[Closed] PIC: Remember when GM had styling contests ?

Do I remember? Vividly!

Marlowe, do you know if any survived ?

Did these models belong to GM or the builder?

Yes many are still around. A former Guildsman from Maryland (early 60's) published an illustrated history of the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild in 2005 and started an alumni club which holds exhibits. In 2008 we had about 75 models on display at the Boston Museum of Fine Art. In 2013 we held an exhibit at the R&M Auction in Phoenix and in May 2015 an exhibit in Salt Lake City at the International Scale Model Convention. We are arranging an exhibit for October 22, 2016 at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena CA. A second FBCG book was published in 2010 which features about 30 essays from former Guildsmen from the 1930-1960's telling the stories of their experience in "the great GM talent search". I understand several models have been donated to the Smithsonian and I don't know if they are on display. What is sad is that most Guildsmen from the 1930's are not around and many others are finding travel to the exhibits physically prohibitive. Every time we meet we lament that few kids of today know the skill of hand craftsmanship, unless it is on a screen or keyboard.

Google "Fisherguild" to get to the alumni club website.

My late brother Tony belonged to it.

Dick - the models belonged to the builders but GM often offered to purchase top scholarship winners. Other models, such as my 1967 model, were kept by GM for a year to use in exhibits at schools and other forms of marketing. My '67 model made an appearance at the new car Houston Auto Show in Fall 1967.

Cars purchased by GM from the builders were never returned. After the Craftsman's Guild was terminated in 1969, some Guildsmen called GM to inquire if they could retrieve their models. They were told the models were probably either destroyed or were sitting in the den of some retired GM Exec. So some Guildsmen pulled out pictures and used their memories to build replicas of their models which they now bring to our exhibits, sparkling like the day they were first built.

I would like to relate one story about a rebuilt replica. The 1st place national winner in 1955, Milton Antonick from Ohio, was approached after the award banquet in Detroit by the legendary Harley Earl. Earl told Milton he hoped he was considering a career in design because he seemed to "have what it takes". Earl then offered to purchase the model for $600. That was big money for a kid in 1955! Milton took the $600, bought a Studebaker and drove to CA to attend the Art Center School of Design. In 1959 Milton went to work for Studebaker and was assigned to Raymond Lowey for work on a project called "Avanti". Not bad for a 22 year old kid. When Studebaker folded, Milton went to work at Chrysler. In 2008 he was an instructor at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and used a technology that was the start of "3D printing" to begin a replica of his 1955 model. He assigned his students to various parts of the model. When a group of us saw Milton unveil his replica at the 2008 reunion in Boston, there was bunch of choked up old car nuts in that room.

My two models suffered various forms of damage and/or deterioration over the years so in 2009 I began a restoration of both models back to their original state. I felt like a kid again.

Great story. Would love to see what you have done.

Could we see a picture of those models you built?

Thanks guys, when I first started seeing this back in the day

I dreamed of being one of the builders and working my whole life with cars. Somehow I got side tracked and never made it but I always admired all who took part in this. So much talent. I wonder if it is too late to start ??? LOL !

Interesting thread.

If I remember correctly, they sent a kit to those who wanted to enter.

Every year, I dreamed of getting a block of wood and making a model I was sure would blow everyone's mind and make me a superstar of automotive design. One year, after begging my Dad, he got me some balsa and a few tools. It didn't take me long to realize I hadn't quite developed the necessary skill sets to get the job done. Sometimes, when there is a will, there's not a way!!

I do....wow.

I don't have the know-how to post pics on the DC4 but if someone who can post here will send me their e-mail address, I can send the pics of my two remaining models (the first 4 are RIP) to that address for posting.

The "kit" was composed of blue prints for the model classes (sports car, full size car), a book with the rules for that year, one of 4 newspapers and coupons to order a set of tires and a pkg of aluminum stock if you wanted those things. I always got the tires.