Contest Cars

Almost without fail, one of our readers will ask me at a show, “How do you do it?” This can refer to any number of things, but it usually means “How do you keep all of the models straight in your head?” Honestly, with the number of models we see over the course of a year, and year after year, it can become confusing. And I freely admit that I’ve tagged a model or three that we’ve shot before. But you know who knows? You. If we’ve shot a car of yours at a show, you’re quick to politely point out the mistake and even offer to show us a new model you’ve built that you think is just as good. So, how do we do it? With your help.…

Read our editorial staff’s hints and tricks that make for better show coverage. Images are like building models: There are no shortcuts to good ones, and those good ones really stand out. The higher the quality of the image, the more likely it will be published and not skipped over during the final editing process. This image was shot at f/22, using a DSLR camera. Notice how the model is in focus and sharp bumper-to-bumper, not dark or blurry, with the focal point at the A-pillar. This image was shot with a point-and-shoot camera at f/8 (same focal point). The image goes soft (out of focus) at each end near the car bumpers. An image like this will not be published. Please do • Use a card or information sheet.…

A master of custom paint, Mario “Shadow” Mendiola spent two years turning an AMT 1/25 scale 1971 Thunderbird into a 1970s lowrider, airbrushing it several colors of candy automotive paints. Shadow’s multistep process is primer, sealer, the metallic base coat, masking and candy colors, lace, and finally the clear top coat. Vic Rood built a factory-stock ’71 Plymouth Duster from an AMT 1/25 scale kit, wired and plumbed the motor, and detailed the engine bay, frame, and interior. He painted the car in classic Mopar Testors Plum Crazy enamel. To model a truck he wants to own in full size, Deven Lehst cut up and merged the cabs from two AMT 1/25 scale ’78 Dodge D-100 pickups. He also swapped out the powerplant with a 12-valve turbo diesel engine and…

Andy Rocheford souped up his Revell 1/25 scale 1928 Ford Model A with a flathead engine and Columbia two-speed rear axle from a Revell 1940 Ford. The wheels and headlights came from a Revell 1930 Model A. Andy spray-painted the body, chassis, and engine, and brush-painted details. Brady Wallskog gave new body lines, fenders, 3D-printed motor, scratchbuilt roll cage, and a chopped top to his Tamiya 1/24 scale Mercedes 300 SL. He airbrushed marrone dino lacquer over primer and sealed the “dino brown” with Mr. Hobby Super Clear. Adam Folk built an original SMP 1/25 scale annual 1960 Chevy Apache box stock. And what a finish! He masked and painted lace patterns of Testors Purplicious and Createx Candy 2O over a base of Tamiya Pearl White and Testors Diamond Dust.…

Scott Liggett built a 1/25 scale 1970 GTO Judge from the 1971 film Two-lane Blacktop. He used an MPC body, interior, and engine, and a 1969 Olds 442 chassis. He scratchbuilt the rear spoiler, popped Keystone mags into the tires, and finished with ScaleFinishes Pontiac Orbit Orange and Keith Marks decals. Vern Heizer is known for his immaculate builds, and he does it again with this JoHan 1/25 scale 1958 Olds. He chopped the top of this custom and converted a four-door ride to a two-door sled. It wears a luscious Tropical Glitz finish with blazing chrome trim. C.T. Inman saw an episode of The Jetsons on YouTube and remembered how entertaining the show was for him as a youngster. Inspired, he built his Jetson’s Auto Shop diorama. Much of…

Terry Van Parys’ 1/25 scale 1965 Dodge Coronet AWB Gold Rush features a resin body, 3D-printed parts, and scratchbuilt equipment, including the shocks, engine mounts, crossmember, and more. He painted it ScaleFinishes 1965 A Gold and ACME 2K Clear. C.T. Inman made the headlights for his Lindberg 1/24 scale 1932 Ford from valve-stem covers. Ratting the hot rod, he made a gas tank from a scale 55-gallon drum, widened the fenders, and fashioned seat covers from a used dryer sheet. “Decals on decals” is how Gary Mace describes the markings on his Aoshima 1/24 scale Japanese food truck. He airbrushed the model with Tamiya enamels. Paul Payne scratchbuilt substantial portions of his Revell 1/25 scale 1937 Ford tow truck. He brush-painted the model with Testors enamels, weathered with artist pastels,…