Multa paucis qui coeperit finiatur

When Pontiac unleashed the GTO in 1964, the muscle car era was essentially born. The

formula was simple: a lightweight body + powerful V8 engine = FAST. This was not a new concept,

and once again, the Chrysler Corporation was ahead of the times with their smaller full-sized cars of

the early ‘60’s loaded with 383 and 426 ci engines. These cars were drag-strip terrors, but sales were

lagging behind Ford and GM, partly because the styling was, well controversial.

By the late 1960’s muscle cars were becoming too expensive for the 18-25 year-old market (a well optioned GTO cost nearly as much as a Cadillac). Plymouth saw this as an opportunity and brought out the right car at the right time with a back to basics muscle car, the 1968 Road Runner. Based on the mid-sized Belvedere, the car was stripped down of items that didn’t affect performance or handling. It was as basic as a car could get: bench seats, no carpeting, no radio, etc. These items could be added as options however. The engine choices started with a high output 383 and topped out with the mighty 426 HEMI. Plymouth added a bit of whimsy by adding the Warner Brothers cartoon character ‘Road Runner’ decals inside and out along with a horn which mimicked the beep-beep sound the bird made when he sped off. Legend has it Plymouth paid Warner Brothers a mere $10,000 for the licensing rights, while the Jo-Han company would spend several times that in royalties for their 1/25 scale model kits and promos.

The new Plymouth would be a sales success, Chrysler had expected less than 5000 in sales, but a whopping 44,500 cars were produced which placed the Road Runner third behind the GTO and 396 Chevelle. 1969 would see the addition of the 440 V8 that came with a six-pack: three two barrel carburetors. Sales would nearly double to 84,500 cars, far outpacing Plymouth’s other muscle car the upscale GTX and even the Dodge Super Bee, which was the Dodge version of the Road Runner. More changes were in store for 1970. The grill would be changed, and there would be a new version, the Superbird, a wild design meant to dominate stock car racing with its pointed nose and high rear spoiler, which was necessary to keep the rear end

down at high speed. These cars were capable of 150 mph right off the dealership lot, modified for racing they could possibly do 200 mph. These car would sold for only 1 year, and are highly prized today. 1971, the Roadrunner would share the body with the Dodge Charger /Plymouth Satellite, giving it a more sculpted look. Engines were being de-tuned for emissions compliance. Sales were sliding due to high insurance rates for high performance cars. This body style would last to 1974. 1975 the down-sized Fury body was used. Sales had bottomed out to around 7000. The mighty HEMI was long gone and the big 440 would produce around 200hp, a far cry from the 330hp

it produced in 1971. The Road Runner disappeared in 1976, but would be a ‘Tape and Decal’ option for the Volare’ line in 1977, with the standard 318 V8 or the optional 360 V8. These smaller engines offered decent performance for the era. The Volare’ and the Road Runner would become extinct in 1980.

AUGUST 2015

Accelerati-incredibilus

1971

1975

1977

Model kits are pretty plentiful for the Road Runner. AMT has a real nice ’68 model. This kit was first released around

1990 and is currently available. Jo-Han did the 1969 model, although no longer produced, is pretty common at swap

meets and online auctioneers. Jo-Han and Monogram both produced the 1970 model, including the Superbird version.

The Monogram kit is still currently in the catalog, and has been released as a Revell kit. MPC gave us the Road Runner

for the 1971-1979 model years. The 1974 model is currently available in the ‘Dukes of Hazard’ line and as a special issue

with a vinyl roadrunner figure. MPC also did a 1971 Superbird, a car that did not actually exist.

CLUB BUSINESS SECTION AUGUST 2015

FROM THE PRESIDENT by Rockne Riddlebarger

Greetings Model Citizens I’m having a short summer time break from the intense modeling of the last couple of years,

working on some guitars and music but I’m looking forward to the August meeting. See you all there!

