The Tenth Annual
Custom Clinic Photo Contest
A Decade of Scale Auto Design
by Mark S. Gustavson

This Custom Clinic Photo Contest marks a major hallmark this year for this most unique of contests. Original editor Gary Schmidt took a chance with my idea for a design contest where the entries would be critiqued and not just ranked. Now, a decade later, more than 143 different contestants from 6 different countries have crafted their visions of good scale model automotive design and submitted their entries. From the finely designed to the outrageously styled, each entry has presented the unique view of its builder. Though some models have been more elegant and stylish than others, each model has represented the passion of its builder.

This year, 37 contestants from 4 countries (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States) submitted 49 entries. A good number of Junior-Class entries were submitted and, like their older compatriots, our younger builders (including the sister-brother team of Aimee and Todd Tanselle) exhibited solid talent and good building techniques. This time, scale styling has been generally more restrained than in the past, but no less adventuresome. Understanding that self-evaluation is a good thing, a pleasantly large number of contestants critiqued their own entries, with some being quite passionate about the shortcomings in their models! Others submitted letters eloquently laying out the reasons underlying the scale designs they undertook.

This time, coverage focuses on the first through tenth place Adult-class winners as well as the top three Junior-class entrants. To enjoy a look at the eleventh through twentieth place Adult winners, the balance of the Junior contestants and the Over-The-Top winners, a few shots of our Honorable Mention winners as well as a selection of excerpts from contestant letters (including some real surprises), please visit my Custom Clinic web site. Go to www.CustomClinic.com, navigate to "Small Scale" and, once there, click on Custom Clinic Photo Contest. You'll also be able to enjoy a look back over the preceding nine years of this great contest.

I want to express my appreciation to our sponsors, to Kalmbach, and to editor Jim Haught for moving this contest to Scale Autofrom its first home, Car Modeler. Start building your model for the eleventh contest. If you want to get on the e-mail list for the next contest, send me an email. We'll be back next year!

Senior Class

First Place: Mark Jones Acura S2000 Coupe

Good styling is a balance between elements that produces a graceful, functional and ergonomically pleasant design. So often, one of these elements is achieved at the expense of the others. Our top winner this year, though, landed solidly on all three points. Sensing that something was missing in both the Integra coupe and the Honda roadster, Mark combined elements from both cars to produce this lithe and interesting design. The front clip of the coupe was sliced off and discarded, and the roadster front end was liberated and narrowed to fit the coupe body. The tops of the front fenders were remodeled to sweep upward to the A pillars. After sawing off the back of the model, our entrants grafted the back quarters and trunk of the roadster(once narrowed) to the coupe, at the same time that the rear deck third brake light was filled in. A new license plate reveal was carved, and restrained single exhaust was installed in place of the original dual outlets. As a new trunk was being scribed, and the original side-of-body character lines were removed to clean up the body; a the same time, a fresh sculptured line added to tie the car together. The rear wheel wells were opened up to mimic the front, and 18" wheels were installed to balance the large body.

Styling Analysis: The Honda rear clip is a genuine triumph because it adds a stateliness needed to accompany the strong C pillars. The sweep of the rear roof pillars nicely resolves into the trunk and top of the rear quarter panels. The taillights might have escaped the puzzling, and too common, current trend to drop conflicting circles into contrasting shaped lenses. The front end, though, has a few hiccups: it features much the same too-strong and geometric front grille opening found on the new 350 ZX. As well, the heavy angle leading to the front grille, commencing at the radius of the front wheel well, could have been lightened by introducing a more defined radius to the wheel well. Too, the shape of the retracted headlights are out of place on this graceful design – just peer at this model through some gauze and imagine a clear, coplanar tear drop shape that tapers to a point as the fender reaches for the A pillar. The rich dark blue paint is as studied as the rest of this subtle design – it invites investigation without demanding it. Mark has created a graceful and insightful design that deserves the top adult-class place in this tenth annual Custom Clinic Photo Contest!

Second Place: Barry Barker "Merlin"

 Our second place winner this year has customized an already radically styled kit and improved on the original. Barry sectioned the body (more at the front and tapering to the tail, suggesting a strong acquaintance with the work of Dutch Darrin), extended the rear fenders and molded them to the narrowed body, removed all the exterior trim, and enlarged the side windows to produce an elegant coupe reminiscent of Thirties' Bugatti coupes.

