Category Archives: Pontiac

Autocult January 2023

By Maz Woolley

Text Copyright of the Author. Photographs/Illustrations from the Maker or Wholesaler.

The first Autocult and Avenue43 releases for 2024 have been announced and the first thing that one notices is that the number of Autocult models released a month continues to be two which is smaller than it was up to Autumn 2023.

In the category “streamliner” the Mercedes-Benz 170 Streamliner “Erdmann & Rossi” from 1933 will be released. Furthermore we are presenting you the Lancia LP01 from 1947 in the category “prototypes”.

From our distribution line “Avenue 43” we are presenting you the Pontiac Firebird Pegasus 365 from 1970.

All the models to be launched in February are made in China of resin to 1:43 scale.

#04040 Mercedes 170 Stromlinie Erdmann & Rossi (Germany, 1933)

Erdmann and Rossi were coachbuilders based in Berlin who specialised in car bodies from around 1906. Their initial clients were the very well off who could afford motoring. Their speciality in the 1920s was bodying luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Horsch and Bentley.

At the IAMA in Berlin in 1933 Erdmann & Rossi attracted considerable attention with their streamliner based upon a Mercedes-Benz 170 chassis. Painted gold the car gathered mixed views and Mercedes-Benzes’ management was said to be unimpressed and refused to allow their star emblem to appear on the car.

Ahead of its time, and leading to no further developments, the show car appears to have quickly disappeared.


#06060 Lancia LP01 (Italy, 1947)

The LP01 was the ‘child’ of Gianni Lancia who took on a key role at Lancia in 1947 at 32 years of age. Descended from the companies founder he was out to make his mark.

The LP01 was a sporting car with a rear mounted two litre V8 engine. It had three abreast seating with the driver occupying the central seat. The modern body was made by Carozzeria Ghia. The attractive two tone scheme on a strong shape was distinctive. Sadly, the car does not survive and their is no record of how Gianni Lancia used it.


Avenue 43 1970 Pontiac Firebird Pegasus 365

This model is of a concept car produced in the GM Design Studio lead by Styling Chief Bill Mitchell. The idea was to see what could be created to inspire the forthcoming 1970 Pontiac Firebird. A Ferrari V12 engine was fitted and Corvette wheels.

The result was a car that looked like a styling exercise from an Italian styling house on a Ferrari or similar chassis. It certainly did not include any styling queues that would appear on later GM cars.


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Goldvarg 1976 Pontiac Catalina NYPD Model Review

By Dick Williams

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

The fifth and latest New York Police Department (NYPD) model released by Sergio Goldvarg is, in my opinion, his best yet. This 1976 Pontiac Catalina is Goldvarg’s first model of an actual NYPD car in the blue and white color scheme adopted in 1973 and used until 1996.  (The earlier 1974 Buick Century, while a beautiful model, was used in the TV show Kojak but not by the real NYPD.) Goldvarg plans to release a 1977 Pontiac LeMans in these colors in the future. The NYPD bought Pontiacs (Catalina, LeMans and Ventura) only in 1976. Catalinas were assigned to the department’s Highway Patrol unit, while the LeMans and the few Venturas were used as precinct RMPs (Radio Motor Patrols), according to an article on the Code 3 Garage website.

As expected with Goldvarg models, the details of the basic car model are exceptional; highly detailed grille and headlights, tiny, legible “PONTIAC” lettering and “Catalina” script; Pontiac emblems on grille and trunk; and well-defined simulated rubber strips and bolts on the front and rear bumpers.

The most important details to me are the police-specific ones. The model is almost an exact replica of a restored NYPD Catalina. The lightbar is a work of art and probably is the most detailed emergency lighting I’ve seen on a 1:43 scale model. It accurately depicts the Signal-Stat 375 dome lights, down to the two clear and two red lenses inside the clear domes, and a very nicely molded siren speaker.

