Phildaupho

Thanks Dave - I have read a lot about the two versions of the Ala Kart. Ace-garage guy did a two part comparison. I will re-read everything I have on the models and the real Ala-Kart before I start construction. I do not have an original kit but do have the parts that have been included in the '29 Roadster kit. My Ala Kart will likely be a tribute rather than a replica - sort of like the full scale Ala Kart recreation that was built in the late 1990's. I saw that Ala Kart at the 1999 Grand National Roadster Show. There was a replica of the Kookie Car there as well. Both looked great and I enjoyed seeing them as the real ones had not been restored yet.

The windshield area looks larger and much better. The back side window appears to be longer but hard to tell at that angle. I am planning to heighten the windshield area on my T&T version

I am not up to unchopping a resin body but I do plan to enlarge the windshield area to about the size of a Revell Merc which I am hoping will make it look more like the original.

I just came across this 5x8 inch 1962 little pages magazine in my attic. It was published by George Barris Enterprises and promoted AMT. Surprisingly there is a photo inside of the actual Ala Kart captioned Famous "Big Daddy" Hot Rod. There is also coverage of AMT's Mid-America Car Championship Finals that featured some very impressive model cars.

Great looking interior. Looking forward to seeing it under glass before New Year's Eve !!

Thanks for writing that Alan. Well said. I have always had mixed feelings about Barris since reading the Rod & Custom interviews with him and Roth. I only saw him once at the 1997 Grand National Roadster Show and that was kind of a thrill as I knew he would be also judging the model car show. You are very correct when you say Custom Cars would be a totally different thing without him.

Thanks Casey - Very interesting thread especially as I plan to build an Ala Kart after the Hirohata although it will be my version using the newer kit, Fred Cady decals and a larger engine. Other T&T products listed on the Hirohata box are Munster Coach 1/16, Munster Dracula 1/16, Grease Lighting [sic] 1/25, Thundercharger 1/25, Black Beauty 1/25, Fireball 500 1/25, The Car 1/25

The figure does look more like Sam. Here he is with his Merc Thanks Robert = I am going to check that out. I love Norm's products and have got a number of pieces that were mastered by Ric Hoving the custom car master historian

The Hirohata 1951 Mercury may be the most famous and iconic custom car of all time Before its restoration had been completed, I saw this car in person in 1996 at the outstanding Hot Rods and Customs display at The Oakland Museum of California. Sometime after that I was able to purchase a Hirohata Merc resin kit from a guy who was getting out of the model car hobby. Almost everything needed to build this model came in a Rubbermaid container including two cans of custom mixed paint. The box art is very impressive and appears to be from an outfit by the name of T&T. Although I could not track down details on this kit specifically, I did find reference to T&T Productions. Other offerings T&T offered are listed on the box. The kit seems to include all the parts required to build a model of the Hirohata Merc although the original owner decided to use modified suspension parts and dual exhaust from the AMT ’49 Mercury. The kit as I got it included - No instructions what so ever - The body which is very thick resin captures most if not all the characteristics of the Hirohata Merc although I think the top looks too severely chopped - Complete interior molded from AMT Merc so has a 49 dash - Chassis molded from AMT Merc - Maybe some decals of Barris crests and license plates - Vacuum formed windshield and rear window - Spot lights - Chromed resin front bumper molded from AMT ’49 Merc - Chromed resin rear bumper modified and molded from AMT ’49 Merc to fit rear fenders - Chromed resin grill molded from AMT ’49 Merc - Resin headlights, taillights and parking kits - Two Cadillac Sombrero hubcaps with clear red emblems - Wide white wall tires from various sources - Resin figure of George Barris with his distinctive windbreaker but the head and face does not resemble George – no baseball hat or sunglasses I have probably resisted building this model for so long because I was not happy with the chop which would be a daunting task to fully correct. I am now planning to build it once I complete the Sam Barris 49 Merc and currently thinking of raising the windshield a bit into the roof and using the Revell chassis and interior. There is a Jimmy Flintstone Hirohata resin body but it does not include side window details and I am not sure if it comes with anything other than the body

I am very impressed with the Revell chassis and it only but needed minor modification for this project. I used the Brizio restoration photos as a guide to build the rolling chassis. The frame was C’d, the hanger for the left side exhaust removed and the holes were filled for the lakes pipes. The AMT ’49 Merc flathead was built absolutely stock and connected to the AMT exhaust system as far as the muffler where it connects to the Revell tailpipe. I have included a couple of the Brizio photos for comparison.

The 67 has always been my favorite and yours looks great ad does the 50

Great looking recent racing car

Incredibly realistic. One of my favorite engines

Great to see #2. Another beauty. Had to flip back to #1 to see the subtle differences. Looking forward to #3. I would really like to be able to do a series of models but do not have the required discipline

Thanks Steve. You may already know but there was a Monogram pro-stock third gen Camaro that was reissued in a few different liveries over the years. I never had one but considered buying one when I was collecting kits for this project.

Thanks Carl - I had not looked at this model since finishing it over two weeks ago but seeing it again to take the photo with the poster makes me very satisfied how it turned out.

This one looks fantastic. I look forward to seeing them all. Wonderful project which has been a colossal undertaking on your part.

Beautifully built Dan Gurney racing car

I came across this Motomaster poster rolled up in my garage as I was looking for something. Richard Spenard was one of the stars of the series. This is an ad poster so Players logo left off.

I totally agree with you. I am glad the air has been sort of cleared in regard to the Revell '49 Merc. I kind of see it in the same light as the Foose Cadillac which produces a cool custom out of the box, a canvas for additional modification or a source of interesting parts for other projects.

I measured them with a caliper and the measurements are virtually identical - 36mm

I think this photo shows that except for the chop, the dimensions are pretty close between the two kits and that the Revell is not sectioned.

Great concept and repurposing of the 427 Cobra rolling chassis

Dan - You built a fabulous looking Merc Custom by combining the AMT and Revell kits - well built

Thanks guys - I appreciate your interest. I have pretty much completed modifications. Now it is a matter of finessing them. I did skim door hardware and armrests off the interior of a Revell '57 kit. Next I plan to Bare-Metal-Foil the windshield and rear window frames and add dividers/splitters. After that I will move on to painting and assembly of the rolling chassis and interior.