Motor City

Scott is correct. The Gran Torino Sport had the scooped hood and was available as a notchback (like the later Starsky & Hutch) or sportsroof. The sportsroof was dropped after '73. The Montego GT of '72-'73 came only with the sportsroof. It would also make a nice model.

The real '66 Wildcat had a different dash, side panels and seats. The seats were the strato-bench or buckets with slim seat backs. The model has the '65 interior, but it's still a good model. There was supposed to be a promo. I don't know what happened between Buick and AMT on this, but I saw a form that could be mailed in to AMT to purchase one. It ended up that only the Skylark GS and Riviera were available as promos that year.

As far as GM intermediates go, the '64-'72 are considered the most desirable because of their styling and performance. The '73-'77 models have better handling, and the '78-'87 (and '88 Monte Carlo) handle even better. I agree that cars from the '70s and '80s would appeal to younger modelers as this is the era they grew up in. I would start with a '73 442, '74 GS, '76 Regal or Century coupe, '77 Can Am, '78 Magnum, '77-'79 Ranchero GT, and a Ranchero GT from '70 or '72. I would also think a Mark III, IV or V would do well. For the '80s, a Monte Carlo SS in 1/25th would sell. Most of the '80s cars were forgettable, though I own two from that decade (El Camino and Riviera).

I've been lucky to have 1/25th models made of five of the cars I've owned or still own, but none of the following. Has anyone made any of these in resin? 1976 Regal coupe 1977 Eldorado Biarritz 1989 Riviera 2000-2005 Monte Carlo SS

1964 Bonneville 1967 Camaro SS Indy Pace Car 1967 Cougar 1968 GTO 1968 Torino GT Indy Pace Car

I went to a lecture sponsored by the Dearborn Historical Museum a number of years ago (ten or so). The guest speaker was the designer of the Levacar. It was interesting, but I would never want the model.

the grilles are different

Regarding the earlier comments about the Rouge plant, it's located in Dearborn. The Rouge River runs alongside of it. River Rouge is also a community near the plant. The plant was originally in Springwells, which then changed its name in the '20s to Fordson in honor of Henry and Edsel. Fordson and Dearborn consolidated as one city in 1929. The 1928 Model A was the first car produced there.

Kevin, I'll email you. I've been to the Macomb C.C. show a few times. Thanks. Jim

I didn't know it was available as I hadn't seen an update on this forum and it wasn't on the website. How much does it cost? Thanks.

Here is the 1904 Ford plant in Detroit that still survives (Ford rented a building for the early models). The Model T was developed here. Production moved to Highland Park on Jan. 1, 1910. http://fordpiquetteavenueplant.org The neighborhood isn't great, but it's worth seeing if you're visiting the Detroit area.

Kevin, Any update on this? Thanks.

I thank all of you so much for the great advice and suggestions. Jim

I haven't bought an airbrush yet, and am confused about the use of primers. I know on real cars that you could paint enamel over lacquer, but could not paint lacquer over enamel since you would get a horrible reaction. I've read that you could paint lacquer over BAKED enamel (I never tried that as all of the cars I worked on were sprayed in lacquer from the factory). I have had spray can lacquer paint eat into plastic models on occasion. Is the primer people are referring to here from a spray can or air brush? Is it lacquer or enamel?

My ophthalmologist bought the real thing in blue. I think they start at $136,000 something. I just saw it yesterday.

I was hoping for a REO Speedwagon from the 30s ...

ONE '65 SS396 convertible was built. I recall reading that Dan Blocker of Bonanza fame had one of the SS396 cars, but don't recall if his was the convertible. I don't know if anyone has come forward as the current owner of it.

I bought some plastic shelving units at Home Depot, 18" deep, 36" wide, 5-6 shelves per unit for about $40.00 each. You can put 3-4 boxes high depending on if they are kits, promos, or a combination of the two.

count me in, Tom!

I had a few 1/24th models, but got rid of them since the rest of my kits and all of my promos were 1/25th. As I couldn't get an '88 Reatta or Regal, or '78 El Camino Black Knight in 1/25th, I realized the scale wasn't that important. I started re-purchasing the ones I had sold. National Products promos from the late 40s were around 1/28th scale, and the '51-'52 Pontiac probably were, too. With the variety of scales available, why not display all of the 1/20th models on one shelf, 1/24th on another, 1/28th on another, and the 1/25th on other shelves. If you go back to the 1920s, some cast iron models are often around 1/20th-1/22nd scale. You can have a more interesting display by grouping like-scale models together.

The Model Encyclopedia link doesn't list Cruver, National Products, or Product Miniature Corporation (PMC),

thank you very much, Ron

Who sells the photo-etched emblems? Thanks.

Since we already have the '53 sedan and '52 convertible, and will soon have '54s, I hope a Hollywood hardtop is in the works - but not from '55-'57.

From what I read, they ran their woolen mill into the ground, and kept buying cars to feed their collection. Meanwhile, the employees of the mill lost their jobs. That was their right to run the business into the ground, but don't feel sorry for the Schlumpfs.