Styling analysis: This car generally succeeds at the front but lapses aft of the rear window: The massive sweep of the molded rear fenders, as they sweep below the trunk, isn't helped by the too-small backlight which should be widened and extended downward. The wheels are too large and their placement doesn't suggest the possibility of realistic movement. The front wheel well openings could be raised and extended rearward to lighten the overwhelming mass of that shape. Finally, the small split windshield should be replaced by a taller, one-piece, curved piece that would better compliment the overall design. All is all, this is a slick piece, punctuated by two dark colors, that evokes traditional coachcraft styling.

Third Place: Steve Boutte '49 Ford

 Starting with the ubiquitous shoe box Ford, Steve takes a fresh run at an old design. The chopped and reshaped top (how often do customizers do one operation but not both?) is particularly restrained by presenting subtly angled B pillars which compliment the graceful shape of the roof. The extended frenched headlights nicely balance the retained stock taillight windsplits, and the candy green finish, offset by a mostly oyster-colored interior, sets this custom Ford apart from lesser efforts.

Styling analysis: The graceful roof isn't echoed by the almost overwhelming body structure. A modest spear of horizontal chrome, placed on the lower third of the body, would break up the massive body and balance the roof. The stock front grille gunsight is out of place (squint and imagine a thinner grille shell punctuated by a single horizontal grille bar ending in flush- mounted turn lights). Think about what the model would look like if the bumpers were tucked closer to the body. This is a well-executed design that represents the best of traditional Ford shoebox styling.

Fourth Place: Greg Plummer Shelby Series I Coupe

 Long time competitor Plummer exceeds previous efforts with this innovative coupe. Grafting a Dodge Stealth roof to a modern Shelby body resets the image into a surprisingly fresh design. The front grille, too, nicely integrates with the broad sweep of the front body fascia. The round Shelby side "gills" were deleted, and an added center spine on the hood echoes the horizontal split on the side vents sitting in the front fenders.

Styling Analysis: Only two problems mar this design. First, the hood design is too theatrical – it would be better to substitute a simpler hood with a raised scoop highlighted by a very modest GM peak emerging from the front of the scoop and going forward. A more significant matter is that the dramatic sweep of the rear fender was preserved at the expense of the too-delicate roof. The sweep of the roof, halfway back, is significantly too delicate. Think about this: increase the "weight" of the roof and, drop down the sill height of the rear quarter window so that the sweep of the rear fender more closely matches the front. Still, Greg is onto something with this slick coupe.

Fifth Place: John Dino XT-220 Thunderbird Hybrid.

 Newcomer John Dino took some great risks with this fresh design and generally succeeded. Roughly based on a Scale Auto illustration by Jairus Watson, our builder struck on fresh territory by substituting the roof from the Jag XJ220 kit for the Ford windshield, cowl, and a good portion of the tulip panel. The mid-engine configuration of the Jag, along with Jag running gear, were well reconciled to the vintage T-Bird body. A contemporary color scheme, pushing slick dark grey finishes against a burnt metallic copper finish, nicely distinguish this custom 'Bird from others.

Styling Analysis: The Jag roof is a graceful addition that is compromised by the too strong, nearly overwhelming, weight of the lower body appliques. The molding below the rear quarter panels and the front bumper chin spoiler are particularly out of place because they are at war with the smooth flow of the adjacent panels. What if the front bumper/rocker panel/rear fender moldings were moved inward (to the center of the body), matched by a reduction of their height by half, to enhance the otherwise slick appearance of this custom? In the final analysis, this is a radical custom that nicely takes advantage of the historic factory design.

Sixth Place: Steve Hinson 1953 Ford Victoria

 Hinson returns us to one major strain of customizing with this nicely-executed traditional custom Ford. Our entrant pioneers a new way to drop a top: he cut the roof, and its surround, from the body and sunk the entire assembly into the body. The front wheel wells were moved upward to introduce better proportions and reshaped to pick up the angle of the rear quarter panel blister which, too, was raised and sharply defined to suggest a removable "Turnpike Cruiser" fender skirt.

Styling analysis: The smooth body is compromised by the very strong, angled factory chrome molding which is wildly out of place. To eliminate the too-busy look of the front of the model, the hood could be extended downward and forwarded and molded into the upper grille shell so that the hood opens into the grille opening. How about installing inverted '56 Ford bumpers, too (front and rear) along with a simple, uninterrupted single front grille bar? And, as with other models, let's integrate the exhaust into the rear bumper rather than just hanging the pipes. Our entrant has created a thoughtful take on a traditional subject.

