Vintage Formula 1 Heavy Metal Models

[Gramps46]

The following models, photos, and text are by Scott Kercher who asked me to share them with you.

Heavy Metal F1!

     Thought it would be fun for modelers to see these 1/24 metal models from Western; the Alfa 159, the Mercedes W125, and the Maserati 250F, and Wills Finecast; the Ferrari Dino 156,and the Lotus 25. These were built in the mid-80's. The Western kits were released at that time, got them from England. These are nicely molded and have great detail, each has a full chassis with oil and gas tanks. Nice P.E. wires, too which were actually a novelty at the time. I believe with the exchange rate these kits were about $65.00 each.

  The Wills kits are much older and very simplified, like metal Merit kits. I believe the models were contemporary with the real cars, circa early '60's. There was a hobby shop in downtown Philly called Tom Thumb Hobbies, anyone remember that? They sold these, I remember seeing them on the shelves back in the day and they were terribly expensive, something like $15.00 each. Remember a good AMT kit was 2 bucks. Wouldn't you know, my kits had the stickers from that hobby shop.

  I have built over the years 9 metal kits and have 2 more in the stash.  They require a special mindset, let's let it go at that. But what great subjects!

[drodg]

Great photos.  Like you said great subjects.   Thanks

[afx]

Great stuff Gary.

[absmiami]

You’ve posted a build of one of my holy grail kits - the Western Alfa 158 wh metal kit .... the search goes on ....

[Phildaupho]

Wonderful to see

[Bugatti Fan]

I don't know how long Western Models were in existence, but they did make some very nice white metal kits in1/24 scale. Did you know that much of their market was for built up models rather than kits.

South Eastern Finecast (ex Wills Finecast) as far as I know still trade. Their car kits were primarily the Wills Finecast range that had full engine detailing. Wills took over a company named Auto Kits and brought their range of less detailed white metal kits into the catalogue under the Auto Kits Range banner. They also have a range of Traction Engine and Steam lorry kits in 1/32 scale. Much of their business is however their British Railway range of engines and parts.

SMTS (Scale Model Technical Services) dabbled in 1/24th white metal fully detailed kits. I have their E Type and I know they made an AC Cobra kit as well. Not sure of any more. Still trading mainly in 1/43rd scale.

There was also a company named Auto Replicas in Poole Dorset England who kitted a Frazer Nash in 1/24th and a couple of Bugattis, one of which was a Brescia. Not sure about whether still in existence or not,

[Rich Chernosky]

Gary...once again thank you for posting pictures of Scott's models. I have seen these kits in person and they are very nice work. Now,  if I can convince Scott to come up here and help me with that AutoKits  Ferrari 156 I have in the works...........????

[RancheroSteve]

Very cool - I know about the Merit kits, but had no idea these were made.

[iBorg]

Those are great. Where was Tom Thumb Hobbies located? I lived in Philly the summer of 1981 and visited every hobby shop I could take SEPTA to. I was back in the early 1990's and was surprised at the number of shops that had closed. Of course now there's probably a third or less of the shops now as then.

[absmiami]

9 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Gary...once again thank you for posting pictures of Scott's models. I have seen these kits in person and they are very nice work. Now,  if I can convince Scott to come up here and help me with that AutoKits  Ferrari 156 I have in the works...........????

That kit sounds familiar ...  I wonder if it ever ....  traded places ???

[Earl Marischal]

Lovely cars and lovely models. Especially like my all time favourite the Ferrari 156 'Sharknose'.

steve

[Rich Chernosky]

7 hours ago, absmiami said:

That kit sounds familiar ...  I wonder if it ever ....  traded places ???

It did...I have actually done a little work on it. Don't know If i am going to go full chassis like you plan on doing...but I might. 

[Gramps46]

11 hours ago, iBorg said:

Those are great. Where was Tom Thumb Hobbies located? I lived in Philly the summer of 1981 and visited every hobby shop I could take SEPTA to. I was back in the early 1990's and was surprised at the number of shops that had closed. Of course now there's probably a third or less of the shops now as then.

Scott responded:   There was a question as to the location of Tom Thumb Hobbies, all I can remember is that it was downtown and I was a kid in the '60's. Was there a few times, but doubt it was there in the '80's.

[williamdp]

Wow, they look real good, especially the Western models. Good thing I didn't know about them :-). I once had a go at the Auto Kits Porsche 904, but decided after some trial that I wasn't going to get a proper model out of it. Must still be somewhere in my stash. I do love the heavy feel of metal kits, often stick some lead in my styrene models to get at least some of that same feeling.

[Dave B]

These are great builds Gary, tks for posting.

Dave B

[PappyD340]

Very nice!

[randyc]

Nice stuff!  THanks for sharing.

[slusher]

Very nice!

[absmiami]

in-coming ....

[Gramps46]

9 minutes ago, absmiami said:

in-coming ....

Waiting patiently wearing my flack vest and helmet.

[absmiami]

May the eBay gods smile upon thee …  and pray that the USPS keeps working  - at least intermittently …. This just arrived in the mail …

[absmiami]

This is a follow to Gramps posting of some models built by a fellow modeler - the Western 24 sc white metal kits are rare finds - the Maserati 250F kit is gettable - but eBay postings are sometimes too $$$ …. Same for the Ferrari GTO Kit ….  The Alfa 158 kit was produced some time in the early 80’s - and appears to have had only a brief run in Western’s kit production - which is a shame - because now that I’ve obtained one ,

I can testify that It is The best kit in Western’s range of Grand Prix kits - with the caveat that

i have yet to see first hand the Mercedes GP kit …

these rarely show up at auction - post me if you see one and you want to consider price - I think I paid “fair market” - whatever that actually means …. 
now I’ll have to build it - which of course ruins its kit value …. Oh well - don’t tell the Mrs …

[gbtr6]

I have some of the Revival 1/20 scale metal kits. A 156 Sharknose signed by Phil Hill, an Alfa Muletto P3, and a Mercedes. Nice wire wheels, good detail. Nice kits.

Perry

[absmiami]

I’ll post a photo of a Revival P3 that I built 30 ish years ago …

[Rich Chernosky]

1 hour ago, absmiami said:

I’ll post a photo of a Revival P3 that I built 30 ish years ago …

I have built all the Revivals except the Auto Union (which i have) My fingers and brain are still smarting from the Mercedes which is posted on this page. I also saw OUR exchange from a year ago concerning the Autokits Ferrari Sharknose. It was entertaining to say the least but now that I am retired I may actually have to look into that kit again. Thanks for the boost.  And congrats on your Alfa find. Can't wait to see it finished.