Bob Johnson

Nigel.. these models were like "learning multiplication tables"... we had to learn how to design and make the patterns for modern autos..... they served that purpose and gained needed shelf space at retail simply because there were no other subjects like them..

I had forgotten that we textured the cavity surface of the roof to look like a vinyl roof!!

Maybe a Group 44 TR-8 would be a good challenge!! BJ

Nice work!! The Mazda RX-7 and the BMW 635 Csi were far more detailed than the original 2100 series kits...... the early models like the 924, TR-7, and "Z" sure opened the doors for later European and Japanese model kits by Monogram!! Bob Johnson

Giterdone!!

Never saw that.. Thanks!! BJ

This may be the only TR-7 ever depicted as a model kit,, to this day, BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH the purist Triumph fans: this is a REALLY NICE model!!

Casey, I think Revell AG kept several and Atlantis received the balance.. I will contact Ed...

My guess is Ed Sexton knows who has what on these molds...

I will make some inquiries and see who has these molds.. my guess is China... BJ

I agree with Casey..... be careful of the "tags" marketing people placed on kits... I always refer to the simplifed 1/24th scale sports cars as the "2100 series" because a new four digit block of numbers was set aside specifically for these items.... There is nop intended direct connection between the 2100 series items and any later introduction other than the following: - The 2100 series kits.... Datsun Z, Mercedes Benz 450SL, Capri II, Porsche 911 and 924, Ferrari 308, and TR-7 were PURPOSELY easy to build with less or limited detail. They were successful in the following ways... 1.) Used as "teaching series" for modern body shapes and how to interpret them in scale 2.) Secure major mass-merchant shelf space with "other than traditional" contemporary auto subjects at a lower retail price 3.) Create interest in new subjects that justified such items as the BMW 635 Csi and Mazda RX-7.. These items were a success for Monogram that paid marketing and sales dividends for the next two decades... Bob Johnson 1.13.22

Good input!! I was incorrect about thje Weyman-bodied Duesenberg.. The owner (according to Bob Reder's "MONOGRAM" book was a fellow named George Lamberson.. Original kit price was $2.98! Tom Graham's boo "MONOGRAM MODELS" states "Bob Reder discovered that George Lamberson, who lived in Hinsdale (IL) owned one of the three 1934 SJ Torpedo Phateon Duesenbergs ever made. ... Roger and Bob Reder completed the research at Lamberson's home.. "After the kit's release (PC81), Lamberson drove his Duesenberg to the Morton Grove plant to receive a built model of his car in a ceremony in the loading dock. The Magnificent Duesy stopped traffic on Waukegan Road as it majestically turned into the parking lot..." (Roger quote).. I'll bet it stopped traffic!!

I am building a Rollston-bodied Roadster now,,, that was a conversion based upon Terrence Adderley's Model J Rodster,,, He was a very committed Duesenberg enthusiast and enjoyed what we were doing... The metal-bodied kits were a real challenge... The first 3... Corvette, '56 T-Bird, and MG-TC were designed by me, Genny Griseta, and Mario Falconi (respctively).... we had NO IDEA where to have the die-casting parts created and it was LONG BEFORE China was a source... I was tasked with finding a source and after visiting 3 different die-cast foundries, I found small foundry owned by an Italian man... His company's main product was "church bells" cast in bronze.. he took on our project based upon the challenge and the "art".... the first samples were actually cast in bronze in sand molds using a 1X wax pour from the Die cast mold.. they were pretty rough... This firm created the body conversions as well.... Honestly, the 'dream" of creating a new category based upon the Hubley Classics never met sales expectations..... Looked "GOOD" from the start.. just did not turn out that way....

Those are GREAT memories and EXACTLY what gives a "box of plastic parts" LIFE!! The Duesnberg was the very first Classic from Monogram... Ken Merker designed it and even though it was created about 60 years ago, it holds up well these days... The car was owned by a fellow named Aronson and I believe he and Jack Besser may have attended the same Temple.. The first issue Duesy kits are seen occasionally.... Do it for your Dad!!

Thought I did.. sorry.. BJ

Interesting comment.. I look at this a bit different.... during the 1970's and 1980's, Monogram Models was fascinating family.. and i do mean FAMILY of talented people with a single purpose.. to make the best possible model kits... During the IMSA wars, Bruce Leven's race team had a sign on the inside of their race transporter.. "Leven's Law if Engineering: You can do anything with enough time and money.. Leven's Corrollary: There is never enough time or money... that fit then and now.... budgets were tight.... remember, in 1975, a 1/24th scale car kit sold for $5... that meant MMI sold it to wholesale for $2.25 less discounts with a profit of ab aboiut $1 +/- . The creative group was superb... they were mostly guys who created designs, plan art, decal art, and made the pattern models and tooling cast,, and on their free time, built models, flew controline and R/C aircraft and more... Most of those people are now gone.. a few like Marion Falconi who was a prolific designer, Ron Rowlett, John Durante are still with us.... We were blessed with a tough, dynamic leader, Tom Gannon Jr., it was an education to work with and for him.... WWII vet with an Attack Squadron that flew A-36's and A-20's in North Africa.... was a "tiger" on profit margins and led Monogram to the #1 kit manufacturer in the USA... their legacy is guys like all of you build and enjoy the fruits of their hard work!! I am MOST PROUD of the NASCAR Series.. the first 1983 T-Bird, 1983 Buick Regal, and 1984 Chevy Monte Carlo SS.. two different chassis and lots of detail.... the removable bodies helped a lot of people understand the cars.... Those sales brought millions into Monogram for growth and new molds.... when i see a Salvino Regal, I am glad Sexton sold those tools to them.. they live on!! just for grins, I am building a 1/24th Monogram Porsche 904 rom the slor racing parts.... Thanks Y'all!!

