My rare auto models

[caapa]

Cord 812 Pheaton Coupe 1937

It was the first American-designed and built front wheel drive car with independent front suspension. But not only this was new or unusual: the hood was rear-hinged, rather than the side-opening type more usual at the time, the doors with hidden hinges, exposed hinges were then the norm, the headlights folded into the front fenders, a design from the retractable landing lights of Stinson airplanes. The car was powered by a Lycoming V8 supercharged engine, 4739 cc, 198 ps. The acceleration was 0 - 100 km/h in 13, 5 sec, top speed 181 km/h.  For Amelia Earhart, the pioneering aviator  fueled by adrenaline, the Cord 812 was the ideal land vehicle. In 2021 the  Concours D’elegance judges awarded her restored vehicle a ‘Second in its Class Award’. The design of the Cord 810/812 remains one of the most distinctive of the 20th Century.

The model made by Franklin Mint 1:24 scale. I saw a Cord 812 Convertible coming towards me on a small side road one day and my wife and I were delighted at the rare sight. The following weekend I found this model at a flea market, in very poor condition. Only the paintwork on the body was almost immaculate. So than I made a full repair and restauration. Everyting what were damaged or missing on model got scratchbuilt replacement: front- and rear bumpers, windscreen, a new steering connecting rod, the boot new handles and hinge to replace broken one. The passenger compartment needed a thorough cleaning from dust and glue residues. I ended with some detail painting in engine bay the reconstruction.

Enjoy the pictures.

[TonyK]

Nice work to save this diecast. Always liked the Cord ever since I was a kid.

[caapa]

Thank you Tony the nice comment. I enjoyed working on the model.

[caapa]

BMW Z4 M Coupe 2007

BMW introduced a new racing car for customer motor racing in Geneva  Automobilsalon 2006. It based on BMW Z4 Coupe which was praised „this car is focused on one thing – driving and driver enjoyment.”  Never wish a better base for a racing car. The car used the 3,2 litre 6-cylinder engine delivering about 400bhp with rear wheel drive. The curb weight is 1200 kg only and the car arrived  0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and the top speed is the usual limited 250 km/h. The price was € 250,000 (plus VAT) in 2006.

The model made by Hotwheels in 1:64 scale. I completed the livery with decals and some paint according to a car raced in 2007.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

Bugatti Centodieci 2019

Bugatti`s 10 piece limited supercar was „sold in just weeks.” as said Frank Heyl, head of exterior design for the company. The Centodieci  pays tribute to the EB 110 1991.  The unique body echoes, but does not slavishly mimic, features from the EB110.  The car based on the Chiron  with its 8,0 litre, four turbo,  W16 engine 1600 PS. It accelerates to 100 km/h 2,4 sec, the top speed is 380 km/h. This is Bugatti's first car designed entirely in virtual reality.  The job lasted only six months. And the Centodieci got the most advanced aerodynamics of any Bugatti yet: a complex rear diffuser, front channels that make the car’s front act like an inverted wing and together offering much more down force than a Chiron, with“air curtains” around the wheels. The total weight is 20 kg less than a normal Chiron. The car costed 8 million € in 2019.

The model is made by JKM/China in 1:64 scale.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

Dodge Copperhead Concept 1997

In 1997, Chrysler designers imagined a smaller, lighter, more affordable version of the mighty Dodge Viper and called it the Copperhead. Unveiled at the International Auto Show in Detroit, it was conceived as a sort of Viper light– a two-seat roadster with handling and open-air fun of Dodge's brutish V10 sports car, but with a V6 engine and a more practical price in the $30,000 range. The layout is a traditional sports car - long hood, short rear deck, not much overhang. The engine is a V6  with 2.7 litre and 220 HP power. The car it self was a parts-bin special: some elements were used in the construction from Dakota pickup, Sebring convertible, Eagle Talon and Neon. After the unveiling of the car Dodge received a complaint regarding ownership of the "Copperhead" name because this had already been registered by Billy Gibbons of the American rock band ZZ Top for his customized 1950 Ford Coupe. As a result, DaimlerChrysler unofficially renamed the car as the "Concept Vehicle". This made press kits or items with the Copperhead name collectibles.

The model made by Maisto in 1:24 scale. I detailed the interieur.

Enjoy the pictures.

[Gramps46]

Thank you CAAPA for sharing this one with us.  It is the first time I have seen one.