Seventh Place: Phil Dauphinee 1950 Ford

 Sometimes, an echo of a simpler era in customizing carries the day. Combining an amalgam of parts from the original AMT Styline kit, Dauphinee has created a clean body design that is nicely balanced by the chopped convertible top. The canted front headlights are connected by a Desoto tooth grille and the back of the model is adorned with round taillights. Dramatic bubble side scoops, highlighted by a fresh chrome molding, provide a nice division for the colors.

Styling analysis: The round taillights are too large in diameter by half – they should be reduced in diameter, and then set into the body inside of a tapered (but thin) angled chrome bezel. The skirts just add to the already-heavy rear quarter panels; though tempting, skirts should be used sparingly. The contrast between the colors could be reduced, too. Still, this is a well-done nostalgic piece that evokes a lot of pleasant memories.

Eighth Place Morgan Barclay 1958 Saab

 We can always count on Barclay to produce thoughtful, interesting custom work and this entry is no surprise. Starting with the problems inherent repairing and then customizing a crude tin toy, our entrant removed the B pillar, enlarged the side windows to lighten the greenhouse, frenched the head and taillights and front grille (after lowering the headlights), reshaped the hood and shaved all exterior trim, and substituted blade bumpers for the clunky factory versions. A metallic teal finish nicely balances a two-tone interior and wide whites.

Styling analysis: While the roof has been beautifully re-sculptured, the A pillars are too thick, and the roof drops too quickly toward the rear gravel guard. The back fascia of the model is too stark, and the round taillights conflict with the body – just imagine a thin taillight that follows the curve of the rear quarter panels, placed just above the graceful rear bumper? The headlights are too deeply buried, and would be helped by placing them inside a thin, tapered chrome bezel. The front grille could be laid back so that the top of the grille would flow more easily into the newly peaked hood. This is a wonderful, pudding-smooth entry.

Ninth Place Steve Hinson Matadora

 Hinson has entered another well-considered design that brings a fresh perspective to an iconic custom design. Acknowledging the influence of the Bradley-designed/A-Bros-built Deora, this contestant has accomplished a fresh design. Turning the '75 Matador greenhouse around on the body, with the backlight now serves as a windshield, a long bed cover is covered with a chorus of surf boards. Access is gained through side doors (strongly critiqued by Hinson, after the fact). The front and rear grilles are nicely integrated, and the colors nicely highlight this model.

Styling analysis: No driver could see over the too-high base of the new windshield and the belt line ramps too quickly to the front. The left and right front corners to the body are monolithic and could be lightened with a character line, or a horizontal band of contrasting bodywork. Open wheel wells were nicely preserved. Our entrant took some enormous risks with this entry and generally succeeded.

Tenth Place (Tie) Mike Hartjes 1962 Thunderbird

 Our tenth place tie-winner returns us to more traditional custom styling with this innovative custom 'Bird. A significant trend in custom styling these days is to either substantially restyle the basic shape of a roof or, as here, import a new roof entirely. Hartjes insightfully imported the entire fastback roofline from a '64 Ford which he gracefully integrated into reshaped 'Bird A pillars. The rear wheel wells were flared to match the front openings while the taillight shape was extended rearward.

Styling Analysis: This slick custom is just too long. Consider these changes: Remove 1/16" forward of the base of the windshield, move the door rearward a similar amount so that the leading door originates at the rear of the A pillar, and then take a couple of saw widths from the front overhang. Then, slice a width from the rear quarter panel, aft of the rear wheel well, and then tuck into twin exhaust pipes into the rear pan (why does almost everyone just let the pipes hang, like afterthoughts?) Finally, how about flaring just the upper third of the wheel wells? Hartjes has produced a pleasant, genuinely fresh take on a popular custom canvas.

Tenth Place (Tie) Paul Anagnostopoulos 1962 Thunderbird

 Our tenth place is shared with another '62 'Bird. Decidedly different from Hartjes piece, Anagnostopoulos removed the sharp belt line just forward of the door handle which emphasizes the fin and reduces the bulk on the forward door and front fender. The front and rear bumpers were molded to the body, the rear quarter panel trim was replaced with two vents, the vent windows were eliminated, and an abbreviated pick up bed was installed in place of the trunk. For the most part, this is a lithe design that proves that the bullet 'Bird is a great topic.

