Comparing Some 1960's Diecast 1:64 Scale American Cars

May 7, 2020

#384

Gentle reader,

Very recently, I wrote an article showcasing a new (to me) Johnny Lightning 1:24 scale 1964 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop model I just bought via eBay.

The Robb Collections: Johnny Lightning 1964 Chevy Impala 1:24 DieCast Car Super Detailed 

I also compared it to my ten dollar model, which I modified to resemble my first car from 1973.

The Robb Collections: Replicating My First Car In Diecast 1:24th Scale. 1964 Chevy Impala  

I have found that two other GM 1964 models, one which I owned and one I test drove and could have bought for $250 in 1974 are rarely replicated in miniature. 

My first car in 1:64 on the left, an Impala two-door hardtop. My second car (and the only '64 Chevelle diecast car I have seen) was a Chevelle Malibu Super Sport Convertible. 

I bought it for $250 just to take the larger (non-oil-smoking) 327 engine out of it to put in my Impala. I sold the remains. 

And yes, I realized years later that I should have fixed up the beater Malibu and kept it. 

Their engines. The Impala has the then largest (big block) 409 and the Malibu, according to the tiny "V" emblem on the side has a 283 (small block) V8. Although, the air cleaner housing only had one snorkel on small V8 engines in 1964.

The car I test drove shown here in a large scale diecast model from ERTL, was a 1964 Pontiac GTO. It was a similar color to this one. It had the top-of-the-line 389 (big block) engine with three two-barrel carburetors. A four speed manual and positraction rear end. My Malibu had both of those too, but a 327 small block V8. 

Yes, I could have owned a first-year GTO for $250! I drove quickly (but within the speed limit) home to ask my father to borrow the money. "You could get in trouble with a car like that." Was his answer. He was right. I asked him decades later and he told me they did not have that much money to spare. Presbyterian ministers with five kids did not have much money.

1964 was the first year for Chevrolet having a midsize car, the Chevelle. Other GM branches had them prior to that. So, like the GTO, the Malibu was definitely a desirable car.

After a hiatus of three model years with no El Camino, Chevrolet came out with it again in 1964. Based as all later El Caminos were, on the Chevelle.

In the preceding decade and prior, car makers routinely made two-door station wagons. With some made as "Sedan Delivery" vehicles.

A 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery above and two-door wagon, they called "Handyman" below.

Don't confuse these with the much more desirable Nomad two-door wagons. They are not the same. 

The Chevy Vega came out in 1971 and being small cars, they  only came with two doors in: sedan, hatchback, wagon and "Panel Express" versions.

All three images above were found on the Internet. I had a 1974 Vega wagon which I loved and it never gave me a problem.

I bought my first three cars in and after my senior year in high school. I sold the modified '64 Impala and bought a '67 Impala SS convertible, it too was $300.

It looked JUST like this one. Same colors, same engine and those "opera lights" (see below for what was there) outside the headlights, I installed. Hmm, could it have survived?

The only 1967 Chevrolets that came with the opera lights was the top-of-the-line and new for '67, Caprice. Both images sourced from the Internet.

In my neighborhood in Denver, Colorado was a 1964 Chevelle 300 two-door wagon. I would walk over and look at it and long for it.  I STILL want one of those!

No plastic models were made of two-door Chevelle wagon models. There are and I have one, four-door wagon models. I bought a two-door resin body and interior and intend to make it. Someday.

No diecast models were made of two-door Chevelle models. But there exist 1965 models. I have two. Johnny Lightning makes them.

It would be quite challenging to turn a corner with such wide front tires on a real Chevelle.

My dream is to buy a '64 300 wagon and a Malibu SS. I would transfer the SS' interior, trim and badges to it to make a one-of-a-kind Malibu SS wagon.

These are "Premium" 1:64 scale diecast cars which generally cost five or six times standard ones do. The details are excellent on both.

Quite a difference between the JL wagon's engine and bay and the Greenlight brand Malibu SS. Note the single snorkel air cleaner housing on the one on the left.

Full size Chevys from 1958 onward had at least three or four models. From cheapest to most expensive: Delray, Biscayne, BelAir and Impala. Later, the Caprice came out. 

The red car is an extremely detailed Johnny Lightning 1963 BelAir. They capitalized the A. 

The white one is a Racing Champions 1964 Impala SS with the 409 engine. In the early years, the cheaper cars had fewer taillights and of course fewer amenities. 
On the '62 and '63 Impala, were three taillights and the entire area outlined on the red one was one big piece of aluminum trim.

The RC Impala is a standard 1:64 scale car, the BelAir is one of the more expensive kind.

Even the "glass" is of higher quality. 

Both have 409 big block engines. The JL's engine bay is more detailed and the hood hinges are tiny by comparison.

Above and below are comparison photos between the RC Impala and a Hot Wheels model.

The Hot Wheels has fender skirts on the rear.

At least JL painted the tail lights. Real chrome plating on the JL car as well. With plain white metal, front and rear on the Hot Wheels car.

The quality of paint on the JL is much better than the Hot Wheels model.

Lastly, I will show you my two-and-only NASCAR models. Both 1960's cars. When NASCAR still made them from STOCK cars.

I was a Chevy guy back in the day, so my recollections as to model year's looks of Fords are rusty.

Racing Champions made the 1963 or '64 Galaxie 500.

Johnny Lightning made the 1966 or '67 red Galaxie 500.

Ford DID misspell Galaxy. Car makers do that.

Like almost all 1:64 scale cars, the tires are WAY wider than on real cars. 

As far as quality and detail, again, the Johnny Lightning wins. I do enjoy watching vintage NASCAR racing on YouTube because they WERE made from real, built-in-Detroit cars.  

As far as race cars at least resembling cars they are supposed to be in modern racing, Trans Am's TA2 Camaros, Challengers and Mustangs look very good. 

Australians have embraced the TA2 cars. They are basically NASCAR road course chassis with stock-based engines and fiberglass bodies. Most have a half (upper half) doors to aid the drivers getting in and out. Fun racing. Aussies are not used to fully open exhaust and find the roar of multiple American V8 engines quite the sound to enjoy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my humble blog. Please take a moment to click the FOLLOW button above and feel free to leave a comment below.

Scott
May 7, 2020
#384