to time. *NM*
  • I also just started a Revell Porsche but an earlier issue. The multi piece body is actually well designed along the trail so only a very short line to fill. Roll pans too but many kits have those seperate. Have fun. With care it can look okay! Good building. *NM*
    • "along.the trim edge" Doh! *NM*
  • I.m not awrae of that kit but multi piece bodies its best to see whether various parts can be assembled to give a more single piece body yet still allow a normal assembly like you are familar with....they can be o/k or a PITA.......lol. *NM*
  • I also picked up a Revell Rally Porsche (928), still sealed. Another $5. Is this kit any good? I'm hoping to build it as a street racer. *NM* *PIC*
    • Here is a link to pics of one with those wheels for sale. It has a bunch of pics. It is sold so you may want to save some before it is taken down. *LINK*
      • Sorry, I should have made it clear that the site link is to a 1:1 car for sale. *NM*
    • Yes the revell 928 kit is pretty nice. I had the stock issue of the kit which is same basic kit. Full detail open or closed head light options *NM*
• Short Track Saturday? *PICS*
  • Those have me wishing for the local race season to start up. *NM*
  • Re: Short Track Saturday? *PICS* Number 2 qualifier.... *PIC*
    • Right or wrong, they look pretty cool that way! *NM*
    • I really like that car. I have the kit, I just need to 'git er done!' *NM*
  • Asphalt short track Saturday **PICS**
    • Oooooo... *NM*
  • Short Track Studebaker.... *PIC*
    • 'Zactly! *NM*
  • Short Tracker *PIC*
  • Jonathan Davenport short tracker
• OT: How is the world gonna take this in F1? (INSIDE) *LINK*
  • Like GM usually does it--spend a lot of money, live mid-pack for three years, and quit. *NM*
    • I think GM is going to find the learning curve to be extremely steep. They'll be lucky to reach mid-pack. *NM*
      • They are finding a co-developer for the engine (Renuault, I think) it will be uphill both ways *NM*
        • That'll be like watching two drunks help each other crossing the street *NM*
          • "That's the Murphy brothers, they come here every day about this time..." *NM*
  • Might be interesting......but I am bias....... *PIC*
  • So long as the Cadillac F1 car has tailfins, bullet tailights & dagmars on the front splitters it'll be o/k.........lol. *NM*
    • Or "a hat, a spare, and a spear" (padded roof, fake Continental kit, and hood ornament) *NM*
      • Ah, for the great old days of Cadillac... *NM*
• Anyone thinking of going to the Detroit Area Auto Modelers Toy Show, Sunday, March 23? *NM*
  • Flyer I found for it. *NM* *PIC*
  • I should be there with a couple of big rigs *NM*
• My only Firebird:
  • 3 pics above *NM*
  • BOY is that slick. *NM*
    • Thank you Frank! *NM*
  • Nice build!! *NM*
    • Thanks Barry. *NM*
  • Very nice! *NM*
    • Thanks Dave. *NM*
  • Body color is perfect, Dennis. Super clean execution *NM*
    • My friend owns a body shop and was getting rid of old paints, this was one of them, 70's GM color. *NM*
  • Beautiful, and sharp photo skills, too. *NM*
    • Thanks Tony, iPhone, LOL *NM*
  • DROOL!! Beautiful paint and perfect stance. Definitely 👍👍!! *NM*
    • Thank you Mike, I built it when that kit was first released, quite some time ago. *NM*
  • Absolutely perfect! Super nice job!
