Modelers gathered in Plano, Texas this March for the 33rd annual Showdown scale auto show organized by the Metroplex Car Modelers Association. The tables featured cars in 21 categories and awards, including Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Engine Compartment, Best Chassis Detail, and Floyd Bryant Best of Show. See a handful of the awesome autos on display!
This 1/25 scale septic and grease trap pumper truck from modeler Hugo Garcia is mostly scratchbuilt! He covered the vehicle in gray primer, white paint from a spray can, weathered with chalk and blends of rust shades, and placed it on a base from ash wood with Celluclay and pebble groundwork.
Raul Montelongo painted his Revell 1/25 scale ’90 Mustang LX 5.0 with Tamiya gray primer under the factory color lacquer. He added Detail Master ignition wires to model a drag racer with a notch-back style.
This BBR 1/43 scale Olive Garden Ferrari 550 Maranello drove in with Michael Stucker. After adding Tameo wheel nuts, he painted the car MCW Olive Garden Green, the interior Tamiya Aluminum, Mr. Finishing Surfacer 1500 Black on the lower body, and clear coated it with Pledge Floor Gloss.
To make this Batmobile 6-wheeler, Dedrick Brady stretched an AMT 1/25 scale Batmobile into a 6-wheeler by merging two kits. He painted the car with PPG Triple Black.
Larry Litoborski scratchbuilt linkages and plumbing for his CIX Models 1/12 scale 1910 Indian 8-valve Board Track Racer. He drilled out rims and hubs to accept hand-cut spokes and painted the motorcycle with a mix of Tamiya Italian Red and Maroon over Alclad primer.
For a basic project while staying in a hotel on a business trip, Gary Curry built the Aoshima 1/24 Lamborghini Aventador box stock. He painted the colorful scheme using a Paasche single-action airbrush.
Wes Salazar equipped a Revell 1/25 scale Custom Cadillac lowrider with a wired and detailed motor from the Revell Foose Cadillac Eldorado. He scratchbuilt a hydro setup with machined pumps, added JPD wheels and photo-etched metal brakes, and painted the car with Tropical Glitz Blackberry Candy. He says he was inspired to make the model because he loves Cadillac lowriders and owns a ’94 Fleetwood.
Keith Rule built a lowrider from a Galaxie Limited 1/25 scale 1947 Chevy Fleetmaster Aerosedan with a modified front end and grille. Gleaming under 2k clear, the stunning paint job required a ton of masking.
This AMT 1/43 scale ’48 Ford Coupe is Blake Hamilton’s creation. He achieved the weathered patina with salt masking and chipping fluid, along with pastels and weathering pencils. A rotary tool thinned the plastic around the fenders and rocker panels for rust. The worn classic sits on a base Blake made from foam, Woodland Scenics, and AK Interactive products.
Justin Hart added tons of scratchbuilt and 3D-printed parts to a Revell-Monogram 1/25 scale ‘37 Ford pickup, including the fire extinguisher and rope. He covered the truck in House of Kolor Oriental Blue over Orion Silver.
Aaron Robinson’s Revell 1/25 scale 1964 Chevelle Station Wagon drag car features a Morgan Automotive Detail wired distributor and Revell 1968 Firebird wheels and tires. He topped off the Heavy Chevy with Dupli-Color Toreador Red.
Curtis Sanchez cut the engine compartment open to install a wired motor in his Hasegawa 1/24 scale 1967 Volkswagen Type 2 delivery van. He hinged the door and added resin-printed wheels and tires. Curtis primed, added color, and a clear coat with sanding in between.
This Monogram 1/24 scale Tom Daniels Tijuana Taxi rolled in courtesy of Jim Alexander. He wired the engine, added bullet holes, and distressed the Testors paint with dry-brushing and washes to give it character.
James Schoonover’s Monogram 1/24 scale 1969 Dodge Super Bee is pretty much out of the box and features an enamel finish.
The unique finish on Thorne Hilborn’s 1956 Volkswagen lowrider used Tropical Glitz Candy Magenta and 27 feet of fine-line tape. He modified the Revell 1/24 scale kit with gullwing doors, chopped the top, widened the fenders, and installed a wet bar in the back seat.
Bob Rost made a custom front and rear end for his AMT 1/25 scale 1959 El Camino. To replicate Darryl Starbird’s shop truck from the early ’60s, he painted it with Dupli-Color Candy Apple Red.
This magenta beauty is Jay Henning’s lowered AMT 1/25 scale ’63 Buick Riviera painted with Testors Pink.
George Juarez built the Jimmy Flintstone 1/25 scale Meggaa Hauler out of the box and primed and finished the unique truck with automotive 2-stage paint.
This Revell 1/24 scale ’83 Hurst Oldsmobile is the work of Nathan Juarez. He painted it with Tropical Glitz Seductive Red.