Russell C Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) Just a brief setup first - Bob Nordberg was a co-winner of the 1964 Revell-Pactra contest with the legendary Augie Hiscano - both are seen in photos at the bottom of the page of this November 1964 Model Car Science magazine's pg 27. A close-up of Nordberg's truck is seen on pg 23. Hiscano's model is currently on display in the International Model Car Museum, complete with its original contest-awarded base. Nordberg's truck, having seemingly been lost to history, was on the Museum's Hot 150 list of models to be cloned, at the #38 spot. Long story really short, I had given serious thought to cloning the model myself because of my prior interest in it, but Pete Strause (builder of this GSL25-winning Sterling truck) beat me to the opportunity, so I was asked by Mark Gustavson, administrator of the Museum, to research the murky history of other Hot 150 models and to provide Pete with any research material I could dredge up on the Nordberg truck. I came up with nothing but blanks on the other models, but a lucky search result for Nordberg's name turned up a 2013 obituary for him, which led to contact info for his two surviving children, which in turn led to me being able to correspond with his son who still had his father's models in his possession. A friend of his was tapped to take all the photos below, and Norberg's son emailed those to me.Models, plural. I only knew of the truck, but there are several others, tow of which I subsequently found in vintage model car magazine scans. The good news is regarding all of these, Mark has talked with Nordberg's son, and they will be on their way to the Museum.First, the truck. A little roughed up and in need of some repair and restoration, but still in its 1964 contest-issued bubble display with the plaque. Edited March 8, 2016 by Russell C fixed busted photo links caused when forum was upgraded
Russell C Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) The Dog CatcherSeen in this November 1966 Model Car Science photo on pg 35 with the caption for it on pg 34 at the bottom right, the color is no longer a mystery. Edited March 8, 2016 by Russell C
Russell C Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) The Door StopFirst seen in a couple of photos on pg 63 of the January 1966 Car Model magazine, and later in a full article in the January 1967 Model Car Science, here it is in color. Edited March 8, 2016 by Russell C
Russell C Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) Hang On Sloopy CorvetteMy access to vintage model car magazines so far is only online scans. Has anybody seen this one in old magazines? As can be seen in the background, there are more of Nordberg's models. I'll post those a bit later one. Meanwhile, does anyone have old model car magazines having his models pictured in those not seen here? Edited March 8, 2016 by Russell C
disabled modeler Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Very very cool.... Love the old semi truck....its wild...
oldscool Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) Man, these are wonderful! Classic models and a classic Ed Roth "wow" face. Please do post more. Edited May 30, 2015 by oldscool
peter31a Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Really cool stuff! Thanks for sharing this, Russell. Great info and history.
jbwelda Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 that was a great blast from the past. while I was then looking around on ebay for old car model magazines, I came upon one that featured my friend Chuck Dunn's father, Carl Dunn, on the cover along side auggie (sic) hiscano: I remember being especially impressed with the multiple (oversize) wheels and tires from the sizzler dragster. jb
Don Sikora II Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Thanks for sharing. They are all cool, but that Corvette is my favorite..
Russell C Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 (edited) A few more of the photos emailed to me - don't know what was discussed between Mark Gustavson and Nordberg's son on what is going to the Museum, but I think Mark will activate his long-dormant account here to chime in with more details. My impression is that there is more stuff than just what Nordberg's son emailed to me. Meanwhile….Tiger Engineering Anglia Old Blu Willys drag pickupEarly- mid-'50s Custom Ford F100 Edited March 8, 2016 by Russell C
Lunajammer Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Superb work Russell. I hope you can sleuth out more history like this. It's valuable.
lordairgtar Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Very nice collection. I am so happy that they were kept and not to be tossed out like so many are. The family definitely knew of the value, and cherished the memories.
Mark Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 That Anglia body looks like it is scratchbuilt as opposed to being taken from the Revell kit. The windshield/cowl/side window frames look like he started with a Fiat body. I can't figure out the origin of the other body panels though...
Mark Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 The Willys pickup is built from a VERY early production Ohio George coupe kit; it still has the plastic slicks and front tires, which were taken out of the kit and replaced with vinyl very early on...
Sixties Sam Posted May 31, 2015 Posted May 31, 2015 This a great thread! Lots of history and memories here. I used to get Model Car Science in the mid-1960's. It will be great to have those old models rebuilt and saved! Sam
Lordmodelbuilder Posted June 1, 2015 Posted June 1, 2015 What an awesome find! So good to know the models were saved. Will make a great addition to the museum.
Guest Posted June 1, 2015 Posted June 1, 2015 Looks like that corvette drag car has felt the effects of vinyl tire melting.
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