An exclusive news column from the MODEL CAR  HUB

    We welcome Tim Sickle to the Model Car Hub. For over 10 years, Tim has been writing the "Bits & Pieces" column for the MAMA's Boyz newsletter. Over that time, he has developed some great sources of news and new product information, from kits, to die cast, to books, magazines, and sometimes hilarious info for us motorheads.

    Tim has also written for several magazines, including Plastic Fanatic, Pontiac Enthusiast, and currently wrires for for corvettemagazine.com. Since Tim owns a Pontiac GTO, he'd also like to hear from all you Poncho fans.

It's News To Me by Tim Sickle

03/10/00

Rumor Mill! Word reaches me about a rumored kit being considered by a kit
manufacturer. This one is even further out than most other rumored kits.
This one is Chevrolet's trick SSR Pickup Roadster currently touring the
Auto show circuit! The PT Cruiser was also listed along with the SSR
pickup, but we'll get that one (see 'New Stuff' immediately below!). Time
will tell as far as the SSR is concerned!

New stuff! Announcements from the Toy Fair include a few surprises from the
manufacturers. From the gang at AMT, only one new kit, a newly-tooled '62
T-bird Sports Roadster (October), and several confirmed reissues including
the Monkeemobile, The Fireball 500, and the Raider's Coach (all for July).
>From Revell, a Race Car trailer w/equipment, 70's Chevy custom van, Pro
Finish '77 Monte Carlo Lowrider Snap kit, Pro Finish '63 Corvette fastback,
Pro Finish New T-Bird (all 3rd quarter releases), 'Pioneer' Reynard Champ
car (May), '98 Saleen Mustang Speedster, Harley F-150 Ford pickup w/Harley
Softtail, Chrysler PT Cruiser Snap kit, '70 Chevelle Snap kit, Pro Finish
'Goodwrench' Corvette Glue kit, Mack Fire Truck Snapkit (1/32nd scale), and
the (in)famous 'Bullitt' '68 Mustang and'68 Charger metal kits (all 4th
quarter releases). These kits will all be in 1/25th scale. The following
kits from Revell are 1/24th scale:'78 El Camino Lowrider, Pro Finish NASCAR
2000 Pontiac, Taurus, and Monte Carlo Glue kits (all 3rd qtr), a '37 Ford
Coupe street rod, '40 Ford Pickup street rod, '70 Boss 429 Mustang, the
'Boot Hill Express' show rod, and two NASCAR Dodge trucks-those of Richard
Petty, and the Royal Crown truck (all in 1/24th scale, and all in the 4th
qtr). Also announced are two Austin Powers' cars-a Corvette convertible,
and a Jag convertible. The neat thing here is that it has been reported
that the Jag kit will contain an Austin Powers figure, while the Vette kit
will include a figure of Felicity Shagwell! Yeah, Baby! Oh, Behave!

Millennium Corvette Collection! The gang at Franklin Mint
(www.franklinmint.com) is releasing a series of 10 Corvettes, cutting
across all five generations. They will include: a '53 Roadster, a '58
'Fuelie', '63 Split Window Coupe, '57 Stingray, a '78 Anniversary, an '82,
an '86 Roadster, an '88 hardtop, a '98 convertible, and it is completed by
a Corvette Mako Shark! The cars will cost $90 each, and will be delivered
at the rate of one every three months.

DAREing Diecast! Matchbox (www.matchbox.com) is set to release a set of 12
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Education) police vehicles. They will include:
Medford, New Jersey ('88 Camaro RS), Warren County, Kentucky ('95 Camaro),
Lafayette, Indiana ('95 Ford Crown Vic), Plainfield, Illinois ('86
Firebird), Wanaque, New Jersey ('92 Ford Crown Vic), Sikeston, Missouri
('99 Mustang), New Rochelle, New York ('97 Z28), Stratford, Connecticut('85
IROC), Moorehead, Minnesota ('79 Corvette), Bellevue, Washington (VW
Concept 1), Portland, Maine ('82 Firebird SE), and last but certainly not
least, for you MD guys, a Landover, MD Crown Vic! Word is that the first
six cars will be released in late 1999, or early 2000.

Pro Mint! I just got wind that Danbury Mint is releasing a 1957 Chevy Pro
Street hardtop! It features opening doors, hood, and trunk. Under the hood,
the supercharged big block is reproduced down to the engine wiring. In the
trunk, the fuel cell and dual batteries are included, as well as the
parachute mounted to the rear bumper. The roll bar wraps around the bucket
seats, which feature seat belts. The nitrous oxide bottle is mounted behind
the front seats, and the dash features a tachometer, and a floor shifter
and billet pedals adorn the interior floor. The car positively glows,
resplendent in its chrome yellow paint with billet style wheels and hood
scoop to set it off, it costs just $112, payable in four monthly
installments of only of $28 (plus a total of $7.80 for shipping and
handling). And, with their money back guarantee, how can you go wrong?