[caapa]

Chevrolet Corvette Grandsport Roadster 1963

Designed by the “godfather of the Chevrolet Corvette”, Zora Arkus-Duntov to compete with the "grand sports cars" of Europe and the dominant Shelby Cobras. The coupe was a „lightweight” saving about 320 kg over the streetcars and it featured an engine 550 hp 6,2 liter V-8 plumbed to a 36-gallon fuel tank and bolted to a four-speed manual gear that spun power to the rear wheels. But GM halted production and made plans to destroy all five were built. Duntov quickly transferred the cars to private buyers, some of whom made modifications and continued to race the vehicles for several years. One of the „private buyer” was Duntov Motor Company. They took #001 and #002 in 1964 and converted them to roadsters to reduce the frontal area. All five of the original Grand Sports survive as museum displays or in private collections. The price is about $6 - 8,000,000 if one were to go up for auction today, not that they ever do.

The model made by Hotwheels 1:64. I made a livery by some decals and detail painting for my younger grandson and this is his first Hotwheels which didn`t landed in the toys bin but is on the shelf in his room.

Enjoy the pictures.

 

[Gramps46]

WOW! 

[caapa]

Thank you Gary. My older grandson is a little envious, even though he got a similar one decorated in red. I also prefer the blue.

[caapa]

On 8/25/2022 at 9:48 PM, caapa said:

Bugatti la Voiture Noir 2019

 

This one-off car was built to celebrate Bugatti's 110-year anniversary, as well as in a homage to the second of the four Type 57SCs—the original "la Voiture Noire,"- driven by Jean Bugatti himself. After 2 years  of development was ready the car which is not a hyper sports car like the Chiron, but instead a grand tourer now. The engine is 8 litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder , 1,500 hp. The acceleration is 2.4 seconds  to 62 mph. The body design has some new elements. The headlights are with an insect-like light pattern, the rear light is a wavy line of leds and there are 6 exhaust pipes. Like the Type 57SC that inspired the 6 pipes, the car has a central spine that runs nearly the entire length of the car, with the windshield wiper standing upright while at rest. The Noire had been purchased by an unnamed buyer who is "fascinated" by the Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe,  for the highest new-car price ever — $ 18,905,235.-

 

The great Interest in the Bugatti La Voiture Noire was so intense following the concept reveal in early 2019 that Bugatti decided to make 20 “budget” Noire versions. Based on the Bugatti Chiron model, they’re priced at $3.3 million each.

 

The model made by a chinese manufacturer 1:24 scale. The ammount of gold decoration is a bit too much for my taste. Alas I saw only newly an other exemplar in more identical trim.

 

Enjoy the pictures.

 

There is a 1:64 gem too: TSM Mini GT makes a nice little model.

[caapa]

Philippine Jeepney

The Philippine Jeepney is a filippino innovation of the G.I. surplus jeep during the 1940`s. The unique vehicle was the answer to the country`s scarcity of transportation after the war. It has the same strong engine of a U.S. Army jeep but was resized and converted into a public utility vehicle. A typical jeepney would usually accomodate 20 – 30 commuting passangers. The result was a time enduring vehicle with a remarkable combination of Filipino  ingenuity and creativity in the mids of the post war crisis. In terms of appearence no Jeepney exactly the same . Each jeepney was designed with well-         -detailed artworks elaborately displayed on its bodies and even in the vehicles interior. Every single one has its own unique design and is usually given touches often reflective of a common-man`s sentiments of the time. Today the Phillipines Jeepney is the most popular means of transportation in the Phillipines. It is proof of the Filipino`s world renowned ability to produce efficient technology from scrap machinery and limited financial resources. Truly. Jeepneys have become the country`s symbol of adaptation to global influence and change. (vendors description on the box)

The model is made in the 3” size range. No manufacturer or land of origin marked.  Sold by Phillipine Touristic offices.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

On 2/22/2024 at 5:03 PM, caapa said:

Mc Laren GT 2019

 

It is the company's first dedicated grand tourer with more comfort and luxory but Mc Laren like great performance. The engine is 4.0 L twinturbocharged V8 with 620 PS. The top speed is 326.7 km/h, accelerate from 0–97 km/h in 3.1 seconds, and 0–200 km/h in 9 seconds. The interieur has new, more comfortable seats and  standard Napa leather upholstery. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted in the center controls and a 12.3 inch driver information display which changes in layout depending on whether Comfort, Sport or Track mode is selected. Officially, the boot has a 420-litre laguage capacity, but it’s a slightly awkward shape with two decent-sized compartments. An additional cargo area between the front wheels offers a further 150 litres, in fact meaning an impressive 570 litres in total. The price is about $200,000 or more depending on extras.

 

The model made by Welly 1:60.

 

Enjoy the pictures.

 

Up date: Welly produces a 1:24 variant too. Both in the same colour - pretty couple.

