Mini Muscle: 7/04

1/18th-scale 1968 Baldwin Motion Phase III Chevrolet Chevelle
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Feature Article from Hemmings Muscle Machines

July, 2004 - Jim Donnelly

1/18th-scale 1968 Baldwin Motion Phase III Chevrolet Chevelle
American Muscle by RC2

On Sunrise Highway in Baldwin, Long Island, just east of New York City, a dream world once existed where workaday cars were transformed into brutal ruffians. It was the home of Motion Performance, where owner Joel Rosen and his crew stuffed heavily modified big-block V-8s into a variety of new cars delivered to Baldwin Chevrolet, just around the corner.
RC2 has selected a less-common Motion machine, the 1968 Chevelle, as the topic for an entry in its American Muscle series of 1/18th die-casts. This is a reasonable approximation of a house car that was raced by the Motion shop at various drag venues that year. One interesting trim element is the rough-finish simulated vinyl top. While we can't vouch for the total accuracy of the race-day lettering, we will say that it's well-crafted. There's even a tiny Motion Performance decal on the rear window, and radiator shroud labels are legibly printed.
The replica essentially models what Motion was doing to Chevrolets back then, with an accurate re-creation of the scooped hood, markings, hood tach and side pipes. By current 1/18th-scale standards, underhood detail is average. A separate low-restriction air filter and carburetor sit atop the Rat intake, and there's a radiator hose and windshield-washer bottle, but no engine wiring. Motion cars comprise a small and highly priced niche in the world of strong Chevys, and RC2's model is a relevant addition to their lineup.
- Jim Donnelly

1/18th-scale Bounty Hunter dragster
Georgia Marketing & Promotions

In 1962, the NHRA's ban on nitromethane fuel made Top Gas its leading class by default. That was the year that Connie Kalitta unveiled the first of his Bounty Hunter dragsters, which Don Garlits shoed to a record pass of 180.36 mph at the Nationals in Indianapolis. Kalitta later put Joe Gerdelmann in the car, and he set a NASCAR drag record of 176 mph-plus in 1963 at Daytona.
Gerdelmann, a noted Mopar collector from South Jersey, subsequently bought the car, raced it and ultimately restored it. GMP has chosen it as the subject of a new entry in its 1/18th-scale series of historic dragsters. It's a replica that amply shows how profoundly simple these very intimidating race cars used to be. The crude, drilled front axle and semi-elliptic transverse leaf spring is faithfully recreated. So is the fuel tank, with gold-anodized fittings on the lines leading to the rudimentary pump. Wires leading from the 392-cu.in. blown Hemi's magneto are correctly routed.
The dual parachute pack is also correct. This is a very high-quality model of a significant car from the fuel ban's final days. Another GMP release, another dinger.
- Jim Donnelly

1:32-scale Corvette Slot Cars
Monogram Model Racing

The rebirth of slot car racing continues to grow, and so too does its selection of great American performance cars. Monogram has just released two historically significant Corvettes: the 1964 Grand Sport #2 driven by A.J. Foyt at Sebring that year, and John Greenwood's Riverside '75 wide-body Stingray that competed in the 1975 Sebring 12 Hours. Both slot cars are proportionally correct and feature all the accurate period decals and markings and correct Goodyear soft rubber tires. The overall finish on both cars is excellent.
For that added depth of originality, life-like drivers have their hands on the wheel and are modeled in period-correct helmets and driving suits. And the Greenwood Stingray even features real metal air-vent screens front and rear. Most importantly, they run smooth and fast.
And don't worry about not having a slot car track set up in your basement; these striking slot cars will make a great addition along with your collection of die-casts.
- Richard Lentinello


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