Mounted behind the main lightbar is a McDermott high-rise auxiliary lightbar; the real bar has two folding arms that elevate in opposing directions to raise four warning lights several feet above the car.  This lightbar was a trademark of NYPD Highway Patrol cars for many years and also is used by some other departments around NY City.  (This isn’t surprising as the manufacturer, Julian A. McDermott Corp. – now McDermott Light and Signal – has been producing warning and signal lights for vehicle, marine, railroad and airport use since 1943 in Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York City. There are many variations of these high-rise lightbars over the years, so photos online will show different types and numbers of flashing lights and spotlights on the arms. The company still makes this type of lightbar, although now with rectangular LED flashers instead of the “can” lights from the 1960s and 1970s.)

The remaining police details (“dog dish” hubcaps on steel wheels and a center mounted radio aerial behind the rear windshield) also are finely done, as are the NYPD shield decals and “grabber blue” paint. (The absence of an external spotlight also is accurate.)

The Goldvarg NYPD Catalina is one of the best police car models ever made, in my opinion.  I’m eagerly looking forward to its LeMans stablemate and the green/white/black NYPD 1959 Ford still to come from Goldvarg.


Photos 1-5 above – The Goldvarg 1976 Pontiac Catalina model – Author’s Photos

Photos 6-7 above – Actual restored 1976 Pontiac Catalina in NYPD colours and markings at an NYPD Museum car show (Internet sources including Code 3 Garage)

Photo 8 Another example of a McDermott light bar (incorporating a spotlight) on a late-model Dodge Diplomat restored as an NYPD Highway Patrol car (Author’s photo)

An extract from a McDermott Light catalogue showing the warning lights in lowered and raised positions.

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Matrix releases

By Maz Woolley

The latest releases from Matrix are due with dealers shortly. As ever a range of classic vehicles with some concept cars included. These Matrix models are sealed resin models made in China to 1:43 scale for the Netherlands. The wholesaler suggested UK retail prices for these 1:43 items are now reaching the levels that 1:18 scale resin models were priced at two or three years ago which suggests that Chinese costs are continuing to rise sharply or sales are falling leaving smaller sales to spread overhead costs against. Though I note that some UK based retailers are advertising some of these models at below the suggested retail price. Whether these increasing costs are sustainable remains to be seen.

The choices this month cover another release of their classic Jaguar XJS moulding, this time in dark green. Three GTC cabrios in different colours but otherwise the same classic mid-1960s Alfa Romeo shape, and two different versions of a Pontiac Firebird concept car. Pontiac made several different estate back Pontiac Firebirds for shows over the years and here are two of them. None ever went into production which may have been a missed opportunoity for GM.


41001-203 Jaguar XJ-S green metallic 1975

40102-131 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTC Cabrio Blue 1964

40102-132 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTC Cabrio Silver 1964

40102-133 Alfa Romeo Giulia GTC Cabrio Metallic Green 1964

41606-011 Pontiac Firebird TA SB Concept 1978

41606-012 Pontiac Firebird TA SB Concept 1979

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The First Ertl American Muscle Car

1:18 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge in Carousel Red

By Frank Koh

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

A Great Beginning. A Legacy of Performance in Miniature.

It was January 1992 when renowned diecast and plastic model vehicle manufacturer The Ertl Company formally entered the prolific and highly-competitive 1:18 scale diecast model vehicle market. I recall the first-ever car in the Ertl American Muscle series was the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge in Carousel Red (actually the exact same paint code as the contemporary Chevrolet Hugger Orange), because I had always dreamed of a big-scale diecast ’69 GTO Judge, and Ertl finally had exactly what I wanted.

I therefore wasted no time and hit the New Jersey hobby and toy outlets and got myself one of the first units ever released. Mildly detailed with Bare Metal Foil on the window trim, blacked-out shut lines on the trunk and in the openings on the Ram Air scoops plus a black wash on the grille, I was very happy at the time with these small upgrades. That very same “first” GTO Judge (on the left below) is accompanied by an absolutely-mint, boxed, unmodified never-displayed unit that I received as a wonderful Christmas gift from good friend and comrade-in-classics.

