Monogram Big Drag Kit

[xken]

HFC, you should detail the snot out of it and enjoy doing it. Anybody can build box stock and you said it would be worth more built, well it would be that much more when super detailed because then it will be one of a kind.

Just my two cents, but regardless just have fun doing it.

Ken

[ScaleMotorcars]

I have to agree with Ken. Jeff your an amazing builder and I've seen your detail work. It would be great to see the Big Drag detailed to the max. Now that would pay tribute to where you got it. Hey maybe when your done you can have it on load to the Museum. You know Darryl would just love that.

[hot ford coupe]

I had a nice long discussion with my wife about the model after I was the responses above. She's a pretty smart lady that supports my habit 110%. She originally voted for the box stock option in order to preserve the vintage nature of the model so here's what I have decided to do and how the model will be built.

I've decided to keep the character of the model as original as possible or in other words, I won't do any heavy modification of the Big Drag by changing body shape or color, changing the engine or major reworking of any assemblies. I will however add all the wiring, plumbing , brake lines and pipes that are not included in the kit that the real car would have. I'll be stripping some of the chrome and respraying the parts with more realistic finishes to help cut down the toy quality of the model. The exhaust ends will be hollowed out like real pipes. That way, the model will be a more fitting tribute. Many of thr fine details will have to be pointed out but it definitely will be super detailed. Any more opinions are more than welcome.

[Don Garrett]

I like the approach you've settled on Jeff.
By not changing the basic character of the model you've preserved it's vintage "mystique" somewhat.
As far as detailing it goes, I'm sure if you'd had the skills and knowledge when you were a young'un that's how you'd have built it back then.

Depending on the condition of the plastic, you might even try polishing out the body rather than painting it.
Most important thing is to have fun & post lots of pics....are you considering it as a contest entry?

[hot ford coupe]

He Don. Yes, it's definitely going to be a contest entry. It doesn't matter at all how it places. The historic connection is what it's all about for me.

What a lot of folks don't know about me is how much of a nostalgia nut I really am. I was one of the fortunate ones that, although my folks had modest funds, had a great childhood. It wasn't sports I was interested in, it was model building, cars, history, and science. (I wasn't a harmless nerd either. I did manage to blow up my parents' toilet with a can of lighter fluid) Those finite memories are what keep me going during the hard times and the big scale model building was one of the most precious memories of all. This is where the original dilemma arises about how to build the thing. Handling this almost 50 year old plastic (which is in fantastic condition by the way) makes me feel like I'm 13 years old again and that's what makes me want to build the thing as I would have then, box stock . It's funny how alike we think though. I was already planning to forget the paint and polish out all of the visible plastic parts. Believe me, I will definitely do this model justice and in a good way.

[Ton]

Believe me, I will definitely do this model justice and in a good way.

Very good choice Jeff ...something that old and so full of memories should be handled with very much care ...and that is what you are doing.

[comp1839]

jeff, modelling can be an art of self expression. i personally like where your going with this but, that shouldn't matter. neither should any one else's opinion. it's what this build means to YOU that counts. super detailed, out of the box, whatever. when you're done with this build, the only thing that will matter is how you feel about it. when you look back at the time you invested in it, did you do the best you could do? is it what you wanted to express about your memories? i'm sure you will follow the path that means the most to you.........i can't wait to see this unfold.

[hot ford coupe]

Thanks guys for the further responses. Keep 'em coming. I like to see how the majority of you think.

Hey Dave. I agree with you 100%. It's really up to me and how I do it. I just didn't want to do something that will be considered modeling blasphemy. It's sort of like coming across a well restored stock 32 Ford and ripping it apart to do some kind of crazy custom. I'd rather see that happen with a more derelict car.

You guys have pretty much given me the answer I have been searching for. Even though I'm going to super detail the Chevy engine, undercarriage, interior, suspension and drive train, that won't interfere with keeping the original character of the model. If this model were a repop, I'd do a heck of a lot more modification but since the kit is vintage, it deserves the vintage treatment. It will be unmistakably the Big Drag show car with some cool additions. Pictures will definitely be taken as I go along.

[Don Garrett]

Good deal Jeff......it sounds like you are really excited about building this kit. That kind of enthusiasm goes a long ways toward preventing the dreaded burn out that we all deal with from time to time.

[hot ford coupe]

Good deal Jeff......it sounds like you are really excited about building this kit. That kind of enthusiasm goes a long ways toward preventing the dreaded burn out that we all deal with from time to time.

You've really set a mouthful. It's been a while since I was inspired by my hot rodding roots. What a great way to kick start it again. I'm building the model in a separate thread and it's going to be a "by the book" build. There's not a whole lot of little fiddly bits with this model so it'll hopefully be easier to avoid the AMS (advanced modelers' syndrome). I know we've joked a lot about AMS, but it's really a problem that can destroy a great hobby for someone. It sneaks up and strikes at the worst possible time. Don't worry about deadlines, don't try to impress anyone, don't do what you're really not comfortable with and above all, don't do what's going to kill all the fun.

[strevo]

Jeff,
You could always build this one as a tribute, and find a repop to superdetail and change as a comparison and display them side by side.

[hot ford coupe]

Jeff,
You could always build this one as a tribute, and find a repop to superdetail and change as a comparison and display them side by side.

That's also a good idea but unfortunately, the Big T is the only repop they make now. The final build will be unmistakeably a Big Drag. Instead of looking like I did it when I was 13, which really wasn't that impressive to tell you the truth, it'll show how far I've come in the hobby since 1963. I'll also be emailing pictures of the completed model to the Starbirds to show them what we do at Scale Motor Cars and how much Darryl has influenced us over the years.