The Goldstreak Mako Shark gasser

[Kruzn]

This is a digital pic of an old B&W print of a car I built way back when I was a kid. Somewhere around the late 60's, whenever that kit was first was released, probably 1968.

First a little background story on this model...

I had a meager allowance back then and a small paper route so money was somewhat scarce. It was somewhere around November and Mom had given me strict instructions that I was NOT to spend any money on models since I needed to buy Christmas presents. So...there I was in the 5&10 store (anyone remember those?) while Mom was getting her hair done down the street. That MPC Mako kit was just begging to go home with me! The temptation was just too much...I HAD to have it! So, I plunked down the $1.95 (or whatever it was back then, but I think I'm close). Of course I then had to hide it from Mom. Somehow she found it and I was in for a good verbal lashing. She also forbid me from building it until after Christmas! That was agony...I kept taking the parts trees out and drooling over them. One day while Mom was at work I gave in to temptation and I figured I coud just build the cool tilting trailer and put it under one of the other cars on the model shelf in my bedroom and she would never know! So I built it. Unfortunately, Mom was smarter than I had calculated. She saw the trailer and immediately knew it was from that kit. I don't remember the exact punishment for disobeying, but it was probably an extension of the building prohibition.

So, I did eventually get to build it. Why I decided to go with the gasser configuration I have no idea. Kinda of a strange body style for that, but I thought it was cool. I had not yet mastered spray painting, so it was painted metallic gold with a brush. Naturally the paint was very streaked from the brush marks (actually looked pretty bad) and that led to the name "Goldstreak." I don't remember all the details of the build other than the injector stacks that I scratchbuilt using chrome-plated brass tubing. I was real proud of those!

Unfortunately I no longer have the model (wish I did!). A couple years ago I picked up an original Mako kit which is a combination of built/unbuilt parts but includes two bodies (one of which ironically is painted gold) and included the trailer. I also got the later re-release version known as "Custom Corvette" which did not include the trailer. Those two kits will allow me to maybe build a version of my original. I think I can do better with paint now after 50+ years!

So here are the pics:

 

 

 

 

[cobraman]

Cool. I like the story.

[PappyD340]

Nice!

[echo]

Nice story, at least you have the pictures to remember the model. I thought it was an interesting looking build and you should be proud of those injectors.

[Bainford]

Love the story. That model is just dripping with old school cool. 

[NitroMarty]

That is (was) so cool!!!!!

I look forward to seeing your updated tribute!

[slusher]

Very nice..