There’s just a negligible amount of “orange peel” on the hood, and if my original seems shinier than the totally “unmolested” car on the right, that’s the result of a generous application of Liquid Lustre carnauba wax, an outstanding product

While both models have withstood the test of time admirably, the window box of the “untouched” 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge has not faded and yellowed like its sibling below. I’ve got more than just a few variants of the Ertl American Muscle 1969 GTO, plus its continuation models under the Auto World brand. These two, however, shall remain my favorites.

Pontiac assigned a special, exclusive color to the 1969 GTO Judge and called it Carousel Red, which was not available on “non-Judge” GTO models. The reason why Carousel Red looked a lot like orange rather than red was because it had the exact same paint code as Chevrolet’s “Hugger Orange”. The choice of Carousel Red on the first GTO Judge by Ertl (reportedly followed by Crystal Turquoise soon after) was a good decision. After all, Carousel Red was regarded as the 1969 GTO Judge’s signature shade. 

The American Racing Outlaw II alloys are just “stand-ins” for the 1:1 Judge until such time that the budget for a 100-point restoration is ready. The “Little Judge” needs absolutely no restoration. It is in as-new condition, and I intend to keep it that way.

Years after it first came out, the 1969 GTO Judge casting is still in use. In 2008, Auto World acquired from The Ertl Company the American Muscle brand and practically all of its existing tooling; Round2 then took over their castings; therefore, the fine tradition of 1:18 scale models of American high performance vehicles continues. 

This particular Ertl American Muscle variant is historically significant not only because it marks Ertl’s initial entry into hotly-contested the 1:18 scale diecast race, but also due to it being the first true American muscle car in this scale.

It’s been a solid 30 years since this treasured piece was first released, and now the industry is replete with 1/18 scale models of American high performance cars, both classic and modern. Indeed, after this landmark model car, The Rest is History.


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Eaglemoss Route 66 – 1954 Pontiac Chieftain

By Maz Woolley

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Eaglemoss were at one time a prolific partwork supplier. They produced the initial James Bond Collection for the UK and the huge Opel Collection both to to 1:43 scale using castings produced by Universal Hobbies and PCT Industries in China. In recent years they specialised in producing Star Trek and other Film and TV Scifi products and trying to break into the US market.

Sadly their business model failed to generate the income they needed and Santander Bank ‘pulled the plug’ on the business in summer of 2022. This left a lot of collectors of build series stranded with part built large models. However PCT Industries used their Ixo brand to offer the remaining parts for four collections through the Fanhome website which is a Film and TV oriented site actually owned and operated by DeAgostini. This has a 1:43 scale Fast and Furious Collection running at the moment. Several other firms have bought stocks of individual model collections to sell on, particularly the Star Trek, Marvel, and Harry Potter related items.

The post-bankruptcy clearing out Eaglemoss warehouses has released a number of 1:43 scale diecast models from a Route 66 collection seem are finding their ways onto the UK market often incorrectly described as by the also Atlas. It is noticeable that models in identical packaging are being sold as Altaya by continental online traders. Perhaps readers will know if this series ever ran or if the parts in the warehouse were stock piled against the day the collection was run?

The models that I have identified as part of the series in addition to the Pontiac are:

  • 1967 CHEVROLET – CORVETTE C2 STINGRAY COUPE
  • 1956 CADILLAC – ELDORADO BIARRITZ 1956
  • 1970 CHEVROLET – CAMARO Z28
  • 1965 SHELBY – MUSTANG GT350

This article looks at the 1954 Pontiac Chieftain in this series which is clearly marked on the box that PCT (Premium & Collectibles Trading Co) have the GM licence to make the model and that it is issued by the Die-cast Club whose address is at Eaglemoss Offices in London.

