(Pics) Model automobiles

These pics remind me of how I used to go to my local hardware store as a young kid and ogle the latest AMT model kits (that brand was by far my favorite) and also how my father (who was in the navy and gone a lot) would bring me back a couple of these kits.  Some of these I recall were the '61 Ford Fairlane, '61 Chevy Impala, '59 Buick Electra, '32 and '40 Fords and various hot rods (Black Widow, Ala Cart, etc).

@jack-dodds, it was Woolworth's in our neighborhood.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

@jack-dodds, it was Woolworth's in our neighborhood.

Lol.  When I was 6 thru 9 years old my mother used to work at Eaton's Department store (a Canadian institution back then....now history) and every second weekend we would jump on the bus and go there for her to collect her pay cheque.  After doing so she would take me to the toy department (heaven on earth) and buy me either one Dinky Toy or two Matchbox...my choice.  Next stop was the cafeteria for a butterhorn and chocolate shake....my fondest childhood memory....and of course where the hobby started for me.  Lol.  She was a treasure!

Walk a couple of miles picking up soda bottles and buy a AMT or JoHan 3 in 1.  Can't remember how many I had but more than 40.

027 Lionel trains

HO trains

WWII & Korea era war ships & planes

AMT & JoHan cars

Real 1:1 cars

1:18 Diecast

1:43 Diecast & resin

 pain

It was the TG&Y or Grants dime stores where my brothers and I looked for the latest models.   Then K-mart opened with even more models.   Then Dad discovered Hobby Haven on the Kansas side of town where they had model brands we had never hears of,Tamiya,Nichimo, Fuji.  Then one of Dads model building friend told him about a special place.   It was a hardware store that swallowed a hobby shop.   Among the rows of house  paint an garden tools where model trains in display layouts car models no longer in production,model planes and tanks.In the back room was a slot car track. It was also where the monthly IPMS meetings were held.  People would bring their latest builds and little flash lights would come out to check the detail.  They would also show movies about planes tanks and ships. I saw the actual documentary about the Memhis Bell's last mission there.  Dad is gone.  The store is now a used clothing shop.   All of the stores are gone except one on the.Kansas side.

what great pics Mike. I reckon there's some real accurate replicas there.

Here in Melbourne I used to get kits from either the local newsagent, or hobby shops, one of which is still going strong at the same location I used to go to in the early 1960s!

https://www.hearnshobbies.com/pages/hearns-history#:~:text=Shortly%20after%20WWII%2C%20Hearns%20Hobbies,share%20their%20passion%20with%20others.

At 6 years old, mom and dad bought me a promo of the new '53 Corvette. That started my love affair with cars. Later, as in the photos, I was a regular hang-out at the local hobby shop. Mostly AMT and Monogram models were my platform. GREAT old pics Mike - thank YOU!

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

what great pics Mike. I reckon there's some real accurate replicas there.

Here in Melbourne I used to get kits from either the local newsagent, or hobby shops, one of which is still going strong at the same location I used to go to in the early 1960s!

https://www.hearnshobbies.com/pages/hearns-history#:~:text=Shortly%20after%20WWII%2C%20Hearns%20Hobbies,share%20their%20passion%20with%20others.

Fantastic link Geoff - thanks!

Great personal histories there ! Many people have a story to tell and the common areas are model automobiles.

Posted by: @geoff-jowett

what great pics Mike. I reckon there's some real accurate replicas there.

Here in Melbourne I used to get kits from either the local newsagent, or hobby shops, one of which is still going strong at the same location I used to go to in the early 1960s!

https://www.hearnshobbies.com/pages/hearns-history#:~:text=Shortly%20after%20WWII%2C%20Hearns%20Hobbies,share%20their%20passion%20with%20others.

How nice to still have your old hobby store still in business.  Amazing really.

Very cool pics Mike, I’ve always been interested in the manufacturing of model cars. I’m curious if any are available from the Mint factories, that would really be something to see. My older brother and I would go to a place called “Kings Hobby Shop” back in the ‘60’s, and it had to be our favorite place on earth! He would alway’s have the latest from MPC and AMT, ($1.50) which were my favorites. Also had some older kits, slot cars, and diecast from Corgi, Dinky, and Matchbox. I’ve often thought about becoming a millionaire, going back in time, buying an AC Cobra and a trailer, and emptying Kings shelves. Then I remember that would be impossible because I’d be too young to drive. By the way, did anyone notice that the three boys were so engrossed in the model cars that they paid no attention to the hot blond?!  

@jkuvakas It was a local Variety Store for me. Thanks for the memories Kevins.

The boys are getting to the age in which the females will be competition for their finances !   But hopefully the two interests can peacefully co-exist.....and she may like cars and models as much as he does .........  

Posted by: @jkuvakas

@jack-dodds, it was Woolworth's in our neighborhood.

The Woolworth's by me had a GREAT selection of promos in their downstairs toy dept. And K-Mart did too. Many happy memories of trying to choose which model was coming home with me. 🤗