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Post by ptc on Mar 16, 2021 12:41:19 GMT
Speaking of Car Shows, when living in Illinois, I would attend with friends the Chicago Car Show at the McCormick Center and their "First Nighters Event". It was a black tie affair and the ticket fees went to charity. All the top execs of the car manufacturers were there to speak with.There was gourmet food at every display. It was an event that I looked forward to every year.
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Post by david1 on Mar 17, 2021 1:15:56 GMT
I was raised in a family that never owned a car. Mom or dad never owned a car in their entire life. Even though I was raised in the 50's and 60's and seeing most of the cars of that era I became a fan of the 50's era especially the dual paint schemes and colors. Although I have never owned a car from that era but still a fan.
I depend on you guys to post pictures of your models for me to enjoy. Thank you for doing it!!
Dave
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Post by ptc on Mar 17, 2021 12:56:03 GMT
David, here's a beautiful 1956 Ford T Bird convertible ready to go on the layout.
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Post by joeh on Mar 17, 2021 13:35:19 GMT
I was raised in a family that never owned a car. I was born in 1942. We did not own a car until 1949, when we moved from NYC to the "hills" of north-central NJ. My father bought a used 1947 Ford, and learned how to drive, as did my mother. In 1955, my father bought a used '52 Ford to replace the '47. Very few families, back then, owned 2 cars. Most kids were not driven everywhere. You rode your bike or walked. My father car-pooled to work at Johnson and Johnson, a half-hour drive. This gave my mother a car every other day. I was a "car nut" as a kid, so I was disappointed that my father bought used cars. This was especially true in 1955, when major styling changes were offered. Although he had a management job, he wanted to pay cash. Our first new car was a '59 Ford. Our first "second car" was a '62 VW.
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Post by ptc on Mar 17, 2021 22:38:06 GMT
Department 56 has produced several vehicles to go with it's Christmas in the City village. They were offered as accessories so that City collectors could build a village to make it more realistic. Like the buildings, these vehicles were made out of porcelain. Overall, for a porcelain vehicle, they are quite nice. Many of these vehicles were made to go with a specific building like fire trucks, Coca-Cola Delivery trucks and the Russell Stover Candy Delivery Truck. They are scaled for the most part to go with our O-Gauge layouts. Here is a sample of a Department 56 vehicle.
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Post by ptc on Mar 19, 2021 21:51:02 GMT
My interest in O-Gauge model vehicles goes hand in hand with their use on our layout. All of our models go on the Christmas in the City side. So, acquiring new models is a matter of analyzing where they would/will be placed. You all know by now that I am very partial to yellow models. Fortunately, it is a very popular color for the 50's that is my emphasis. Here is a model that I jumped on. It is a 1954 Dodge Royal 500 and is stunning. The chrome has been enhanced and it is a model that commands your attention.
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Post by david1 on Mar 20, 2021 9:45:43 GMT
Another beauty from the 50's, Brian.
Dave
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Post by ptc on Mar 20, 2021 13:04:43 GMT
Thanks David, we will share some more from the 50's.
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Post by joeh on Mar 20, 2021 13:06:00 GMT
Today, broadcasting from Florida, we have a continuation of Franklin Mint models. Shown are the '51 Hudson, '55 Ford, and '57 Plymouth Fury. I would rate these 3 models as very good. Be careful when buying the Hudson because many may be missing the fine radio antenna located at the top of the windshield. The Hudson was a race car legend from 1951 to 1954. This was due to the engine as well as its low center of gravity (low floor, thanks to "Unibody Construction"). This was the second year for the Ford Plexiglass roof, a very expensive feature that could result in interior temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. '56 would be the last year for this. The 290 hp Fury sold for just under $3,000. (about $1,000. over the basic Plymouth).
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Post by ptc on Mar 21, 2021 17:00:34 GMT
All very nice models, Joe. I like the focus on the 50's as many of us model this period. One thing for sure, it does not take much to use a lot of vehicles doing a nice scene. So when you see something you like at a price that you are willing to pay, grab it.
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Post by joeh on Mar 24, 2021 14:11:30 GMT
In case you wondered where I got many of my car "facts", let me introduce a collection of truly wonderful books: Cars of the Classic '30's, Cars of the Fascinating '40s, Cars of the Fabulous '50s, Cars of the Sizzling '60s, and Cars of the Sensational '70s. These USED hardback books are available on Amazon for around $7. + shipping (except for the $70. '30s book). If you want one, be sure you type in the full title, since many different books are listed. I've owned and used all of these for the past 10 years.
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Post by ptc on Mar 24, 2021 14:31:11 GMT
Joe, I don't have the book for the 50's, but it is a must have for me. I will order it today. Thanks for sharing this information.
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Post by ptc on Mar 24, 2021 16:06:41 GMT
Being a huge proportion of model vehicles to enhance our layouts, I often think about our collection in terms of improving the overall look of the layout. Picking the 50's to modsel has opened all kinds of possibilities with respect to model cars. No other decade has brought such an explosion of unique designs. Joe's reference to the book this morning looks like a wonderful resource and I have ordered it. One thing I have noticed on eBay model vehicle sites is how popular the 50's cars really are. They sell much quicker than models from the other decades and typically they sell for more money. I guess I am not alone with my love of vehicles from the 50's.
Not surprising, when I looked at my inventory for model vehicles, about 70% are from the 50's.
Howe about you. What is your favorite decade for vehicles?
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Post by joeh on Mar 24, 2021 16:51:50 GMT
Besides the great cars of the '50s, I was a 8 to 18 year-old car nut DURING those years. I'll never forget my "WOW!" when I first saw the 1954 Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac...the first regular production "every day" cars with "panoramic" windshields. Having some artistic talent, I was always drawing them. My big thrill was going to the GM Motorama in NYC for 1955 and '56.
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Post by ptc on Mar 24, 2021 19:24:23 GMT
A neighbor purchased a 54 Buick Roadmaster Convertible that drew a crowd when he first drove it home from the dealership. I still remember that day. It was blue and white and gorgeous.
Yes, I have a model of it on the layout.
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