Art & Inspiration The Ed Roth Diorama

I've seen both Outlaws many time over the years, Mark; I can't tell the difference.

 

This is neat, it's one of those things where the backstory is cooler than the item itself. Nice that it's in good hands. Is the other one still on display at Mooneyes?

 

Sad to hear about Mike's passing. I first met him in 2015 at the GSL in Salt Lake. Mike had entered some models in the contest and I was there exhibiting my Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild contest entries with other Guildsmen. I bought a burger and sat down at a table and struck up a conversation with Mike. Didn't know who he was at the time. Conversation drifted to my Mysterion clone project and he floored me by telling me he built one years before! He informed me of the transactions that had it end up with Dave Shuten who put on the finishing touches. I was likewise not happy with Dave taking full credit for the car. When I wrote my book on the Mysterion I gave Mike full credit for the work he did.
Noting Tom's comments above, there is a connection between Tom and Mike. Mark Gustavson who runs the Model Car Builders Museum in Salt Lake had (has?) a project where current expert modelers are tasked with reproducing famous models of the past that have disappeared over the years. Turns out Mark contracted with Mike to recreate Tom's national award winning green metal flake Corvette! When I found this out I told Mike to contact Tom to maybe get some of the original green metal flake to exactly duplicate the paint. I told this story in my book also. Don't know what happened to that model project.
Finally, I attended this year's GSL model contest in May (sadly this was the final year of the contest), and met Mike there. He was very feeble and told me of his cancer. His daughter escorted him there so he could attend. He entered a model in the contest and won a prestigious award.

Here is the photo I took of Mike at lunch where we first met.


Here is Mike working on the Mysterion Body. When he heard I was writing a book he sent me a thumb drive with dozens of build pictures. It's a treasure.


Mike and Mark Moriarity working on the nose pod. Mike told me he originally just intended to build this piece as a lamp for his man-cave!! It grew into reproducing the whole car.



Mike's final Mysterion project. As you can see he earned at least half credit for the car.


Here is the car Mike entered in the GSL this spring. It has a very few plastic pieces, the majority is scratch built. Wonderful legacy. I am so happy his daughter helped him live this final dream.

 

I am even more impressed! No 'glass experience and attacking a complete car is amazing. But I guess that's exactly how Big Daddy got his start on the Outlaw.

Oh, and in one of Mike's photos I think I spied a surf board? Mike said it was yours. What do you do with surf boards in Minnesota?

 

Great story willys36

 

Well, I've said it before and I don't mind saying it again. I feel quite privileged to hang out with people of such high caliber talent and character.

 

I feel the same way. What a informative and entertaining group. Priceless stories. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

 

Goes to show how great, custom guys are!

 

Agreed. There is first-hand history and information on the H.A.M.B. that you just will not find anywhere else.

 

Here is Mike receiving the Best in Class award, Street Rod for his maroon T-bucket at the awards ceremony, May 7.

 

Such a cool thread!

 

Pretty amazing story, the fake model car box could have used a proof reader, "4 Engene Dragster" and oops, "Mickry Thompson"...

 

Just a tip of the slongue!

 

I met Ed several times, bought stickers from him , been to his house, invited, used to see him all the time driving down Katella ave in Orange. Have a friend that worked for Ed for awhile, He has some very interesting stories, and was there when Ed had to beat up that "visiter" that came to his shop

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nice ride in the Wayback Machine!

 

Beautiful except . . . .you put the Mysterion in a corner. Should be in center of exhibit!!