"Toot Toot Tootsie"

About 3 years ago, professional model builder Vlad  Sorokolat took a 1/43 Tootsie Toy 1906 Cadillac Osceola and proceeded to modify it into a very detailed model. Before and after pictures are below. The process was documented on Form 43 at the time. I believe that he subsequently sold this model on Ebay at an attractive price.

He accomplished this modification first by stripping the model of all paint, disassembling the model, taking about a 1/8" section out of the middle of the body, adding more realistic wheels,and finally repainting and detailing the model. I was very impressed with his results and wondered if I could duplicate the results. Soon thereafter, Vlad decided to make his own 1/43 scale Cadillac Osceola from scratch. Each model contained over 100 parts and used 3D printing in the process. It was released for sale to the public under VDM Models. This model is over the top! A picture of it is below.

 I knew that with a limited production of such an intricate detailed hand built model that the price would be very dear, more than what I would spend. It was at this point that I decided to make my own. I was able to find a Tootsie Toy 1906 Cadillac Osceola on Ebay for $3.50. First I stripped it to bare metal and disassembled the model after a thorough cleaning. Since the model sat too high, I also channelled the model about 1/8-1/4 inch.I decided to go with 2 tone red and black lacquer followed by clearcoat. Since I live in Canada, it is to cold to spray paint in my garage from November to March so I decided to brush paint the lacquer. I would never normally do this but I decided to go for it since the subject model was quite small. I found better wheels from another model and added fine wine colored corduroy to the seats. The steering wheel and radiator were detailed. Black trim was added per pictures of the real car that I saw on the internet. Finally to be different, I added real lights to the side lanterns. A battery and on/off switch are located on the bottom of the model. Pictures of the fimished product are below.

The 3rd picture is with the  side latterns lit. Finally, a picture of my favourite pre WW1 models together.