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!