Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 There are many collector Buicks I would love to own, but it simply is not going to happen. As a partial substitute for the many Buicks that I wish could fill my garage, I've had to opt for a Buick collection in small scale. An old car buddy who is a Nash Club guy stopped by a couple of weeks ago with his digital camera, and snapped a few photos of my small scale Buicks. I figured some of you might enjoy this, so here goes.This first photo shows a metal shelving unit filled mostly with my 1/25-scale plastic promo cars. The top shelf is all '59 Buicks, and it includes everything from original 1/25-scale promos to old Japanese tin toys to the latest '59 Buick diecasts in 1/43 and 1/18 scale. The '59 Buicks seemed to be a favorite among toy makers worldwide, and my little collection has barely scratched the surface. Unfortunately, the prices of old toys continue to increase, and I pass most of these up when I see them on Ebay.The second shelf is full of 1/25-scale Buicks covering the 1956 through 1964 period. Front row: 1961 Invicta 4-door hardtop, 1958 Limited 2-door Riviera, 1957 Roadmaster 2-door Riviera. Second row: 1959 Invicta Estate Wagon, 1964 Riviera, 1956 Roadmaster 4-door Riviera. Third row: 1960 Invicta 2-door hardtop, 1958 Roadmaster 75 convertible, 1961 Special wagon. Fourth row: 1961 Invicta 2-door hardtop, 1962 Electra 225 2-door hardtop, 1963 Electra 225 convertible.The third shelf includes 1959 promo cars other than Buicks. I think all of the '59 models from the U.S. manufacturers were spectacular, and thought it would be fun to develop a "Cars of '59" collection. Front row: 1959 Pontiac Bonneville 4-door Vista, 1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special, 1959 Lincoln Continental. This shelf also includes '59 Plymouths, Dodges, Oldsmobiles, Chevrolets, Thunderbirds, etc. A forthcoming addition is a '59 Chrysler New Yorker.The fourth shelf includes two examples each of the 1965 Buick Wildcat and 1966 Buick Riviera. You will also note a '64 Pontiac Grand Prix (that I've owned since '64), a '65 Olds 88, and a '66 Olds Toronado. There are some more '59 Oldsmobiles and a '56 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door hardtop.The fifth shelf is full of small scale Buicks, mostly inexpensive toys that have been offered during recent years. There's everything here from a '49 Roadmaster Riviera that was part of K-Mart's Route 66 collection to Hallmarks '54 Wildcat II ornament to some 1/64 scale GSX's and boattail Rivieras.Bottom shelf holds 1/18-scale diecast Buicks, and there's a detail photo of these coming up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Here are some of my 1/18-scale Buicks, including a '59 Electra 225 convertible, the Buick Y-Job, the '53 Skylark, the '49 Roadmaster, and the '55 Century. This photo also includes a couple of late '40's Cadillacs and a Mercury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 This shelf includes my small collection of Franklin Mint and Danbury Mint 1/24 scale diecast cars. Buicks here include the Danbury Mint '48 Roadmaster Sedanette and '53 Skylark. You'll also see the Franklin Mint '49 Roadmaster Riviera and the LeSabre dream car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Here are additional 1/18 scale Buicks, including '71 GSX (based on our own Brad Conley's car), '71 Riviera, '67 GS400, and unassembled '70 GSX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 The next photo is not Buick-related, but some of you may find it interesting. I have a long-term interest in commercial aviation history and, in particular, the pioneering role of Pan American Airways in developing the world's airline routes. Here are some of my 1/72 scale aircraft, all in Pan American livery.You'll see the Martin M-130 China Clipper, which pioneered the first trans-Pacific routes in 1935. The Boeing 314 Dixie Clipper was utilized to establish the first trans-Atlantic airline service in 1939. Others include the Boeing 307 Stratoliner Clipper Flying Cloud, which was the first airliner with pressurized cabin. The real Clipper Flying Cloud is a key exhibit in the Smithsonian's new National Air & Space Museum at Dulles Airport. You will also see Boeing's 377 Stratocruiser, with its famous lower deck lounge, and the Douglas DC-7C, the Super-7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andynator Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Hey Brian,Are you into flight simming also? (I am)Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AWBE Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 At one time I had a collection of over a hundred 1/72 plactic aircraft----all military WWII authentically painted and decaled. This was about 35 years ago. My kids (I have a collection of 7 of them) got into them , playing "AIRPLANE' and that about the end of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norb Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 My Buicks hide in the