Styling Analysis: With the vent windows gone, the windshield needs to be modestly chopped – it's too tall for the thin body. While innovative, the pickup bed is out of place – it disrupts then flow of the rear deck and presents a rear panel that is too vertical. With extended taillight housings, how about moving the new vents rearward to reduce the apparent length of long rear quarter panels, and what if the strong horizontal incut shape, at the bottom of the rear quarter panel, were either eliminated or moved downward with only a hint of an incut to pick up the shape beneath the doors? Still, this model really captures the imagination.

Eleventh Place: James Cassassa 1962 Thunderbird

Twelfth Place: Sean Langer 1949 Ford

Thirteenth Place: Andy Kellock Peyote

Fourteenth Place: Ted Lear 2002 T-Bird

Fifteenth Place: Ira Dahm Mach III Volkswagen Speedster

Sixteenth Place Miguel Murillo 1958 Plymouth

Seventeenth Place Russell Ferguson '67 Toyota 2000 GT

Eighteenth Place Chris Greensmith 1960 Chevy Impala

Nineteenth Place Joseph Millinor 1948 Ford

Twentieth Place Davie Neave 1940 Ford coupe

Over the Top Entries

• Mike Dill '59 Cadillac Lowrider hearse

• Derek Redman '59 El Camino

• R. Dennis Fleming '62 El Camino

Honorable Mention

• Dave Leonard Acura Integra

• Neil Sundhold '50 Chevy Pickup

• Cody Robinson '37 Ford Pickup

• Ira Dahm '49 Mercury Wagon

• Hal Schumlowitz C Cab

• Lee Hayes Vandal

• Brian Austin PT Cruiser Hearse

• Derek Redman '56 Ford/'57 T-Bird hybrid

• Sean Langer '62 Chrysler

• Dan Dankmeyer '41 Plymouth

• Mike Sarris '71 Dodge Charger

• Ron Fuehrer '57 Ford Fairlane

Junior Class

First place Ryan Williamson (15) 1949 Ford Canada

Ryan's full-on custom shoebox Ford is a virtual glossary of custom techniques. The roof was chopped three scale inches, the B and C pillars were leaned forward to maintain the full height of the backlight, the body was sectioned, the wheel wells were all opened up and flared, a section of '55 Chevy rear quarter panels were grafted on, the headlights were recessed and leaned back, the hood was pancaked and a front and rear rolled pan were added.

Styling Analysis: The pancaked hood too strongly emphasizes the already strong "bullnose." The monolithic look of the front end could have been eliminated by pie-shape sectioning the leading edge of the hood and then extending the hood forward to the grille shell. Finally, the already slightly canted headlights should be either laid back a bit more or extended forward to better define the fenders. The rear wheel wells are too large (and shouldn't be larger than the front wheelwells) and final suggestion: what if the leading edge of the trunk had been moved forward to shorten the tulip panel? In sum, Ryan has really accomplished a fresh and adventuresome design, and we can only expect greater things from our young customizer in the future.

Second Place: Todd Tanselle (17) 1967 Impala Florida

Our second place Junior builder started his work by first smoothing all of the sharp edges on this Bill Mitchell design. Todd then extended the front end and then moved a much-changed '64 Impala rear bumper to fill the gap between the front fenders. Scrap plastic was used to extend the front end, and the center of the hood was smoothed to mimic the front end. The upper half of the rear bumper was molded to the body. The vent windows were removed, and El Camino headlights were added.

Styling Analysis: The front grille should be lowered a bit and the extreme front bottom edge of the front fenders would be softened and rolled forward into the front end. The front grille could be angled forward which would permit the lower front end to be rolled under more, thereby creating a more graceful front end. This is a wonderfully innovative take on a difficult-to-customize factory design.

Third Place Joshua Alexander Olm (17) 1964 Impala Australia

Our returning Junior-class entrant has produced another very interesting design. Joshua removed every emblem, used a custom front end and filed off and then filed in the taillight cove. Offended by the empty side cove, our contestant hand fashioned some real wood trim which he installed over an emerald green paint.

Styling analysis: I can't say it better than Joshua did in his self-aware review: "The custom front is terribly uncreative and unappealing. Maybe extending the bonnet down to the middle of the grille, between the headlights, and then dropping the grille under would have worked." You have it right, Josh, and deleting the skirts could have avoided the too-long, monumental rear quarter panels. Though university schooling looms in Josh's future, he has assured that he'll be back next year with even a better entry. Right on!

Fourth Place Todd Tanselle (17) 1958 Chevy passenger car pickup Florida

Fifth Place: Mark Showalter (17) 1932 Ford Utah

Sixth Place: Aimee Tanselle (14) Chevy S-10 Florida