Diecast top removal

[Bobnoir1]

As Bill said, the hard tops are a breeze. A tip I'll give you, for what it's worth, is when you use the Beanstalk wheels on the Maisto, exchange the Maisto tires for the Beanstalks. As Bill said earlier, the Beanstalk 1:18 scale cars are just a very slight bit larger than Maistos are. To my eye, when you use the Beanstalk tires on the Maistos the model sits a little too high. I suppose a lot of people won't notice, but I notice that bit of imbalance from a mile off.

Bill, another way to get nice chrome wheels is to swap the chassis around from the black concept car with the red interior. Of course they are chromed 24 spoke wheels instead of the correct 21 spoke ones on the Beanstalk, but cheap Maisto bkack concept cars are generally a lot easier to find than a cheap Beanstalks. The only Beanstalk wheels I have used on Maistos is one Neiman Marcus I corrected (with wheels and a correct body) and one Toorch Red I changed to replicate Jewel.

The difference in tire diameters between the Maisto and Beanstalk Thunderbirds is that the Beanstalk tire is a 55 series tire and the Maisto is a 50 series tire. That's why the Beanstalk tires on the Maisto "sits a little too high". The diameter difference, according to my micrometer, is1.42mm.
Please check my arithmetic.

[Bobnoir1]

Jerri, I am with you. I will buy any Beanstalk that I can get cheap just for the chromed wheels to put on my favorite Maisto. I have found the the chassis needs to be swapped. If you find another easier way let me know. Latest cheap WW I found now has chrome wheels, a black hardtop and a completely red interior. Find swapping pieces parts takes me back to my old building days of 60+ years ago when I got glue on everything.

Removed many tops using the smallest flat head screw driver I could Find. Place it between the visor and the top and apply gentle pressure should get it off. Have done many and never a problem. Good luck.

You know, you can initiate a head-spinning project by trying to swap other 'Bird wheels with the Maisto. Try installing a '57 or '63 wire wheel with wide whites on the 2002? This could get crazy!

[wcoates]

You know, you can initiate a head-spinning project by trying to swap other 'Bird wheels with the Maisto. Try installing a '57 or '63 wire wheel with wide whites on the 2002? This could get crazy!

I think a good thread would be models that have mixed and matched parts from other production 1:18s. Paul or Bobnoir (or ??) why don't you start as I am still away from home but will add my pictures when back home.

Recently sold a model that was black on black on black. Buyer's own car was that and he loved it.

[JerriLampon]

I think a good thread would be models that have mixed and matched parts from other production 1:18s. Paul or Bobnoir (or ??) why don't you start as I am still away from home but will add my pictures when back home.

Recently sold a model that was black on black on black. Buyer's own car was that and he loved it.

Good idea on the Thunderbird Modeling series, but instead of just a new thread, perhaps a new Forum category could be generated.
Eh?