Don Garlits Swamp Rat I

Rebecca — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:24:21 +0000

Swamp Rat I: The first in Don Garlits’ series of legendary dragsters, the Swamp Rat I was first built in 1956, but would be modified many times before reaching its prime condition in 1958 when it set the world speed record at 180 mph. This front-engine dragster was then further modified when a blower was installed. This helped the Swamp Rat I to win several more races before the blower exploded and severely burned Garlits, who said he would never drive again.

Don Garlits' Swamp Rat I

His promise would not last long, however, and the design was once again modified and became the Swamp Rat I-B. In 1961, the car was retired altogether and Garlits moved on to his subsequent Swamp Rat creations.

Swamp Rat I Model

Part of the Great American Dream Machines Quarter Mile series, this 1/43 model of the Swamp Rat I is delicately crafted from white metal. It was made in England and is one of only 11 available.

1954 Buick Wildcat II

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:42:56 +0000

The 1954 Buick Wildcat II became known as the sportiest Buick of the 1950s and was described by Buick’s Head Designer, Ned Nichols, as an “American adventure in tomorrow’s design.”

1954 Buick Wildcat II

Most recently seen as part of General Motors’ 2008 Motorama at Pebble Beach, CA, the 1954 Buick Wildcat II was chosen as one of the automotive brand’s key historical designs, together with the 1939 Buick Y-Job, the 1954 Firebird, the 1956 Buick Centurion and the 1955 Chevrolet Biscayne, among others.

1954 Buick Wildcat II Features

The 1954 Buick Wildcat II was built from fiberglass and was painted a bright blue color with stylish white leather trim. The Wildcat II was powered by a Buick V8 and produced 220 horsepower. The Wildcat II debuted at General Motors’ Motorama show in New York City in 1954.

1954 Wildcat II Model

Considered to have been the inspiration for the Chevrolet Corvette, the Wildcat II went down as one of the most influential General Motors’ concept cars in history. Consequently, the 1954 Wildcat II is very popular with model car collectors. Great American Dream Machines is proud to offer this 1/43 model of the 1954 Buick Wildcat II. The model was handcrafted in England from sturdy white metal and is detailed to perfection.

1941 Willys Dragster

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:40:34 +0000

Also known as a Willys Americar, the 1941 Willys Dragster was built by Willys-Overland Motors. The car was offered as either a sedan, coupe, pickup or station wagon, but it was the coupe version that gained fame as one of the favorite hotrods in the history of American hotrods.

Around 22,000 Willys Americars were built in 1941, for around $630 each. The car was an affordable vehicle that was received well until the war caused all consumer vehicle production to be aborted as automotive manufacturers were enlisted to assist the military. Willys was lucky enough to receive a contract to product the Jeep which led the company to regroup and focus efforts on Jeep. Production of the Americar never resumed.

Willys Americars were difficult to fix and the lack of parts and after-sales support from Willys made the Americar the perfect hot rod canvas – many Americars had their original engines replaced and were put to the test on the drag strip.

1941 Willys Dragster - Blue

1941 Willys Dragster Model

This 1/43 scale model of the 1941 Willys Dragster is part of Great American Dream Machines’ Quarter Mile series. This is the red model, but it is also available in blue. Crafted in England from durable white metal, this will make a delightful addition to any model car collection.

1956 Buick Centurion

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:34:41 +0000

The 1956 Buick Centurion was an aerodynamic four-seat coupe with a patented rear-mounted television camera to provide a rear view to the driver. The rear end of the car resembled the tail cone of a jet plane. Front seats automatically slid back when the doors were opened for easier entry and also moved forward to provide entry and exit to the back seats. A cantilevered steering wheel positioned the steering shaft down the center of the car, allowing more legroom for the driver. The twin pods at the lower ends of the back fenders served as bumpers and carried the taillights and exhaust ports. The “seeing eye” television camera pointed out through the rear cone, transmitting the rear view to a 4×6 inch screen on the instrument panel, eliminating the need for a rearview mirror. The camera was equipped with a wide-angle lens, which presented a wider view of what was behind the car. The shockproof mounting of this camera and tube prevented any disturbance in the picture’s clarity as the car rode over bumps. A digital clock was centrally mounted above the TV screen and the speedometer used a stationary indicator and revolving dial. The top half of the car was all glass, with just a few thin steel struts to provide rigidity.

1956 Buick Centurion Model

This is a 1/43 scale model of the 1956 Buick Centurion, crafted from white metal and perfectly detailed. This really is a gem of a collectible and will make a great addition to your collection.

1954 Firebird

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:32:19 +0000

The 1954 Firebird was modeled after the Douglas Skyray supersonic jet. It was the first U.S. car with a two-section gas turbine engine. It also had a single control stick, which meant no steering wheel and brake and gas pedals. The stick was placed in the middle so both driver and passenger could “drive” the 370 horsepower Firebird I. its 110-volt generator could run household appliances. The ultrasonic key system opened doors by high frequency from a maximum distance of 15 feet. A timer let you start the car before you were seated. The Firebird II followed in 1956; the Firedbird III in 1958.

