Notifications
Clear all
Forum 24
10
Posts
6
Users
42
Reactions
2,379
Views
Topic starter
13/03/2022 9:52 am
Starting his custom automobile shop in 1954 in Wichita, Kansas and mentored by the likes of George and Sam Barris, he began fabricating custom cars for more than 60 years. In 1960, he debuted his free blown, Lucite bubble top "Predicta" at the Oakland Roadster Show. It began as a wrecked "small bird", with '59 Buick sheet metal. It's powered by a fuel injected Chrysler Hemi with matching push button automatic transmission mated to a T-Bird rear axle and suspension. The steering is a center mounted 'joy stick' and the car can be driven from either seat. It has lots of luxury amenities including a TV. Back in the '60s, Monogram hired Starbird as a consultant and designer for a 1/24 line of custom car model kits and this is one of them. It has a working flip top and pose-able front wheels.
13/03/2022 9:59 am
WOW! Stirring memories Bud! I recall the impact that custom had on me back in the day. GREAT build!
Rich Sufficool and Rich Sufficool reacted
13/03/2022 2:04 pm
Though I never built the Monogram kit, I do remember it. Thanks for the memories. I made many Monogram kits back in the late 50’s and 60’s, mostly airplanes. At that time, they had many very nice models.
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
13/03/2022 3:08 pm
I loved them too. My all-time favorite was the 1/8th '65 Corvette I got for Christmas.
Years ago I finally got the XKE.
Tony Perrone and Tony Perrone reacted
13/03/2022 4:02 pm
thats brilliant Rich!
13/03/2022 4:16 pm
Rich: I remember that model from way back when. Just never built it. I am not a fan of customs in model building. Not to say I don't like to see them in person, but when I build a model, I always wanted to re-create the real car with minor hot rodding effects. Still to this day as I have found the love of building models again, I continue to do the same as when I was a kid. Currently just finished building the 1/8 scale Big Red Rod by Lindberg that I has stored away. It is model 729/5000.
Topic starter
13/03/2022 7:16 pm
@carsman1958 I have 3 large models left to do and am not sure I'll ever get around to them: a Bentley Blower, a Monogram '57 Chevy and a Pocher Alfa Romeo... they're stored with about 50 other kits, so.....
Topic starter
13/03/2022 7:26 pm
@ed-davis Monogram were, IMHO, tops in their day in quality, accuracy, parts count and accessories (their figures were so well sculpted). I still have a 1/48 B-17 and a Stuka D tank buster that has survived many moves over the years. I have a huge 1/24 Stuka B but it's not Monogram and a large Boeing 377 Stratocruiser that was a factory display in Air Force MATS livery. (My wife has learned to just ignore them)
14/03/2022 11:42 am
@ed-davis Monogram were, IMHO, tops in their day in quality, accuracy, parts count and accessories (their figures were so well sculpted). I still have a 1/48 B-17 and a Stuka D tank buster that has survived many moves over the years. I have a huge 1/24 Stuka B but it's not Monogram and a large Boeing 377 Stratocruiser that was a factory display in Air Force MATS livery. (My wife has learned to just ignore them)
(Daughters, however, would likely L O V E these!!!) 
Steve Jacobs and Steve Jacobs reacted