01/27/00

* 35th Anniversary F-Cars?! With all the talk lately about GM's lagging
sales of the Firebird and Camaro models, everyone feared cancellation of
these cars (leaving the field open to Ford's Mustang wide open). Well, it
looks like the death of the F-car may have been greatly exaggerated? Well,
GM recently agreed to a three-year deal with the Canadian AutoWorkers
Union, keeping the Ste. Therese assembly plant open until at least
September 2002. Although GM had denied canceling the F-car after 2001, GM
said it would build 35th Anniversary editions of the Firebird and Camaro
for the 2002 model year, which could commemorate the end of the F-car.
According to GM, there are no plans for a new product at the Ste. Therese
plant after 2002, but rumors have several special platforms under
consideration, including one that could replace Camaro and Firebird with a
smaller, front-drive sporty car. GM just doesn't get it, do they? They have
plenty of front-wheel drive cars right now! Thanks to www.corvettemagazine.com
for the scoop on the possible fate of the Firebird and Camaro.

* Mustang vs., Corvette?! If (when?) GM pulls the plug on the Firebird and
Camaro in 2002, that leaves the Mustang with little competition. Enter the
Corvette! Apparently, again according to the www.corvettemagazine.com website,
the new Ford FR500 could go on the prowl for America's Sports Car. Shown at
the SEMA show in Vegas this past November, it sports a 415-horsepower DOHC
5.0 liter V-8, lighter weight body panels, and a 5 inch stretch in
wheelbase, and Cobra-based suspension and brakes. Claimed performance is
0-60 in 4.6 seconds, quarter mile performance of 12.7 seconds at 114 mph,
and a top speed of 175 (!). Ford execs suggested it could be in showrooms
by 2002, just in time to say Bye! Bye! To the Camaro and Firebird twins.
Chevy engineers are planning to up the ante, in the form of a horsepower
rating of 385 on the ZO6 package, and up to 400 in 2002. The good old days
are back-horsepower is king!

* New Diecast Kool! New 1/18th scale diecasts from the gang at Hot Wheels
for 2000 include a '65 Impala convertible lowrider (w/opening doors/hood),
a '50 Merc Woody (complete w/surfboard), a Millennium Corvette hardtop, a
1984 Ferrari GTO, '1984 Ferrari Testarossa, a 1994 Ferrari Berlinetta, and
last, but certainly not least, is the hottest car in their 1/64th lineup,
the VW Bus. It features an appropriately flamed body, which flips up from
the rear, funny car style. You can check 'em out on the Adkins Collectibles
website-www.adkinsstore.com.

Also heard that the '53 Ford pace car convertible from Lindberg is on the
shelves.

Later!

11/29/99

* New Items from Model Car Garage

MCG-2156:    New '99 VW Bug 1/25th scale Detail set ($7.99)
I couldn't imagine that there was that much to do for this set, but I was
wrong. It includes two sets of front and rear emblems, four hubcap emblems,
a horn emblem, four speaker grilles, four dash vents, a 'New Beetle" tag
frame, a few keys and a multi-piece keychain, and possibly the neatest thing
in the set, two "Peace" signs, and two daisies!

MCG-2158:    '84-'99 Corvette Detail set ($8.99)
This set is geared towards America's Sports Car lovers. It covers assorted
scripts available on Corvettes ranging in years from 1985-1999. It includes
a USA-1 license plate frame, and fender badges such as "ZR-1", "35th
Anniversary", and "40th Anniversary" emblems, LT-4 emblems, nose and gas
door emblems, front and rear marker lights, door handles, keychains, and
keys.

MCG-2159:    NASCAR Spoiler braces ($6.99)
This is a neat item for you NASCAR fans. Bob has provided two different
styles of braces, which support the rear spoilers on Winston Cup race cars.
Each brace is three pieces in all, and 24 braces in all are included in this
se, along with a small piece of fine wire.

MCG-2160:    15" Drilled Brake Rotors ($6.99)
An excellent set of large diameter drilled disc brake rotors, consisting of
four pieces per side when completed.

MCG-2161:    15" Drilled/Slotted Brake Rotors ($6.99)
Similar to MCG-2161, with the difference being that this set of disc brake
rotors is both drilled and slotted.

