Old Show Rods

oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Old Show Rods

Posted by oz1998 on Thursday, September 15, 2005 8:02 PM

Hi all,

I'm primarily a ship and aircraft builder, but when I was a child in the early 70's I built 3 show rods, Monogram's 1/24 Beer Wagon, Paddy Wagon and Boot Hill Express. A relative bought them for me for Christmas one year, not realizing that I "specialized" in ships and aircraft. But, I built them out of respect. They were actually quite nice, to a 13 year old anyway, and stood out amoung the vast collection of ships and planes I had at the time. The relative and the show rods have long since gone, but I got to thinking about them one day and decided to take a look on eBay. Sure enough, there they were. Not the original issues mind you, but the ones re-issued during the 80's I believe. Close enough, so I snatched them up. Quality wise these kits are far from the great kits nowadays, but the sentimental value is priceless. So, when I'm finished with my 1/350 Prince Of Wales battleship I'm going to take a stroll down memory lane and build me some old show rods. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.

Just thought I'd share.

Ted

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 15, 2005 8:48 PM

I hear ya on the old show rods... been re-amassing my collection of late. (Just scored a built-up of the Monogram "Rommel's Rod".)

I wish the whole "show rod" concept would regain the popularity it had back in the late 60s-early 70s. The closest things today are shows like "West Coast Choppers"... I love the work those guys do, but it's somehow just not QUITE the same...

By the way... if ya haven't been there yet, check out Dave's Show Rod Rally at www.showrods.com .... a great gallery of built-ups of the old showrod kits, along with modified/kitbashed versions.

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oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Posted by oz1998 on Thursday, September 15, 2005 11:03 PM

Hi Dino,

Yeah ! Rommel's Rod ! I remember that. I also seem to recall another show rod, "Pie Wagon". I never built it though. The collectors are having a ball with the original issues of some of these kits. I have seen an original issue kit of the 60's Munsters Koach kit sell for between $200 and $300 ! Unreal.

Yeah, show rods are bygone a era it seems. But they sure were the "thing" at the time. I too like like watching shows like "American Chopper" and "West Coast Choppers" with Jesse James. The things those guys do is unreal.

Thanks for the link on the showrods. I'll check it out.

Ted

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 3:20 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by oz1998

Hi Dino,

Yeah ! Rommel's Rod ! I remember that. I also seem to recall another show rod, "Pie Wagon". I never built it though. The collectors are having a ball with the original issues of some of these kits. I have seen an original issue kit of the 60's Munsters Koach kit sell for between $200 and $300 ! Unreal.

Ted

Just saw a Pie Wagon reissue at the local jobby shop.... picked up the "Vending Machine" show rod reissue while I was there... kinda cheesy decals in the reissue, good thing I can get a reprint of the original "Coca-Cola" decal sheet. Guess they didn't want to pay the licensing fee to use the logos on the reissue.

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oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Posted by oz1998 on Friday, September 16, 2005 3:47 PM

Yeah, re-issues are fine but rarely match that of the original. I'm not surprised about the decals. Guess on re-issues if it turns out to be the same kit in a different box, we're doing alright. The re-issues of the kits I have got a lot of flash on them. Don't remember if that was the case in the early 70's, but it probably was.

Hey, I went to that www.showrods.com site you sent me. I found another Show Rod I had that I'd completely forgotten about. "Red Baron". I think I even picked that one up myself back then trying to build off the success I had with the "Beer Wagon", "Paddy Wagon" and "Boot Hill Express" kits. I think that's as far as it went though. I have not built a car model since. I had no idea there were so many Show Rod kits. Really brings back memories though.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 16, 2005 7:31 PM

Heh... got the Red Baron in my stash too... one of the issues of the kit that came with the mini-triplane model included.

Did ya know that Tom Daniel also did a "Ghost of the Red Baron" model for Monogram as well? A bobblehead skull wearing the Red Baron helmet. Some of the stuff that guy did was awesome. Speaking of which, here's another site for ya:

www.tomdaniel.com

His official site, with a list of all the kits he designed.

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oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Posted by oz1998 on Saturday, September 17, 2005 9:31 AM

Wow ! Yet another one I forgot about. Garbage Truck ! I had that too. Boy, it seems my memory is not as good as I thought it was. Wink [;)]

I'd like to see that Ghost of Red Baron issue. Sounds great.

Thanks for the great sites and for jogging my memory. Big Smile [:D]

Ted

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 17, 2005 9:50 AM

Thanks, guys, for bringing this up - I remember the red baron, the pie wagon, and the beer wagon. Those were fun to buld..

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oz1998

Member since
June 2003
From: Rhode Island

Posted by oz1998 on Sunday, September 18, 2005 1:18 AM

Yes, they were. When I'm done with the British battleship I'm currently doing, I'm going to dive into my show rod kits for old time's sake.

Thanks for the inspiration guys ! Big Smile [:D]

Ted

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