Auto Models.

I could have sworn I replied to this yesterday.

3-4 of my earliests builds could qualify as having some element that made it stand out as my beginning or otherwise sealed the deal as they say..

My very first car build, I might have been 9 or 10 in 1959 or 60. Could even have been 8 1958.

I think it might have been a Lindberg but it was 1/32 scale, 1932 Ford Jalope it was called. I built it all myself, no paint, front axle on upside down or backwards as I recall. But I actually finished it lol.

First somewhat successful brush painted model car. Again maybe 1959 or 60 and after a couple of complete paint fails.

AMT 1958 T Bird.

First classic era and nice looking all stock model. Probably 1961.

Monogram 1/24 Model A Roadster.

First contest entry, I was maybe 11.

AMT full fendered 32 Ford roadster. The judges kind of wanted to give me a ribbon but the brush paint held it back. I came back a year later with a spray painted AMT 49 Ford model, upholstered interior with some felt and corderoy, thread for plug wires and won second place in my class. I think the first place winner candy coated his model.

So many others could be mentioned for one reason or another or even sub one in place of one of these. But it all started with that 32 jalope then add in skills from there.

I had a really good paper route with 108 customers ( on one end of my route some were doctors and professional people) and decent tip money. I always had money from about 10 years old on, so I could afford to build and experiment once I got away from my dad's $.35 allowance. I beat that from one customers tips alone. I remember when I was 14 I quit the route to take a part time job thinking now I'll really have some dough. Not so much, after taxes I worked harder and made maybe less. In 1964 minimum wage was $1 an hour before taxes as I recall.

My favorite build...?

A 1957 Chevy Impala large scale, about the same size as those VHS rewinders.

I really took my time on that kit since '57 Chevy was/is my favorite looking car.

I had saved up my money and bought a Badger single-action airbrush with propellant tank. Sprayed the body black, used actual fabric for the interior, made metal antennas off the rear fender wings and spent hours blacking out spots in the chrome pieces (such as grille, rims, etc.) I even wired the engine compartment, ran plumbing under the chassis. Now this was before anyone was doing it.

I had other models on my shelf before building this one. I think it was my favorite because of the larger scale. It was easier to see all the fine detail work, such as the dash instruments that I pain stakingly detailed. Even though I did the same on the 1/24 & 1/25 scale models those weren't so easy to see.