Mat Irvine : Car Models

THE CAR PAGE

Car modelling has always been a special interest and I have probably amassed one of the largest collections in Britain. I haven't actually counted them recently, but the number built must be approaching 3000, with many more yet to be made.
A few - just a few - are displayed on the right below (at the 1999 International Model Show), while on the left is the cover of my second book on model cars.

The 'Auto Modelling Masterclass' features chapters on all aspects on building model cars from 'straight out of the box', to painting, decals, customising, accessories and dioramas - plus that all important aspect of 'collectibility'. The book is full colour throughout, with nearly 250 photographs, and 128 pages.

Although deemed a 'Masterclass' (the title was already 'in the system'!) I personally would place the book more as 'general primer' and it is suitable for those just beginning the hobby, with hopefully a few tips that could be useful to even the most experienced modeller.

There are chapters on how the hobby of car modeling began; why certain scales are used, and how a plastic kit is decided upon and made.

Other chapters take you through building a basic kit, adding extra details, paint and decals and how to go about customizing. Specific chapters deal with limited edition material kits (white metal and resin); renovating an old kit and accessories and dioramas. Also included is a chapter that lists all the major - and many of the smaller - companies that have produced model cars kits over the years (though not necessarily still in production), and that all growing aspect of 'collectibility'. Finally there is a gallery of favourite models and dioramas - a few of which are illustrated below.

The book is now out of print, but check Amazon, as it seems to be able to unearth any book you wish!
title : Mat Irvine's Auto Modelling Masterclass, author Mat Irvine,
publisher Windrow & Greene, [imprint 'Compendium'],
date 1998, ISBN : 1-85915-089-6

Most of my current model reviews are being done for the new on-line magazine, Scale Model News, originated and compiled by David Jefferis.

Much of this interest grew out of my regular series of articles for the original Scale Models International (published then by Nexus Special Interests) which started initially as Off The Road in 1984, the title later being changed to Freewheelin'. Unfortunately, after 367 issues, the magazine, in its original form, ceased publication in early 2001. However the cover of the July 1991 issue did feature one particular model.....

Back to the Future diorama SMI-Back to the Future cover

On of the most popular dioramas at any model show has always been the Back to the Future scene I built initially for an article in Scale Models International, in July 1991, and which was also used on the cover. It was based on the scene in the third movie where the wood-burning locomotive had to push the ailing DeLorean Time Machine up to its 'time travelling' speed.
The 1:24 scale DeLorean models were available from several sources around the world. They originated in Japan from Aoshima, that made all four types. The one from BTTF I, complete with the 'trolley bus' pick-up; the flying version from BTTF II, and two versions from BTTF III. Of the last, one came with the fifties-style wheels, the other with the rail-road wheels, as depicted in this scene. All four models were available in the UK under the Halcyon name, while AMT issued the 'flying' version only for the American market.. However AMT's parent company, Ertl, also issued three versions as one of its special Blueprinter Exclusives.

Aoshima reissued its original kits, included 'limited edition' versions; with the bodies plated to represent the stainless steel finish. These kits should be available from specialist kit suppliers including Comet Miniatures. Also check out Back To The Future - The Fan Club.

Most recent Polar Lights has issued its own, brand new, kit of the Back to the Future DeLorean, with a 'metalised' body.

The 1:25 scale wood-burning locomotive 'The General' was initially made by MPC (and available in the UK from Airfix). It was last available as an AMT kit. Some conversion was done, although the major incorrect feature - the number of driving wheels - was left. The kit is an 4-4-0 where the movie version was an 4-6-0. The idea of the diorama was, after all, to recreate the spirit of the scene!

SOME MORE OF THE MODELS

I admit to a fondness for American machinery - mainly as these were the first model cars to be be made in the larger scales - and also have a particular interest in 'Star Cars' - transportation as used in film and television programmes. These were compiled into a six-part series for the short-lived magazine, Collecting Scale Models, in 1990.

Barnabas Vampire Van

One of the strangest 'Star Cars', the Vampire Van, supposedly from the gothic series Dark Shadows - but in effect it just 'borrowed' the name. The kit was from MPC, that adapted its existing 1932 Chevy Panel Van - much to the annoyance of the purists.

Munster Koach and Drag-U-La - with builder and owners..

Perhaps more famous examples - AMT's Munster Koach and the Drag-U-La - with their builder and owners

Inspector Morse - Jaguar Mk II Dick Tracy cars

(left) Transportation for a certain - late - Chief Inspector based in Oxford.
Morse's Mk II Jaguar, 248 RPA, was built from the Small Wheels 1:24 scale white metal kit, that was available before the Tamiya kit, and has the correct steel wheels.

