Raul_Perez Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) Here are a few pictures of my friend Jerry Cardinal's model of Bill Cushenbery's 60's classic; El Matador. Like many of Jerry's other models, this one is made mostly from brass. Here are a few pictures of the solid brass block, transmission, heads and intake manifold. Here are a few shots of the working front and rear suspension, rotating U-joints and the drum brakes. If you look closely enough you can see the retaining springs and clips used to hold the brake shoes in place while the primary return springs get loaded. Here's a couple of shots of the all brass chassis with and without the brass driveline, mufflers and gas tank in place. Not being able to find the correct wheels for this build didn't slow Jerry down for long. Being a veteran of making the best 1:24th scale wire wheels I've ever seen in both brass and aluminum, Jerry spun aluminum tubing in his custom made tooling to form the awesome rims and center sections. Yes, the wheels are mounted on threaded studs. Starting with the Revell '40 For coupe body, Jerry made several modifications to match the shape and proportions of Cushenbury's original work in 1:1, including grafting on sections of brass sheet where plastic would not have been strong enough for the thin section areas of the body. Since the dash and console in the El Matador was fully custom, Jerry mastered his own replica, then molded it in resin for the final product. Here are a few pictures of the brass carburetors that Jerry fabricated for this build. No, those beautiful resin and photoetched carbs from Model car Garage just wouldn't do for Jerry. He wanted to make his own. Here are a few shots of the U-joints and the headers that Jerry fabricated. Jerry often makes special tooling, like what's pictured below for the headers, whenever he needs to make more than one set of something. Here are a few shots of the interior, chassis and a top view of the finished model. Here are a few shots of the finished model with a picture of the 1:1 car. If you ask me, Jerry nailed it on this one, right down to the color. Congratulations, my friend, on an awesome build. Click here to see all of the pictures of Jerry's El Matador. Thanks for looking, Edited July 27, 2009 by Raul_Perez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Ummmm.... Uhhhhh,,,, WOW!!!! Really nice work!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randx0 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) Wow to use an overused term,I've seen nice stock replicas before and really nice race cars duplicated but to capture the very essence of the matador is simply phenomenal . a model like this is way beyond something to shoot for . I guess I need to learn more about working with metal in 1/25th. man is this thing awesome(another overused term but both apply). one final point ,this is the first time I've seen the interior of the matador all my pics are from the outside .truly amazing craftsmanship. Edited February 16, 2009 by randx0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodBurNeR Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 (edited) That's fantastic work! I know this body is made in resin and have pondered getting one myself. I won't be going into as much detail as he did though lol I saw the 1:1 last summer and took pics of it. It's definately one to appreciate! EDIT: I stopped by your fotki and looked at the pics more. This is really great work! I didn't understand at first that it was "Jerry" that built the car, tell him he did outstanding work! Edited February 19, 2009 by awbcrazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR Dubois Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Absolutely stunning build! I couldn't even begin to dream of adding the details put into this one. Those brakes really blew me away along with every thing else! One thing I can see compared to the real car is the ride height of the model looks a little high, but wouldn't notice if I hadn't seen the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Jerry Cardinal's models have always been a standard by which other's could be measured. He was a winner of the Gerald Wingrove scratch build award at the last GSL and he certainly is a modeler at the same level. In some ways this one shows off his palate of skills to an even greater level than the all brass dirt track midget he built that won the GSL. This is a true multimedia Tour de Force. The wheels are especially impressive for their realism and attention to detail. They simply are real wheels in miniature. I'm looking forward to seeing this one for real next month when I come down for the NNL West. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbwelda Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 i dont remember the front sitting up like that photo; i think the body was just not seated properly on the frame when the photo was shot. the body and frame are separate entities so you can really examine the craftsmanship. there are just so many details to explore there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyle Willits Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Absolutely amazing work ! He is in a class of his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul_Perez Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Absolutely stunning build! I couldn't even begin to dream of adding the details put into this one. Those brakes really blew me away along with every thing else! One thing I can see compared to the real car is the ride height of the model looks a little high, but wouldn't notice if I hadn't seen the photo. i dont remember the front sitting up like that photo; i think the body was just not seated properly on the frame when the photo was shot. the body and frame are separate entities so you can really examine the craftsmanship. there are just so many details to explore there. Correct, Bill. Jerry hasn't fastened the body to the chassis yet. He wants to add door latches and finish a few small details before he glues them together. Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontgobrassit Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks for all of your comments!! I really appreciate them!! Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Banes Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Jeez! None of us are worthy, particularly me! Stellar build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curt raitz Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Magn'ficate!... Muy Bien!... Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsoder Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Magn'ficate!... Muy Bien!... Supercalifragilisticexpialadocious! gotta go along with Curt !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontgobrassit Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I would like to THANK everyone for their support and encouragement during the build of the El Matador. I was shocked to my scoks when I won the awards: Adult People's Choice and the Model Cars MCM Award from NNL 2009. A special THANKS goes to Raul for his help in getting the pictures on line for all to enjoy. Next stop is Goodguys Pleasant, California April 3rd to April 5th, then on to GSL, Salt Lake City, Utah April 30 to May 3. I hope to see you there. SO once again I would like to THANK ALL of YOU. Jerry Cardinal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzn Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I would like to THANK everyone for their support and encouragement during the build of the El Matador. I was shocked to my scoks when I won the awards: Adult People's Choice and the Model Cars MCM Award from NNL 2009. A special THANKS goes to Raul for his help in getting the pictures on line for all to enjoy. Next stop is Goodguys Pleasant, California April 3rd to April 5th, then on to GSL, Salt Lake City, Utah April 30 to May 3. I hope to see you there. SO once again I would like to THANK ALL of YOU. Jerry Cardinal Jerry... awesome work ..I could Not stopping everytime I walked By it at the NNL West.. Congrats on a Great Job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kombi Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 That's just incredible; some truly awe inspiring work there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karbuildr Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Amazing. Simply amazing. I love this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr moto Posted March 10, 2009 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Holy Moly!!!! I give up! That's a thing of beauty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontgobrassit Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 El Matador Here are a few pictures of my friend Jerry Cardinal's model of Bill Cushenbery's 60's classic; El Matador. Like many of Jerry's other models, this one is made mostly from brass. Here are a few pictures of the solid brass block, transmission, heads and intake manifold. Here are a few shots of the working front and rear suspension, rotating U-joints and the drum brakes. If you look closely enough you can see the retaining springs and clips used to hold the brake shoes in place while the primary return springs get loaded. Here's a couple of shots of the all brass chassis with and without the brass driveline, mufflers and gas tank in place. Not being able to find the correct wheels for this build didn't slow Jerry down for long. Being a veteran of making the best 1:24th scale wire wheels I've ever seen in both brass and aluminum, Jerry spun aluminum tubing in his custom made tooling to form the awesome rims and center sections. Yes, the wheels are mounted on threaded studs. Starting with the Revell '40 For coupe body, Jerry made several modifications to match the shape and proportions of Cushenbury's original work in 1:1, including grafting on sections of brass sheet where plastic would not have been strong enough for the thin section areas of the body. Since the dash and console in the El Matador was fully custom, Jerry mastered his own replica, then molded it in resin for the final product. Here are a few pictures of the brass carburetors that Jerry fabricated for this build. No, those beautiful resin and photoetched carbs from Model car Garage just wouldn't do for Jerry. He wanted to make his own. Here are a few shots of the U-joints and the headers that Jerry fabricated. Jerry often makes special tooling, like what's pictured below for the headers, whenever he needs to make more than one set of something. Here are a few shots of the interior, chassis and a top view of the finished model. Here are a few shots of the finished model with a picture of the 1:1 car. If you ask me, Jerry nailed it on this one, right down to the color. Congratulations, my friend, on an awesome build. Click here to see all of the pictures of Jerry's El Matador. Thanks for looking, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Superb craftsmanship!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontgobrassit Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Hey Guys, Is there anybody out there that is going to GLS in Uath this year ? I would like to see you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontgobrassit Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Thank you George for the Model Car awards. I would also like to Thank everyone who voted for the El Marador People's Choice Award. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Davkin Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Hey Jerry, I'll be at GSL, of course I live in SLC so I have no excuse. We met at the last GSL, we had a couple long discussions. You're a very interesting man and I am looking forward to meeting with you again and seeing your latest work in person. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raul_Perez Posted July 27, 2009 Author Share Posted July 27, 2009 Here are a few photos of the matching truck and trailer that Jerry recently built to haul El Matador to the shows. Jerry went with a flathead for this build, adding many of the usual details that Jerry is well known for. While wanting to maintain the general look of El Matador, Jerry didn't want it to be an exact copy in truck form. Jerry used rare earth magnets to keep the tailgates on the truck and trailer in place. They do a great job of keeping everything aligned and in place, even after paint!! This definately is a great looking trio!! I'm sure that Bill Cushenbury would smile if he ever saw this set!! Yeah, Jerry...that's a lot of candy apple red paint!! Congratulations on another GREAT build!! Later, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted July 27, 2009 Share Posted July 27, 2009 Niiiice!!! The chop and section job echoes the El Matador well on a totally different body shape. Hard to see the grille area which looks "different but the same". Any chances of seeing a front end view? In any case, the truck and trailer combo looks like it would be prize winner in its own right! I'm assuming it's mainly plastic since it appears to have been a relatively quick build compared to the epic masterwork the El Matador was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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