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Today I published the following newsletter to Automodello subscribers that I am reprinting the text here for your convenience about 1:24...
Automodello's Promise - Our 2nd Newsletter
When I was growing up in my formative years, most of my friends had what I am affectionately calling the Prequel to Minivans. As parents, and before the rise of SUVs, most of us had minivans when we became parents. It just made sense. They were roomy to very roomy, were built on a car chassis so they rode nice, and they were above all efficient carriers. My wife's was a 2002 Mazda MPV until it was replaced by a 2013 Mazda CX-5 which was handed down to my daughter when she went to school to learn how to be an auto mechanic.
But during my and probably your formative years Minivans didn't really exist. There were a few attempts like the Greenbriar, but for the most part growing families opted for station wagons. And like most youth in this time we didn't want to be caught dead ever driving one of these. Though in hindsight, when my buddy Kevin bought a 1963 Chevrolet full-size wagon for $200 we thought he was nuts until he pointed out it had a great playroom area in the back without having to be a contortionist. And he subsequently replaced the PowerGlide with a manual for even more fun.
Kevin was an exception. The rest of us looked down on wagons just as our now kids look down on Minivans. And yet as we move from being formed in the 60's to being in our sixties, wagons have all but disappeared from the American landscape. For example, when I was replacing my 2005 MINI Cooper convertible I wanted a fun, practical wagon with style. I narrowed it down to two: Cadillac CTS-V which wasn't really practical for Chicagoland winters, and a Volvo V90. Unfortunately Volvo stopped importing the V90 in 2021, so had to search the country and finally found one near Denver that Steve Linger, acting as my surrogate, and as a former (car) dealer, was able to negotiate without the selling dealer playing any games. I am sure this dealer was happier than ever to be done with Steve.
So while my lust for wagons had been reignited, it appears that for many of you this same lust or at least fond memories of family vacations have also been engaged. This is why Automodello® decided to do the 1969 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate station wagon. This wagon exemplifies the Sixties as it represents the pinnacle end of the decade when you could get a wagon with a 427, hidden headlights and a 3-way tailgate to see the USA in your Chevrolet.
This model really challenged our factory partner because the woodgrain had to look right as the shunt lines crossed over paint and wood. The specimen was shot at the GM Heritage Center at the same time as the Allante was shot. The GMHC team had to bring both cars in from offsite storage and were racking their collective brains about what these 2 cars had in common. My response was simply "nothing, except to be made into models". I spec'ed this model to have multiple options from the 1969 Salesman's Custom Features and Accessories Catalogue including 3-way light indicators on the fenders, luggage rack with spoiler and others that I'll let you figure out.
Automodello originally decided to do 2 editions and 4 colors, however, when I saw that a green interior was available a fifth color was added: Standard Edition with build of 99 each in Red or Yellow, and Encomium Edition with build of 49 each in Black, Silver or Blue. All are available for immediate shipment.
Other ONE24 News In last week's newsletter, I noted the importance of Reservations as this helps Automodello gauge which models to build and in what order to build them. Since the pandemic and the ensuing logistics nightmares, Automodello will no longer quote when models will be delivered, however, no model will be delivered before it's time. Here are the upcoming models listed alphabetically and can only be PreOrdered on Automodello.com: 1958 Buick Century Caballero station wagon, 1961 Cadillac Series 62 convertible, 2016-2019 Cadillac CTS-V sedan, and 1937 Graham Model 97. When placing a PreOrder, this can be done with a Reservation with payment due prior to shipment at the then current price.
Added Note for JSS Automodello is always looking for suggestions of new images to model in 1:24. When making a suggestion, it is helpful to keep this in mind: - Does the image appeal to a wide enough audience? - Will is support a $250 to $350 price? - Has it ever been made before in another scale? - Why are you suggesting it?
I have a number of Automodello models and they are worth the money. I went to their site, preordered the 1961 Cad. conv. Years ago I ordered the Graham, did not happen. I still want this model. This is good you can pre-order a model without paying in advance. I want their Cad. convertible, still want that Graham.
Automodello Friday the 13th Newsletter on 1:24
Posted - 12/13/2024 : 11:40:09