[caapa]

Rolls Royce Spectre 2022

In 1900, motoring pioneer The Hon Charles Stewart Rolls made a bold prediction in a magazine article: “The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration. They should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged,” But it was more than a century later that his vision was finally realised at the company co-founded with Royce too. In 2021 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars confirmed it had begun testing a car conceived and engineered from the beginning as an electric car. The testing programme extended to more than 2.5 million kilometres. It was the first step to the planed fully electric product portfolio to the end of 2030. The car rides on the same luxury platform as the Phantom and Cullinan. It has two e-notors, one for the front wheels and one in the rear with a total 584 PS. The litium-ion batterie-pack provivides a 530 km range. The acceleration 1-100 km/h 4,5 sec. The body of the coupe style car has some supelatives:  Pantheon grille is the widest ever fitted to a Rolls-Royce, the doors are almost 1.5 metres in length and are similarly the largest ones ever fitted. With this doors need the car a 4,6 m wide parking place to be able open the two doors fully. An Effortless Door System power assisted make the entry and debording „effortless”. Not long ago the luxury automaker has issued a recall for 107 Spectre, citing a potential safety concern related to a faulty ground cable. Supposedly possible fire hazard due to adhesive residue. Well – human beeings work at RR too and to err is human.  (and oh yes, the top speed 250 km/h – in brackets only because this isn`t one of the most important feature of a Rolls Royce, said RR)

The model made by NEWAO/China in 1:24 scale.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

Working on my newest vehicle model - which has little to do with today's cars - I thought I would show two of my old models, although not really sports cars but vehicles.

 

Latil T41 Skidder 1967

In the mid 60`s as a technical draughtsman got some access to special journals of wood working and forestry. I saw this skidder and specially fascinated me the articulated steering of the vehicle. And there was a bluepint too, so it must be modeled.

I made the model from wood, wires, 0,1 mm copper plate, rubber and tread. I enjoyed to curve the tyres with the great off-road pattern very much. Same way the connection between front and rear part with two axels for steering and to tilt the two parts relative to each other on difficult forest terrain. And the rotating cable drum for tow the logs with wire cable – sorry – with tread.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

Plymouth Pronto Spider 1998

This concept car is designed to drive like an exotic sports car but not for their price. The bodywork used lightweight recycled materials of disposable drink bottles and packaging, largely PET, over a steel chassis. A mid-mounted, turbocharged, 2.4 L, 225 hp, 4-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission completed with a low center of gravity and 18” aluminum wheels with 225/40 tires gave an excelent driving experience. The car was probably capable of 0-60 times around 5.5 seconds. But there were some negatives too. The retro-themed cockpit wore a rich red hue, though much of the colored surfaces were sprayed-on paint only. Even there were some greater problems too. A lack of structural rigidity, crashworthiness, and other packaging issues astoped any production plans for the Pronto Spyder.

The model made by Maisto 1:24 scale. I completed the interieur colour combo and highlighted some details by painting. Rear and headlights are repainted and covered inside by alufoil.

Enjoy the pictures.

[Gramps46]

Looks really good with your touches.  I have debated on this one but with several preorders in the que I had better wait.

[caapa]

BMW Z1 Roadster 1988

In the mid of the 80`s the chief of the newly founded BMW Technik, Ulrich Bez, got that time 10 Million German Mark and the following commitment: „Do something different”. On the IAA `87 (International Auto Show in Germany) BMW made the scene with a new roadster: the Z1. The „Z” is the abbreviation of „Zukunft” (Future). During the exhibitation BMW got 5000 orders for Z1 without the price being published. The BMW Z1 was designed to test the limits of the technical possibilities of the time. The roadster had a unique feature: lowering doors. This door design is only possible because of the unique stability and torsional rigidity of the steel monocoque, which is galvanized as a single piece. The doors can and should be opened on the move. No one of the inventors would never have imegined that these doors will be mass produced one day. The body consists of fiberglass and plastic parts. The engine is a 2.5-litre straight-six, 170 PS with a 5-speed manual transmission. Top speed 225 km/h and the acceleration 0 – 100 km/h 7,9 sec.  The BMW Z1 is considered by many to be underpowered with its 2,5 litre six-cylinder engine. Alpina have solved that problem by replacing with a 2.7 litre engine. This increased the power to a guaranteed 200 bhp probably more according to Alpina. 66 cars were fitted with an Alpina engine.

The model made by Revell in 1:24 scale. I repainted the interieur and detailed the engine-bay by some paint.

Enjoy the pictures.