MCG-2162:    13" Slotted Brake Rotors ($6.99)
An excellent set of slotted disc brake rotors, consisting of four pieces per
side when completed.

MCG-2163:    '58 Edsel Pacer Detail set ($14.99)
This set is a must-have for any Edsel fan worth his salt! Included in this
set is every Edsel script available, including Pacer, Villager, Corsair,
Citation, Ranger, and Roundup! But it doesn't stop there. The Edsel rear
fender script, and the Edsel hood ornament are also included. The crowning
achievement of this set has to be the brass Edsel lettering for the front
grille! Bob Korunow has provided two separate sets of brass Edsel lettering
to be placed on the front grille. All told, the front grille, when
completed, consists of 11 pieces (12, if you count the kit-supplied trim
ring). Other neat features of this set include the steering wheel shifter
controls, an "Edsel Owner's Club" medallion, hubcap centers, and rear
speaker grille. This is above and beyond the usual items such as tag frames,
window cranks, keys and keychains.

MCG-2164:    '76 Chevy Caprice Detail set ($13.99)
This set contains the now-standard photoetch front grille (along with
smaller left and right lower grilles), "Chevrolet", "Caprice", "Impala
Custom", and "Caprice Classic" scripts in conjunction with engine ID badges
of 350, 400, and 454. On the inside, Bob has thoughtfully included a dash
bezel with an acetate gauge face, driver's side A/C vents, passenger's side
dash trim, door handles, power window switches (both single, and four in
one), and gas, brake/emergency brake pedals. This set is topped off with a
chain link tag frame, for you Lowrider fans!

Add to this the fact that users can now go to the Model Car Garage website
(http://www.modelcargarage.com), and download a product catalog, proprietor
Bob Korunow is making it very hard not to visit the website and order the
latest and greatest from 'The Garage" (with secure on-line ordering, natch)!
Thanks to the dynamic duo behind Model Car Garage (Bob K/Tim K) for keeping
'em comin'!

* Resin Ponchos! Model Car World proprietor Dave Dodge has added a 1961
Pontiac Catalina hardtop to his resin body lineup (MCW-04). This is a stock
body (shortened Bonneville, with open hood). The basic body sells for
$28.95. A stock bench seat interior (w/Catalina trim, including tub, dash,
seats, and steering wheel) sells for $11.95. A NASCAR interior tub
(including tub, one bucket seat, dash, steering wheel, and roll cage) sells
for $11.95. A shortened chassis (including racing suspension, and removal of
the exhaust system) sells for $10.95. A complete car (excluding glass,
wheels, tires, and engine) sells for $49.95. A drag car version (including
Beswick-Johnson decals; S/S Bristol Blue Metallic car) sells for $57.95.

In his 'Coming attractions' section, Dave lists a 1961 Biscayne 2dr. sedan,
1963 Tempest Coupe and wagon drag car, 1963 Tempest funny car w/extended
tilt front end, 1973 Monte Carlo, 1973 Torino fastback, and a 1952 Olds
hardtop. He also has several new decals available, including: #22 Park's
Novelty-'38 Ford or '50 Olds: Black cars driven by Red Byron ($8.00), #87
Griffin Motors-'50 Olds; Chariot Red and Canto Cream car driven by Buck
Baker ($10.00), #2 Gaddy's Motor Co.-'56 Chevy 150 2dr.; Nassau Blue and
India Ivory car driven by Gwyn Staley ($8.00), and #M-1 to M-5 Fish
Carburetor logo-late-40's and 50's (two per set) ($2.00).

You can get a catalog by sending an SASE to MCW Automotive Finishes, P.O. Box 0518,
Burlington, NC 27216-0518. Bring 'em on, Dave!

