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10/01/2026 11:00 pm
The other day my wife and I were out doing a little shopping. She wanted to stop at Michaels and get some paint to use for her doll house. Since nothing really interests me there I was wandering around while she was looking at the paint. I saw some model kits on the shelf so I decided to go and see what they had. They had some naval ships, planes and cars, the thing that got me was the prices, anywhere from 20.00 to 60.00 for plastic models. I must admit it's probably been over 57 or so years since I bought a model kit to build. I don't have anywhere to display any more models anyway so I kept my money in my pocket.
11/01/2026 9:37 am
"... the prices, anywhere from $20 to $60 for models. it's been over 57 or so years since I bought a model kit...."
HA! Yep! ... as a kid, in the mid to late '70's, K-mart - remember K-mart? - featured a tremendous selection of 1/25 model car kits, most were $2.68 Testors paint was .15 cents a jar. OTHO, a color 21" television was $485, today a 55" paper thin TV is $175.
So... see, it all equals out. 😀 😀 😀 😊 😊 😊
11/01/2026 1:47 pm
I really know what you mean, some regular old-school models cost so much these days, that I would be afraid to start building them.
Too scared to make only the smallest mistake. 
11/01/2026 1:57 pm
I recall back in the mid 60s an AMT model car (my favorite brand by far) cost $2.25 at my local hardware store. Not sure what they sell for now as I haven't built models in very many years.
12/01/2026 5:24 pm
I just got back in to building NASCAR models again 3 years ago after a 30 year break. Most of mine that I build require aftermarket decal sets so the cost of the final build with paint, etc is quite high. I never should have added up the total cost. 😁
This post was modified 4 months ago by Canuck
13/01/2026 3:00 am
"...building NASCAR models again 3 years ago after a 30-year break."
That's quite a break, welcome back! 😀 😀
I'm actually in the middle of a 1/18 1969 Charger NASCAR project - that can be followed in this Handicrafts Forum. Admittedly, I don't know what the hell I'm doing - I just like the looks of these vintage stock cars - I know little about them.
I'm simply re-working everything that's not in scale, adding period correct details, etc... My question for you - since you appear to be familiar with these - nice models by the way! 😎 😀
Q: There are 3 silver "boxes" on the interior floor of this '69 Dodge, what are they supposed to be?
THANKS in advance!
David Green reacted
13/01/2026 3:06 am
actually just got back from the hobby shop, bought some needed paint and an AMT 1/25 Pontiac Catalina, kit cost $62Aust, about $40US. So interesting to have another collector here building again after a long hiatus. Welcome. Mine was nearly 60 years! I know I've told this story a few times in the past but the store I was at today was one I bought kits from that 60 years ago! What I found reassuring is the shop was crowded. People of all ages, both genders. Including a couple of young blokes earnestly looking through the car kits.
https://www.hearnshobbies.com/pages/hearns-history
18/01/2026 7:41 am
When I was a kid back in the 60's, I was able to buy models at Charles and Sons five and dime for $1.69. Today the same exact model is as all of you have stated about $35. Today I look for deals at Hobby Lobby, https://www.hobbylobby.com/ which every other week, their models are on sale for 40% off. They have probably over 40 different kits and as of today, I have all the ones that they sell. So you could by a model when on sale for about $20-$22. Also from time to time Ollie's https://www.ollies.com/ purchaser a huge lot of models and sells them for $16-25. Sometimes I still find a few that I do not have. Autoworld a distributor in the U.S. and maybe all over the world run sales as well, but they are usually between $19-30. https://www.autoworldstore.com/. And let's not forget about Amazon.com who also has plenty of models and usually decent prices. I also have a local Hobby Shop that I can find some great bargains as well as they sell vintage and new models. I have been stocking up as I have a little over 400 models with about 200 of them built and on display. Just got 6 new kits for Christmas, so I have enough to keep me busy into retirement.
21/01/2026 11:21 am
Q: There are 3 silver "boxes" on the interior floor of this '69 Dodge, what are they supposed to be?
THANKS in advance!
I’m actually not sure. The two rear ones might be for either cooling the tires or brakes since there’s one at each wheel housing.
Christopher Moroni reacted
21/01/2026 4:57 pm
@carsman1958 great info and leads there John, thanks
Christopher Moroni and John Napoli reacted
22/01/2026 3:58 pm
@canuck Thanks, I never thought of that - they very well could be. I thought MAYBE the front one was a radio transmitter for the drivers' headset???? 🤔 🤔 🤔
John Napoli reacted