In recent years the number of diecast models of early 1950s model cars released has slowed to a trickle. US cars from this era have continued to be made by Brooklin, Goldvarg, Esval and others in premium resin ranges but even there the emphasis seems to be on models from the 1970s and upwards in recent years. The exception is the Oxford Diecast 1:87 scale range where several US cars of the early 1950s have been produced. In fact they make the same 1954 Pontiac Chieftain sedan as shown in this article.

The first generation Pontiac Chieftain was sold from 1949 to 1954. It was a smaller and lower priced model within their range but still gained automatic interior lighting. It was introduced as a Sedan (modelled here), Business Coupe, and Deluxe Convertible Coupe. Later the Catalina Coupe and Station Wagon were added. Engines were a mix of straight 6 and straight 8 engines of approximately 240 and 250 cubic inches.

This was the age of the long extras list and some of the interesting items items you could specify for your Chieftain included:

  • a radio with seven vacuum tubes
  • Tissue dispenser
  • Under seat heaters
  • a Remington Auto-Home shaver

In 1951 the instrumentation was uprated and included a gas gauge, ammeter, oil pressure gauge, and a temperature gauge. IN 1952 the range was little changed but both six and eight cylinder engines gained power and a warning light indicating that the parking brake was on.

In 1953, Pontiac upgraded the car to give it sleeker lines and a one piece front window. The rear wings got a small kicked up section too. A straight six engine became standard and a deluxe line was introduced with more standard equipment.

The Star Chief was added to the Pontiac line in 1954 and the Chieftain was moved down to entry level status for the last year of the first generation car but still had the option of the first proper air-con system with dashboard controls and also gained an improved front seat adjustment system . 1954 Chieftain sales were down from previous years as the lack of a V8 which many of its competitors had put off buyers.

The model from Eaglemoss is to a high standard for partwork models with a lovely two tone blue paint finish and neat additional items like the visor over the front screen, bonnet emblem, aerial and wing mirror. It also has excellent ‘chrome’ mouldings on the side, good bumpers, front grille and front lights. The three chrome lines on bonnet and boot associated with Pontiacs are nicely tampo printed silver over raised casting sections and are very effective. The plastic wipers are neat small plastic items as are the Pontiac badge units fitted front and back and the rear lights which are painted over silver plastic inserts. There are even two clear reversing lamps on the boot lid.

The only aspect that reflects its budget origins are the interior fittings which are a matt black with limited moulded detail. The dash is moulded with instruments etc. but with no printed detail. However these shortcomings are only obvious if you shine a torch into the model so are perhaps not terribly important.


The car modelled here for Eaglemoss by PCT has also been produced in the higher priced Ixo Premium X range in exactly the same colours but with a few upgraded details as shown below. The most noticeable changes are the blue interior and the ‘chrome’ finish on the decoration below the fuel flap and the round features on the upper rear wing which are left un-silvered on the partwork model. The number plates also differ.

Image from an eBay listing

This casting has has also been sold as a Whitebox model made by PCT in Highway Patrol livery for ModelCarWorld of Germany as shown below. This lacks an aerial which may be correct but retains white walls and full hub caps when a Police Car would generally have been supplied with black tyres and simple dog dish hub caps on steel wheels.

Image from an eBay listing

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Goldvarg New York Police Cars (Updated)

By Maz Woolley

The Goldvarg Collection has established itself as one of the main sources of quality resin models of US cars since its re-establishment in the US with sealed models made in resin in China to 1:43 scale. Unusually for a smaller specialist producer his range is fully licenced by car manufacturers and also by livery owners. It is gradually re-establishing its release programme after it was affected by the impact of Covid and Sergio Goldvarg having to focus on family matters for a while.

New York Police Cars form a sub-range within the main programme. There are currently seven models planned with many having been publicised for some time now. Two already released and the remaining five are either ‘coming soon’ or ‘in development’. In all cases photographs of released models or colour samples can be seen on the Goldvarg website.

