Tom Valenta built a Tamiya 1/12 scale 2016 Yamaha R1M sport bike with a Detail-Up set that included front forks, rear suspension, and various photo-etched metal parts and painted with Tamiya colors.
Scale Motorsports carbon-fiber decals and Splash Paints Hell Green were expertly applied to John Stoncliff’s Revell Ford GT. John created a 3D-printed rear diffuser and brought wheels and tires from Scale Productions into his build.
Brian Barnwell’s box-stock build of Revell’s Foose Cadillac features a marbled paint scheme consisting of a white base covered with tequila yellow, fading into candy brandywine from top to bottom.
Rick Scott’s Kentucky Moonshiner 1941 Willys gasser features a wired and plumbed Hemi engine, Slixx decals, and slick Tamiya Metallic Blue paint.
A Modelhaus resin body allowed Irvin Arter Jr. to create this beautiful House of Kolor Violette 1950 Cadillac mild custom. The Caddy’s body has been smoothed and lowered over the chassis, wide whites, and custom-made side pipes, along with blue dots in the taillights complete this incredible boulevard cruiser.
Alvis Barrington scratchbuilt the chassis for his awesome 1/12 scale 1955 Ford F-100 pickup. On top of that, he machined many motor parts over the six months it took him to complete this beauty. Alvis finished the body and weathered it with Tamiya paints.
Robert Langone’s 1965 Mustang resto-mod features a wired and plumbed small-block engine, custom rear suspension with mini tubs, and a PPG automotive three-color paint scheme under PPG Clear.
Fred Henry used many kits to create his AMT 1955 Chevrolet Belair pro street. The ‘55 chassis has been heavily modified to fit under the body. He installed wheels and tires from his spares box and covered the car with bright orange Tamiya paint.
Bradley Weirick’s pro street 1955 Chevrolet Nomad features a wired and plumbed big-block engine, a custom chassis, and candy gold and orange automotive paint.
Tamiya’s 2014 Honda RC213V sport bike took Aaron Thomas approximately six months. He used a Tamiya Detail-Up set, Top Studio rivets, Blue Stuff decals, Zero, Alclad II, and Tamiya paints to get everything just right.
Claude Jones displayed his customized Baja Ford Bronco in the contest’s closed-wheel competition class. He used 3D-printed parts and finished the off-roader using Dupli-Color paints and automotive clear.
Anyone who knows Rodney Clements knows he does not build box stock and does not color within the lines. Rodney’s Carl Casper, all-electric, stereo competition van features parts from old cell phones to create the drive system, head and taillights, and crossovers for the amps.
Tamiya Coral Blue paint graces the body of Brian Guggemos’ out-of-the-box Monogram Shelby Cobra 427SC No. 11. Brian completed the mighty Cobra in approximately 30 days.
Drifting has become a favorite subject among younger modelers, and Chester Smith tapped into that market with his AMT 1975 Datsun pickup. Canted wheels, wide stance, lowered suspension, a scratchbuilt fuel system, fender flairs, and Tamiya Pink finish out this slippery slider.
No kit exists for the Aston Martin DBR1, so Bill Cunningham 3D-printed and scratchbuilt his entire model. He employed Createx Auto-Air paints and automotive clear to finish his build.
Pablo Santiago is a fan of the Motor Trend TV show “Bitchin’ Rides,” and one of his favorites was Dave Kindig’s version of a custom 1965 Ford Galaxie. Pablo removed the roof from a sedan kit, customized the interior, and tucked 3D-printed panels inside the trunk. Pablo’s one-month build was finished in Tamiya Gloss White.
Shane Harold used Powerslide decals and House of Kolor Neon Chartreuse paint to complete his version of Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford Fusion stock car. Shane lowered the racer to create a more accurate stance for the 1/1 vehicle.
Schwinn made its iconic Sting-Ray from 1963 to 1981 and has brought it back in special releases, proving that the styling is still as eye-catching today as it was back then. David Knight used Alclad II Sapphire paint to replicate one of the unique stock colors for this boulevard cruiser. David’s smooth build of this two-wheeler took almost a month to complete.
Batman’s Two-Face would be proud to pilot this custom creation from the warped mind of Rob Smorey. His split-personality 1969 Dodge Daytona is finished with a custom lime-green and black paint scheme. Hobby Design resin twin turbos beefed up the wired and plumbed engine. It all rolls on a set of NASCAR Generation 6 wheels and tires.
