TG57Roadmaster Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) These are not inexpensive diecasts, but are white metal or resin-cast models brimming with detail. There is a difference, in price, in quality, and how one who collects them bristles when the casual onlooker calls them "toys". American Excellence released this '57 Caballero a few years ago in resin, and here it's mated with Brooklin's 1961 Airstream Bambi. It's a lilliputian twin to Centurion's BoS 1/18th model he so capably pictured recently. From what many collectors consider the "Golden Era" of white metal models, Conquest Models' 1957 Roadmaster 75 Riviera Sedan was produced in very limited runs, in the low-hundreds. Although the headlight bezels should be painted body color, it's a fine example of a vintage 1990 white metal model that has stood the test of time. Its travel mate here is Brooklin's 1958 Shasta AirFlyte, with wings! If you're wondering how to capture models in "realistic" surroundings like this, it's no secret, anyone can do it. Shoot a background (for depth of field), put it against your "roadway" (which can be as simple as grey matte board, in this case, a bit more elaborate), shoot at about four feet at F32, focusing about a third of the way into the subject, and you're done. No Photoshop or post-production, although I do use a program to sharpen and contrast the image. I shoot these in my carport for the natural, diffused light, with only a reflector made of aluminum foil, spray-mounted on foamcore. This is USA Models' 1958 Fleetwood 75 Limousine, detailed with Bare Metal Foil to resemble its much more expensive Motor City brethren, again from the early-'90's. The driveway is just grey matte board. While modern resin models offer much more detail, the longevity of their finely wrought and delicate, photo-etched parts remains to be seen. The shoot for the Caballero above was the first time it was off its plinth and out of the box since its purchase about three years ago. As a generalist in both models and 1:1 cars, I count on one hand the number of my Buick 1/43rd scale models. I'm confident that Centurion will hop on board and post some of his vast collection of postwar 1/43rd Buicks. His 1/43rd scale dealership is a sight to behold! Still playing with cars after all these years, TG Edited April 15, 2016 by MrEarl removed 1:43 to open up to all models (see edit history) 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Very nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Very nice indeed.I have the Caballero 1/43 in black and red. Your correct great detail and indeed pricey. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Excellent, Tom! Wonderful photos and great models! Thanks, too, for a primer on how you shoot these great images of your models. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 Oh, the FUN of it all.I don't need another hobby, BUT sure is nice to view these.Very nice, Thank You Tom,Dale in Indy P. S. My models aren't that true to life, so if I'm going to photo, then I need to come up with some, NOT so realistic backgrounds, maybe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Gelinas (XP-300) Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 (edited) Oh, the FUN of it all.I don't need another hobby, BUT sure is nice to view these.Very nice, Thank You Tom,Dale in IndyP. S. My models aren't that true to life, so if I'm going to photo, then I need to come up with some, NOT so realistic backgrounds, maybe. Dale your being to modest. Your builds are awesome. If anyone has any doubts, check the links below. http://forums.aaca.org/topic/209684-you-dont-want-to-miss-this-1946-buick/?hl=%2B%26%2339%3B1946+%2Bbuick+%2Bparade+%2Bfloat%26%2339%3B. http://forums.aaca.org/topic/230062-my-1941-art-deco-buick-model-car-hauler/page-1#entry1199756 Edited February 14, 2016 by xp-300 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Dave, Thanks for the kind words, looking forward to SHOW & TELL regarding my 1000 hour plus, BUICK inspired 1927 Miller Indy large scale race car model build.Today I'm polishing the copper wheel covers that I spun, doing dash work, and wife of 55 years is sewing the interior. Got to love the wife. She is a big supported of my arty works. Pictures, and story probably a month away, big art contest is in May, still have display to build.Dale in Indy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Here's a few. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 15, 2016 Share Posted April 15, 2016 Move over Skylarks, your Big Brother has arrived. Got the 1954 Buick Landau Concept in today after ordering it about 3 months ago. While not perfectly correct it is close enough. Was in hopes it would have had the original hubcaps instead of the wires and it could have been a bit more detailed in the color of the straps on the trunk but hey, I'm not complaining. I have a special display planned for this piece amongst some original parts off the Landau I managed to beg off Bob while he had it. It will certainly take it's place in front for the time being, pushing the Skylarks to the side. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarredKnightfan Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 *grins* I've showcased a few of those pics on OC,SH, Tom. As for me ... I was given a Buick collection a couple years ago. Attached is a sampling.... Cort > www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pigValve.paceMaker.cowValve | 79 CC to ?? Mercury Grand Marquis!! "It helps fill an empty place" __ Charly McClain __ 'Radio Heart' 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TG57Roadmaster Posted April 24, 2016 Author Share Posted April 24, 2016 On 4/17/2016 at 6:21 PM, ScarredKnightfan said: *grins* I've showcased a few of those pics on OC,SH, Tom. As for me ... I was given a Buick collection a couple years ago. Attached is a sampling.... Cort > www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pigValve.paceMaker.cowValve | 79 CC to ?? Mercury Grand Marquis!! "It helps fill an empty place" __ Charly McClain __ 'Radio Heart' Nice gift Cort! TG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 (edited) The late James Sears commissioned the model of our restoration that was our restoration 101 project. The duplication was in the finest detail even to the interior. (The mirrors & scripts were omitted) Edited April 24, 2016 by Caballero2 added note on mirrors and scripts (see edit history) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarredKnightfan Posted April 24, 2016 Share Posted April 24, 2016 16 hours ago, TG57Roadmaster said: Nice gift Cort! TG Thank you. It came as a COMPLETE surprise to me. One day, I opened my Email to find an Email I THOUGHT was "fake", but it seemed sincere enough. So I responded & to my amazement, the guy wrote back & gave me his phone #. I called. Turns out, he had followed my road trips & gatherings, back when I did them 2002-2011, on a message board I frequented (& still check once a week) & was inspired by my ability to stay positive, upbeat & looking ahead, despite my multiple open heart surgeries. As such, he wanted to know if I wanted his Buick collection. I hesitated because, with no job at the time, I knew I couldn't afford to buy anything extraneously. He must've picked up on my hesitation because he said swiftly: "Oh, I should've said that differently. I do not want to sell my collection to you, I want you to have it, if you want it." The rest is history. I found out later that he was giving away his stuff because he was dying of cancer. I've tried to reach him a few times, but my gut is telling me he is no longer with us. Cort > www.oldcarsstronghearts.com pigValve.paceMaker.cowValve | 1979 Caprice Classic (needs new owner) "It won't hurt; we're just TV good guys" __ Andy & Terry Murray __ 'Tony and I' 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) Some of my Buicks.....Tootsie Toy "Y" job, a couple of Brooklin '39 convertibles custom built by John Roberts, and a pewter Reatta done in 1988 for the Select 60 dealers, Pacesetter awards, and at Pewter 53 Skylark done sometime in the '70's Edited June 3, 2016 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Wow , some rare ones for sure Barney!!! (Did you mean to say pewter Skylark or did you post the wrong picture) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Nice Barney, Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Thanks for catching the error.......it has been corrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted January 8, 2017 Share Posted January 8, 2017 I know this thread goes back some but just came across three of my '58's in a box plus an ad showing paste wax and.... a can of it I had saved. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 While visiting Georgia a week ago Lamar was showing off some new model cars he had acquired. This reminded me of one I had high on a shelf that I I can't remember where I got and I've never opened. After seeing the level of detail on Lamar's I had to open mine out of curiosity. An inch of dust Sorry, not ready to take the tape off to open the doors spare tire is a complete tire, and removable. No jack behind it though. ?I feel they could have done better with the grille.... under hood was pretty good, including washer jar, and air intake duct. The real surprise was the steering wheel operates! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Love those 1:18scale models. Just can't figure out how to get the mirrors set right? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Here is another. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I have picked up a couple of these pewter models....probably considered 1/24 they are just under 5 inches long. The base under them looks like large bricks and there is a number on the base under the front bumper. Reasonably inexpensive, the windshield frame will almost always be deformed but is easily bent back. The majority came with a black plastic base, but the second photo shows one with a wooden base with the Hawk logo used by Buick in late '70's-'80's 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 I have merged some recent similar subject posts to here, hope you's guys don't mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilgrim65 Posted June 9, 2017 Share Posted June 9, 2017 Most of the 53 models appear to be skylark or roadmaster , anyone seen a convertible with 3 portholes , would like to purchase particularly if in red ! Ruby in miniature! cheers pilgrim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmittie41 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 I thought I'd show some pictures of 2 of my unique Buick model cars. I have a fair size collection