Featured Art & Inspiration Model Cars

Growing up, I like probably most of you, built model cars. My room was filled with many models of cars I dreamed one day of owning. Needless to say I haven't built one for a long time but now that I am done any full real car builds for the foreseeable future I thought I would do a couple models this winter. I will be doing a build of my coupe but thought I would start with a 56 Chevy build and do it like my actual 56. My Dad did a ton of models in his younger days and would go so far to do custom car builds melting plastic and body working the models like the customs of his day. Here's a pic of the body painted so far. Still need some more paint / sanding to complete the patina finish and add the chrome to match my car but it's coming along. Will post pics of the completed car when it's done. How about some of your model car builds? Let's see em!

 

I keep saying that one of these days I'll put these back together, but it still hasn't happened. All built about 50 years ago.

 

Those pictures look like my
shops/ building now , projects.
I started building around 5 years old,
I remember being able to buy kits @ local
7-11 convenient store here .
Last Model kit I did was around 2000
Big T for my Dad ,
Had probably around 40 hrs in
& lot of $$$ in extra Kits & accessories
& went to Extreme using Rc parts.
I still have 3 B - Duce kits in box's I want to Build , Looking for the 5 w body witch is no longer made @ least 3 years ago
& if still not made again hard to find
Over years a lot of my Models where destroyed because I left them at my parents house then my nieces nephews got a hold of them,,
The big Vett , Camaro , 57 , Trikes
Quite a few zinc models

 

These got some years, but sometime ill be back and build some new stuff

 

At 77 I still dabble but am very selective on ones do. Mostly in winter when it isn't too comfortable in my shop! My last big model project was finishing my 1/8 scale Mysterion, after I finished my 1:1 reproduction.


Prior to that I took a stab at building the Traveling Coach and Napoleonic Coach that kids made and entered in the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild from 1932 to 1936 when the expanded the contest to design and build 1/12 scale cars. amazingly difficult to built these scratch coaches, I have huge respect for the 12-19 ye old kids who completed one of these.

 

Still at it. I build 4 or 5 a year. Even joined a model club a couple of yrs. ago..Maryland Automotive Modelers****ociation. aka MAMA. Check out their website.

 

Can't get good glue these days!

 

This kind?

 

Here’s just a few…

 

I did a lot of models before I started on the real cars, 50 something years ago. Upon an occasion I have been tempted to start back at them again, I've even picked up a few kits that I thought would be fun to build. The past attempts were several years ago, lets say they didn't turn out as I expected they would. Back in the day I was pretty good at it, but it seems the time in between has not been good for reviving my old skill set. The last recent attempt has shown me my hands are not cooperative enough to produce good outcomes. It seems that model building is another pleasure from my past that is better served as a memory.

I will, however, enjoy watching you guys build them.

 

I’m impressed by how the paint shines these days and the details the builders are able to pull off.
From 6th thru 10th grade I really dove into the hobby. My family moved during my time in the Marines and my model collection didn’t survive. I tried picking it back up briefly about 30 years ago…..just couldn’t find the time sadly.

 

I bought this a while ago, I expect it's not going to work now. And oil of mustard never worked like toluene anyways....

 

I made this from a T-Bird model the was partially built and in bad shape, on Ebay

 

I’ll bet it’s still good. But it’s too messy. I use super glue and Tamiya thin liquid cement mostly, white glue for windows

 

Just a warning, this will probably get moved to The Antiquated in the Misc. Section.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forums/the-antiquated.92/
They have a die cast thread, tether cars, Hot Rod Toys, Pedal Cars and other stuff.

 

I never got the hang of using super glue. For anything.

 

I’ve got a FB group, just for pre ‘49 models.

 

I spent my adolescence in Canada, and built lots and lots and lots of models. I tried to keep it up after we moved back to Pretoria in 1977, despite far fewer hobby shops, far less choice at the shops there were, and much higher prices, but it fizzled eventually. I took it up again briefly in 2003-2004 after an American friend sent me some old kits. And then a very bad year struck.

Since then I started getting into 3D modelling on computer. In a way it's just the same, especially if you try to emulate the level of detail you'd use in a 1:25 physical model.

