Hi Ya'll!
Much has been written about this subject, but how about the Truck and Boat packages by Revell awhile back(Some now showing as re-pops). The Ranger Bass boats presented were nicely done for the two different models chosen, AMTs version of a Ski Boat! Even I had not Seen such a boat as a homebuilt and I spent a lot of time around boats. Some little boats seen around Marinas and yes, trailered from place to place like Jet Skis, where are they, by the way?
What ? Bored already? Darned, I know I have gone over much that's been written and promoted throughout Model Car History. I also Know I have mentioned much of what we did to those poor pieces of plastic under our ministrations for Good or Bad. Remember folks, what looks good to say, Matthew in Atlanta, might Not look to cool or interesting to Paul in Connecticut!
That is Normal. What puzzles me, as a Long Time Proffessional and Hobbyist in the field is this. Revell gave us the one time Snap version of the "Mercedes, Smart Car", But where is the model of say a "300" sedan or Semi truck that are beginning to be seen, Like Volvo in the states. Where are the cars from the Oddball folks like Lindberg who in the late to early sixties-seventies, graced us with a Bubbletopped Car(Showcar?) that had a fine metallic sprinkled plastic for the Body, Scads of Chrome, Engine parts only the little guy can dream about and topped by a tinted(Lightly Tinted ) Bubble top that opened to reveal the whole passenger compartment. I believe the thing was about 1/12 scale.
The Model companies are all over the place, Just like the market. Modeling all the other types of models out there is not like Modeling in the Train Hobby. First(in Trains) we find the operating line we wish to emulate(Even if a fictional one) then set it up. Plant and grass it, create rivers, towns, and yes, even big or small cities in a limited space. Pennsy, MoPac, Union Pacific Southern pacific, And Amtrak are to be found in conversations daily somewhere in this great country.
My question is this, We have seen many cars pass out of existence here in America that Grew the industry. Slogans circulated throughout the Land("When better Cars are Built, Buick will build them") "See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet." "Here come da Judge" and so on. Travel America with the science behind the "Rocket 88 from OldsMobile." And the models poured out.
BUT unlike our European counterparts did we get four-door versions after 59-60 from folks like AMT, MPC. IMC etc.? NO. Well, think about it, Building a Sting -Ray or Impala or Bonneville 2dr. ht, was fun, but for most who didn't get immersed in the hobby deeply, there was no way we had a model of Mr.Blakely's 4door Buick Electra 225 ht. Or the big Wagons of the day which had neat real-life features.
Model trucks were the same way. Did we get F-350s or Ram2500s or Silverado and GMC counterparts tht you saw everyday? NOPE! We got the top of the line Standard cab Long or Short wheel version. Whattsa matter with a Crew Cab Dually? I even owned one. Why? Travelling to Model conventions was a lot easier in an R.V. pulled by that truck than $120.00 bucks a nite, to stay in a regulation Hotel room and I slept in my own bed.
Yes, there were Dually P.U.s. all over the place. Where did we find them if at all. (Convienence store Toy Kiosks from questionable Diecast sources or our local Farm Supply store)There with Cattle and Horse trailers. No R.Vs ever! We could have in model cars a whole History of the Auto. Do We ? Nope, unless we choose to Kit and Plastic and Putty bash. Not all of us have the skill or just don't want to do a project like that.
I once found the Most Beautiful version of a "Coffin Nosed Cord" Auto, in about 1/24-1/25 in a convienence store. I was so blown away I had to have it. Why? It was the FOUR DOOR, fully Loaded, For the Day! Version of the Cord seen in wealthy driveways from coast to coast! And beautifully rendered as well with a great paint Job and detailing. NOT from one of our well known Die cast companies either. See! They have to stay on the ball too! They don't always catch the train either!
So the End All to this is simple, Look around to see if you can find it. If you can't and are not up to the project don't worry. Your perfectly painted and detailed Ford Mustang will please me as much as if you did do a Pierce Arrow from the late thirties! My pleasure in Modeling Cars and Trucks of all types is not to brag and show off. It's to satisfy myself as to my skills and the completeness of my collection such as it is.
I have oddballs in there too. I have one shelf that has Pick-Ups created from almost every car I have built models of. I have Tow Trucks of a type some folks have seen, Most not, but I saw them everyday in the city where my home office was! I even have crew cab Stake Bed trucks from the same brand trucks with D.O.T. or Electric Co. on the door in my collection. Why? Because they tell the story of the Brand silly! On the oddball side I think a El-Camino style vehicle based on the seventies Era Buick Riviera Looks neat to me anyway! A Corvette Station Wagon? Why Not? G.M. thought of it first, and called it the "Nomad". A Chrysler Imperial Hearse! A kitbash between an AMT and JOHAN Kit. Looks neat too!
I have even taken Two 49 Mercury Glue Bombs and created a 48 Buick"Butter-fly" Hooded Roadmaster Flat straight eight because at one time in service I owned one. Oh sorry, Back then you could find one used and driveable for a coupla hundred bucks at "Honest? Fred's Used Cars" How about the Lowly "Henry J," funny looking car that! great for racing, But never s stock model was offered. Just like the Rambler American, a few and then not the Grocery getter. Our neighbor had one. The "Henry J" that is. The options back then A bigger six, "two" windshield wipers and a AM radio and the dealer will throw in White wall Bias Ply tires and a chrome trimmed Gas cap! The only Model ? A Gasser from Revell!
It had those funny caddy type upthrust fender ends, but the tailights for that car(Oh yeah! the right hand tailight was optional too!) Were seven inches around at the lens inside the bezel and inside the fender area so ya could NOT see them from the side. Blinkers? "That's yer arm fella"Don't ya forget it! Models for customizing would've been great.
In closing I will say this too, There are , but not all as we have seen them. Sometimes we will spot regional differences too. My 58 Impala Custom Anniversary Model had chrome trim and options standard that you might not find on the same series in Portland or Chicago. Creating those and the Canadian counterparts would be fun today!
Mainly-Enjoy building what you find, do it to the best of your ability, be proud of it, and remember the time spent ,cost less than going to the movies and gave better satisfaction for the money you spent, as well as the time it took which you cannot buy in our economy for less elswhere. Happy Modeling in all Scales and Types Your Modeling Friend--Tanker-Builder