I've been following this thread to check on the progress of a fellow Ohio GB and I think that Jason and Solodark are missing the point on when it comes to the "nay sayers" (i.e. people who insist on a white paint job) is that technically Jason's Magnum is not truly an Ecto because it'd lacking one of the basic requirements that classifies it as an Ecto...it needs to be white. This thread right here:
http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtop ... 13&t=21574 started by 69428scj lays out in detail what constitutes an Ecto. All of the outstanding Ectos all have the same basic characteristic...it's a white car to start with or is painted white. I understand having alot of enthusiasm for the hobby and how cool it must be to own an Ecto but the best Ecto's are the ones that the owners took their time, saved up and planned how the car was going to look. Instead of rushing a roof rack and some lightbars and slapping on some door decals on a dark gray car, the money could've been saved to get that paint job and in the mean time build and gather the other components for the rack and lights and such. The head turners, when it comes to Ectomobiles, weren't thrown together quickly but planned and truly it shows. Boomer's, Texasbuster's, The Salt Lake Team's HHR, and Fifthrider and 69428scj's movie accurate Ecto's weren't built quickly and again that quality shows.
None of my team owns a white vehicle so instead of us having a silver or black "Ecto", we think of ours more like independent contractor vehicles which would share similar characteristics of an Ecto but not be named as such. This would fit into the idea of GB franchises would at first use what vehicles they have until they have enough funds to buy a more official vehicle and because an Ecto is white, plain and simple. If you put Jason's dark gray Magnum next to Boomer's, Chace's or even Jeff's (RichLather) white Magnum's which will evoke the most recognition? The ones that draw the most visual resemblance to the original vehicle.
No one likes having their excitement squashed by others, we get it.
I know that Jason is proud and stands by his vehicle. Like others in this thread have said "if it makes you happy, cool" but some of the people who brought on the constructive criticism were in fact owners of some unbelievable Ectos who knew the steps to making a successful replica and frankly most of their suggestions were balked at and ignored because they represented a slower path that stood in the way of the down and dirty nature of the build. Again we get it, you want to have an Ecto but you can't slap a few ecto specific parts and decals on your daily driver and not expect some level of criticism.
I think his Magnum is neat but to me it's not really an Ecto but more of a Ghostbusters utility vehicle for an independent franchise.
Jason, if you're cool with it, then I guess that's what matters but you had to realize that by posting a build thread, you need to be ready for criticism both constructive and gripe laden. Don't ignore advice then ask the same questions over and over again hoping for instruction that's quick and easy. Nothing about this hobby is quick and easy. It takes time and effort to get the best results. Alot of the folks here have some great knowledge and are trying to help you out.
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