    • Glad that you like it, even though it's not a ragtop, Cheers! *NM*
  • Hands down, the sweetest build I have EVER seen of that kit. *NM*
    • Thanks but I wouldn't go that far! I've seen some fantastic builds from you guys here and on other sites, but thanks! *NM*
  • I agree with the other folks comments and would like to compliment you specifically for the realistic sheen of the paint without being "glossy". Your choice of wheels/brakes/tires combo works really wiell, too. *NM*
    • Thank God somebody else notices (and likes) a realistic finish. *NM*
      • Thanks Munchie, from me and Bill! *NM*
    • Thank you Bill, like I said it was old actual GM paint from my friend's body shop, his dad ran it before him and had all the old cans that he, Wes wanted to get rid of. *NM*
  • I like to thank everyone personally for liking my Firebird build. Thank you all! Cheers! *NM*
• I like the sleeper Chevy II *NM*
• Nice fleet! *NM*
• Nice show rod Ken *NM*
• Nice tribute to Bill Shrewsberry *NM*
• Beauties all *NM*
• Always a pleasure to see your magnificent models *NM*
• Masterful modeling *NM*
• My Friday Firebird *NM* *PIC*
  • Nice! *NM*
  • Nice build, great photo, looks real! *NM*
  • Awesome build! Love these crazy Pontiacs
  • I could swear....is it....Can I take for a ride? *NM*
  • I have always loved this model of yours. It is stunning. Is it an original MPC kit? If it is, I've never seen one that looks so good. Whenever I try to build an MPC 77-78 Trans Am, the wheels/tires in the wheel wells looks terrible. *NM*
    • Thanks Scott, yes, base kit was the MPC76 firebird formula body , not sure why they didn’t do a T/A kit that year *NM*
      • Old memory but IIRC there was a kerfuffle about the word Trans Am that got worked out. *NM*
  • That is bright!!! *NM*
  • That's a real head-turner, terry. *NM*
  • That looks like a 1:1. Nice job! *NM*
  • Throw me the keys, I wanna test drive. *NM*
• Firebird Friday? I'll play...
  • Nice group... *NM*
  • All are beautiful. Great job on all. The first pic, the one with the snowflake wheels, is that an MPC kit ? If so, are those the kit supplied wheels and tires ? *NM*
    • Thanks. The Bandit is a "cheater", it/s the Revell die-cast. Just a shelf model. *NM*
  • What paint is the promo? Great color! *NM*
    • The darker color is MCW Black Cherry. Can't recall the other! I was scrambling to save the build from the Purple Pond *NM*
• Oh, wow, I got a "frud alert" in my email just now. Wonder who's trying to "frud" me... *NM*
  • Probably some tru jeanyus. *NM*
  • Maybe Fred? *NM*
  • Maybe it's Sigmund Frude. You know, from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." 😏 *NM*
    • "Sometimes a frud is just a frud" *NM*
      • Here, have a cigar. *NM*
  • Sure it's not a Freud alert? *NM*
  • Do you live in a frud plain? *NM*
    • 🤣🤣🤣 *NM*
  • Maybe every one is going to dance the frug. *NM*
• I have a couple of entries for Firebird Friday.... *PICS*
  • Those are a couple of my favorites... *NM*
  • LOVE IT..... *NM*
• Truck Thursday,Drove one like this back in the seventies *NM* *PIC*
  • Great weathering... *NM*
    • Thanks! *NM*
• Was traveling on Truck Thursday, so here are a couple a day late...pics
  • Nice work with quite a contrast between them! *NM*
  • Like the saving the name deal. *NM*
• Good work. The freshly washed and waxed Ford with the slighty dusty engine bay is a nice touch of realism. *NM*
• The trucks are terrific seldom seen subjects. I really like your detail of a show or museum style descriptive plaque on a stand detail. It is a nice finishing touch. *NM*
  • Thanks, Bill. It's somewhat like the stand that was at the museum where the real truck was on display. *NM*
