A Gaggle of Box Art Replicas

[Dave Darby]

As a guy who's appreciated good box art from a tender age (knee high to a grasshopper, you might say) it's not terribly surprising that as a model builder, I might try and duplicate some of those vintage illustrations in Plastic.

Artists like Jack Leynwood for Revell, and Al Borst for AMT have lived rent free (with an open invitation) in my brain since I was a tot. On top of that, I had the privilege of building box art models for both AMT, and later, Revell. So without further ado, here are some of my box art art replicas.

This pair comprises my first two. The second issue AMT 32 Sport Roadster Street Rod and Drag versions. Built over 20 years ago.

This one was started shortly after the other two, and was redone last year, with new paint, front tires, and a set of those fragile 1964 decals, supplemented with dry transfers for the class lettering. Believe it of not, the decals for the older (pre 1962) kits always seem to work flawlessly for me.

Next up I did this original issue 25 T Chopped coupe, built from a couple of basket case originals I picked up off of eBay and swap meets.

No, you're not seeing double. The nearest one was a commission build I did last year from a re-issue (albeit with original issue firewall and taillights). I'm extremely happy with the paint on this one, but I should have massaged the fit of the fenders to compensate for the smaller diameter of the re-issue wheels.

This one is still in mock-up stage, as I still have a few details I want figure out, plus mount some headlights that will match the box art. This one is where I deviated the most from box stock, in order to better duplicate the box art. 



Build process for this coupe can be viewed here... http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/135813-amt-trophy-series-deuce-5-window-box-art-replica-updated-112019/

Here is one more replica. I didn't have a box to pose it with when I owned it.. This one is built from a 2009 Revell re-issue (Monogram) 30 Woody, with rolling stock from the Blue Bandito as an homage to the 1965 issue Monogram Woody Wagon.

Last up, when is a box art replica not a box art replica? When it is the actual box art car. The last project I did for AMT/Ertl was this trio of Chevys in 1995. It only took 25 years, and a long chain of correspondence with the late "Viper Dave" McGaughey, and the also the late Ted "Chopper" Lear, who connected me with long time excellent care-taker Richard Geis, who kindly sold it back to me.

(BTW, thanks to Gary Seeds for giving me the box for the set, which actually happened before I knew I was getting the car back!) No, I didn't forget the window glass. AMT policy at the time was to leave it out, and retouch it in to eliminate glare and optic distortion on the box art.

Thanks for indulging me, and I hope you enjoyed my box art replica collection (more to come!)  I'll close with a shot of my Vintage Workbench...  Maybe someday I'll post a tour. (Would that be on Under Glass, or On the bench?)


 

Edited February 26, 2021 by Dave Darby

[cobraman]

Great looking models. Well done !

[Earl Marischal]

Great builds. Sometimes the box art is just the right way to go.

steve

[Gramps46]

Very impressive gaggle indeed.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

[thomascoffey1959@gmail.com]

Seeing these brings back memories ,two of  my older brothers built models, (got me started) some as box art, and others like the cars they saw and read about in the auto mags. Thank you. You may have helped me break out of this current bout of builders block. I love the twins

[PappyD340]

Those are AWESOME!!

[Tom Geiger]

Great models as always Dave!  Those are some of my favorites!

[Bainford]

A superb collection. True nostalgia. Thanks much for the tour.

[Tom99]

They are all excellent!

[FLHCAHZ]

Amazing work!  Each model is beautiful 

[espo]

Enjoy seeing these Box Art cars brought to life. You were able to match the colors as well as the decals and trim along with the engines. These are some of the first models I remember building so thankyou for the memories.  

[larry ray]

Really like seeing box art models and surviors  Wondered if amt requested leave windows out Of the 58.

[RAMBENNA]

very nice, great job on all

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice group. Very nicely done.

[gseeds]

Love this topic ( box art ) box stock ?  I’m not sure what you’ll call it but I dig it, those builds are just Awesome Dave, when ever I pick up a model kit I’m thinking of just how I’m I going to build this one ? But now you got me really studying the box art, especially the older kits, because of your builds I’m going to build my own collection of box art cars for the display case, thanks for sharing! 

Edited March 2, 2021 by gseeds

[bisc63]

That little no.32 car just sums up "hot rod" to me, and is the kind of kit that made me want to build model cars as a kid. Beautiful builds!

[Plowboy]

So simple. Yet sooo cool! I like them all. But, the five window is my favorite! Great stuff and I look forward to seeing more!

[Bills72sj]

Thank you for sharing your builds with us. You are an artist.

[slusher]

Beautiful models!

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[TonyW]

Superb. Just superb.

 

Tony.

[echo]

They are all nicely completed, classics of classic box art.  Great job on a nice theme.

[Smitty]

What a blast it was to see your collection of hotrods! Just seeing that scoop on the red 32 roadster takes me right back to when I was a little kid watching my big brother Wally working on his models. Very fond memories. Thankyou!!

[Kromolly]

Your entire collection of built cars, boxes, and "modelabilia" is jaw-dropping.  What an outstanding collection.  And what stunning workmanship on your models.