Revell 1907 Renault Limousine - Highway Pioneers Series Four, 1/32, H53-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG++
$39
1953 early issue molded in peach-colored plastic. This is from the issues produced with Gowland & Gowland as it carrier their 'balloon' logo on the side. Never started and inventoried complete with all parts and includes instructions. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
Revell 1910 Pierce Arrow Highway Pioneers, 1/32, H48-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc++
$44
In rare, 'Excellent++' box condition. 1953 first year issue molded in a beautiful dark red. The kit has never been started. The parts are still factory sealed in the original 'krinkle' bag. Complete with instructions. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
Revell Highway Pioneers Five Kit Gift Set - 1903 Model A Ford / 1910 Model T Ford / 1909 Stanley Steamer / 1903 Cadillac / 1900 Packard, 1/32
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good
$145
Very rare. From 1952 or '53. This is one of (if not) Revell's first gift set. It is Gowland-produced with no part number. Gowland designed and molded these kits as well as providing the box artwork (signed D.K. Gowland) and instructions - Revell did the marketing. Inside, the kit is correct with all cardboard dividers, all small parts still in the correct wax paper bags, cars molded in red, black, dark blue and green, tires molded in black and correct instructions. The models have never been started. Four kits are still factory sealed in the original krinkle bags. One kit, the 1903 Cadillac is in the krinkle bag but the bag has split, as they often do. I have inventoried this kit and it is 100% complete with all parts and instructions present. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. By the late 1910 and early '20s, many dedicated modelers were building flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. By the 1930s, the 'Aviation Craze" had taken hold of this country and kits appeared everywhere. However, it was estimated at the time that at least 80% of these were never sucessfully completed (and fewer than that flown). That changed in the early 1950s with the advent of plastics and affordable injection molding equipement. The phenomenon of the all-plastic Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles were completely molded to shape in color and could be built in an hour after dinner. When complete, they looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys...and adult males as well!
Revell 1910 International Auto Wagon - Highway Pioneers US Antique Series, 1/32, H62-89
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Good-
$42
1954 early issue molded in bright yellow plastic. The parts are still factory sealed in the original 'krinkle' bag and includes instructions. Before the 1950s 'model building' never made the top 10 list of boy's activities. Hobbies were nothing new to America in the 1930s/40s, but they were not mainstream. Shortly after the turn of the century, many dedicated modelers built flying or static airplanes, ship, train, automotive or other subjects. Basic kits existed, but the majority of these models were built from scratch, which demanded a high talent level developed from years of experience. That changed in the early 1950s. The phenomenon of the Revell/Gowland & Gowland 'Highway Pioneers' car kits was a significant force in proving that model building as a hobby could have mass appeal, provided that the kits were easy enough to build and finish. These 1/32 scale vehicles could be built in an hour after dinner and looked much like the real car. The Highway Pioneers series lead to the production of other subjects in plastic and the effect was revolutionary. By the early 1960s, model building was the #1 past time of American boys.
AMT Bell 222 - California Highway Patrol, 1/48, 8681
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: Sealed VG+
$54
Still factory sealed and from 1991. AMT's quarter-scale '222 has become even more popular and hard-to-find. It features over 70 pieces, detailed cockpit and cabin interior, optional position landing gear, movable rotor blades, CHIPs decals and more.
Hawk 1909 Hupmobile - Highway Classics, 1/24, 635-50
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: NM
$85
Rare hardbox issue dated 1964. The box is in amazing 'Near Mint' condition. Hawk did not issue many automobile kits, but when they did they chose interesting subjects. This one is 1/24 scale and molded in yellow plastic with black wheels. The kit has never been started. Inventoried 100% complete including instructions. The 1909 Hupmobile was among the first cars to look 'long, low and lovely' with a racy appearance. Rarely seen now, the Hupmobile was very popular in that day due to good performance, looking a bit like a Mercer or Stutz but sporting a much lower price tag. And this kit has a very interesting history also! The molds were originally cut by Kaysun in Japan @ 1954. The kits were a huge advance over the 'Highway Miniatures' and if put side to side put the Revell offerings to shame. I do not know of other kits from Kaysun beyond the two cars. Later in the 1950s Strombecker purchased these molds and issued them in very colorful boxes. However, Strombecker discontinued all plastic kit production in the late 1950s. In 1964 Hawk somehow located these molds. Always with an eye to quality, the Mates brothers knew these were perfect kits for their expanding line of models. The called the Rambler and Hupmobile 'Highway Classics' and issued them in full color boxes that sported photos of the actual built models. There were at least three issues; one at 50 cents, one at 60 cents and one with a special case. However good the kit, the subject matter simply did not catch on and eventually the kits were withdrawn from the line. Polks Hobby Modelcraft found and purchased the molds in 1982 but did not issue the kits. In 1988 Mandrill Manufacturing purchased the Strombecker molds and it is possible these two Kaysun kits is among them.