• "Firebird Friday" , , does this count? *NM* *PIC*
  • Sure! *NM*
• The green '58 Pontiac, Craig? *NM*
• That vivid red Cutlass convertible with the meaty back tires and the bright white top, upholstrey, and scoop panels really pops! Love it. *NM*
• Nice detail on the Ford headlights. *NM*
• Firebird Friday? That sounds about right. On any given Friday you would have seen this '68 cruising the streets of Avon/Simsbury/Canton Connecticut about 47-48 years ago. One of my best buddy's cars. **PICS**
• Sharp '30s(?) Ford crew cab!. *NM*
• Great group. Good job on all those "UTE" conversions! *NM*
• Miscellaneous Mopar Madness *PICS*
  • Thanks for posting these Bill, beautiful cars. What is the name of the color on the second picture, the green 71 Hemi Cuda? *NM*
    • It's "Curios Yellow" code Y-3. *NM*
      • Spelled correctly, it's "Curious Yellow" *NM*
  • Gotta have that red Sport Fury...(wonder if he'd take a Kubota tractor in trade...) *NM*
    • Munchie...I'll up the deal with the original JoHan instructions for the 66 Convertible......all I have left of the 1st car kit I built back in the day. *NM*
  • Thanks for the pics! Is this a '69 Fury or some other year? *NM* *PIC*
    • It's a 1970 "Fury II". Whereas a '70 "Sport Fury" has the hidden headlights. *NM*
      • Thanks for the info. *NM*
      • Oh! to have a model kit of a 69'70'71 Fuselarge mopar....maybe the reason we don't have is because it wouldn't fit in the standard 1/25 kit box........lol. *NM*
        • Been wishing a long time *NM*
  • Thanks Bill!! *NM*
  • Re: Miscellaneous Mopar Madness *PICS* I thought I was going to get to the end with out wishing for another project.......until that Black Challenger showed up! WOW! *PIC*
  • Is there a photo under the black challenger? *NM*
    • There should be, but for some reason Fotki "lost" it. *NM*
      • Lets see if it shows up now... *NM* *PIC*
        • Yes thanks *NM*
        • Yes thanks *NM*
• Just watched the March Round 2 video. Sadly no model news....but....
  • maybe it will act as bait for a bigger one....lol. *NM*
    • The DAAM show at Macomb CC is in two weeks... *NM*
• My latest rebuild…
  • BEAUTIFUL! *NM*
    • Careful.... Don't slip in your own drool there Dave! 😂😂😂 *NM*
    • Yes it is................ *NM*
  • Yes, very nice. The radio antenna? *NM*
    • No, that is not it. *NM*
  • What a gorgeous build! *NM*
  • Re: Very well done *NM*
  • ooooooh...that is sweet... *NM*
  • gas filler door? trunk keyhole? *NM*
    • No to both. *NM*
  • Yep, I could live with that..........very nice build indeed........I wish any of that generation Continental sedan could be reissued, I prefer them over the convertible.....lol. *NM*
  • Wow, what a beautiful build, love it! *NM*
  • B-pillars. *NM*
    • WINNER! See inside.... *LINK*
  • So clean! Love it *NM*
  • Beautiful! *NM*
• Some one recently posted a picture of a stock red '37 Chevy. It was very nice. Could you please repost the color you used? It looks very similar to the box art red, and I want to duplicate your build. If I can find another '37 Chevy kit. *NM*
  • Here ya go, jim. It's Testors Dark Red I think over the off white plastic. Best of luck on your search. Cheers!
  • Re:I assume you're talking about my red factory stock '37 sedan delivery (PICs).......
    • Wow, thats nice.........and then some. *NM*
• That '55 gets my vote! *NM*
• Hi, Andy. Yes, 1932 Mack AP. Designed and built specifically for the construction of Boulder Dam. *NM*
• That's the same thing I wound up doing with my '30 Vicky gasser, after I forgot to fill the cowl light mounting holes before painting.... *NM* *PIC*
• Hey guys, here is the NNL North 2025 flyer for those of you interested in going. Hope to see you there!