NYPD is a very popular livery for collectors of American Police Cars partly because of the frequency that they have been seen on TV, the wide range of vehicles used in a big City, and the distinctive liveries. Sergio Goldvarg has worked with the Police Department and their collection of historic cars to create the models. NYPD have always run a range of vehicles to meet the wide ranging responsibilities of the department and this is reflected in the Goldvarg Collection which includes a utility vehicle as well as various types of patrol Cars. NYPD has had several different vehicle suppliers, and changing liveries over the years and these are reflected on the Goldvarg models.

Whilst most of the Goldvarg NYPD cars are authentic GC-NYPD-005 1974 Buick Century New York Police Department is said not to be. Yes it was widely seen on television in NYPD colours, especially on Kojak and other TV series in the late 1970s, but was apparently not used by NYPD itself.

GC-NYPD-001 1970 Ford Galaxie New York Police Department – SOLD OUT

GC-NYPD-002 1953 Ford Courier New York “Emergency Service Division” – LIMITED STOCK

GC-NYPD-003 1958 Ford Custom 300 New York Police Car – IN DEVELOPMENT

GC-NYPD-004 1977 Pontiac Le Mans New York Police Car – COMING SOON

GC-NYPD-005 1974 Buick Century New York Police Department – WITH STOCKISTS

GC-006 1976 PONTIAC CATALINA New York Police Department – COMING SOON

GC-NYPD-007 1959 Ford New York Police Department Tactical Patrol Force Car – IN DEVELOPMENT

Collectors of US Police Cars will need to keep an eye on Goldvarg releases this year as I believe that at some point we may well see quite a few of the expected models shipping in a short period now Chinese output seems to be gradually recovering.


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Converted GFCC Pontiacs

By John F. Quilter

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

I am always looking to create something a bit different to production models, and not spend a fortune doing it. The GFCC diecast Pontiacs were recently on sale, so I acquired three extras for conversion projects.

One became a two door hardtop using a displaced plastic roof from an old Vitesse 1959 Chevrolet project long ago. In this case the top had to be lengthened and repainted in white. The second project was a four door sedan but not the “flat top” four door hardtop that Madison did a while back. This one was based on the more entry level Catalina trim level and research showed it to be about 5 inches shorter in the rear quarter than Bonnevilles so I had to use a hack saw to cut off the rear quarter inch and graft it back on. It turned out the width of the hack saw cut and a bit of filling did the trick in length reduction. Tail lamps had to be made smaller as well. In this case I removed the rear fender skirts (spats for UK readers) to create some variation. They were in fact optional even on Bonnevilles. The roof of this one was again a displaced Vitesse Chevrolet one. B and C pillars became small sections of solder which replicates the chrome they would have been. And finally, the station wagon I left as a top-of-the-line Bonneville with the extra side trim but again it had to be shortened as all wagons were based on Catalina bodies. Again, the skirts came off and I added some extra detail such as twin side view mirrors and wipers and license plates. Since I was changing colour I had to change the very elaborate upholstery that these top of the line cars had plus add a third row seat facing backwards with the same upholstery design. The roof on this one was a piece of sheet aluminium cut with “legs” that bent down to form the B, C and D pillars. These were then covered with solder again to give some texture and chrome appearance.

The construction of the roof of the station wagon from aluminium sheet

Another view of the new roof being bent into shape.

The roof trimmed and ready for final fold and fit

The folded roof in place and ready for attachment.

These GFCC diecast models are quite well done although just a simple one-piece diecasting. The accuracy of size and design is quite good although forums have said they are let down by standard generic wheels but I was able to upgrade these for realism by adding three “spinners” using very small sections of stainless wire held in place with a drop of clear nail polish that serves well as a glue. These spinner wheel covers were standard on Bonnevilles and optional on others. Since the black convertible top on the stock GFCC is removable I created a top boot so it could be displayed open or closed. My technique for this is using a piece of sheet lead that cuts and files easily and can be moulded to fit the body well.