* And, speakin' of decals! Fred Cady has several new sets in print as you
read this. For you Bowtie guys, item #24 includes '68 Camaro SS396 Sport
stripes, as well as '67 and '68 front nose band stripes (black & white).
Item #25 includes '69 Camaro SS396 sport stripes and ZL-1 stripes (black &
white); item #26 includes '71 Chevelle "Heavy Chevy" stripes, as well as
Nova "Rallye 350" stripes (black & white). For Porsche race fans, item #81
is the 1981-86 Porsche 935K/962 of Bob Akin Motor Racing. Sports car lovers
will enjoy item #'s 183G (1960's Goodyear & Firestone tire names), and 183R
(1950s Continental, Dunlop, Englebert, Pirelli, and Stelvio). Stock car fans
will get item #117, the "7-up" 1970 Plymouth Superbird of Pete Hamilton
(Daytona winner), item #118, Benny Parsons "King's Row" Chevrolet (another
Daytona winner), #606, the "Hardee's" Chevrolet, #611, the "Levi Garrett"
Daytona-winning Chevrolet, #651, the Holman-Moody/Cotton Owens 1959 T-Bird,
#652, the Holman-Moody/John Beauchamp '59 T-Bird, #653, the "K&K Insurance"
'69 Daytona, and #654, the "Miller High Life" '72 Chevelle. Drag racers will
see the release of #454, the "Golden Commando" '64 Plymouth, #455, the
"Melrose Missile" '64 Plymouth, #456, the "Desert Motors" '64 Ford, #457,
the infamous "Grumpy's Toy" '66 Nova, and #458, "The Professor" University
'64/'65 Plymouth. Mopar fans will delight in #291, '68 Dodge
Superbee/Charger RT tail band/ '70 GTX stripes (black & white), #292, '71
Superbee/Charger RT/'70 Roadrunner stripes (black & white), and #293, '70
Barracuda rear fender stripes (340, 383, 440, HEMI) as well as '68/'69
Charger R/T and 500 tail band. Street rodders will want #507, which is
'32-'37 Ford Roadster hood stripes. Poncho fans will want #459, "Tin
Indian"/"Royal" Pontiac (for AMT's '62 Catalina), as well as #461, "Tin
Indian" 1966 GTO decals. For a catalog, send an SASE to Fred Cady Design,
Inc., P.O. Box 576, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Man, is he tryin' to keep us
busy, or what?

!
* More righteous resin! Ron Cash Scale Models had several new items on
display. These include: a Factory Stock 1941 Plymouth sedan delivery (SD-1;
body only-use AMT '41 Plymouth to complete) for $22.00; a '53 Ford Ranch
Wagon (CB-73; stock body style, including interior tub and chrome rear
bumper-use Lindberg '53 Ford to complete) for $32.00; a '48 Chopped Chevy
Aerosedan (CB-74; 3" chop w/stock rear window, rain gutters/door handles
removed, rear gas door filled-use Galaxie '48 Chevy to complete) for $18.00;
Buick-style fender skirts (FS-10; for Galaxie '48 Chevy) for $5.00; a
'46-'48 custom hood (NS-15; w/raised, full-length peak, and sink mark
removed) for $5.00; the "Matranga" '40 Mercury coupe (CB-75; a 10-piece kit,
w/full custom body, front and rear fender assembly w/custom bubble teat drop
skirts molded on, interior tub, dash/steering wheel, hood, chrome grille,
chrome front/rear '46 Ford bumpers-use AMT '40 Ford to complete) for $50.00;
a universal straight bar-type chrome grille (NS-11; for '49 Fords/Mercs) for
$6.00; a 1/64th scale Ford convertible (NS-12; top down) for $6.00; a 1/64th
scale '41 Ford convertible (NS-13; Top up) for $5.00; a 1/64th scale '41
Ford chopped 5-Window Coupe (NS-14) for $5.00 (the last three items intended
for Hot Wheels conversions). And Ron is branching out (or should I say up?!)
with the addition of 1/18th scale resin conversion items. LS-1 is a '47
Caddy convertible top boot for $7.00; LS-2 is a '47 Caddy continental kit
for $12.00; LS-3 is a '56 Ford Continental kit for $12.00; and LS-4 is a set
of '56 Ford Turnpike Cruiser fender skirts for $8.00. For a catalog, send a
SASE to Ron Cash Models, 14305 Summit Avenue, Maple Heights, OH 44137.

* New MAS! Milled Aluminum Specialties was showing off new Billet grilles
for '32 and '37 Fords; a working scissors-style hood hinge kit (Hey,
Boothe!); a billet alternator kit (w/mounting brackets); billet steering
wheel kits; new leaf spring kits; billet brake boosters; nitrous tank
mounting brackets; serpentine belt pulley sets; and funny car/dragster front
tires. For a catalog, send $2.50 and an SASE to Machined Aluminum
Specialties, 10177 S. Byron Road, Byron, MI 48148.

* The All American! All American Models proprietor Art Anderson had a new
'70 Chrysler 300 (mastered by Juha Airio) available, as well as a '72 Olds
Cutlass hardtop, and a '49 Olds woodie wagon enroute! Art's catalog is
available by sending an SASE to All American Models, 22 South Balsam Street,
Lafayette, IN 47905-1156.

