A Sabra Chevelle

I used to find these Sabra models quite cheaply at swapmeets from time to time. I think dealers bought them in as part of a collection and just wanted rid of them because they weren't regarded as "collectibles" but some of them represented cars that better models of just weren't available at the time.

They were quite basic, accurate enough to be recognisable but often spoiled by fairly crude and badly-fitted front and rear chromed elements.

Here are a few specimens from my shelves. Without checking them all in detail I think the series were mainly 1965-67 cars . . .

Chevelle wagon, civilian and UN versions

Chevrolet sedan, civilian, taxi and Israeli police (did they actually use them? I have no idea)

Pontiac GTO and Plymouth Barracuda

Cadillac Eldorado

Cadillac and Imperial convertibles

They also did a distinctly "soft-focus" Corvair Monza

and a '66 Riviera with a fairly accurate body but the fit and finish were truly awful. Bumpers that didn't fit,  front bumper missing the "hockey stick" turn-up at the front, tiny wheels badly located in the chassis . . .

It took me a fair bit of time and effort to turn it into a decent representation of one of my favourite cars (yes, it IS the same model!)

Exceptional job, Graeme on the Riviera.  Many of these I had never seen, the four door '66 Chevrolet,  early Barracuda,  Corvair, Eldorado, and Imperial.  I have only the '66 Impala coupe and Malibu wagon.  Thanks for posting the extended range.   Did these also go by the name Cragston?

@john-quilter Indeed these did appear as Cragstans in the US. I used to have a half dozen or so but sold them off years ago to concentrate on other diecasts and handbuilts. Here's a couple Graeme didn't have. Only so much room you know...

Here is another color

65 Chrysler Imperial (Cragstan) (Israel) 

I'm fairly sure these cars were pantographed from American made plastic kits or promos by AMT, MPC, and JoHan.  Overall body shapes were pretty good, but they lost it when they added opening features.  I can't explain why they added a B-pillar to the Chevrolet two door body and pretended that would represent a four door.

Well, it fooled me! Never really looked closely enough. I recognised the roof profile from the hardtop, saw the four doors and thought "Yep, that's fine". And I'm supposed to be a car spotter. Quite pathetic really.

I didn't notice that either, Graeme.

Posted by: @d-crowe

I'm fairly sure these cars were pantographed from American made plastic kits or promos by AMT, MPC, and JoHan.  Overall body shapes were pretty good, but they lost it when they added opening features.  I can't explain why they added a B-pillar to the Chevrolet two door body and pretended that would represent a four door.

Cragstan went to Israel to make this series for them - Detroit Seniors (1965).  They were not successful enough so the Israeli manufacturer took them over and sold them as Sabras (1966-75). Rafi Ilivitzky wrote a book about them (2009) but does not mention if they were based on previous plastic kits.   Of course, they were made as toys for children who would not typically notice a 2-door/4-door issue!  🤨 

You talkin' about me, Karl?

Posted by: @graeme-ogg

You talkin' about me, Karl?

Yep, you and me both! 😳