Tech week is over so I can post this right? This year Thanksgiving also doubled as my 23rd birthday and my uncle, one of the uncles who got me into cars and is teaching me stuff, got me a "Big Duece" 1/8th scale model car to put together. He figures it'll give me something to do when I start ripping my hair out from my school work. He was talking about putting together models when he was a kid. Specifically 1/4th scale early Fords by Monogram. I thought it'd be a shit if I could track one down for him for Christmas but I can't even find a reference of these existing. I know there are plenty of folks on here older than me who might have had these or remembered these. If ya did I'd appreciate it if you could chime in. Thanks.
Ryan, the real early Monogram and Revell models were 1/32 scale and the later more popular size were 1/24 scale. A 1/4 scale model would be a big sumbitch! Like said ebay is probably the best place to find early model kits. Mick
The Monogram Visible V-8 was in 1/4 scale (and is still sold under the Revell name), but the biggest car kits were 1/8 scale (The Big Deuce is a re-issue of the 1/8 kit from the 60s).
the big t is a fun car to build..not to hard and they have been around forever..i remember my dad and i putting one togather about 36 years ago..mine was green..all i see made now are red..a knit needle works well as a replacement for a snaped axle...
I figured he was probably mistaken as there were literally no references to it anywhere. Things probably just look a lot bigger when you're small. He remembers getting it back in 1964. Thanks.
I have seen advertisements for a 1/4 scale GM chassis to mount the visible V-8 into, but I've never actually seen one in the plastic. I'm betting he's remembering the Monogram BIg Deuce, Big Rod, Big T, Big Tub, Big Drag, Jaguar XKE and/or 1963 Stingray kits, all in 1/8 scale.
hah thanks. well looks like he isn't going to get something that doesn't exist for christmas. thanks for all the replies.
At the time the Big Deuce came out, the model car lineup of big selling companies was AMT (and its spinoff or whatever SMP) in 1/25th scale, Revell in 1/25 (their earlier kits werre 1/32, but sixties stuff moved up), and Monogram which used 1/24th, actually a noticeable difference. This is before the recent mergers and regroupings, when those were all separate companies. I betcha the 1/24th line was what he was remembering. The 1/8th scale stuff got a lot of press, but was pretty much beyond the means of the kids I knew! I just got my first Big Deuce, and the 80 or 100 or whatever it cost seemed a lot more doable than the $8 or so it would have cost me back then!
Linburg or maybe Renwall did a really big Chassis with all working everything. It was a generic thing but the box art was great. I cant remember the scale, but I think it was bigger than the Monogram stuff. Whoever did it also did an engine to fit as well. It cant have sold well as you could not build a full car out of two expensive kits! I'll have a look around and see if I can find any information,
Lindberg did a couple of 1/8 rods in response to Monoigram, but never really became a big player in car models. I think Renwal was the original maker of the Visible V8 (Is it a Y block??), and the chassis fit that. More kits no one I knew could afford! AMT was at $1.49, $2.00 for the really elaborate kits, and that was a strain...
If you want info on big scale models there is ONLY one place to go. http://www.scalemotorcars.com/ Game over.........
What a site!!!!!!!!!!. If you were to post some of the pics of the scale model cars these guys are building on the HAMB. I bet you could fool alot of people into believing that theres a couple of new cars that will be completed for the next show. Why not get your uncle one of the POCHER kits. They look to be able to keep one occupied for awhile.
There's also http://www.largescalemodeler.com/ for 1/8th scale cars. Here's the upper-end of scratch built models http://www.geraldwingrove.com/. They aren't 1/8th scale, more like 1/15th or so. Amazing work. I used to build 1/25 scale since I was a kid, but in the past 5 years i've gone to 1/8th scale only. They are easier to work with and to detail, but there's only a handful of cars to work with. I've gotten to the point where i'm going to attempt making my own body. 1/8th scale can be addicting! The "Visible Chassis" model is 1/4 scale, more or less. I think it was only made for a few years in the early 60's. It shows up on Ebay every once in a while, and usually sells for $500-1500. I saw the chassis and motor together go for $2000 if I remember right. I don't think it or the motor were based on any one manufacturer, they were more of a mix of different designs. They had working steering, brakes (used water), and I think a working transmission, although I might be wrong about that. Awesome kit, i'd love to see it reissued some day.
My older brother had a chassis model when I was maybe 8....late 60s....I don't recall it being 1/4 scale, though. Long gone....I could be way wrong....
I have a Mercedes K that I got that is partially assembled, I'd practically give away to get this monster out of my way. To keep this on topic, They used to race 1/4 scale Can Am cars at Macomb County College (outside of Detroit, MI) parking lot. My dad used to take me there to see them and the Autocross/Gymkhanas they used to have there. If I recall they also have 1/4 scale stock car races in a parking lot along Woodward during the dream cruise. http://www.qsac.org/ This things are seriously huge, I'd hate to be in the way if one went airborne or out of range. Cool little fittings on them.
I have two big deuces and the big tub too,my uncle built them back in the mid 60s and I have them displayed in my living room. I must of been about 4 years old when he built the second 32 and I think that is what got me into building models,I also got two hubley metal models he built for me back in the early 70s and these are the only things I have to remember him by. Jeff
WOW!! Lucky you!!.... Wish I had the roughage ($$$) for just the 1/4 scale chassis kit.. Revell is bringing back the Renwal kits!! I hope the chassis makes another comeback...
Quarter scale R/C cars were big in the 1980's. Visit Mike casey's site http://www.quarterscalelegends.com/bb/index.php The cars restored here will blow your mind. Look for Gary Conley's Stinger 609 blown V8, Daytona Cobra, and Model T. There's rails, funny cars, monster trucks, tractor pull, stock car, Indy, speedway (Gilmer midgets)...just fantastic.
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