(right) Two cars as from the Dick Tracy movie. Dick Tracy's own car - the 1936 Ford from AMT and Breathless Mahoney's Auburn, modified from the reissued Lindberg (ex-Pyro) kit, with Monogram 1934 Mercedes running lamps, wheels and tyres.

Revell 1959 Ford Skyliner AMT 1955 and 1957 Chevy Cameo pick-ups

(left) The amazing 1959 Ford Skyliner, the car that had the whole hardtop retract into the trunk (it didn't leave any room for anything else - but who cares?) The kit is the old Revell multi-piece body kit - and it all works.

(right) Two Chevy Cameo pickups from AMT - background is the '55, foreground the '57. The Wurlitzer is a Jimmy Flintstone product, and the diner is one of Revell-Monogram's Highway Scenes.

Peugeot 206 WRCs from Tamiya 1:24 and Heller 1:43 Richard Petty's #43

(left) Two sizes of the new Peugeot 206 in WRC guise. Large is the 1:24 scale Tamiya; little, the 1:43 Heller.

(right) Racing in earlier days, Lindberg's recent kit of the Plymouth of Richard Petty in his #43 colours (colors?) The background comes from Tyresmoke Products - unfortunately no longer available.

AMT '41 Ford Woody & R-M '41 Chevy Pickup AMT's AMTRONIC

(left) The Forty-Ones - AMT's 1941 Ford Woody and Revell-Monogram's 1941 Chevy pickup.

(right) AMT' "Visitor from the 21st Century" - the AMTronic. Basically two cars in one, the front section splits away and becomes a 'City Runabout'. The combined car is an 'Interstate Cruiser' and the completed model sits on the supplied card diorama backdrop.
The kit was recently reissued in AMT's Millennium series - but without the card backdrop!

The Addams Family transport? ZZ Top

(left) Combining two types of models to create a scene with a difference. Using the Polar Light's re-tooled Aurora Addam's Family House with an original Aurora Carl Casper 'The Undertaker' show dragster (also of course available as a re-tooled kit from Polar Lights).

(right) Not a unique idea I know. The ZZ Top Shuttle uses the Monogram '33 Ford (seen separately) with the 1:100 scale Tamiya Shuttle Orbiter - sitting on an Airfix Shuttle stand.

'57 Chevy diorama IMC's Dodge A100

(Left) A diorama using Nick's Drive In, one of the Revell-Monogram card Highway Scenes, as designed by Dean Milano.
Foreground is a conversion to the new AMT '57 Chevy - making it into a convertible to match the car seen in the pilot episode of Dark Skies. Also seen are the Hasegawa VW Van (back), the Testor's Smoothster (just visible left) and the AMT '41 Plymouth (ditto right)

(right) IMC issued two versions of its Dodge A100 pickup. One was the famous Little Red Wagon, the other the Touch Tone Terror - which could also be built as the Frisco Sleeper, with card cut-outs for the back.

A selection of Jaguars Revell Ford Thames Van dragster

(left) A selection of the various Jaguars that have been available over the years, assembled for an article for Scale Models International on all the Jaguar kits ever issued.

(right) Another British-originated vehicle, with a touch of the US, Revell's Thames Panel dragster

Testors Frankenwoodiac
(left)The Airfix trio of James Bond 'cars' - Aston Martin DB-5, Toyota 2000 Convertible (not a version Toyota actually sold, two were specially made for the movie). Finally the Autogiro 'Little Nellie', included here as it is deemed a 'car' by default - as its the same scale.

(right) Wild resin slammer kit from Testors HSO range - the Frankenwoodiac. 'Slammers' are car kits without an interior - hence the dark windows! The design is slightly based on a fifties Studebaker, and wood veneer has been added to the side panels.

Surfite Ed Roth Beatnik Bandits - 1 and 2

Tribute to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth

Ed Roth was the creator of the wildest of all custom cars, although he was actually an artist first and foremost and built the cars initially to show off his handiwork. He's also the creator of the famous rodent, Rat Fink. Many of his car designs were made as kits by Revell, including the Beatnik Bandit (above, left) in the sixties and the Beatnik Bandit 2, (above, right), in the nineties.

He also built the Surfite, (top left), which has an odd British connection - it was built on the running gear of a very early Austin Mini.
The Surfite has oft been rumoured to have appeared in the surfing movie Beach Blanket Bingo. Actually it does - but only if you view the original widescreen version. This is because it is almost off the screen, in an all too brief appearance in the distance on the far left, as part of the scene at the airfield.

Ed Roth himself was photographed on the Revell-Monogram stand at the 1996 National Model and Hobby Show in Chicago, behind the full-size Beatnik Bandit 2.

The Model Car Handbook

An earlier book on car modelling is my 'The Car Modeller's Handbook' which contained details on the types of kits available, general building tips, detailing, customising, paints and that all important aspect of 'collectibility'.

This has long been out of print, though again Amazon may be able to unearth one!

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