Wednesday July 23, 2003

Customize Your HO Scale Models!

The problem I have is that when Johnny Lightning put out their pull back T-jets a couple of years ago, I like many of you could not stop buying them.  Mostly I was purchasing these cars because I could not believe that a company like Playing Mantis would go to the trouble to re-make T-jet bodies some twenty five years later.  I bought them because I liked them, but also because I hoped it would be a success so they would make more!  Now that they are making full fledge slot cars again (chassis and all), I find myself with a closet full of pull back Johnny Lightning cars that have little chance of getting out of their box.

 

The solution has been to strip the cars (especially chrome ones) of their paint, and make them into the cars that I want.  I had at least ten chrome Daytona Chargers that got a two bath in Windex to strip them to bare plastic.  A little masking, paint, and decals, and now they are ready to hit the track.  The next challenge will be to get chassis under these "Winged Warriors" that are smooth and matched.  By being matched, I mean that they will do a lap on my track within .05 seconds of each other.  This, and making them smooth, I find to be the most fun racing. Once again I took two pull back Camaros down to their bare plastic.  Nothing against chrome red, but I think these will be more fun!

 I can't wait for series 5 of the Johnny Lightning cars.  If you are a Trans-Am fan, you have probably guessed where I am going next!  Won't the Cuda (#42 & 48) and the Boss Mustang's look good with these two.  I already have the paint and the decals for both. 
 
                                         

Mike's cars are wonderful.  These two NASCAR's are two that I purchased at the Cleveland show last Fall.  They, like the Daytona's, are matched within .05 seconds of each other on my track.  The thick clear coat protects the decal's and paint from my reckless driving.

These were purchased two weeks ago from Mike at the Cleveland show.  The decals on the Galaxies are my own that I made under the name "Stock Car Legends" a few years ago.  I know the Lola doesn't go with the theme here, but I thought it looked nice enough to include.
 
To me this building has become the most fun part of the hobby.  With all of the great new slot car body makers that have come along the last five years, the choices are endless.  I have got away from collecting the vintage bodies in all of their color combinations, and have found myself getting more gratification out of researching and building cars from the 60's and early 70's.  Next time I'll show you what I have done with 1/32 & 1/24 scale model kit conversions.  Save me some Carrera Daytona's and Roadrunners when they hit the shelves!
 
Joel