Brian Austin

Sometimes hobby expectations can run in reverse... (Courtesy October, 1980 issue of Model Railroader)

And for fun, check out the prototypes and mockups of large Cords, exhibiting the taller noses and extra louvers.... http://www.coachbuilt.com/des/t/tremulis/tremulis.htm

According to the article by William C. Kinsman in Classic Cars In Profile (pub.1960s), the extra louver was added "to help retain the original design proportions on the enlarged chassis."

https://www.andysaunders.net/the-picasso/ It's so cool it even has a 1:43 replica produced by IXO. :-P

I don't recall the term coming up in the discussion, but the old metallic paints were referred to as "polychromatic", often abbreviated to "poly" in paint charts. This link shows a range of "polychromatic" paints as used by various auto manufacturers through the '30s. http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?x=0&y=0&comm=poly&rows=50 This digital example is from my files. I've seen these old charts on eBay from time to time. Note the "Poly" labels.

They made some FIAT promos in wonderful 1:13 scale, and then there are their 1:8 scale multi-media kits. (And they also made HO scale model trains). https://www.planetdiecast.com/index2.php?&option=com_content&task=view&id=64634&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=972

Conley Cobra in "Tool Time" segment of Home Improvement.

Conley's website lists a V-8 engine alone at over $8000, for a non-supercharged version. It seems these things were always expensive. From the Conley website (inactive?): 1/4 Scale COBRA Quick change four link rearend - Four wheel hydraulic disc brakes with dual master cylinder - Custom ball joints with grease fittings-Replica Hallibrand wheels with Goodyear style tires and knock-offs - Oil filled shocks - Stainless steel exhaust- Leather interior- Burled walnut dash with simulated gauges -Fiberglass body (non finished)- Completely assembled chassis. Base Price: $5,895.00 (less engine) Ready-to-run car start at: $13,995.00 The molds for their 427 and V-10 engines were lost in a foundry fire. An assembled Shelby 427 sold at an RM/Sotheby's auction for just under $30000 in 2015. Also, I wonder why the OP didn't include the eBay auction link. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Home-Improvement-Tool-Time-Conley-Precision-1-4-Scale-65-AC-Cobra-Rare-Cool-/174616286291 Now I see the that this was the personal property of Gary Conley, the manufacturer. So that provenance is worth a couple of bucks extra? :-)

http://davidsclassiccars.com/chevrolet/158445-1984-chevy-3500-ramp-truck-car-hauler-wrecker-flatbed.html Copied directly from the listing: 1984 Chevrolet C/K Pickup 3500 HAULER Additional Info: This is a great hauler drive anywhere drive train engine/trans has less than 10,000 miles on it hop in it and go, it has hauled many cars to California an back never a problem this it not to haul large cars it hauls two at a time Toyota,subaru,mg,honda,small fords,dodge or ect. an even mid size ok like jag or chevy s10 can haul a third if you have a car dolly all wired for it. This truck has a big block 454 with slight cam has tons of power has no problem pulling them 60 plus down the road up or down or flat ground. It has a winch to pull up cars that don't run or go or whatever and built in ratchet assemblies to cinch down and secure cars plus safety chains . The rear tires are New also this truck is not perfect looking but running gear wise it is and a workaholic !!!!!

This is what I was getting at. Rather peculiar.

Anything from the '50s or '60s.

Campan-yolo?

Interestingly, Wikipedia has this to say: "The Toyota Celica (Japanese: トヨタ セリカ) /ˈsɛlɪkə/ or /sɛˈliːkə/ is an automobile produced by Toyota from 1970 to 2006. The Celica name derives from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial". In Japan, the Celica was exclusive to the Toyota Corolla Store dealer chain." So would it be more proper for us to pronounce it as the Japanese do, "Se-ri-ka"? :-) I would have thought Japanese manufacturers would have their own line of products with homegrown names, while the rest of the world would get the names like Celica and Corolla. Apparently not?

Ren-oh. It's fun to listen to the classic "Top Gear" host trio pronounce European car brands. They tend to pronounce Peogeot as something close to "Purr-zho" while we in the US would say similar to "Poo-zho", though maybe one or two might say "Pew-gee-ot". :-)

I recall a couple of decades ago when Quatar started to become mentioned in the news more due to world events there was discussion among journalists as to what the proper pronunciation of the country's name should be. I think they determined "cutter" to be more or less accurate. But which is the correct pronunciation? According to the linked discussion, pronunciation might vary from one Qatari to another. https://frequentmiler.com/how-to-pronounce-qatar/ My mother was a Midwesterner, and pronounced "Italian" as eye-Tal-yun. Makes one wonder if they came from Eye-tally? And remember the old Ray Stevens song "Ahab The Arab", pronounced "Ay-hab the Ay-rab"? And regarding the American pronunciation of "R", here in New England, many of us consider the letter "R" to be optional, similar to the old British dialects of settlers.

Actually thought about editing that one some time after I posted it. I struggled with whether to include the "T", even in parentheses, and ended up just omitting it. :-)

Many old Lindberg kits were scaled at 7/16" to the foot, which one source tells me converts to the ratio of 1:27.5. Many diecast cars are scaled at 1:28, and 1:29 is a common scale for model trains. So you can load a bunch of those odd-scaled kits and diecasts on a "G Scale" auto-rack rail car. :-)

N-E-S-T-L-E-S. Ness-lees makes the very best.

With a WWII staff car, you don't need to worry about painting chrome trim. :-) And yes, I would love to see these Packards in 1:24 scale. A Ford or Plymouth sedan staff car would me nice as well in this scale.

The vent windows on the resin body above look a little small, or is it just the angle in the photos?

From what I've seen in sales listings, it appears to be not uncommon in South American countries to modify older trucks with newer cabs. Photos in sales listings can vary in quantity as well as quality. Those included here happen to be pretty good.

Here's a similar example from a Uruguayan listing.