[dietgilroy]

4 hours ago, caapa said:

BMW Z1 Roadster 1988

 

In the mid of the 80`s the chief of the newly founded BMW Technik, Ulrich Bez, got that time 10 Million German Mark and the following commitment: „Do something different”. On the IAA `87 (International Auto Show in Germany) BMW made the scene with a new roadster: the Z1. The „Z” is the abbreviation of „Zukunft” (Future). During the exhibitation BMW got 5000 orders for Z1 without the price being published. The BMW Z1 was designed to test the limits of the technical possibilities of the time. The roadster had a unique feature: lowering doors. This door design is only possible because of the unique stability and torsional rigidity of the steel monocoque, which is galvanized as a single piece. The doors can and should be opened on the move. No one of the inventors would never have imegined that these doors will be mass produced one day. The body consists of fiberglass and plastic parts. The engine is a 2.5-litre straight-six, 170 PS with a 5-speed manual transmission. Top speed 225 km/h and the acceleration 0 – 100 km/h 7,9 sec.  The BMW Z1 is considered by many to be underpowered with its 2,5 litre six-cylinder engine. Alpina have solved that problem by replacing with a 2.7 litre engine. This increased the power to a guaranteed 200 bhp probably more according to Alpina. 66 cars were fitted with an Alpina engine.

 

The model made by Revell in 1:24 scale. I repainted the interieur and detailed the engine-bay by some paint.

 

Enjoy the pictures.

 

man you really emphasized what’s good in this old diecast

[caapa]

Hi Gilbert,

thanks for the nice comment.

János

[caapa]

Bugatti Divo 2018

Using the Chiron’s formidable underpinnings, the Divo has been developed as less of a continent-crossing GT car and more of a winding back road beast. To introduce the Divo the Bugatti president Stephan Winkelmann said  „…the Divo is made for bends.” The car is powered by an 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine that delivers 1500 horsepower. The top speed is 380 km/h and the Divo can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2,4 seconds. The car can handle the Nardò track in southern Italy a full 8,0 seconds faster than the Chiron. Exterior design is inspired by the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic. The huge inlets mean engineers have been able to improve cooling and increase downforce by 90 kg over the Chiron, with the help of a 23% larger rear wing. The car is also 35 kg lighter. And the fuel consumption, l/100 km is lower at high and extra high speed 18%. Only 40 units were produced, the price tag was €2,5 million.

The model made by JKM/China 1:64.

Enjoy the pictures.

[caapa]

Keller Hydromac with Log Gripper 1964

That time there was no one with english knowledge in the company so I was asked to interpret during the training the operator and taking over the machine. I asked for a catalog of the machine from manufacturer to make a model of them and got it.

I made the model mainly from drawing cardboard laminated with epoxy, wires, wood, treat and rubber. The hydraulic cylinders are made of insulated aluminium wire. I pulled the wire from insulation, polished the aluminium till it moved easily and cut to size. The ready model got some drops of oil in the hydraulic to make the moving even easier. The hydraulic hoses are made by treat. The track is made of a section of a bicykle inner rubber – alas there is no patern on it.

Enjoy the pictures.

[Gramps46]

Truly impressed with what you were able to accomplish.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

 

 

[caapa]

On 6/30/2024 at 4:18 PM, Gramps46 said:

Truly impressed with what you were able to accomplish.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

 

 

 

Thank you Gary the nice comment. This was my 8th model in 1:75 scale of my works.  It will come even a better one.

[caapa]

Chevrolet Corvette XP-700 concept cars 1958 - 1960

Chevrolet started to make a new Corvette-study in 1958. The design is from Bill Mitchell, at the time GM`s Vice-President of Design. The base was the bone-stock Corvette, the vehicle`s powertrain and other mechanical attributes went untouched. The first variant was a two tone blue hardtop. Later they replaced it with a convertible top in April and changed the body colour to red in August. These early versions were not made public. In October of 1959 a double bubble laminated plastic top was added. The new top was coated with vaporized aluminium in an attempt to cut down on heat transfer into the cabin of the car. The final, revised version with longer and reshaped front came in silver colour in 1960 and  debuted at the 4^th International Automobile Show in New York in April. After its show circuit days began the story became mysterieus. A debate still exists today regarding its disappearance and the mystery still surrounds the circumstances of the XP-700`s whereabouts.

The models of the early versions made by converting Matchbox #72 Corvettes 1962 in 1:64. I removed the front of the cars and replaced it with a block of wood glued with epoxy putty. I closed the gap behind the seats of roadster same way. I drilled new holes for rear lights, removed rear bumpers and filled the remained gap with putty. I bent 0.3 mm wire and glued with superglue on the edge of cove panel inserts in front fender to give more accent to this line. I cut 2.5 mm circles from transparent plastic and glued for headlight lens. The rear lights are made of red transparent plastic and glued in the new holes. The original Matchbox wheels were to small so I copied old Matchbox wire wheels and enlarged the tires to get the right dimension. The final variant in silver is altered from an 1:24 AMT Corvette Two in One plastic kit. I did the front end in the same way as the Matchboxes. Windshield and double bubble top made vacuum formed, side pipes are scratch built, the wheels are spoked according to the Borani wire wheels scheme, the engine wired and plumbed.

Enjoy the pictures.