Shout-out to S gauger Jerry Poniatowski and his improved Hot Wheels '57 T-Bird

banjoflyerOGR Forum Member

The March/April 2018 issue of the S Gaugian has a neat article on page 14. Fellow forum member Jerry Pontiatowski (PONIAJ) has written a detailed article on how he improved the design of a standard 1/64 scale Hot Wheels 1957 T-Bird.

Jerry heavily modified the original toy car and the results are impressive. I won't put any pics of the finished product here as they can be accessed by buying a copy of the magazine. I just wanted Jerry's work to be recognized for all the great effort he puts into his modeling.

Well done Jerry!

Mark

4/19/1811:37 AM

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Alan BOGR Forum Member

I haven't gotten to my copy of S Gaugian yet, but as an S gauger and a classic T-Bird owner, I am looking forward seeing to Jerry's article.

What really caught my attention when I opened your post, though, were the cool wheels that were on the 1:1 T-Bird in your second picture. I have been considering an alternate "hot rod" set of wheels and tires to swap out for my stock wheels, wheel covers and fender skirts when I take my car to some cruise-ins. Whoever owns that car made a great choice. Here is a pic of my '57 Bird with the stock wheel covers and skirts:

A classic and a survivor, but the heart of a hot rod beats in there somewhere!

Cheers!

Alan

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4/19/187:28 PM

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Roundhouse BillOGR Forum Member

Alan B, It was in the March/April magazine and not the new one, which is May/June. So if you have a subscription look back.

4/20/1812:52 PM

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SgaugianOGR Forum Member

My mom entered the Name the Karo Kid contest. She got 6th place -- a New Black Diamond AF freight set. 1st place was a '57 Thunderbird. Alan B's photo kind of makes me wish she had won 1st. Nah...the Flyer bug may never have bit. I might have missed out on all of this crazinesS.

4/20/188:22 PM

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poniajOGR Forum Member

Wow, Mark! Thanks for the kudos! The Little Bird article was based on a quickie project from at least a year ago.

I also have some experience with the REAL T-Birds (FoMoCo went to the 4-seater in 1958, and it was downhill from there). I had a 56 'Bird that I customized a tad with Mustang rally wheels and the 25th Anniversary paint job. Unfortunately, it had to go when we were expecting twins after already having a 4 year old at the time. So after purchasing a barn-find 1937 Ford, and two years later, I again had a "fun car", total street rod, BTW.

Alan, look for a nice set of Kelsey-Hayes wheels that came on the Mustang or Torino. 14" and bolt on the Bird. Try to find the chrome center ones with the blank center caps. I liked the look (larger photo on request)

I'd like to meet some of you guys at the upcoming S Spree, but I am scheduled to "work" that weekend at Greenfield Village in Dearborn driving Model Ts or their 1931 Model AA bus...