George Barris. Ed Roth. Dave Deal. Tom Daniels. For those of you who
don't know these names, they were the Larry Woods and Boyd Cunninghams of my youth. I built
endless models of their creations. And oh yes, their creations were 1:1 scale. Okay,
maybe Dave and Tom just did models, but some great rods were made from their ideas. Point is
when you built one of their models, or played with one of their die cast replicas, you knew somewhere
in this world, somebody had the real thing. THAT was cool.
I've seen the real original Batmobile. And the Monkees car. I've even poked around the
vehicles for the Logan's Run and Arc II TV shows (If that doesn't carbon date me, nothing will!).
But the bottom line was that they were real, functioning automobiles. So, what happened?
I'm not sure, but I think it all ended with a whimper during the fuel crisis of the 70's. And
without a doubt hot rods have made a comeback since then, but it's different now. They're all too "slick."
Let's just pretend for a minute that Mattel, Revell, Monogram, AMT, and some creative craftsmen made
full scale versions of fantasy Hot Wheels. What might there be? "Is that the Rigor Motor
making an exhibition run at the Summer Nationals? Hey, isn't that the Surf Crate at the rod and
custom show? Look, it's the Skull Rider in Hot Rod magazine! That's tight, I think I'll
buy the model and build it. Oh yeah, they haven't made a model of the Rigor Motor."
Sure, Mattel is raising the volume with their basic line of cars. All of their racing cars are true
enough representatives of real racers. And muscle cars from the past can be seen on the roads almost
daily, in various states of repair. But where are my real life fantasy hot rods? Where's the
real Tow Jam or Screamin' Hauler? I know I'm not the only one who wants to own the real Red Baron
(wherever it may now reside). Tell me, if you could choose just one Hot Wheel to be made into a
real rod, what would it be?
I'm whining a lot this time, but it's not like the interest isn't there. Mattel sponsors NASCAR,
Aussie Touring Cars, Tony Hawk, BMX and Motocross, just to name a few. But they need to loosen up
the bucks and let some Joe's build these wild rides. And not just trailer queens, either.
Maybe a real life version of the Beach Blaster will convince me to buy one. Then again, maybe not
the Beach Blaster ...
I had to show the accompanying photo to you, the dear reader. I was skimming eBay for V-Dubs to add to my daughter's collection, and came across this gem of a custom. This is really a class act, and kudos go to Michael Turk for making it, and much envy to "sirred baron" for taking it home. The spec sheet on the work done to it is incredible. The picture has been dramatically reduced in size, and doesn't do the car justice. This is the kind of craftsmanship and dedication that transforms mere toy into work of art. If you're a motorhead, go to Michael's web page at http://members.aol.com/mykturk/bonnevil.html and check out the "Bonn-Evil." Whoa!
Right, enough. Until GT3 on the PS2 is released, here are some sites to get yer old juices flowing. To see some of Dave Deal's Wheels, go to http://hometown.aol.com/fmw111/home.html. And some of CarToons' (yes, as in Krass & Bernie) best covers can be seen at http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/2832/artists.html.
And if any of you were paying attention, I did indeed have an epiphany.
Until next time, as the kids say, Peace Out!
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