StevenGuthmiller

I have no first hand knowledge of what's happening at this moment in the promo market, but vintage kits have virtually exploded within the past decade. I don't have any indication that that will continue, but it also shows no signs of slowing at the moment. Models that could be had 6 or 8 years ago for $100.00 or less, now routinely sell for 2 to 3 times that much, depending on subject, rarity and producer. But how that translates to the promo market, which is more geared toward the collector's market rather than the model builder's, is anyone's guess I suppose. Steve

That might very well be the case, but the fact still remains that 4 door models were produced at a much higher rate in the beginning of the annual era, especially by Johan. They pretty much disappeared by around 1963. Steve

Maybe that's why we also have so many snakes! Steve

I used to ride, but haven't for some years. Problem is that I have no interest in just tooling around the the countryside close to home for an afternoon, or hopping from bar to bar on a Saturday as many of my colleagues used to do. Never have had much desire for that. My idea of "riding" was taking a week or two and actually hitting the road, often times traveling through as many as 7 or 8 states and covering several thousand miles on a ten or twelve day trip. Got to see a lot of the country that way. Unfortunately, age has begun creeping up on me and my body protests considerably when I punish it that much, so I've traded my open air travel experience from a motorcycle to a much more comfortable roadster. In any case, my 1996 Yamaha Royal Star used to serve me quite well in my travels when my back didn't dictate my actions quite so much. It still sits in my garage just in case I ever decide to relive my youth, but it has sat for a number of years, so if it ever sees the road again, it's going to require some "going through". Haven't checked in some time as the battery is dead and it has a digital odometer, but I believe I put around 70,000 miles on it since I bought it new in '97. I don't think it's been ridden since around 2012. Now I travel by 4 wheeled "crotch rocket"! Steve

Value of a promo, (for a collector) is going to be dependent on a number factors, the most important of which is going to be condition. Promos are generally rated on a scale, (I believe this being a scale of one to ten, ten being the absolute pinnacle, to one, being damaged pieces) A ten will generally be a pristine example, exhibiting a perfect finish throughout with no visible damage of any kind, and the rating goes down from there. There are also a number of other factors that come into play. Original boxes are a big plus, rarity of the model itself, and in some cases, rarity of color can all determine value. Just my opinion, but if the model car kit market is indicative in any way with the promo market, now is a good time to consider selling if they have no particular personal interest to you. That said, I see no indication that prices of promos or kits will not continue to increase exponentially in the years to come. Steve

That was your high school intro to drag racing? I just thought that every red blooded American boy got his introduction by taking his own, or his father’s car, out to the local “quarter mile”, (every tiny little town had their designated quarter mile stretch of country black top) and lining up against someone else in town who thought his dad’s car was faster. That’s how I did it. ? My entire drag racing career played out on a stretch of county road 32 on the outskirts of Wells Minnesota. Steve

It’s always been all about profit. Nothing is different except for people’s tastes and expectations. Steve

There’s been a dragon fly orgy taking place in my yard over the past few days. Hundreds of dragon flys all hooked together in pairs flying everywhere. I have to make my wife divert her eyes! ? Steve

Yup, it is the AMT ‘59 Edsel. Steve

Correct. I was mistaken. Steve

That’s what I was getting at. There’s not enough interest to justify the investment. Steve

In the end, it all comes down to popularity and salability. It makes sense that there were so many 4 door kits and promos available in the late 50s and early 60s at the dawn of the model car, and then gradually went away in favor of 2 door models. Apparently they likely didn't sell all that well in comparison to 2 door hard tops and convertibles. If they were truly competitive, they would probably still be producing more of them. In short, nobody really wants them. Steve

Revell also did a few early '60s 4 doors. The '62 Plymouth and '62 Chrysler Imperial come to mind. Steve

Johan did a lot of 4 door kits and promos back in the late 50s and early 60s. As a matter of fact, all of their Oldsmobile models between 1957 and 1962, (with the exception of the ‘60 coupe) were all 4 doors. Similarly for Johan Cadillacs from 1958-1962. There were also a number of Johan 4 door Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler and Desoto promos from the late 50s Likewise, Hubley did a number of Ford wagons and 4 door sedans from 1960 to ‘62. They’re out there, but of course they’re getting tougher to find and more expensive. (Johan 1959 Olds 98 “Sport Sedan”) (Johan/X-EL 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood) Steve

Another one spotted in Stillwater. Steve

The wife and I are celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary by spending the weekend in our usual haunt in Stillwater Minnesota. And of course we had to have dinner in our favorite Stillwater restaurant, “Domacin Wine Bar”. The wife had a green salad and a fig and prosciutto flatbread. I had Shrimp and Grits with duck fat braised greens and a maple-bourbon gastrique. Steve

In 1/8th scale, you’ve got all the room in the world for paint! Give it a couple more coats of clear and polish it out. With that much real estate to cover, the chances are pretty slim that you’re going to get every surface of that big body perfect, for certain. Personally, I would just plan on putting on plenty of color and clear, and getting my “perfect paint job” through cutting and polishing. It’s probably going to be the best way to get all of the surfaces consistent. I’ll add a “credibility” photo as well. Disclaimer; I ALWAYS polish my paint work. Steve

In Stillwater Minnesota. Couldn’t get over the familiarity! ? Steve

WD-40. Steve

Ya better prime. It’s lacquer. It’s always a good idea to prime regardless of what you’re using. Steve

That’s exactly how I did this ‘53 Ford many years ago, before I discovered the joys of lacquer! ? Steve

All of the traditional differences between lacquer and enamel apply. Steve

Shot this one earlier in the spring. Steve

One of the most obvious differences is ease of use. MCW lacquers are premixed and ready to spray straight from the jar. Their enamels need to be correctly thinned in order to spray. Other than that, it’s mostly a question of what you would rather use. Lacquer or enamel. And I’m not entirely certain, but I believe that they have a larger range of color choices available in their lacquer line versus their enamels. Steve

Hopefully, there will be some other suggestions for the color you’re looking for, but until that happens, either the thread evolves and continues, or it dies. Just the nature of the beast. Steve