Quick Project: Johnny Lightning 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback

I bought this car in that 3 for $1 sale I mentioned before. A mint condition Johnny Lightning Mustang. Only problem? It's missing a wheel. This super nice wheels are different from the typical Matchbox or Hot Wheels wheel. The hub is attached to the axle, and the decorative part of the wheel pops on top. So on this one, the top part had just popped off and was long gone. No worries though, I know just the thing for it!

It's such a nice model, I didn't want to dismiss it just for doing a Reliant Robin impersonation

It doesn't look as good as the original in my opinion, but at least there are four wheels now!

The reason for choosing these wheels is laziness. They were sitting on my workbench, and the axles didn't need to be modified to fit. I'm allowed to be lazy from time to time. 

So I'm going to let the JB Weld dry and go enjoy a cigar and a beer. Hope you like my 10 minute custom. 

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Project Update - Jaguar XJS

Just a little update for you tonight, a mockup of the final product. Again, using my favorite wheels haha, but I think they suit the old girl really well. I have another one of these lined up to restore, I think a matching set is in order!

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New Project: Jaguar XJ-S Hot Wheels Restoration

With only one project going right now, the Lesney Daimler Bus, I thought it was time to start another. I'm still trying to find just the exact right paint color for the bus, and hopefully I'll have it done soon. 

This is a car that's been rolling around in my tool box for ages, I just never seem to get around to it. But its time has come! If you haven't been able to tell so far, I'm a big fan of all things British, and Jaguars are no different. I absolutely adore everything about the big cats. The XJ-S never quite lived up to the E-Type it replaced, but it was a great car nonetheless. Maybe not the most reliable thing in the world, but getting to work on time everyday is no fun. What are you, a German?? Anyways, tune in soon to see what's in store for this tired old Brit...

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Matchbox Aston Martin DB7

I finished up another custom today. This one has been painted for ages but I couldn't find the wheels I wanted. I had plenty of the small HW lace wheels, but not the big ones. A Talbot Lago gave up its shoes and here we are.

I have always been in love with the DB7, I think it's one of the best looking cars ever made. In BRG, Matchbox made a great example of the car. But these wheels, slapped onto everything in the Tyco era, just don't look good at all. So I decided to give one of my childhood toys a makeover. 

The wheels are maybe a bit big for this car, but they looked loads better than the small ones. This is my favorite wheel design, and I probably use it too much, but that's ok. This is the same automotive paint I used for my Lesney Lincoln Continental Restoration. I think it suits the car well. 

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Project Wrap Up (Finally): Hot Wheels 3-Window 34 Hi Rakers Restoration

A big hello from sunny and warm Tennessee! It's in the upper 80s here today, it is quite lovely.
I finally finished my 3-Window 34 and thought I'd share some pics. It came out looking so much better than I was expecting. The color looks great! I know a lot of people harp on the PR5 wheels, but I like them a lot and think they improve almost every car they're put on. Now lets get to the photos....

Just a reminder as to the sorry state it was in before

Here she is now...

 

I'm absolutely thrilled with it. The casting was fairly pitted, so some of those imperfections came through, but I love it! This usually isn't the sort of car I do, but I'm keeping this one.

Check out this project's original post

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Sneak Peek: Hot Wheels 3-Window 34 Restoration is Almost Finished!!

Well, I was hoping to title this post "Project Wrap Up", but no such luck. I applied the final coat of paint to everything before I left for work, and now that I'm home, I found that the fenders had fallen off their drying stand and are smudged!! Ugh!!! So frustrating. So I'll have to sand it down and redo it. Oh well. Such is life. But here's a little sneak peek! Hopefully I'll have it finished this weekend.

It looks fantastic minus the smudge on the back :)

Sorry for the picture quality. My photo skills, as well as budget for a proper camera are lacking. 

Have a look at the original project post if you missed it. 

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What to do on a Warm February Day?

First of all, sorry for the lack of posts over the last few days. I've been fighting a nasty cold, and going to work and class. Lots of fun. The weather has been nasty so painting hasn't been happening. I've come up with the crazy idea of not starting any new projects until I finish the ones I've already started... Crazy huh??

I got the primer coats laid down on the 3 Window 34 and Daimler Bus. Hopefully I will have both of these finished soon! Stay tuned

Project Wrap Up: Lesney #25d Ford Cortina

Good evening everyone! It's been a lovely day here in Tennessee, so I finally was able to get some painting done. I've been working on this project for a few weeks, you may remember it. It was in pretty rough shape when I got it, but it was all there. Just a basic strip, clean and repaint. Here's the Cortina before, in case you forgot...

And here she is now...

I'll try to get some better pics tomorrow when there's light. But I'm thrilled with how it has turned out. I never liked the original color of this model, so I changed it! Why not? It wasn't planned this way, but this is actually a Ford color, called Jade Green Metallic. According to a quick Google search, it was used on Ford trucks back in the mid-1970s. I found a spray can of it on clearance at an auto parts store a few years back and thought it looked nice, so I grabbed it. When trying to select a color for my Cortina, it just jumped out at me, and I think it looks great. 

Let me know what you think in the comments section!

Previous Updates:

Update #1

Original Project Post

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How to Work In a Small Space

I thought you guys might like to see my workbench, where I do all my restoration projects.

When you live by yourself in a small, one bedroom apartment, you have to make due! It's a small work area, but everything has its place, and it works for me just fine. And yes, that is my bed right next to it. So next time you don't think you have enough space on your workbench, remember me! 

A Closer Look: Cars from the First Kmart Hot Wheels Collector Day of 2014

Hello again. I wanted to share some close-up pics with you of the cars I purchased at the Kmart event today. It really was a great lineup, and I'm thrilled with what I got.

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