GFCC wheels no longer flat now they are adapted with ‘spinner’ and rings.

Completed four door sedan and station wagon

Completed two door hard top and station wagon. NB the third row of seats in Station Wagon.

1959 Pontiacs – mostly original GFCC convertible with hood up , four door dean and two door hard top.

1959 Pontiacs – mostly original GFCC convertible with new hood down look , four door dean and two door hard top.

So except for a two door sedan and a flat top four door hardtop my collection of 1959 Pontiacs is pretty complete. Pontiac as a marque, was undergoing a resurgence in 1959 under the direction of John DeLorean of the later DeLorean sport car fame after he left GM. All 1959 Pontiacs ran various versions of their 389 cubic inch V8 that was famous well into the 1960s especially in the GTO muscle car. Transmissions were GM 4 speed Hydromatics or rarely manual column shifted three speeds.


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Re-issue of the 1959 Pontiac Bonneville

By Buz Kirkel

Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.

Madison Models has issued a limited new release of 1:43 scale white metal 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Sports Sedans in 2 new colors, Vanguard Blue and Castle Blue/Cameo White 2-tone.

Each are ready for immediate delivery, so for more information please contact www.route66modelcarstore.com or call Buz in USA at 708-246-1543.


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New Goldvarg Releases on their way

By Maz Woolley

Sergio Goldvarg‘s development plans were slowed by the virus outbreak. He tells us that in spite of all the bad news affecting the US, where he lives, at the moment: from riots to hurricanes, he finds he can put them aside when concentrating on producing his latest models. In fact he says that he has an ambitious plan to compensate for the lost months of the first quarter.

The photographs he has shared with us include two models about to be released and others scheduled for the next few months.

Golvarg Collection models are cast in resin and finished with photo etched fine detailing to 1:43 scale in China for the US. They may be purchased direct from the Manufacturer on their website, www.goldvargcollection.com, or from local agents in the UK and other countries round the world.

Imminent Releases

These models have been manufactured and should be available shortly.

GC-016 A 1960 Mercury Country Cruiser Crystal Turquoise
GC-016 B 1960 Mercury Country Cruiser Royal Lilac
GC-PAA-003 1965 Ford “Pan American” Stairs Truck Pan Am Blue & White
GC-BI-003 1965 Ford “Braniff” Stairs Truck Ocre & Orange

Future Releases

These are expected to be released over the next few months.

GC-020 A 1961 Oldsmobile “Bubbletop” Red Metallic & White Roof
GC-020 B 1961 Oldsmobile “Bubbletop” Blue Metallic & White Roof
GC-021 A 1960 Oldsmobile Coupe Hard Top Copper Mist Poly & White Roof
GC-021 B 1960 Oldsmobile Coupe Hard Top Fern Mist Poly & White Roof
GC-028 A 1964 Buick Wildcat Coupe Hard Top Coral Mist Iridescent & White Roof
GC-028 B 1964 Buick Wildcat Coupe Hard Top Diplomat Blue & Wedgwood Roof
GC-029 A 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe Caramel Bronze & Tan Roof
GC-029B 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe Mulsanne Blue & Black Roof
GC-037 A 1968 Ford Galaxie XL Open Front Lights Gulfstream Aqua
GC-037 B 1968 Ford Galaxie XL Closed Front Lights Tahitian Rose Iridescent
GC-041 A 1960 Pontiac Safari station Wagon Skymist Blue
GC-041 B 1960 Pontiac Safari station Wagon Sierra Copper Poly NB the roof will be White on production models

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A look at the Goldvarg Collection

By Maz Woolley

It has been a while since we looked at models from the Goldvarg Collection. These are all 1:43 scale resin and photoetch models of US vehicles made in China for the US. Last year saw an outpouring of models including a new and popular range of New York State Police cars.

