Super job on all the detailing so far mike .This one is going to look suberb when its done .looking forward to seeing more on this one.

 Mike-

This is turning out great. The detail work you are putting into it is fantastic. The grille, the shocks and the dash all are top notch.  I think that the silver is a good choice for the paint. I'm on my way out to look through a few kits that Andy brought to me today. Tomorrow I am going to start with the silver on my Camaro and then do the drip rails on the 50 Ford. Busy day for me. Keep up the great work that you are doing.

Later-

Boy do I feel dumb.  I had mentioned earlier that I was having a real problem with the exhaust headers fitting properly and clearing the transmission.  Well it turns out that despite how they seemed to fit oh so closely the way I did them, I had done the assembly in the wrong order.  The exhaust headers go on first, THEN the heads go on.  Once I took the parts off and did them in that order; as you said Modelcar; " no problem".  My only excuse for such a dumb move is that every engine I have ever done,( in plastic) has the heads go on first. So I am going to go put my pointy hat on now and find my stool.

 Mike-

When the writing on the box says "For Ages 10 and Up.", does it make you wonder how much smarter than you that 10 year old must be? Nothing like a bunch of plastic parts to make you feel SO little.There is a reason they send those kits with a couple of sheets of paper. They are called....instructions. (You know I love you, Man. Can't you just feel it?)

Actually, this sounds just like something I'd do.

I'd tell you to keep up the good work, but....we see where that got you.

Later-

Now I could almost guarantee you I would've made the same goof.
I've never encountered a model where the heads went on after the
exhaust, and I'm terrible for reading the instructions.
Okay, one more time. Who wants to trade for my kit?

                       Regards,
                         sfd

You know Tom.  If I get down there this summer I am going to put a big fat DEEEECAL on your keyboard. lol  If any of you saw Tom's earlier post you may have noted that he stated he was glad to see that I had started this kit that I got at such a good price. In U.S. dollars despite the exchange from Canadian it really was a good price; at least 12-15 bucks cheaper than up here in Canada so as soon as I saw it in the first hobby shop in Spokane that we got to I bought it.  Both Tom and my other so called friend suggested that I wait til we got to White Elephant but I really didn't want to take that chance and end up with no kit so I bought it.  When we did get to White Elephant my empathetic and sympathetic friends did all they could to hide the 3 bucks cheaper per kits from me.  No. Wait.  As I recall they gleefully picked up and waved under my nose every one of those dozens of Revell kits they came across. Its sad how a lousy 3 bucks made me think I had ripped myself off by not waiting. Nothing like a better deal missed to ruin ones joy.  Pretty sad indeed. lol On the other hand, I am glad to read that some others did  the headers the same way or would have.  I feel like I have company on my stool

Mike-

I hate to admit it, but I'm sure I would have done the same thing when it comes to assembling the engine. I mean, come on, how many model engines have I built in my life and I don't remember one having to put the exhaust headers on before the heads. Looks like your little stool is becoming a bench.

Later-

Man you are putting some great detail into the build!  Super work on the grille....I don't think I would have the nerves to attempt that. You did a marvelous job. Keep up the great work.

Don't feel stupid, Mike! I think the model companies intentionally make it harder than it has to be with the instructions. I usually follow them pretty close except when I can figure out a better way. However, that didn't stop me from gluing on the front and rear bumper assemblies for painting not realizing that only the front can be glued on in order to get it on the frame. Fortunately, I didn't ruin the paint pulling off the rear assembly. Then I had the problem with the hood fit due to the way the front assembly mounts onto the body at the front of the hood. Next time (I bought another one) I am going to just tape on the front and rear bumpers for painting and then leave them to last. And I am going to do a lot more test fitting of the hood and sand it down some. I'm sure you'll do a fine job with this one!

  This is my first ever stencil. I traced out the pattern on a piece of that tissue paper that you wrap fragile stuff in and then used an exacto to cut it out. Then I thinned out some white glue and brushed it on the paper and placed it on the radiator and pressed it down into place using more thinned glue. After it dried I airbrushed the black. Its not perfect but thats o.k

.......and here is why it doesn't need to be perfect.  One can't see much of it   Still; all that work opening the grill means there had to be something back there to look at

 sweet! that rad looks good, some nice detail considering its going behind the bumper lol

Hey considering the uneven nature of that radiator surface that stencil did an awesome job. I've done a few tape stencils and they would not have worked as well as your tissue paper.

As I type this I have the bottle of semi gloss black all set to open. I have to paint over a couple of small spots but other than that I think I have this done.  I had to clamp the exhaust system in place so that the catalytic converter would stay attached to the passenger side header. That stems from my difficulties with that boo boo I made in the engine build.  It stayed clamped all night and today so it ain't goin nowheres now.