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Table of Contents

Robert's Page (You are on it now.)

Clarence's Page

Previous Issues

The response to Issue One was overwhelming and was very much appreciated by Clarence and myself. I hope you enjoy Issue Two as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Its a lot of fun sharing, something I miss most about no longer publishing MCJ. Those of you who know me personally also know that last year was a rough one for me and just being alive and able to sit here and write this column is an amazing and appreciated gift.

Last issue I shared a few of the special models in my collection, and this issue I'll share a couple more. One thing that visitors to my collection don't understand when looking at the mass of automotive art in my display cases, is that almost each one has some special story behind it. I owe a personal thanks to Dennis Doty, my long time business partner for many of those, including both items featured here.

Sometime around 1985, Dennis Doty called and told me that John Hanle, President of Jo-Han models, was selling off all non-Jo-Han models in their extensive archives. Was I interested? Well let's see. I was broke, didn't have any vacation time left at work, Model Car Journal was behind schedule. Sure, I was on a plane within 24 hours!

One of the items I obtained was this very unusual and rare promotional AMT 1960 Buick Chassis that at the time I did not even know existed. 1960 was the first year for an opening hood and motors for the AMT Buick, Corvette and Thunderbird, but a promo chassis? That was a new one on me. Note the finned brake drum common to AMT kits of that era.

The next model also has a tie to Dennis Doty, but not directly. In the mid-eighties while I was a busy promotional model buyer, I would frequently call the now deceased long time model car dealer, Herb Jackson to see what new stock I might be interested in. The usual ritual was for Herb to read a list of models. Then, if I was interested, I would tell him and then Herb would quote me a price. It just so happened that Dennis Doty was visiting Herb the day I called, and one specific item Herb had available was a factory built Revell 1957 Ford Station wagon kit less its cardboard base. When Herb said he wanted $25, I was so excited I must have yelled "sold" so loudly, Dennis heard me, and Dennis could see that Herb was visibly upset he had quoted such a low price!

Just last year I bought the base to this model off eBay, and now it's almost complete, just needing me to finish painting the missing "dad."