of model cars, and being the son of a Buick salesman I specialized in Buicks. I have a lot of Promos , but these 2 are different. The 1949 Roadmaster woodie is a resin model made by All American Models. it was mastered off of the Franklin Mint Roadmaster pictured next to it. A Google search confirmed something I thought had happened was that All American Models went out of Business over 10 years ago. The resin model came with chrome parts, frame, engine, windows and complete interior. I recall that it cost around $95. I bought a broken F.M. 49 on ebay and have plans to someday build the model using parts from both. Someday? I've been pretty slow getting to it. The other model pictured is a 1965 Buick Skylark 2-door post coupe. it's a replica of my first car, that I got when I was 18. I built it using an AMT 66 Skylark as a starting point. The AMT 1964 GTO kit donated the top. I modified the bumpers and grille to replicate the 65. The hood required a bunch of work because the 66 hood is raised in the middle and the 65 is depressed. It's one of my prized pieces There was no model or promo of the 65 Skylark. Jim Smith BCA #3566 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 21, 2017 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Hey, that is a lot of work to re-work a 66 to a 65! Nicely done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 I just returned from a trip to Indiana and met Dale Smith. He brought with him the Buick Bug model he constructed from scratch. The picture does not do the model or modelmaker justice....seeing it in person shows the great detail and craftsmanship.....Great job Dale 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Is that a visor on Dale's head? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted September 22, 2017 Share Posted September 22, 2017 (edited) Visor....Yes, left over from his 1940 Limited sedan Notice how well it has protected the top of his head Edited September 22, 2017 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 On 1/7/2017 at 8:46 PM, dei said: I know this thread goes back some but just came across three of my '58's in a box plus an ad showing paste wax and.... a can of it I had saved. Cool display Doug, great minds must think alike but gotta admit yours is a much better match 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) A Edited December 11, 2017 by Guest (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dei Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 These are my 32nd scale models completed as a young guy. Some are as one would expect of a young fellow quality wise. If you look carefully there is a Buick in there. While not a correct paint job and the wheels are not right, what did I know at that age... The wall cases are what Dad made me to house them one year after I had a fit when Mom came in my room once and started to dust them using her Hoover Vacuum Cleaner! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 The first scale model Buicks I received were dealer promo models from 1957. My dad was a mechanic at the Buick dealership in Hutchinson, KS and the owner gave the '57 promos to his employees at Christmas in '57; one car for each kid. My brother and I each got one. They stayed at the house in which we were raised. When Mom died, I took both of them. ? Roadmaster 2dr hardtop. I imagine that they are factory colors, but I don't know the names of the colors. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 I went to the dealership one day in Sept of '62 with my dad and discovered a 63 Riviera under a car cover awaiting the grand reveal. I showed dad and told him I had to have one. You can imagine his reaction. On my 16th birthday the following February, he told me he'd bought one for me. Ha! A 1:24 scale model. I originally painted it Spruce green with silver interior to match the one I'd seen under the cover. When I got my '63, in 1982, I repainted the model to match what I'd bought. This is the car I got and assembled in '63 and repainted in '82. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 (edited) When I discovered the 1:18 diecast models, I bought the '55 which was like the one I drove to high school and from which my younger brother and I ran our paper route. Mine was white with red/black interior. (sorry for the fuzzy focus) Edited January 15, 2018 by RivNut (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 When Hiway61 came out with their '64 Rivieras, I has to get a black one that looked like my '63. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Ed Pentico's 64 Riviera with the Super Wildcat engine was used as the car from which Hiway61 took their measurements and pictures. They mailed him a couple and were damaged in shipping. I got one of those from him and came up with this. Fun project that gets lots of comments. Here's how I display it. I had a '48 Ford F1 at one time but never pulled anything with it. Red just like this one. I had this engine built but never installed it. (I got an offer on the stock F1 that I couldn't refuse.) 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 (edited) Willie Pittman (Old Tank).......a regular on the Buick discussion has a Ford P/U with a nailhead. Edited January 15, 2018 by Barney Eaton (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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