Al Gaby's Golden Rod - Model Car Museum Clone

[curt raitz]

At the past GSL-XXV International Scale Vehicle Championship Mark Gustavson was enlisting aid from the modelers present. His request to us was to build a "clone" of a model car which should have been in the International Car Builders Museum.

I told him I'd be interested building one for the museum. In due time I received a list of 156 models he was looking to have cloned. Almost all of the cars were customs and up to now customs were not something I built.

After searching through the list I decided on Al Gaby's Golden Rod featured in the May 1964 Car Model Magazine. I was able to locate and purchase a copy of the magazine. Al's Golden Rod graced the cover of the magazine and was followed by a 7 page article. The article was very informative and described the multiple parts used to build this model.  

I was able to acquire all the parts I needed either online, through modeling friends and from the museum.

The building of this model went much smoother than every thing leading up to actually building the model. I quickly discovered it's not as easy to build a "clone" of model car than it is building a replica of a real car. The only problem I encountered was the hinge for the drivers door broke during the final assembly causing the door to fall off. I glued the door in an open position to help highlight the interior.  

I am looking forward to contributing this model to the International Model Car Builders Museum next April at GSL-XXVI...hopefully they like it!

I have posted a link to my fotki site with photos of the build, thanx

http://public.fotki.com/crtr8z/classsics/al-gabys-golden-rod/page4.html

[RAMBENNA]

really cool looks great

[Russell C]

No doubt that will be a fine addition to the Museum.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

Very cool

[Jantrix]

How in the world did you accomplish those crazy wheels?

[cobraman]

Nice ! Looks spot on,

[crazyjim]

Excellent.

[curt raitz]

How in the world did you accomplish those crazy wheels?

Easy...They are included in an old Aurora Parts Pack

[Agent G]

STUNNING!

Very, very, very good replica.

G

[TooOld]

Excellent job recreating a cool model from the past !  I had to hunt for the build on your Fotki page but found it and can see you did some great body work to get it right . Congrats !

[robertw]

Have a copy of that magazine that I bought new (whoa am I ever showing my age) and I remember that article and the feeling that I could never accomplish something like that, not sure I could even do it today. You sir are to be congratulated for recreating a unique model from the early days of our hobby. It deserves and I'm sure will be given a place of honour in the museum.

[DrKerry]

Hopefully they like it???????

Um Curt???? They are gonna LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is spot on!!!!!!!

[blunc]

I agree with the Doc, SPOT ON!

I thought I recognized wheels from the Aurora custom wheel pack, IMHO it has the best set of chrome steel wheels ever marketed.

[Spex84]

Looks legit!

Seriously, I love seeing this vintage-style builds. So wacky! Even the wiring looks period-correct.

Very nice work, and I'm sure the Museum will be happy to have it.

[Curt]

Excellent work, Curt!  You really nailed it...yeah, they will like it.

[1930fordpickup]

Now this  is awesome work. 

[om617]

Very nicely done replica.

[Dave Van]

Very well done!

[rustybill1960]

Sweetness indeed Curt!!

Thank You for approaching your subject with such immaculate skill!!

A shining tribute to those in the hobby from yesterday!!!I really appreciate what You have done!

Thank You for sharing with Us here!

Fantastic Work!

Later

Russ

[RatRod]

What's not to like?!!! You did great Curt!!!

[John Goschke]

Great work! Sure captures the look of the original!

[Hubert Rollins]

Truly amazing skill!! For someone like me who's pretty much a box stock builder, this looks kind of like brain surgery!!!

[Randy D]

Hi Curt,

     Wonderful build my friend!!!    Look forward to seeing it in Utah.

 

Randy