Show Rod Model Kits. Scotty Gosson
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could be sold to pay for, and turn a profit from, a tool that can only make one single kit. These days, model kit manufacturers carefully plan all-new kit tools in such a way that several different variations of the subject matter can be produced from the tooling. It’s a necessary process to make the investment a sound business decision.
Whether we’re talking about full-size cars or model kits, it’s unfortunate when the show rod era is discounted as not having any historical significance. What other automotive genre can boast numerous vehicles that started out first as best-selling model kits, becoming so popular they were then built as full-scale vehicles? Tom Daniel’s Red Baron and Denny Johnson’s Zingers became gangbuster kits, selling in such large quantities that they were commissioned to be built by customizer and craftsman Chuck Miller in 1:1 size. The cars drew crowds to the shows, which in turn sold even more kits. Remember what I said about a symbiotic relationship?
It has been a fun and educational ride over the past 30-plus years. I am one of the lucky few who have been able to turn their favorite hobby into a rewarding career. I have Tom Daniel to thank for the position with Round 2 that I enjoy today. Even on the other side of the fence, I still get that buzz of excitement when I look at my collection of show rod kits, especially the ones that say, “A Tom Daniel Design.” It was a huge honor for me when Tom suggested to Scotty Gosson that I write the foreword for this long-overdue book. Putting this work together with another of Scotty’s books, America’s Wildest Show Rods of the 1960s & 1970s, you can enjoy a look into one of the most unique and fun periods of automotive customization. Show rods were hot and Scotty’s books showcase many of the most unique vehicles ever created, in steel, fiberglass, and in scale plastic!
Unlike a model kit, this book assignment didn’t come with instructions. My hot rod delinquent background allowed only cursory exposure to show rod and model culture, so this has been a bit of an education for me. Luckily, I’ve crossed paths over the years with some very passionate people who came of age in the midst of the show rod phenomenon. Most of these angel-hair messengers were directly involved in the improvisational proceedings. An author on such a subject can’t ask for anything better than an eyewitness account of history, and that’s exactly what I received from the following heroic individuals.
Roger Harney, who freely passed along his experience behind the wheel at Revell Corporation. Alas, before the project wrapped up, Roger left us, while on a business trip to China. For all he did for the vast brotherhood of modelers worldwide, this book is dedicated to Roger.
Ed Sexton at Revell, who connected me with Carol Harney, who graciously contributed photos in her time of need. They both wanted modelers to see the man behind the magic.
Bob Larivee Sr., who has worked very closely with full-scale builders during the heyday of the show rod. When those trendsetters began signing contracts with the model companies, Bob was usually there, handing them the pen. Bob is a voracious modeler and collector himself.
Tom Daniel requires no introduction to anyone holding this book. His legend pervades every page. Tom’s insight into the creative process (and the business end of the stick) kept these proceedings in balanced perspective.
Ed Newton not only designed several of the cars within, but assisted with rescaling them for model production. His influence on this project was equal to his impact on our culture. Newt was one of this book’s main fact-checkers.
John Bogosian designed an astounding fleet of show rods during his 11 years at AMT, then vanished. He spent some time at Tonka Toys after AMT, then got too busy grandfathering to do much else. John still lives in Michigan, and paints classic cars as time allows. He sacrificed a rare quiet moment to share memories and insights with us.
Once again, Carl Casper stepped up with photos, info, and fact-checking. But this time, Carl did it in the midst of a crisis situation at his shop, as his two business partners were out with health issues. Casper went way above and beyond for you, the show rod fan. It’s what he does.
Mark Gustavson is now one of the elder statesmen of scale modeling. If it can be done with styrene, Mark likely did it first and best. His Greater Salt Lake (GSL) model show and contest has impacted the hobby in a major way, as well. Thanks for the guidance and for blazing the trail, Mark!
Dave “Raz” Rasmussen and his very capable lieutenants, A. J. Ciccarelli, Brandon Flannery, and Phil Davis, at Dave’s Show Rod Rally website. Raz and company put in a mountain of overtime on this project, for your benefit and mine. These guys did the majority of the heavy lifting out of pure passion for the subject matter. They are much more than merely the keepers of the flame. They burn white hot themselves. A. J. Ciccarelli even compiled a list of kit numbers for this project. Note that Dave’s Show Rod Rally has no “Off” switch . . .
Wildcat scratch-builders Tim Kolankiewicz, Charles May, Mike Schnur, Chuck Darnell, and Daniel Foster seemingly came out of nowhere. I’m so glad these master artists blew their anonymity for our sake. It’s an honor to share their skills here.
John Greczula at Round 2 still carries a burning passion for these cars, expressed with untold hours of fact-checking. When Tom Daniel couldn’t write the foreword, he designated John to be his worthy replacement. That worked out very well for everyone, except John, who did the deed in the midst of an intercontinental home relocation, in the dead of winter! Heroic, indeed. John was very helpful throughout this entire project.
Former MPC Vice President Sam Bushula provided behind-the-scenes remembrances from his storied experience. Sam is also the consummate gentleman modeler! Our veritable poster boy.
Howard Cohen in Toronto supplied myriad facts and photos from his lifetime in the hobby. He not only eagerly answered every request, but volunteered to contribute to the cause, repeatedly. This guy knows no boundaries when it comes to promoting and protecting the hobby. The scale show rod sergeant at arms.
John Bacon, son-in-law of AMT founder West Gallogly, generously relayed some of West’s insightful quips and quotes to us research drones toiling in the post-industrial era, lest our umbilical cord to the golden age be severed and lost in space.
Lou and Royel Glazer at Revell had the foresight to share their intriguing stories with various authors who passed them on via the printed word. Special thanks to Hot Rod Model Kits author Terry Jessee for exposing these tales to the world. His book was a valuable resource during this project and is highly recommended!
Steve Scott not only supplied a first-person account of scaling a show rod (his Uncertain-T) down to size, but put the entire industry into timely perspective in the process. Behind the scenes, Steve pushed when I was weary, pulled when I was resistant, and played along when I danced in the groove. Because that’s what friends do.
Special thanks to scale show rod crazies Dave Marek, Ron Will, Paul Canney, and Luca Roveda for sharing their special gifts with us.
Saint Shellski—Finder of Lost Minds and Keeper of Reason—somehow endured yet another book project with me. It’s never easy and seems to get worse each time. But this is definitely the last one, Honey, I swear! Well . . .
Scaled-Down Show Rods for a Scaled-Down Economy
The dive-in-and-see-what-happens ethos of the beatnik gearheads who designed and built the 1:1 show rods seems to have infected everyone associated with them and the resulting comedy is hereby delivered for your amusement. May it educate, entertain, and inspire you . . .
It was invaluable training: Mowing lawns and washing cars to earn a weekly allowance garnered us several intrinsic life lessons, including time and money management. Other than tricking out our bicycles, our mechanical creative outlets were mostly limited