2008 show theme change

[slammd454SS]

Well thinking it over the past few days myself...as with the prez, i think doing something off the wall and drastic like changing the themes up for '08 show would be something of a vast majority count...i would definitely try Mopars & Motorcycles, seeing that its not been done here at all..or at any show ive been to ( which hasnt been many), id like to see someone get creative with a motorcycle instead of a mercedes, which would mostly be a class of racecars more often than not wouldnt ya think?

Imput needed here...lets get to talkin on this, see who stand where.:p

[Firehawk]

I'll voice an opposing opinion, I have seen shows with motorcycle themes fairly recently. I haven't ever seen much participation with that theme ever, in my opinion it's one of those that people like to talk about and conjecture over, and a few people participate, but the majority of modelers pay it no mind when it comes time. (small Block Chevy theme went this way). Either you are a motorcycle modeler or you aren't, and if you aren't, a theme is going to get maybe 2-5% of car modelers to participate, most will stay with their favorite build types. I'd be surprised if we had more than five or six motorcycles show up. I'd say if we want to do something with motorcycles, we make a special award as incentive, but not a theme. Again, just voicing my opinion from what I've experienced, not saying anybody is wrong or right and not trying to be negative.

I think the Mercedes theme would be great. As far as I know, it's never been done, its sadly been horribly neglected. Every other marque has had their day in the sun... Fords, Chevys, Mopars, Ferraris, Porsches, ad nauseum... but never Mercedes. There are a lot of street and race cars that would appeal to a wide range of model car builders that lend itself to a lot of genres. Not just racecars (which are very significant) from F1 to DTM to LeMans to autocross, but a mass range of streetcars of many types. Even Mercedes-powered hotrods, or a vintage classic 500Ks. So, from an objective viewpoint I believe it would be very succesful, there are a lot of fans out there. From a personal standpoint, I would be thrilled, Mercedes Benz is my #2 after Lamborghini.

My 2 cents.

Oh, and for the record, I am an avid motorcyle modeler with an abundance of kits and a collection of built examples.

[Ferrarifreak]

Well for my 2 cents worth. I agree it's about time Mercedes gets it's own place in the sun. I mean, if anyone studied hard enough, there's an abundance of the kits both plastic and resin. I'd welcome that one openly. Although you know what group of Mercedes anyway. hehehehehe , As for the Motorcycles, sure they're quite catchy as far as the Revell line goes. Which i've got a gut feeling that will just be a trend which will fade in popularity by the time of the show. But on the other hand, some of you have the means to purchase the high dollar kits of Tamiya and Italeri and such. I feel you would need to weigh the difference of the possible turnout there from these different forms and genre of kit. However I applaud you for thinking outside the box for this one. But as far as i'm concerned, Mercedes is a no brainer for a change!!
Danny

[Zoom Zoom]

There's always the option to keep the Mercedes and Mopar themes and make a motorcycle theme our "website" theme.

I'm open to all suggestions. I know getting motorcycles in numbers may be like pulling teeth, but the Revell choppers have gotten a lot of people building motorcycles that normally didn't. I know that if we did have a theme it would get me to finish at least one or two that are otherwise languishing in my basement, pushed aside by modeler's ADD :rolleyes:

[slammd454SS]

really, IMO, since revell came out with the chopper series bikes ive past them by to build something opposing to it--myself id really go to the higher priced Tamiya kits just because there more of a precise edge to them--dont get me wrong chopper bikes are cool in plastic & 1:1 but ya seen one you seen pretty much all of em.

Something we did while i was apart of C.A.R.S. of chattanooga was introduce a group of cars that was strictly on 20"+ wheels (this is not applying to the donk, and bubble kits), but one that was customized by the modeler themselves to ride on and be built strictly on bigger rims--meaning lowering the car, truck, or whatever to accomodate for a larger diameter rim other than was was given stock in the box, this might also be an alternative since this IS a phase in model building as well...but somewhere it might be noted that the car has to not be a stock model, and in fact a custom build. Ill throw that one out there. It'll make the difficulty a lil more for the builder and make the competition just as hard on each other....just throwin that out there from my corner to see what yall think.

[BRE350Z]

I think we can accommodate all three and agree with bob about motorcyles being a web-theme. Being in the process of buiding a bike I can say it is great break from race cars etc. It also is allowing me do much more workwith metallizers, dry brushing, etc. I also agree that the Mercedes theme should be opened to any vehicle that is powered by a Mercedes engine.

Wayne

[dragfan]

How about a Mercedes-bodied racecar that does not have a Mercedes engine-would it be allowed to play?

[Firehawk]

dragfan - sounds good to me!

I'm liking this.. the Chrysler pentastar and the Mercedes tri-star... the stars come out in Atlanta 2008!

[dragfan]

Great idea, but I guess I should not have used the word "racecar"-I have a Tamiya 500 SL AMG that I was going to drop a Viper engine in and build it as a street machine. One of the residents in our building owns a pristine 500 SL.

A 500 SL AMG Funny Car; hmmmmm......