 

I did a lot way back. Unfortunaly my arthritic hands won't let me anymore. I need to find someone who wants all my model car stuff...

 

I managed to hang on about a dozen of mine over the years. I started buying kits and stashing them for retirement I thought… I’ve given up on that idea & collect 1:64 diecast. They don’t take as much room!

 

Meh... tube glue is out these days. Solvent liquid glues and CA glues are in.

 

It still should work if it was capped. I picked up an OG AMT 1957 T-Bird kit last year and the tube of customizing putty was still good from around 1962.

 

This is recent, a 3D printed Corvette modified.

 

Hello,

I had been looking for a model of a 58 Impala for years. I had completed plenty of scratch build models and other car/airplane kits back in the 50's. (But, they all bit the dust from my mother's massive...you haven't used them in years and it gets dusty/throw away...rant) Ahhh, the memories of those "in one ear... out the other" days...

As a 20 something casual walk around in a toy store in Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street back in 1989 was interesting. I found this model sitting on the car model section shelf. Today,in a garage drawer full of small tools, it still has the original plastic wrapper and I keep looking at it thinking one day I might build it. It is a simple model and my skills are at least level 2. (so the box label lists the skill level) But, as the days go by, there are other pressing things to do and this box stays in the garage cabinet until another rainy day in So Cal. Then the ritual starts all over again. What to do…

Jnaki

Value? Not so much to anyone except for me, as it is the model of my real black 58 Impala that got me through the formidable teenage years (racing and cruising) and into the first years of college. I just need to build it one day.
Thanks @themoose
But, one day, that plastic model will get a primer spray and a nice shiny black paint. Then the hunt for 1/24 scale Buick Skylark Wire Wheels for the final finish, including the 2x4 tow hitch under the rear license plate.

Note:

On the other hand, one other box sits next to the 58 Impala in the same drawer. It has been sitting since new, a 24 years old model kit, unopened.

Some creative model kit makers have changed the single grille model into the split grille model. There are even several companies that make resin cast, body kits that are very expensive and come with a split grille. You get what you pay for in ideas and builds.

Projects still ready to get some work done, but time is slipping by…or at least that is what it seems like.

1958 Impala coupe kit purchased back in a toy store in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore to create a copy of my own 58 black Impala. The paint, wheels and handmade stickers were getting made.

Then the 1941 KS Pittman Willys Coupe that was getting a simulated, remodel front end to show the split grille of our 1940 Willys Coupe was in the next series to be built. But, as we all know about a great quote:

“Life got in the way…”
Many years later, I got another wild idea that a copy of our “finished” 1940 671 SBC Willys Coupe was going to get made, including changing over the staid, single grille of the 41 and modifying it to the twin grille that was on our 1940 version. The plans were made and drawings, tools and products were ready, but family life with the granddaughter took precedence. But, who wants a red primer sprayed version sitting on the shelf, instead of a flashy red or yellow version with lettering or pinstriping on the whole model car… YRMV

 

Like a whole lot of guys here, I built as a kid before I got my hands on 1:1 cars. By the time I started college and dental school, life got in the way and I just didn't have time any more. I'd pull one out from time to time and work a little bit, but nothing productive....although I have continued collecting all these years for the day I would get back at it. @Sancho challenged a few of us a few years ago to a build off to get back in the swing of building for @straykatkustoms Lead Ain't Dead show that year with all of us building the same kit. I've really enjoyed getting back to building. I don't have it in me to get down in the weeds with detail like I used to try to do in my younger days, but curbsides with custom bodywork and interiors have been really fun for me. Here are the ones I have done for the build off the last several years. Next year's challenge is 40 Fords....build you one (or more) and bring it to Lead Ain't Dead next fall and have some fun with us!

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/sunday-models.869868/

 

Too many to repost, here's my album

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/model-stuff.37541/

 

I built Model Cars when I was a kid and think I'll do what you are and start building them again. Not only am I 76 but the prices of parts are getting ridiculous, guess I'll finish my 29 roadster pickup and start buying model kits! The pickup was supposed to be a project to tinker with but found so many problems it became a frame off project, chassis is done with a rebuilt banger, Snyder's 5.5:1 head, Burns intake with a Holley 94 and an old Mallory dual point. Time to start on the body work now.