The model car thread! :-)

[40FordDeluxe]

When the boys and I were at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals car show a couple of weeks back, they got to build some models. The models were free for the kiddos and snap together. I also picked up a semi built 40 Ford coupe I might try to patina/make rustic.

[34_40]

The kids get to bring home what they made?

[J. Robinson]

The steam engines are interesting. I've seen a couple of them over the years; I can't remember who had them now, but it was a friend of the family when I was growing up. I was told they were real and they ran, but I never saw one in operation.

I met Bob Glidden before he became famous. I grew up near Greenwood, Indiana; Bob also grew up near Greenwood. His family lived on the other side of the township border, so he and his siblings went to Whiteland High School. He was 4 or 5 years older than me, anyway, but I met him when I was working in a Marathon service station that was owned by a friend of his. I remember him as being a nice guy who was always polite to everyone. Back then he had a black '63 Ford Galaxie 500XL, 427, 4-speed. One of his race cars was a '63 Ford Fairlane called "Stronger Than Dirt".

Ryan - You know you may have opened a can of worms! If those boys enjoyed building those models, they may want to keep it up. I started with airplane models when I was about 7 years old. When AMT hit the market with their "3 in 1 Customizing Kits" in 1958 I immediately was hooked on car models. I was 10 then; I'm 74 now and still building! I can't imagine what I've spent on model cars over the years.

[40FordDeluxe]

The kids get to bring home what they made?

Mike, yes they did. They gave been able to do this at goodguys the past 2 years as well. Clint has a few models in limbo waiting paint work etc.

[40FordDeluxe]

The steam engines are interesting. I've seen a couple of them over the years; I can't remember who had them now, but it was a friend of the family when I was growing up. I was told they were real and they ran, but I never saw one in operation.

I met Bob Glidden before he became famous. I grew up near Greenwood, Indiana; Bob also grew up near Greenwood. His family lived on the other side of the township border, so he and his siblings went to Whiteland High School. He was 4 or 5 years older than me, anyway, but I met him when I was working in a Marathon service station that was owned by a friend of his. I remember him as being a nice guy who was always polite to everyone. Back then he had a black '63 Ford Galaxie 500XL, 427, 4-speed. One of his race cars was a '63 Ford Fairlane called "Stronger Than Dirt".

Ryan - You know you may have opened a can of worms! If those boys enjoyed building those models, they may want to keep it up. I started with airplane models when I was about 7 years old. When AMT hit the market with their "3 in 1 Customizing Kits" in 1958 I immediately was hooked on car models. I was 10 then; I'm 74 now and still building! I can't imagine what I've spent on model cars over the years.

Yeah, they really like them. Colt has to learn patience so plastic ones may not be for him if he doesn't calm down.

[J. Robinson]

Ryan - Actually, the model building might be just the thing to help him "calm down". Although I am very tolerant and slow to anger with people (23 years in the classroom, I never raised a hand to a student), I am a different personality with inanimate objects. I have taken a large hammer to mechanical things that "won't cooperate", I have set fire to projects that frustrated me, I ruined a 5-iron because a golf ball hit a tree when I was trying to get out of the rough (and swore off golf forever), I frequently threaten to take a 12-gauge shotgun to this computer when it won't do what I want! Funny thing is, when I sit down at my model car bench, I seem to have all the patience of a saint. It's always been that way. Since I built my first model at the age of 7, I take my time and work on them until they are finished, and I almost never get frustrated to the point of anger. If I do, I just quit and walk away for a while or work on a different model for a while (I almost always have two or more under construction at any time). Might be worth a try to see if it will help. Also, it's something you can do together if you want.

[40FordDeluxe]

Jim, it sure is worth a try.

[40FordDeluxe]

Hey, I can finally contribute to this thread. A very long while ago, I purchased an opened 1939/40 AMT 3in1 model kit. I then ordered a 392 with a blower off ebay and I had started the model. I had the frame and rear axle painted and engine and heads assembled and painted the block and heads. The other day my wife suggested we should have a model/lego day and we did just that. Is it dumb when you modify your model for an engine swap too? The flat head and SBC that came with the kit clearly weren't cool enough.

[40FordDeluxe]

I need to get the interior finished, It's hard to ride on a mini bucket on this one.

[NTFDAY]

Many moons ago that model came with a blown Olds, I built one while in Okinawa in 63-64.

[40FordDeluxe]

Many moons ago that model came with a blown Olds, I built one while in Okinawa in 63-64.

This kit didn't but I actually have the kit you speak of awaiting to be opened.

[34_40]

I like it. Sounds like a great family time activity!

[40FordDeluxe]

Ken, the kit I used is the older one with the Aristocrat on it. The other does have an Olds engine and is a retro throw back kit. Pretty cool they brought it back a couple of years ago.

I got the interior all done. I even painted the trim and gauges on the dash. I also did the door handles and pedals. I painted the tail lights, turn signals, and carbs. I painted the trim on and that shows I'll never be a pin striper. I even managed to get the windshield divider on without smearing all the glue on the glass. Now to put it up high so it isn't destroyed.

[40FordDeluxe]

I'm not sure how guys have the patience to do these fine details. especially if you have little ones bumping you and hanging off of you. Hopefully it's not 15yrs before I finish another model.

[rspears]

Makes me think about opening this one that one of the kids gave me several years ago.... but it's a Revell
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