Dennis Smith started with a Monogram Red Baron kit to create his custom Model T hot rod. He machined most of the engine, drivetrain, and chassis parts. After six months of work, he completed the model with various Tamiya paints.
Anyone who has completed a Starter kit knows how difficult and detailed these small models can be. Scott Ridley’s Venturi Sherwood 1994 Le Mans race car is beautifully rendered. Painted Tamiya Red with automotive clear on top, Scott modified the wheels with valve stems and added missing roll cage elements.
Kevin Rodgers’ 3D-printed Chaparral 1 features a wired and plumbed engine, scratchbuilt brass rollbar, and a glossy Tamiya White finish.
Joe Fotschky’s build of Tamiya’s new Toyota Supra came in box stock and wearing metallic orange paint. He was floored by the headlights that took five parts each, with just as many decals to assemble and install!
James Hart’s MPC 1978 Dodge D-100 long-bed custom pickup features a scratchbuilt chassis, lowered suspension, and a Dodge Viper V10 engine. James’ pickup rides on JPS 24-inch wheels and is finished in Raybestos Blue enamel.
Andy Caldwell presented two small-scale Indy race cars for display: Al Unser’s yellow and Jim Hurtbise’s red roadsters. The 1963 racecars use photo-etched metal bezels with gauge decals. Scratchbuilt items on both include the engine side panels.
This Tamiya Volkswagen 1300 took James Marshall four months. Tamiya Light Metallic Blue decorates the outside. James added machined pulleys, wired distributor, and fuel lines to the engine.
Roadway trucks always looked well-used, and Tim Brown captured the appearance perfectly. His AMT C-900 tractor was updated to a 1984 model with a single headlight conversion. Scratchbuilt items include air hoses, glad hands, and a fifth-wheel plate.
Taking more than 800 hours, Lee Barret completed his NHRA Lucas Oil top fuel dragster. Starting with a Revell frame, Lee went to work making a ton of interior components from scratch. He wired and plumbed the engine, and Tamiya helped him get up to the line.
Jorge Ramos’ land speed Nissan GTR Mooneyes Liberty Walk features a lowered suspension, custom rear spoiler, and custom Mooneyes 20-inch disk wheels. The LB Walk GTR Version 1 is coated in Tamiya Bright Yellow and Mooneyes decals from his spares.
Trent Christian’s light commercial entry was a little different than most: a golf cart. He disassembled a die-cast model, repainted the parts, made a new roof, and decorated it with homemade decals. Trent crafted a golf bag and clubs for this unique scale 18-hole transport.
Bill Bauer’s 2013 Falken Porsche 911R took approximately eight months to build. It started as a Fujimi 911R, but Bill upgraded it with a resin body, NuNu decals, and Scale Productions wheels and tires
James Darby finished his Revell 1941 Willys with FolkArt Pastel Purple and Silver color shift paints. He added ignition wires to detail the Hemi engine.
Jim Shepherd’s light commercial entry is anything but light. The massive Revell Germany Cityliner bus doors open to reveal LED lighting throughout. The chrome wheels came from a Moebius Models parts pack, and Jim painted the striking livery with Tamiya Blue Metallic paint.
Wayne Stevens’ 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Pro Mod sports a resin body, scratchbuilt chassis and suspension, parts-bashed engine, and custom graphics.
Traci Vicari went above and beyond with her steampunk 1923 C-cab delivery truck. She used candy root beer paint over a gold base, incorporated watch and clock parts and jewelry for lamps, and made the exhaust from brass and aluminum.
Mike Alverez converted a VW delivery van into a one-of-a-kind camper. The roof rack and ladder are brass rods, and the interior has all the amenities an overlander would expect. But what would a camper do without a trailer, V-dub Bug, and surfboards? Superb work!
Paul Tolonen built this 1940 Willys pro street pickup with the ability to come apart so he could show off the scratchbuilt frame and engine. Paul detailed the body to accept the pro street rubber mounted on a unique set of spoke wheels. The finish on Paul’s ride is Testors Orange.
The Precious Metal theme winner was Mark Batson and his Petty Enterprises 1999 Pontiac stock car in raw form. He created the ultra-realistic metal appearance with seven different Alclad II metallic colors. The template resting atop the car shows it is not in legal spec yet. Each Cleco fastener is multiple parts and is drilled individually.