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Clarence Young Autohobby 

Preston's Dream

In 1989 Clarence Young Autohobby produced it's first cold-cast pot-metal car called Preston's Dream. A total of 312 were cast. This was the only car in the lineup of CYA cars that had no metal plate underneath. The axle mounting system was unique to this CYA car and the "Black Widow" that followed. The tires did not rotate on these cars. The bodies were cast in New York.

The first 100 were numbered with a 3-digit license plate starting with 001 and painstakingly painted by master painter David Crowe.

No more than six of any color were produced. Many, if not most, cars were produced in colors used on no others.  A couple of two-tones were produced.

Within a couple of years the entire production run was sold out except for nine remaining cars. The nine remained unsold for many years. In fact, they were forgotten and not marketed.

On April 16, 2007, the final nine were sold as a lot to a collector.

Little, if any, money was made on this endeavor, but the pleasure derived from the experience was manifold. Lots of nice people helped produce this car and lots of nice people bought them at car shows and hobby shows. A pleasant chapter has ended in the life of Clarence Young and Autohobby.

These cars were not designed to be high-tec models. Rather, these models were meant to replicate the style and spirit of the models of the era.  

Tire Combinations

A1..Early production painted cars featured blackwall tires and full-sized generic  wheelcovers.

A2..Mid-production painted cars featured wide whitewall tires and full-sized generic  wheelcovers.

A3..Late production painted cars (not shown) featured smaller mid-sized whitewall tires and machined aluminum wheels.

Variations Sold

Some early cars were sold as kits to be assembled by the purchasers.

Some early cars were assembled and clear coated over shiny metal bodies.

Approximately 12 cars were triple-plated with automotive bumper chrome.

Six cars had the fender skirts removed by tedious hand labor and were painted dark metallic blue. Ray DeBock did the hand labor and the painting of these cars.

The first 99 cars were numbered from 001 to 099 and were painted authentic late 40's era automobile colors. Car #099 has tire wheel combination A2.

The final cars were painted authentic late 40's era automobile colors. These cars were vastly improved over the original offerings as mold lines and uneven castings were hand-filed and machine buffed to a smooth finish. All these cars featured wheel combination A3.

Cars shown below are early production models with wheel sets not yet installed.