They did many terrific models and reportedly had several more great ones in the works.
I believe the 1/18 Chevrolet Impala was one of their early diecast replicas and they did it in both top-up and top-down form. My 1959 1/18 YM Impala is a top-up version in blue.
I think the '59 Buick Electra 225 is among the best looking cars of the 1950s. With its delta wing (semi-delta?) and downward sweep from headlamp brow to tail light, it forms a dynamic whole which is not always the case at this time. It also lends itself to night-time promotional shots which Mike's superb photographs demonstrate brilliantly. Excellent stuff!
Mike, we are used to seeing great pictures from you and these rate right up there with the best. Yat Ming favored us with many beautiful models which I always thought were really great bargains.
There's no right or wrong when it comes to aesthetics. When the '59 Buick was unveiled, I just thought it was horrible. I look at it now as one of the last gasps of the land yacht era.
I wish I could have found a way to make it into a hardtop.
Funny you mention this.... years ago, I set out to do just that.Â
The Yat-Minger '59 is a good starting point but the body has issues. I thought I could fix them using body parts from a Hot Wheels '59 Sedan delivery (which were available for $15 back then ). Â
Next, I was going to pirate the hardtop from a Sunstar 1959 Pontiac Bonneville, but it would need to be shortened.Â
LSS: Despite my ideas/plans, the project never got off the ground.Â
The ONLY things I ended doing (regarding '59, '60 & '61 Chevys ) was cutting the skirts off the '59, stealing an "up-top" and using it on a 1960. For '61, I fabricated "regular wheelcovers," fixed the whitewalls, and added other details.Â
I wish I could have found a way to make it into a hardtop.
Funny you mention this.... years ago, I set out to do just that.Â
The Yat-Minger '59 is a good starting point but the body has issues. I thought I could fix them using body parts from a Hot Wheels '59 Sedan delivery (which were available for $15 back then ). Â
Next, I was going to pirate the hardtop from a Sunstar 1959 Pontiac Bonneville, but it would need to be shortened.Â
LSS: Despite my ideas/plans, the project never got off the ground.Â
The ONLY things I ended doing (regarding '59, '60 & '61 Chevys ) was cutting the skirts off the '59, stealing an "up-top" and using it on a 1960. For '61, I fabricated "regular wheelcovers," fixed the whitewalls, and added other details.Â
Very nice Chris !Â
I remember that red, white and blue Chevy pic from a long, long time ago !Â
Thanks, guys ! The big Buick Electra was certainly a lovely and quite impressive car and makes for an equally cool 1/18 diecast model. All the 1959's were definitely a styling/design change for General Motors.
Thanks, guys ! The big Buick Electra was certainly a lovely and quite impressive car and makes for an equally cool 1/18 diecast model. All the 1959's were definitely a styling/design change for General Motors.
It's funny how I liked every GM '59 design except for the Cadillac !Â
It just looked too ponderous and weird to me.
But then what do I know. I was only six or seven years old in '59..... LOL
Actually, I've used it as such but if you look closely, you'll notice MANY other 1/18 Chevrolets. Initially, the post was about 1/18 '50's and early '60's Chevrolet replicas.
@chris In your GM showroom shot Chris, we just se the nose of what looks like a deep tan Pontiac nudging forward. I'm guessing that's one handsome model. Also, regarding your '61 street scene, that is really nice. It looks so realistic and takes one back to suburbia of the American heyday.