FROM THE EDITOR by Mike Jinkens

Is pink a color you’d want your car? The 1950’s seems to be the era which this color was widely available, although

hidden under names as Sunset Coral or Emberglow. Chrysler brought out their ‘High-Impact’ colors in the late 1960’s and

for 1970 offered Panther Pink, definitely an in your face color. They would offer a similar color again in the 2000’s for the

Dodge Challenger (Magenta). The most famous pink cars are the Mary-Kay Cosmetic cars which are given out as a

reward to top sales reps.Then, there are those pink Cadillacs that Elvis owned and the one Bruce Springstein sang

about...

MEETING NOTES by Edwin Linz

The July meeting had 23 members and 2 guests: Bob Baker and former member Bob Trout. The contest tables had 48

models on display. Randy Wilson brought in a Moebius ’69 Ford F-100 for the kit raffle which was won by Rockne, who

was apparently quite happy with his win! Door prize winners were Derek Grau (’62 Chevy) and Bill Bench (’30 Ford

Woody)

WINNER’S CIRCLE by Curtis Epperson

August Theme is Pink I hope to see more then my pink models on the tables. It is also a swap meet and Gravity Drag

night. See Y’all Monday.

TRI-STATE SLOT CAR RACEWAY located at 5174 Hamilton-Middletown Rd, Hamilton (Rt. 4), Ohio 45011 will be hosting a Model Car Cruise in and swap meet on Saturday, September 19th from 10 am-to 2pm. Tables are only $10. Call 513-915-8009. This will be a great opportunity for us static model builders for not only outreach, but the slot car guys have plenty of leftover parts that they would love to sell or swap for model car bodies. The Cruise In will not only give us an opportunity to show off what we can do with our models, but will also give us the chance to see what the slot car people do with their amazing paint jobs. This should be a fun day, so make plans to attend. Thanks, Bill Bench 513-907-5754

July 2015 CONTEST RESULTS

Customs 1st Bill Bench Edselchero 2nd John Ginandt 50 Merc.

Street Machine 1st Liam McCreary 50 Olds 2nd Bill Bench 61 Rancharo 3rd John Ginandt 64 Fair Lane.

Straight Line 1st Bill Bench 90 Mustang LX 2nd Curtis Epperson 55 Chevy El Camino 3rd Robb 23 Ford T.

Street Rod 1st Liam McCreary 32 5 Window 2nd Eric McCullah 37 Ford Sedan 3rd John Ginandt 40 Ford.

Curbside Street 1st Rockne El Camino 2nd Liam McCreary 49 Mercury 3rd James Newman Budget Cutz Ecto.5

Commercial 1st Rockne Police tow truck 2nd Robb 21 Olds Truck 3rd Robb 15 Stutz.

Miscellaneous 1st Rockne Pole Dancer 2nd Liam El Camino 3rd Liam McCreary Contest Night.

Collectors Diecast 1st Robb H.D Street Glide 2nd Robert Rundney 56 Sunstar Merc. 3rd Robb H.D FLHT Police bike.

Out of Box 1st Curtis Epperson 80 El Camino 2nd Curtis Epperson Ranchero 3rd Erik McCullah Vantastic.

Out of Box Plus 1st Derek Grau 72 Chevy Cheyenne 2nd John Ginandt 53 Merc 3rd Derek Grau 67 Impala.

.

Model of the Month

Liam McCreary - ‘The Obsession’

Theme Award

Bill Bench - Edselchero

July Contest Photos

DEREK GRAU

ROBB SHELBY

LIAM MCCREARY

LIAM MCCREARY

LIAM MCCREARY

ERIC MCCULLAH

CURTIS EPPERSON

CURTIS EPPERSON

BILL BENCH

MODEL CAR NEWS

Moebius has finally began shipping the Ford F-100 Ranger and

Custom kits. The Custom is 1969 model with a 240 ci 6cyl. Engine and

a Model King exclusive. The Ranger is a 1971 model with V8 power.

