As the title says, I'd like to see any of these amazing 1:8th scale behemoths.
Don't you wish you kept one Stutz? ;)

As the title says, I'd like to see any of these amazing 1:8th scale behemoths.
Don't you wish you kept one Stutz? ;)

I sure wish I kept one Lummox! I sold my last one several years ago, I had to make room for my 1/43 scale Brooklins and Johnnies. They are a very BIG model (24"-26" long). They are truly a conversation piece, and deserve a special place to be displayed all alone.

I remember an article in Playboy magazine in the mid to late '60's about a person who made custom car models. The price was $5000 and up for a model back then. Considering you could buy most 1:1 cars back then for less than $5000......it was only for the very wealthy. I believe I still have that article somewhere in the house. I'll do a thread about one of the most unique and detailed models that I have ever seen if I find it.

The person who made the custom model of your 1:1 car would come to your residence and take measurements of your 1:1 for days, marking everything down. The miniature tires were pneumatic (yes, you put air in the tires)! The engine was a real gasoline engine (but not internal detail like a Pocher engine). The only thing that I remember not working was the radio in the model. I remember a couple of shieks ordered models of their exotic, antique, and classics cars.

That's why I bought my Pocher models. They reminded me of this custom model builder. For $200 and $250 when I bought my Pocher models, I thought the were reasonable.

I know a fellow collector who may still have a boxed Pocher in his collection. My monthly diecast meet is the first Monday in October......I'll ask him if he wants to sell it. I think it's the Rolls-Royce model.

I have the red Alfa Romeo racer from the '30s. I painted some of the parts, and assembled a couple of the wire wheels (easier than it looked), and while I was saving up to buy an airbrush to paint the body, I guess I kind of lost interest in model building and began driving 1/1 cars. I still have the model boxed around here somewhere. I bought it on clearance at Kmart for about $50, I think. Someday, maybe...

Stutz, at first I thought that the master model maker you remember from the Playboy article is Gerald Wingrove, but after searching the internet I've found that his models are static and don't run. Anyway, here are some links to see his work:

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/Wingrove.htm

http://homepage.mac.com/gawingrove/Wingrove-Collection/Menu30.html

I gotta look for that Playboy article BluntFronts!

Thanks for both links. Gerald Wingrove is truly a MASTER MODELER! :thumbsup:

Lummox is going to drool when he views the two links that you posted! I don't think he'll consider any wheels swaps on those models......but you NEVER know with Lummox! :p

Hope you don't mind Lummox, but I thought it would be a good idea if I added the thread from the Vintage forum so others could see what you are looking for.

http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?t=196374

Good idea Stutz, thanks.

And thanks for the linc, Bluntfronts ~ I'm speachless!

13,000 pins holding the wood planked body together on this Hispano~Suiza!
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/Wingrove20.jpg

wow...
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/Wingrove15b.jpg

holy...
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/Wingrove16b.jpg

13,000 pins holding the wood planked body together on this Hispano~Suiza!
http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/Wingrove20.jpg

wow...


That's amazing! (13,000 pins).

Ray, did you see Mr. Allens' last question?
He wondered what you thought the value might be.

I'm glad you guys liked the links. Those models are amazing. When you see his hands in some of the photos, the detail becomes even more intricate, since the cars are only 1/15 scale. (I think I would have chosen a larger scale, so that the tiniest details would be easier to see and appreciate when completed.) I couldn't find any info on the individual models' value, but I'm sure they are all in the multi-thousands. True museum pieces! I'd love to see a few Wingroves in person someday.

I like this one:

http://www.precisionscalereplicas.com/white%20spider.jpg
Always had a soft spot for Testarossa. :p

Source: http://www.precisionscalereplicas.com

Ray, did you see Mr. Allens' last question?
He wondered what you thought the value might be.

I didn't see it.

That's really hard to answer. They are a very LARGE model, and it's a special interest car. As time goes by, fewer people appreciate models like a Pocher. I sold my boxed Mercedes Pocher about 1982 or 1983 for $350 to a Mercedes dealer. I was at a hobby store, and a man walked in asking for a Pocher Mercedes. The hobby store didn't have one. I told him I had one sealed in the box. His eyes light up, and he offered me $350 for it. He drove home to get the money (30-35 miles), and then drove another 35-40 miles to pickup the car. I honestly don't know if I could get $350 for the model now. Some people value them at $1000, and others value them at $200 or less. Research at toy shows and ePay are a start. I no longer have one, and don't really want another one, so I don't check prices for one.

The only thing I can say is, if I could buy a sealed Pocher Mercedes now (2007) for $350, I would pass on it. Perhaps I would consider buyig it for $250. Assembling one wheel one the Rolls-Royce takes an evening (and there are 6 wire wheels to assemble).

Having a model that is put together has it's good and bad points. If you are a modeler, it takes the fun out of putting the model together. If you're not a skilled modeler, and love a 1935 Mercedes that is in near mint condition in a display case, it's a dream come true! Now how much is that person willing to spend for the model? :(