* Modelhaus Goodies! Don and Carol Holthaus have been busy as well, churning
out new resin items which conspire to keep modelers 'down on funds'! Their
new releases include a '65 Custom Buick Wildcat, '66 Buick Skylark hardtop
and convertible, '61 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special 4dr. sedan, '55 Bel
Air hardtop, '66 Caprice coupe, '62 Olds 88 hardtop, '59 Bonneville
convertible, '68 Torino convertible, '61 and '62 Lincoln Continental
convertibles, '61 Chrysler 300 hardtop, '60 Dodge Polara convertible, '60
Plymouth Fury hardtop and convertible, and a '60 Plymouth Savoy sedan.
Modelhaus's catalog is available by writing to Modelhaus, 5480 Traughber
Road, Decatur, IL 62521-8800. For those of you on-line, check out his web
page at www.modelhaus.com. You can also E-mail Don & Carol at
models@modelhaus.com.

* Good Stuff from The Good Stuff! If my memory serves me correctly, limited
new items available from the guys at The Good Stuff include '66 Dick Harrell
Nova conversion (incl. decals), and '67 Dick Harrell Camaro conversion
(Again, incl. decals) , both of which are based on the Rat Packer for
completion; and a Jungle Jim '69 Nova funny car. Additionally, '71
Challenger and '77-'79 Corvette tinwork is also available, for use with new
Revell-style chassis. Their catalog is available for an SASE by writing to,
The Good Stuff, P.O. Box 131351, Roseville, MN 55113-0012.

* New Parts (by Parks)! Ron Parks had a few new items on display at the big
show in Toledo. First off, Rubber strips (#1030)-rubber ribbon serrated into
20 strips, which can be separated, and cut to length for fan belts, small
hoses, weatherstrips, etc. ($3.00); Flexible Hose #1031 (approx. scale 1""),
1032 (approx. scale 1 1/2"), 1033 (approx. scale 2"), and 1034 (approx.
scale 2 1/2"), $3.00 per package; a Set of eight machined aluminum (lacquer
clear coated) Hilborn injectors (#4004, 9/32" long), or (#4005, 1/2" long),
$10.00 each. For a catalog, write to Parts by Parks, 501 N. 2nd Avenue,
Marshalltown, IA 50158, and be sure to include an SASE!

* Bob is Back! Bob Asselta, proprietor of Scale Repros Plus, is back (with a
vengeance!). Bob is back with his lineup of machined aluminum and finely
cast /finished metal items, as well as a lineup of specialty Drag Racing
resin items! Bob's catalog is available for an SASE mailed to Scale Repros
Plus, 116 Crater Lane, Kittrell, NC 27544. Again, for those of you on-line,
drop him an E-mail at scalerepro@aol.com!

And, here's a non-Toledo item which we discussed at the MAMA's Boyz meeting this past
Saturday!

* Rumor Mill! Rumor has it that the gang at Polar Lights will release
sometime in the year 2000, an all-new kit of the most famous racer of
all-Speed Racer! No word on scale, though!

10/29/99 - update

"All Rise for the Judge!"

(You can order the GTO directly from the Franlin Mint here:

Seems as though the gang at Franklin Mint has
finally seen the error of their ways, and has just released a 1969 GTO
Judge! Done in 1/43rd scale, frankly, there's nothing like it for the
money! It features many of the features of the larger Mint cars, meaning
that the doors, hood (with hood tach!), and trunk all open (with spare tire
and jack included!), the interior floor is flocked to simulate carpeting,
and the bucket seats even fold forward!

Upon closer inspection, the jacking
instructions are in their correct place on the underside of the trunk. It
includes the proper ram air base for the air cleaner topping off the
'brutal' 400 cu. In., 366 hp. Ram Air III motor, , properly painted Rally
II wheels, down to and including the Judge emblem on the glove box door!
Even the mufflers are two different sizes, which was correct.

The neat thing here is that the car from which the measurements were taken to
produce this Gem belongs to a fellow Royal GTO club member! It only costs
$29.95 (not including shipping and handling), which is exactly what the
cars from a rival manufacturer cost, which have no opening features
whatsoever.

(You can order the GTO directly from the Franlin Mint here:

Note: The ad for the car appears in the November 1999 issue
of Automobile magazine. And one of the comments that I have heard from
several people is that they mistakenly thought it was the earlier Danbury
Mint 1/24th scale version, so they didn't bother to order it! This is
partly because both Franklin and Danbury decided to do the car in its
'signature' paint scheme, Carousel Red.