basement and reproduce,I think. The first pic is Buick promos, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norb Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 These are 1/43 scale,not very many Buicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Norb, thanks for the great photos. That's an impressive collection of Buick promos!Andy, I've never tried the flight simulator software, but it sure sounds fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norb Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 These are all Buicks except the tiny one. Norb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Oh, Norb, now you've really done it. How could I miss that 1/12-scale '59 Electra 225 flattop -- in Lido Lavender, no less?My understanding is that these fiberglass '59's were produced by GM Styling for a diorama display. I missed one on Ebay (too expensive) a few years back, and there was a black one for sale in the swap meet area in Flint at the Buick Centennial. When I saw it, I knew I wanted it, but had to make a run to a cash machine to pay for it. Another person saw me looking at it, and stepped up to buy it as soon as I left. Interestingly, one of these was also on display in the Sloan Museum.A fellow named S.C. Miller had taken one of these models and produced a mold, then offered resin cast models. By the time I called S.C. Miller, he was on his death bed with cancer. He advised me to continue to call after his death, since his friends were thinking of continuing to produce the resin-cast kits. So far, there's been no forward motion to get any more of the kits produced. I've even offered to purchase the mold, but have been unsuccessful. Last year, I was hot on the trail of the original model S.C. Miller had used for the mold, and had tracked it to a southern antique store. But, once my path led me to that point, I learned that the model had just been sold to a buyer in Europe.If anyone ever runs across one of these for sale, please let me know!Norb, thanks again for the great photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norb Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 These were made in the Engineering pattern shop & were sometimes given to people when they retired.I have bought two since I retired. The blue one I sold.It is mounted on a stand with a front wheel bearing so it rotates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest norb Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 It is 18 inches long.I had a corvette much larger than this.I think scale is 1/10 or 1/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 Norb, thanks for that close up. My understanding has always been that these Buicks were 1/12 scale. Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Centurian, Norb....those are some wonderful models. I especially like the Y-job! Where did you find that? I have been recently getting more into the polystyrene models from the 50s and 60s (mostly cause I can AFFORD them <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) but I just added to my small collection of di-cast models with the Franklin Mint's 1955 Cadillac Sixty Special (even though the brown interior is ALL WRONG - and I hate that they are made in China) cause it was so nicely done! But oh my...what a price! I have the 1959 Buick Electra 225 convertible in red and white too. But I like to make and detail my own so I can try and make them accurate. Anyway...these were wonderful shots. Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_MrEarl Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Brian and Norb,great collections guys. Brian you're lucky that there are so many 59's. It seems to be just the opposite for 54,s... A few promos and a Tootsie wagon is about all there is. well maybe a few Skylarks, but just like the real 'lark, who can afford them. Thanks for taking the time to share these guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Centurion Posted April 22, 2005 Author Share Posted April 22, 2005 Randall, Ertl's Buick Y Job is an absolutely beautiful piece. Any fan of Harley Earl would love one of these. One excellent source is diecastauto.com. Here's the link: Diecastauto.com and the Buick Y Job By the way, that black '55 Fleetwood Sixty Special from Franklin Mint is on my short list of models to pursue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 You won't be sorry. Its a beauty and the detail is really good, down to the vents and a/c tubes.I liked that Y-job so much that I Googled it, and bought one! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I just had to have one!!!Harley Earl may, or may not have been as great as he is often portrayed but I think he was a man of singular vision and drive. SO yeah...I had to have one. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Oh and I found the lavender '59 convertible too! But one a month is enough. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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