Model Cars - An Old Hobby Thats New Again

by Guy Scott

The model kit car hobby began in the post WW II era with Ace and Berkeley wooden model cars. Revell pioneered the plastic model car with their famous Maxwell kit derived from a toy. Derk Brand, from England pioneered the first real plastic kit, a 1932 Ford Roadster for Revell. He was also famous for developing a line of 1/32 scale model car kits in England for the Gowland brothers. These kits were later introduced by Revell in the US.

AMT began producing assembled 1/25 "Promo" models in the early fifties.These were an outgrowth of promotional models manufactured for automobile dealers. Youngsters would be given the scale models to play with while the parents and the salesman haggled. Collecting and trading these "promos" soon became a popular hobby.

During the 1950s and 1960s, interest in the hobby peaked, as many companies started to profit from the interest in the promo cars. AMT, Jo-Han, Revell and Monogram started producing model car kits during this time, and it was considered a "golden age" for model kit cars. Most of these kits were known as "annual" kits, kit versions of the promos that represented the new cars that were introduced at the beginning of each model year. AMT, Jo-Han and later MPC were the primary promo manufacturers. In addition to building them stock, most annual kits were known as "3 in 1" which allowed the builder to assemble them as stock, custom, or racing versions. Model Products Corp. joined the kit/promo business in 1965. Among their first annual kits/promos, was the full-size Dodge Monaco, which was released with a gold metallic painted body and is a valuable collector's item today. These plastic models were intricately detailed, with body scripts, trim, and emblems, as well as dashboard details, exact duplicates of the real thing, in 1/25 scale. Typically, each automaker would license their cars to one model company. For example, Jo-Han produced Cadillac models and promos, AMT did Chevrolet and Ford cars. Often these companies would change, for example Jo-Han produced the 1972 Ford Torino, and MPC did full-size Chevrolets in the early and mid 1970s. Typically, the kits had more parts and details than the promos. For example, kits often had opening hoods, separate engines and suspension parts, while the promos were molded with hood as part of the body, and chassis with metal axles and one-piece chassis with suspension details molded in. 1969 and 70 Chevy Impala kits were made by both MPC and AMT.

Some model companies sold broken-down versions of the promo cars, which were typically easier to assemble than the annual kits. They were often molded in color (instead of white) and snapped and screwed together (thus no glue or paint was required). When assembled they were almost identical to promos. Today these often command higher prices, especially AMT's "Craftsman" series of the early- and mid-Sixties.

Interest in model cars began to wane in the mid-1970s as a result of builders growing older and moving on to other pursuits. By the early 1980s, model building had been largely replaced by video gaming as a favorite pastime of American youth. A resurgence was experience in the late 1980s, due to many who been involved in the hobby in past years rediscovering it. Monogram helped spark the revival with a series of replicas of NASCAR race cars, as did AMT with a kit of the 1966 Chevrolet Nova, which modelers had been requesting for years. Today, many of the classic models from the golden age of modeling have been reissued. Not only does this allow modelers to build the cars they always wanted (but couldn't obtain or afford), but it tends to lower the prices of the originals. In some cases, the classic models have been issued with all-new tooling, which allows for even more detailing that comes with modern manufacturing/design methods. These include AMT's 1966 Fairlane and 1967 Impala SS, and Monogram's 1967 Chevelle and 1965 Impala Super Sport.

Today, these companies are still in business, fueled by a renewed interest in model car building and collecting. ERTL now owns both AMT and MPC. Revell and Monogram have merged, and Okey Spaulding has purchased once-defunct Jo-Han, which is producing a few of its original models in limited quantites, including the 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, 1959 Rambler station wagon, and some of its original 1950s Oldmobiles and Plymouths. Modelers today take advantage of modern technology, which includes photo-etched details, adhesive chrome foil for chrome trim, wiring for engines, and aluminum-billeted parts. Many builders today can take a basic kit and detail it so it resembles a real car, in miniature.

Stop by http://www.modelcarshow.com for info about diecast and model car kits.

About the Author

Guy Scott is a Photographer and entrepreneur that is currently traveling the country by truck.