1954 Firebird Model

This is a 1/43 diecast scale model of the 1954 Firebird. It is beautifully crafted from white metal and will make a great addition to any model car collection.

1954 Chevrolet Corvette Nomad

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:29:08 +0000

The 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Nomad Dream Car was first displayed in the 1954 GM Motorama alongside its stable-mate Corvette variants, the Corvette Corvair (a hardtop slanted coupe), the standard Corvette roadster and a fixed coupe Corvette. The front end of the Corvette “Station Wagon” was identical to that of the production Corvette, with a sloping hood and slotted vertical grill.

Pieces of this 1954 concept car were actually put into production in 1955, and the car became the Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad wagon.

It is said that Chevrolet liked the name “Nomad” because it connoted “roaming, a wanderer”.

1954 Chevrolet Nomad Model

This is a 1/43 scale model of the 1954 Chevrolet Corvette Nomad. It was built in England, from sturdy white metal.

1954 Cadillac La Espada

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:26:13 +0000

The 1954 Cadillac La Espada was a fiberglass roadster built on a 115” wheelbase. It was 200.6” long and 51.7” high. Among the styling features were metallic trim panels that extended from the wheel openings to the centers of the doors. The wraparound windshield had a 60-degree angle. The Cadillac La Espada also wore sharp tail fins. Body sheet metal was identical to the El Camino (Cadillac’s other dream car for 1954), except the El Camino was a coupe and the La Espada was a roadster.

Cadillac La Espada Features

Painted Apollo Gold and trimmed with bright chrome and aluminum, the interior used chrome, aluminum and high-luster black leather. Behind the seats was a tonneau cover that was later copied by Ford and used on the Thunderbird.

1954 Cadillac La Espada Model

This is a 1/43 scale model of the 1954 Cadillac La Espada, crafted in England from high-quality, durable white metal.

1954 Cadillac El Camino

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:24:11 +0000

Cadillac introduced a pair of two seaters at the 1954 Motorama, one was the Cadillac El Camino, the other the Cadillac La Espada. The Cadillac El Camino was 200” long, 51.5” high and 79.9” wide. It used a 230 horsepower V8 engine. Like many General Motors dream cars of the era, it had a bubble roof and quad headlights. The tailfin shape later appeared again on the 1955 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Quad headlights, a fluted side panel and gull-wing bumpers with bullet tips were all standard Cadillac design elements the following year. The El Camino incorporated front and rear fiberglass roof saddles that supported the hand brushed aluminum top. The instrument panel was covered in gray leather, while the insert area behind the instrument dials was hand-brushed aluminum. Below the trunk was a spare tire compartment that was concealed by a hinged door.

Cadillac El Camino Model

This is a 1/43 scale diecast model of the 1954 Cadillac El Camino. It was crafted from high-quality white metal in Sussex, England.

1939 Buick Y-Job

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:21:48 +0000

The 1939 Buick Y- Job was the first in a series of dream cars, not only from GM, but from GM, Ford and the other automotive manufacturers. Buick’s Y- Job was a two-seater convertible, almost 20 feet long, that was based on a standard 1937 Buick chassis. The car wore 13” tires, which were considered very low for the time, to lower the stance of the car. The fuselage and fenders approached a teardrop shape.

Buick Y-Job Features

Among the other unique features were disappearing headlights, flush door handles, power windows, finned drum brakes a power-operated disappearing convertible top and the absence of running boards. According to General Motors, the name Y- Job came from the aircraft manufacturing industry. Apparently when a new aircraft was being developed it was given the prefix “Y” before the oficial name was given, such as the P-40 fighter plane.

Harley Earl, the car’s designer (General Motors famous lead designer) drove this car for three years as his personal transportation. (He later drove a 1951 Buick Le Sabre.)

Buick Y-Job Model

This is a 1/43 scale model of the Buick Y-Job, crafted from high quality white metal.

Dick Landy’s Dodge Coronet

Rebecca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:40:01 +0000

Considered the ultimate production muscle cars, the 1965 Dodge Coronet and its Plymouth counterparts were effectively the missing links between the factory lightweights of the early ‘60s and the “Funny Cars” that would follow within a few years. The Dodge Coronet quickly became a national sensation once implemented as a Factory Experimental in the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) events around the country. Among the famous drivers who pulled in big crowds was Dick Landy.

Dick Landy's Dodge Coronet

A special edition Dodge Coronet was produced specially for Dick Landy in 1965: the Altered Wheelbase Hemi Coronet. Cigar-toting Landy had an amazing drag racing career that spanned over 40 years and his 1965 Dodge Coronet was one of his most important race cars. Although the factory-altered Coronet was deemed ineligible by the National Hot Rod Association, it recorded a top speed of 165 mph and won five major titles as well as 39 races.

Dodge Coronet Model

Great American Dream Machines is proud to offer this 1/43 scale model of the Dick Landy’s 1965 Dodge Coronet as part of our Quarter Mile series. The model was handcrafted in England from high-quality white metal and is perfectly detailed, making it an enviable addition to any model car collection. This is the only Coronet model available, so it won’t last long!