This article looks at a model released late in 2019, and two which are under development as this article is written. It should be noted that there are others under development and colour testing due to be released later this year which may be seen on the Goldvarg Collection web site. We hope to look at some of these at a later date.

1961 Pontiac Catalina GC-017B Color Rose Metallic

This model is also available as a single tone car GC-017 A 1961 Pontiac Catalina in Twilight Mist a blue/lilac single tone car.

This model is of the 1961 Pontiac Catalina which was a full size car and the photographs show off the squarer lines which rapidly gained favour in the early 1960s moving away from the 1950’s fins. The car still had a chassis but this was a new frame with side rails which replaced the previous X frame and offered both more roominess and better side impact protection.

A revised version of the 1959-60 ‘bubbletop’ roof was used on the two-door hardtops as modelled here. Dog-legged wrap-around windscreens were dropped and flatter, though still impressively curved windows adopted. It was now easier to get into the car again!

The Goldvarg model appears to be well up to their usual standard. The 1961 Pontiac split grille and elaborate bonnet pressing has been captured well as has the curves of the car and the side pressing features. The rear is also fine with the lettering nicely applied and the rear lights a neat unit with chrome and translucent lenses well combined. The wheels and tyres are good and it is all set up by a well detailed interior.


1960 Mercury Colony Park  

GC-016A Color Crystal Turquoise GC-016 B Color Royal Lilac

This is planned for 2020 and is close to release as I write this article. It has been looked forward too, especially by US ‘woodie’ collectors.

The Mercury Colony Park was a full sized station wagon produced by Ford. It was distinguished by the simulated wood panels. This was the top of the range estate car from Ford US and was based upon the Ford Country Squire platform.

The plastic wood side panles are modelled and coloured quite convincingly. The wheels and tyres are also excellent, as is the wrap around screen and the silver window trim. A fine grille has been created and the ‘gun sights’ on the wings are neatly modelled too.

To the rear the bumper assembly and embedded rear lights are well captured. The chrome strip across the rear from fin to fin is well captured as is the emblem on the tailgate.

There is the usual level of detail inside the car which is well up to the level provided by many models selling at a higher price point.

1960 Oldsmobile Bubble Top

GC-021 A 1960 Oldsmobile Cooper Mist Poly and GC-021 B 1960 Oldsmobile Fern Mist Poly

Another model in development as I write this article but due for release in the near future.

The Oldsmobile 88 and 98 were totally redesigned for 1959 and these versions ran into the 1960 model year. The distinguishing feature which showed whether the car was an 88 or 98 was the rear light cluster which was convex on the 88 and concave on 98. Here the photographs show it as convex here so the car is we presumably an 88.

The car modelled is the two door hard top which was dubbed the Holiday SceniCoupe in 1959 and 1960 before the name was dropped for the 1962 model year car. The key features of this car were the very large rear window with thin pillars shared with the Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupé. Powered by a 6.5 litre Rocket V8 and fitted with power brakes it was also finished with many items as standard that would be an extra cost item on the equivalent Impala.

The model has impressive period paint work with a neat white painted hardtop and excellent chrome work around the windows all round. The chrome side moulding that swoops down to the bottom of the rear wing is finely made and applied which complements the lovely etched badging on the rear wing. The rear lights are finely made and inserted with neat chrome surrounds. The bumpers front and rear are excellent too. The back panel to the rear is well detailed and the Oldsmobile lettering is very good.

Looking at the front grille it looks a little basic, but examining photographs of the real car it is 100% right. Oldsmobiles simply had rather dull grilles for the 1959/60 model. The dog leg front windscreen is well shaped and whilst the black window seal is perhaps a little over scale size it is not badly so and it certainly isn’t going to be obvious except when viewed at very close range. As ever the model has excellent tyres and wheels as well as a lot of interior detail.

It looks like Goldvarg models will continue to provide excellent representations of US cars for collectors. Prices on the website have increased for the later releases but by less than some others in a similar market sector.


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