Phildaupho

I am building a model of the "Chili" Catallo Silver Sapphire Little Deuce Coupe for Deuce Days in Scale in Victoria BC Canada July 21/19 T This is the Eric Rickman photo that appeared as is on the cover Hot Rod magazine and cropped on the cover of the Beach Boys album. The car owner "Chili"Clarence Catallo is wearing "Big Daddy" Ed Roth's jacket to add some extra color to the photo !! I was a car crazy teenager in the early sixties and infatuated with the California life style so the Beach Boys were my favorite rock & roll group. I especially loved their car songs and the associated album covers. For their Ed Sullivan performance of their song “I get around”, there were three hot rods on stage. However I was a little bummed when they used a Model A cab Pickup on their Surfin’ Safari album rather than a Woody. Lately I have focused on the Little Deuce Coupe album. Last year I built a model which more reflects the words of the song. This time I am building a replica of the car that appeared on the album cover which was known as the Silver Sapphire that was owned by Chili Catallo. I was delighted to discover that I would be using parts from kits of two of my favorite cars of the early sixties the Ala Kart and Beatnik Bandit both of which I have never gotten around to building models of – surprisingly enough. I even found a photo of the Silver Sapphire and the Beatnik Bandit at the same show. BODY The well done resin body and custom nose came from Hendrix Mfg. Co. so maybe the most difficult and visible part of this build was already done for me and it did not need much work after clean up, but I would still have to make up lower side wings from sheet styrene, make a firewall and create the rear tube “grill” and taillights. Also required is a complete chassis with appropriate suspension, steering and brakes as well as providing an engine and full interior. INTERIOR Interior tub is from the Revell 3-W Coupe and was sectioned. Foot boxes were recessed between the frame rails. Made up the square button stuff pattern by scribing and filing styrene sheet. Buttons will be pin heads. Dash will be modified for extra gauges. Steering wheel will come from AMT 32 Victoria Shifter sourced from AMT 25 T CHASSIS Frame from Revell Deuce with floor, front horns and fuel tank removed. Z’d in back frame height FRONT SUSPENSION 37 Ford tub axle from AMT 25 T using spring in front of axle so shocks need to be reversed and swapped side to side Steering will use pieces front Revell 29/30 Ford, AMT 25 T and Replicas & Miniatures REAR SUSPENSION Rearend from Revell Deuce with input housing and back cap from the Revell Beatnik Bandit kit to make it look Oldsmobile Transverse leaf spring, shocks and radius rods added [Only photo of rear suspension I could find was of Danbury Mint Diecast !!] FRONT BRAKES Kinmont front brakes from Replicas & Miniatures REAR BRAKES AMT Ala Kart FRONT AND REAR WHEELS AND TIRES White wall front tires and chrome wheels from AMT Ala Kart. Slicks from Revell Tire Set DRIVETRAIN Oldsmobile engine and rearend from the Revell Beatnik Bandit kit 6-71 Blower assembly from Revell Willys Street Rod [Beatnik Bandit had a 4-71] Carburetors - TRANSMISSION La Salle transmission from Replicas & Miniatures INCIDENTALS Background history of Silver Sapphire This car has a very interesting history and evolution as a hot rod, there having been 5 distinct versions of the car - Clarence “Chili” Catallo bought the ’32 3-W as a fifteen year old in Detroit - The first modied version was built by Chili and his friends and family. The body was channelled and ran an Oldsmobile that was initially carburetted and eventually McCulloch supercharged. The rear wheel arch was raised during this time and it got its first set of scallops and lots of chrome - When Chili had more money he took it to the Alexander Brothers who sectioned the doors and added the side wings, custom nose and other features. The engine went back to carburetors - Chili moved to California the rod & custom mecca where the car spent time at the Barris shop. There it was chopped, the 6-71 GMC supercharger was added and it got the paint job and scallops we are all familiar with from the Beach Boys album cover. - Chili eventually sold the car to buy a Porsche. The car was repowered by Chrysler Wedge and got a new frame but that owner kept all the original parts - Chili bought the car back in the mid-nineties but died before the restoration was completed. Chili’s son Curt completed the restoration in 2000 and the car remains in family ownership.

This thread is a great read of an interesting car from a fantastic series. I have always been a fan of Historic Trans Am cars. All the Pontiac Cars that competed are amongst my favourites.

Lincolns and Cadillacs have sure been popular here lately. Yours looks good from what I can see in the smallish photos. I do not imagine there are many of these in Poland or anywhere for that matter!!??

Beauty - ready for a road trip with the family

Could replace the box art with this one. Well built.

Real nice Cobra. Especially like the big tires and the texture of the seats.

I like it a lot especially the two types of wheels which was once very popular

That is definitely one big beautiful model of a gorgeous car

Very elegant wagon. Another beautiful model.

WOW - you do beautiful work. This was the first automotive model I built by myself in the very early sixties. I didn't paint it and I think I used every part in the box. At the time I did not know how good a model could be when built by a skilled modeller. This will likely be moved soon to the truck tread which I sometimes regret not looking at often so I am glad you initially posted Model Cars Under Glass.

Another one of your very well done movie models. I really enjoyed your website and your other movie models - some very obscure.

In total - very well done, especially the interior and engine compartment. I like the fact that you built it to represent the illusion portrayed on TV that it was a real Daytona with a V-12.

This is one big beautiful ! It must look very impressive on your display self.

Absolutely beautiful both outside and in. Cool photos as well

Steve - That is one great looking Comet. You certainly cannot go wrong with Torque-Thrusts on a mid-60's car. It brings back memories of my '65 Falcon. I really enjoyed looking at your fotki album documenting the build.

Love it. Looks ready for a family vacation !!

All very nice. Love the interior of the Wewstfalia

Excellent conversion, Great looking model.

I believe you would remove the fender. Great looking model. Never drove one but were very comfortable to ride in.

This looks like the rust that most Japanese cars suffered after a few years especially in the 70's. Its amazing how good cars look these days for so many years at least where I live.

I liked these when they were new and I like your model now.

Really a beautiful body design and I believe they were V-12 powered. Who manufactured the resin body?

Another really neat crazy Cobra !! I would like to see all your crazy Cobras in a group shot.

Incredibly well done restoration.

Another cool driveway car