Scale Motorsport Upholstery Decals

I'm sure you have all seen the ad running in some of the current model
magazines of the new "Endangered Species" seat upholstery decals. Scale
Motorsport made quite a reputation for themselves with their beautiful
carbon fiber decals. Well, after contacting proprietor Matthew Wells for
further information on his new products, he not only sent the requested
information, but a few of the Endangered Species sets, and a sampling of
his other upholstery decals for review.

I was pleasantly surprised when, upon their arrival, I opened the package
and found not only the "Endangered Species" lineup, but also a horizontal
Checkerboard set (SKU# 1960) in both red and black, a Plaid set (SKU#
1962), and a Houndstooth set (SKU# 1970) including both red and black!
The "Endangered Species" lineup currently consists of three sheets (will
there be more in the future, Matt?)-Animal hide patterns of a leopard (SKU#
1974), zebra (SKU# 1975), and an elephant (SKU# 1976).

His decal sheets measure approximately 4 ¾" x 7", with a nice cardboard
backing which serves two purposes. First, it keeps the decals from getting
creased or folded, and second; it provides basic instructions and
suggestions on the use and application of the product.
I chose two of the patterns to experiment with-the horizontal checkerboard
sheet (#1960), and the leopard sheet in the Endangered Species line
(#1974), which is, by far, the prettiest one of the line so far!

There are two different approaches to applying these decals. You could
actually follow the instructions (What modeler would follow directions?!),
or, do as I did, and cut a slightly oversize piece, apply it, and wait for
it to dry completely and merely trim away the excess. The decals went on
great, laid down just fine, with the help of the Micro Set solution, and
looked very good when dry. Upon attempting the trimming operation, I was
able to accomplish it with a bit more difficulty, due in part to the very
thin nature of these decals. That is how it should be, however, as this
allows them to snuggle right down on the chosen seat, hugging those nooks
and crannies (can I say that without being sued?).

As for the results, check out the enclosed photos. I hope you can get
enough of an idea as to how they look from these photos.
For further information, send a large SASE to Scale Motorsport, 3 Topside
Lane, Newton, CT 06470-2023, or call him at (203) 426-9686 (EST), or E-mail
him at scalemotor@aol.com, and tell him that you read about this product
here in the "It's News to Me" column on the Model Car Hub Website!

10/19/99

New items from Model Car Garage

MCG-504: Billet Style Custom Sombrero hubcaps ($15.99)
This set consists of an exquisite set of turned aluminum wheel discs
machined by Cody Grayland sized to fit the Lindberg 1953 Ford tire, and the
Galaxy 1948 Chevy tire. Also included are photoetch center caps into which
are inserted Cadillac crests. Bob has also thoughtfully provided a painting
guide, showing the proper coloring.

MCG-505: Billet Style Saturn hubcaps ($14.99)
This set also consists of turned aluminum discs machined by Cody Grayland,
also sized to fit the Lindberg/Galaxy 1953 Ford/1948 Chevy tires. Unlike
the Caddy Sombreros, there is no photoetch to top them off.

MCG-506: Monster Tachometer Multi-media kit ($5.99)
This is a neat little accessory for all you drag racing/Pro Street fans.
This detail set includes a turned aluminum tach body, photoetch pieces
including things like three tach needles, a Rev-limiter needle,
mounting/tie straps, a mounting bracket, and the RPM recall panel. To top
this unit off, are gauge faces to build your choice of either a 10 or
11,000 RPM tach, with your choice of black or white face.

MCG-2139: Dragline Blower Details ($4.99)
For you drag racers, Bob has something for you! His new Dragline series
(sized to fit 1/25th scale kits) should suit most, if not all of your
photoetch needs. Combining all of these sets would result in one KILLER
drag racer!! This particular set contains the necessary photoetch items to
replicate a blower restraint system. It includes the blower face
plate/butterflies, hold-down brackets, and belt tensioners. These items are
added to the kit blower. MCG even includes a template for the belt to tie
this one together.

MCG-2140: Dragline Brake Rotors ($4.99)
A set of brake rotors, this set includes the rotor, caliper bracket, and a
hub. The builder is tasked with adding a small piece of plastic rod as a hub.

MCG-2141: Dragline Chassis Details ($3.99)
This set contains various brackets and gussets utilized throughout a
typical racecar. Examples would include rear axle mounting brackets, upper
and lower wing strut gussets, and nitrous bottle knobs/brackets, down to
and including the parachute cord mounting brackets!

MCG-2142: Dragline Engine Details ($3.99)
This set focuses on the main ingredient of any drag car-the engine.
Included you will find two different styles of distributor tops, assorted
wire looms, blower starter brackets, and two different styles of blower
belt guards.

