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Topic starter
09/12/2025 2:47 am
It appears the original 1956 kit was re-released in 1995, with little or no tooling upgrade. Comes up OK. I'd expect a lot would be familiar with the car, not the least because it was turned into the Batmobile for the 60s TV series by George Barris. The car was originally painted pearlescent white and to achieve the desired effect Ghia ground and pulverized the scales of thousands of fish and mixed them into the paint. The Futura played a prominent part in the 1959 movie It Started with a Kiss, starring Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford. For the movie, it was painted red, as the white pearlescent finish did not photograph well.
I love 50s and 60s concept cars. Back in my single digit years in the 1950s I recall I had a car book that featured concepts. It was a promotional idea where a new car pic would be released around every month and we would stick the pics on the cars story page. I think Minichamps released a series of concepts in 1/18 a few years ago?? Unfortunately I just don't have the space for anymore 1/18s. I'll keep a look out for 1/43s, and even more 1/24, 1/25 kits.
And with the similarly re-released 1956 1/25 Pontiac Club de Mer, and Franklin Mints 1/24 1951 Buick LeSabre.
Heres the box for the Futura showing other models released in the 50s, bring back memories for anyone?
This topic was modified 6 months ago by Geoff Jowett
09/12/2025 6:55 am
Looks good Geoff,
Yes - Minichamps did produce a 1/43 version.
Q: Where did those "modern" slim-band whitewalls come from; where they in the kit? I've never seen the Lincoln Futura with any other tire; they're always "wide whites." Even your box art depicts wide whites. 🤔 🤔 🤔
David Green and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
09/12/2025 4:32 pm
should have realised it wouldn't get past your expert eye Chris! I meant to put a footnote in. The narrow whitewalls are stickons, model came without whitewalls. Only ones I could find at the time. I'll resume my search now! Thanks as always for the feedbackQ: Where did those "modern" slim-band whitewalls come from; where they in the kit? I've never seen the Lincoln Futura with any other tire; they're always "wide whites." Even your box art depicts wide whites.
David Green and Christopher Moroni reacted
09/12/2025 4:45 pm
"...expert eye?"
No, just crazy..... If (IF! ) you're so inclined, Tamiya flat white acrylic and a good brush can add whitewalls to any tire. Tamiya paint will dry flat & smooth, it won't be "tacky" (sticky) and will look great. 😀 😎
- just say'n
Geoff Jowett and David Green reacted
09/12/2025 5:26 pm
Nice post Geoff. I built that first Revell kit way back when. I too like concept cars but these days, mainly restricted to Jaguar and a few Packard. Great to see Chris’ photos and the 1/43 Minichamps version.
Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
10/12/2025 3:26 am
thanks Chris, nah white paint would wind up over everything but the tyres, with me with a brush in hand!"...expert eye?"
No, just crazy..... If (IF! ) you're so inclined, Tamiya flat white acrylic and a good brush can add whitewalls to any tire. Tamiya paint will dry flat & smooth, it won't be "tacky" (sticky) and will look great. 😀 😎
- just say'n
I too like concept cars but these days, mainly restricted to Jaguar and a few Packard.
Thanks David, I'm aware of Packard concepts but Jaguar? I'll have a look around.
Christopher Moroni and David Green reacted
10/12/2025 1:51 pm
These all look magnificent ! They sure are knockouts both as real automobiles and as models. It is great to see them re-released and I am glad to the tooling has survived.
Topic starter
10/12/2025 6:27 pm
@michaeldetorrice thanks Mike
michaeldetorrice and Christopher Moroni reacted