• How about Firebird Friday? *PICS*
  • Both very clean builds. *NM*
  • Watch Rockford Files every night... *NM*
    • I wish we got Rockford around here. *NM*
    • I'm sure most of the high school bands in the nation knew the theme song... still playing in my head right now :) *NM*
  • Re: nice *NM*
  • Very cool Terry. I have both of those on my 'to do' list. *NM*
  • Your Bandit Firebird with his hat on the CB antenna is a favorite of mine. LOL *NM*
  • Beautiful cars.... *NM*
• Wait a minute! This is a 30 year old build!? It looks absolutely wonderful! *NM*
• Nope, those aren't as big (diameter) and are quite wide. I'm guessing these are from the Chip Foose '67 Coronet *NM*
• I'm digging the Comet Ranchero! *NM*
  • Re: Thanks everyone *NM*
• Cool builds, Marty! *NM*
• Nice builds, some cool Rancheros, but I love that full custom Falcon! *NM*
• WOW! *NM*
• Frank's builds are the cat's meow! I really love the '55's vibe, so cool! *NM*
• Mind if I have a shot of Crown Royal? Those trucks are all fabulous, cheers! *NM*
• Great assorment of styles! I love the short box 6 cyl! *NM*
• Just noticed the smooth bumpers on the '55. Nice. *NM*
• Motorama Custom Car Show, Toronto... *LINK*
  • Wow, man there's some fantastic stuff there, love it! Thanks for the slide show! *NM*
  • Love this stuff, Howard. Thanks so much for taking the time to post. *NM*
  • Loving the colors on that Firebird! *NM*
  • Is that the Sam Barris Buick? Sure looks a lot like it. *NM*
  • That '59 El Camino: I see several things that make me think the "patina" is freshly applied. Just wondering. *NM*
    • It really is a barn find. Chris is just starting to work on it. *NM*
      • Thanks for clarifying. *NM*
  • Great show pics! Lots of quality and variety there. Thanks for sharing. *NM*
  • What a cool show! Thank you Howard *NM*
  • Neat stuff *NM*
• What incredible quality and variety! Thanks for posting. *NM*
• Nice adition to the T-Bird and Wagons themes from earlier. *NM*
• Clean! *NM*
• Accurately named.. Those Allisons can deafen the dead! *NM* *PIC*
• Good Stuff! What paint is that yellow on the Ford? *NM* *PIC*
  • That would be Tamiya pearl yellow spray, Bill. *NM*
• You are having WAY too much fun, especially the beach patrol rig. *NM*
• Thank you. Too cool! *NM*
• Love the character you build into your cars. The teen surfer with the hand me down family wagon and the guy that pours his cash into his no frills car and equipment for his dream. *NM*
• I like your photo settings. Takes a sec to be sure the first one is model. Nice work. *NM*
• I agree!! *NM*
• Think you got enough power in this one? ;^) *NM* *PIC*
• A beauty! What was your source for the Dodge Lancer style wheelcovers? Had some on my 1:1 '61 Chevy back in the day. *NM* *PIC*
• Love those wheels! *NM*
  • Thanks, they're from a Tamiya McLaren, with photo etch Ford wheel centers, a tiny detail barely noticable.. *NM* *PIC*
    • Very in keeping with the attention to and execution of detail overall. Very well done. *NM*
• Sorry Andy, I built that about 8 years ago. I really don't remember much. I think it's Tamiya clear red over silver. Kind of a Candy Apple red. But I'm not sure. *NM*
  • Just had another look at it, while it does have the red colour I can almost see the original burgundy plastic "tint' in certain areas ....a real credit to you. *NM*
    • And after another staring at it I just noticed the pins used to help the door hinge, I've done a similar thing on some Revogram kits......even the use of the kit wheels & tyres just adds to it. s *NM*
• Finally found a picture of a T-Bird for T-Bird Tuesday, built a few years ago...
  • I like that. Nicely done! *NM*
  • Nice model of a really cool Bird *NM*
• Just a few trucks for Thursday...
  • Decrepit, stock, and custom. All well done. *NM*
• Nice early 60s hardtop. Really wish AMT had given us that instead of the sports roadster *NM*
• Great 70s look to it! *NM*
• What kit are the '72's wheels and tires from? *NM*
• Here are my trucks for Thursday. .......... *PICS* .....
  • Cool trucks, love the 4X4s, they're all nicely done. *NM*
    • Nice stripe work on the Chevy Sport. *NM*
  • Dang. You build sharp pickups, too! *NM*
• All of them are singing! *NM*
• So much beautiful work. *NM*
• Another feast for the eyes! *NM*
• I'm with Randfink on the channeled 32.... Absolutely killer!!!
• My 1 effie *NM* *PIC*
  • Sweet!!! *NM*
  • Very cool slammer, makes me nostalgic! *NM*
• "Sorry there's so many"??? We're sure not sorry!!! Love the Impalamimo, the blue and white C10, and that OBS hot truck!!! *NM*
• Great looking builds!! *NM*
• Two thumbs up!! *NM*
• I agree!! *NM*
• Great collection of builds!! *NM*