MCG-2143: Dragline Header Details ($6.99)
This set is a close companion to the engine set, as it allows the builder
to add detail to the headers. It includes two different styles of header
braces, as well as the support brackets. A really neat feature here is the
inclusion of a header cover, which will be bent up along relief lines to
create a cover for the car's headers.

MCG-2144: Dragline Interior Details (Part A) ($4.99)
This set contains detail items for the 'office'-the cockpit. This set
contains two styles of gas pedals , a four-piece (!) clutch pedal, three
different instrument panels, and a two-piece parachute release bracket.

MCG-2145: Dragline Steering Wheel Details ($3.99)
This set is a companion to MCG-2144, and includes two different steering
wheels styles, and reverse/brake/fuel shutoff levers.

MCG-2146: Dragline Linkage Details ($3.99)
This one is pretty well self-explanatory. It contains assorted linkage
details to allow the builder to 'hook up' the 'office' (cockpit) to the
'business end' of things-the motor.

MCG-2147: Dragline Seat Belt Hardware Details ($3.99)
This set was produced to ensure ultimate detail for the 'passenger
restraint', a.k.a. the driver! MCG includes not only a layout of the
necessary hardware, but also kindly includes templates for the belts, to be
made from tracing paper.

MCG-2148: Dragline Fastener Details ($6.99)
This set consists of assorted fasteners, with a simple identification guide
thoughtfully included to allow the builder to properly place these
fasteners in their proper location (mainly used for body panel retention).

MCG-2149: Wing End Details ($7.99)
This set contains not only the rear wing end plates, but the front winglet
end plates as well. But, that's not all! Also included are two different
styles of rear wind braces, front and rear Gurney flaps, and both inner and
outer wing end braces.

MCG-2150: 1960 Chevy Fleetside pickup detail set ($14.99)
This set will allow builders to do the AMT 1960 Chevy pickup justice.
Included are 'Chevrolet 10'/'Apache'/'Custom' scripts, V-8 hood trim,
tailgate hardware, 1960/1961 grille trim (along with separate 1961 center
trim), dash trim/knobs, keys/keychains, window cranks. In other words, the
kitchen sink!

MCG-2151: 1957 Chevy Cameo pickup detail set ($12.99)
This set is along the lines of the 1960/1961 pickup set. It includes a
plethora of assorted 6- and 8-cylinder scripts, Cameo bed trim, tailgate
hardware, keys/keychains, window cranks, etc. as in the aforementioned set,
but this one has an added bonus-a gauge face bezel, and an acetate gauge face.

MCG-2152: Mako Shark Corvette detail set ($6.99)
Bob apparently has a soft spot for this car, as he produced this set for
AMT's excellent kit. Included are the Mako Shark and Mako Shark II fender
scripts along with shark fender emblems, , the crossed flag hood emblem,
the 'ZL-1' hood emblem, the grille and gas cap crests, convertible top
latches, and door lock cylinders.

MCG-2153: Late Model Mustang Detail Scripts ($5.99)
In this set, Bob has sought to fill that void for builders of 1985 to 1999
GTs, and the lack of scripts for it. Included in this set are things like
1999 GT fender emblems (left and right), rear emblem, and grille emblem;
'SVT', 'LX', and '5.0' scripts; and 1994 to 1999 'Cobra' fender emblems.

MCG-2154: 1955/1956 Chevy Cameo pickup detail set ($8.99)
This set is for use with the AMT kits. Bob has thoughtfully provided both
1955 and 1956 emblems, and denotes this on his layout sheet. 'Chevrolet
3100', 'Chevrolet 3200', the center hood emblem for 1955, both six- and
eight-cylinder hood emblems for 1956, a dash gauge bezel, and the usual
assorted goodies like keys, keychains, etc.

MCG-2155: Stromberg 97 Carb/linkage Multi-media kit ($12.99)
This set must be seen to be believed! It includes three Stromberg 97
carburetors (mastered by Rik Hoving, and cast by Modelhaus), a photoetch
linkage sheet, consisting of over 30 pieces, stainless wire for linkage
arms, two types of fuel wire for fuel lines, and very comprehensive
instructions, including several two and three-Carb setup pictures.

How does Bob Korunow top this? Word reaches me that his upcoming 1958 Edsel
set will not only contain scripts for every Edsel model available in 1958,
but it will also include BRASS EDSEL lettering for the grille!! Bob now has
secure ordering capability on his website
(http://www.modelcargarage.com/mcg_main.cfm), so check it out!