Gary.. nice work.... the 911 became a bit of a puzzle due to the "too small" tires.. BJ

WOW!! You have the 911 "figured out" to make it look good.... I fought for bigger tires for the 911 and 450SL.. answer was "NO!" emphatically!! Your 911's with bigger tires look great!! did you open up the wheel wells?? Look back in this thread at the Martini 924 that a builder posted.. it is really NICE!!! GOOD BUILDING!!

Good morning Jim...... Often, there is so much more to a subject than folks know...... The fellow who designed the early Classics, Ken Merker, passed away two or three eyears ago... Genevieve Grisatta designed the Packard 734 and the several of the Classic "rebodies".... Clark Macomber drew the 1934 Cadillac V-16.. that kit was based upon advice from Dave Holls at GM when we could not resolve how to mold the boattail body for a 1932 Auburn..

Terry Adderley was heavily involved in the firm his father created; Kelly Services.. better known as "Kelly Girl"... he was a nice man and was surely "upper crust"... he was really fascinated by how we created the bodywork for the SJ Rollston Roadster.. his car was a Model J and he had thought about adding the supercharger and external exhausts.... but.was happy with the completed model built in the Monogram shop that was presented to him.. I think Genvieve Grisetta did the drawing work.. she was quite good with Classics... Terry was a HUGE Duesenberg and Auburn enthusiass.. If you have ever been to Gilmore, he had been a strong supporter for many years.. even decades..... It is all too easy to believe that wealthy people have an easy life, but, that is not always true.... Terry's son, Ted was raised in an exclusive world.. his grandfather read the Wall Street Journal to him and taught him how the stock market functioned... after he graduated from college, his father felt that he should make his way in the world... so, his son obtained a job in an investment firm on the 97th Floor of the North Tower (I think) of the World Trade Center.. the first 767 hit the building on the floor below the 97th.. his son perished... The anguish was pain beyond belief.. his wife divorced him and Terry soldiered on.. I can only imagine the pain and emptiness... all the often, "we" mere mortals think people with money have it all.. until a tragedy like this occurs..... I was intrigued to read that the current auto design exhibit at Detroit Institute of art was co-sponsored by Terry's wife in his honor..... most folks see that Monogram kit as a model of a Classic American legend.. to me, it is far more based on the "back story"... so, now you know.... life is not always fair... RAJ3

Hi Jim... Happy Thanksgiving!! During the process of researching the Rollston-bodied Duesenberg J that was owned by Terry Adderley north of Detroit, I asked him if he knew anyone at GM or Ford who may be a good contact for model input.. he asked for my phone number.. several days later, a call came in from GM DEsign and the caller was a truly dedicated model enthusiast who "took me under his wing" and guided us through a number of fascinating GM designs that enabled Monogram to be "ahead of our competitors... honestly, he enjoyed it as much or more than we did.... it was Chuck Jordan! I do not remember if the Black Knight was a production version or sported a color scheme created by Randy Wittine or someone in the Chevy studio...... Chuck's dram was one that I shared.. a Ferrari 250 GTO better than the Aurora kit.. we gathered data from Fred Leydorf's chassis 3765 that was actually the first 4-liter,,,, it was sent to Mike Stephens at Western Models and neither of us were very pleased with the outcome.. after he retired, I hooked up with a fellow from Kyosho at the HMA Show in LA... they wanted to do a 1/18th 250 GTO..... Chuck contacted the new owner of 3765 and I researched it in April of 2001..... Kyosho sent a 1.5X wood pattern to critique and Chuck "laid his ere on it"..... there has never been a more accurate GTO Body in 1/18th scale.. EVER!! The Porsche was the most difficult body even though we had "good lines" from Hans Ernst at Porsche AG... "Roundy bodies"... my words .. like the VW bare simply very challenging to sculpt.. The biggest change with the 911 is to junk the "one size fits all tires"... that was a budget constraint we had to deal with..ONE tire size... There are many good tire choices these days.... BITD (back in the day), I built a race version using a set of MPC hollow tires,, the rears were from a "Dirt Modified".... I extended the rear wheel wells and they looked superb!! The race version has the IMSA front air dam..... Have at it!!

I was and not much memory as to that model or vehicle.. we had a very good contact at GM Design and held confidential data very closely to protect GM and those who trusted Monogram to do so... tell me what you are interested in..

Bob Downie.. I know you from somewhere!! I have NEVER seen this model look THIS GOOD!!!!! WELL DONE!! Bob Johnson

The four-spoke Americans were designed to fit Datsun "Z" cars.... I needed a 1/24th scale set to fit a Revell 914... so it would look like my 1971 914.... kinda slipped in in the mold set..

JUNKMAN: NICE MUSTANG!! Fit the wheels and tires to the chassis.... then open the wheel wells to fit the tires... You will be fine!! RAJ3