Also new from Moebius is the 1965 Plymouth Satellite. The truck kits

seem to have that pebbly finish to the plastic, similar to the Hudson that

Stacey Cheeks recently bought. How this will cover with paint remains

to be seen.

Revell/Monogram recently had a survey to choose the best Chip

Foose car. The two favorites are to become model kits, not just a

wheel and decal reissue of an older kit like they have released in the

past. Their ’57 Ford Del Rio wagon is out, but no signs of the Porsche

914 or the ’29 Ford Model A roadster yet. Revell also has plans to

release the 2015 Corvette Stingray and re-issue the ’72 Cutlass with

a Linda Vaughn figure.

Round 2 Models continues to reissue kits from their extensive AMT/MPC/Lindberg/Polar

Lights/Hawk catalog, offering updated decal sheets, restored parts that hadn’t been seen in years and

their fantastic new tires. The company has plans to re-issue the ’67 Dodge Charger and ’69 Plymouth

Barracuda under the MPC banner. The old MPC gravel trailer has been re-issued and is out, but I don’t

know if it has the dolly that came with the original issue. The old IMC Dodge L-700 will re-appear as a

tanker with Shell decals. AMT will be bringing the ’70 Monte Carlo back to the shelves, along with VW

Scirroco from the Lensey era.

Tamiya has recently issued a couple of interesting cars, first the

classic 1954 Mercedes 300sl gull wing. This kit will certainly make

any older kits of this car obsolete. It’s unbelievable that no Japanese

manufacturer has done any of Japans early autos, at least in 1/24

scale, but here it is, the first Toyota, the 1936 Toyoda Model AA.

Comes with complete engine and driver figure. I wonder if anyone

will make a hot rod or gasser out it.

Galaxie Models has expanded their 1946-1948 Chevrolet line with

the addition of a 1947 coupe and Fleetmaster sedan.

Academy Models had announced a Shelby Cobra Coupe but

nothing is listed in their catalog...

It is unknown if Trumpeter has any automobiles in their immediate

plans.

C.A.R 2015 THEMES:

JAN.12 VANS & TRUCKS - CONTEST NIGHT

FEB.9 UNFINISHED

MAR.9 4X4’S - CONTEST NIGHT

APR. 6 BLUE VEHICLES

MAY 11 NEW PONY CARS -CONTEST NIGHT

JUNE 8 RAG TOPS & LONG TOPS

JULY 13 EL CAMINO’S & RANCHERO’S - CONTEST NIGHT

AUG. 10 PINK VEHICLES

SEPT. 14 HEAVY HAUL - CONTEST NIGHT

OCT.12 SAME KIT NIGHT- REVELL ’67 CAMARO

NOV.9 END OF YEAR CONTEST

DEC. 14 AWARDS AND PIZZA PARTY

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPT.19 & 20 2015 DAYTON CONCOURSE D’ELEGANCE-CAR SHOW, MODEL CAR DISPLAY

CARILLON HISTORICAL PARK, DAYTON OH

CONTACT FOR MODEL CAR DISPLAY:

RANDY DERR (937) 848-2813 RDLDERR@AOL.COM

SEPT. 26 SCIMA MODEL CONTEST AND SWAP MEET

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS COLUMBUS, IN

CONTACT: BILL ZEIHEN : (812)376 0435 (AFTER 6PM) OR SCIMA58BZ@YAHOO.COM

OCT. 10 NNL NATIONALS #36 AND TOLEDO TOY SHOW

SYLVANIA EXHIBITION CENTER AT TAM-O-SHANTER

7060 SYLVANIA AVENUE, SYLVANIA, OH 43560

CONTACT: RICK; PAPAFO66@YAHOO.COM OR GLENNMAREKOSPGLENN@AOL.COM

CONTACT FOR TOY SHOW: OLDTOYLANDSHOWS.COM

Newsletter: CARTIMESEDITOR@AOL.COM

Club info: CINCINNATIAUTOREPLICAS.ORG