9/20/99

* More new toys! Looks like the gang at Revell-Monogram, er, Revell
models is going to hit us in the pocketbooks again later this year.
The following limited edition kits are due out in time for Christmas:
'64 Mustang convertible Collector's tin, and a '67 Corvette
convertible Collector's tin (both limited to 10,000); the Orange Crate
(limited to 15,000); the Big 'T' (limited to 5,000); Tom McEwen's '57
Chevy funny car with Collector's pin (limited to 10,000); the Royal
Pontiac '66 GeeTo Tiger with 'Mystery Tiger' driver figure (limited to
12,500); Gus Grissom Memorial combo with two Collector's patches
(limited to 7,500); and last but not least, a Messerschmitt BF110G-2
(Wespen) (limited to 7,500). Guess you better get in touch with Santa,
and get these on your Christmas list (pronto), if interested, 'cause a
few of 'em won't last long!

9/15/99

* Rumor mill! Informed sources have the gang at Lindberg models bringing out a few reissues for the avid model builders among us (guess that covers just about all of us, eh?). These include the '48 Lincoln Continental, '37 Cord, and the '35 Auburn. A modified reissue, which will supposedly hit the shelves in October, is a '53 Ford Pace Car convertible. Watch for 'em!

* More plastic! Scheduled to hit the shelves from the gang at Revell in the month of September are the following kits: Pro Finish '34 Ford Street Rod, '87 Monte Carlo SS Aeroback, '53 Chevy lowrider Complete kit, and the '99 Chevy Silverado pickup.
    As if this isn't enough, the  Fourth Quarter releases from this company will include the following: SnapTite '34 Ford Street Rod, Chevy S10 lowrider 3 'n 1, '64 Chevy Impala lowrider 2 'n 1, '40 Ford convertible street rod, 'Goodwrench' Firebird Pro Stock, Ford SVT F-150 Lightning pickup, '99 Chevy Silverado w/Jet Ski and trailer, '41 Chevy pickup, and the '64 Ford Fairlane street machine. Better hurry and catch up with these, as the 2000 releases will be announced shortly!

* Diecast dreams! According to the October '99 issue of HOT ROD magazine, Hot Wheels is not letting the new millennium slow 'em down one bit! In the 'basic' lineup (the regular $1 cars), they are planning on 36 new editions, 10 more than 1999. New cars will include things like a '32 Roadster, a Pro Mod-style '68 El Camino, a 40's-style car carrier (called the Snubnose Hauler right now), a '55 Ford done up in pickup, panel van, and car hauler versions, a Ferrari 550 Maranello, a Ferrari 365GTB/4 Daytona, a new Surf Crate, and a Deora II.

  Higher-end collectible cars (a.k.a. black box series?) should release a Firebird, a Superbee, a Challenger, and a Mustang, for a pair of two-car sets known as the 30th Anniversary of '70 Muscle sets; a stock '57 Nomad, and and a one-off mid-engined creation; a '48 Ford Woodie towing a vintage Sprint car on a single-axle trailer; and a new HOT ROD set consisting of a '33 'Malco Gasser' Willys, Roland Leong's Hawaiian Charger funny car, the Invader show car, and a Pro Street '69 Camaro.
    In the high end collectible cars, we'll get an art-deco oil tanker and the Bizarro, a 50's Caddy along the lines of the LeSabre show car. A '56 Ford custom truck; 'Voodoo Highway', which will consist of a flamed '63 Cad Hearse, Ed Newton's Triclopz custom, and a '70 Monte Carlo lowrider; a series of Harley-Davidson motorcycles; and finally, a two car Car Craft set including a '63 Max Wedge Belvedere, and a '69 442.
    And in 1/43rd scale, how about a twice-blown Hemi-powered '32 Ford Coupe, '65 Shelby Mustang racer, and a '71 440 Roadrunner (!)
    In 1/18th scale, how about a Merc Woodie, a Millennium edition Corvette, and a VW Bus (huh?). Hot Wheels has a 1/64th scale VW Bus, which is immensely popular. It features a mid-engined V-8, monster rear tires, and flip-top body. It would be a relatively simple matter to enlarge this tooling to 1/18 th scale! And such a good seller in a small scale should translate to a good seller in a larger scale, eh? This would be in addition to the '69 ZL-1 Corvette, and the '69 Dodge Charger R/T already released in 1/18th scale.
    Looks like Hot Wheels is really tryin' to take a big bite outta our wallets!

Tim Sickle  gtoguy@mindspring.com

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