March 30, 2021
#421
Gentle reader,
It's kind of appropriate that this article is number 421. That is the next size up in cubic inch displacement from the big block Pontiac engine in the car in which I write about in this chapter number six of my series:
Real Cars I Have Owned In Diecast Miniature. This one is subtitled: The One That Got Away.
Let me set the scene, it is September, 1973, over the weekend, my dad told me that we were going to go buy my first car on Monday. "But it's a school day." I was newly into my senior year in my high school in Denver. "I'll write you a note."
This was MOST uncharacteristic of my father. He was an only child and as a result, despite being a preacher, he was not very good at talking/dealing with kids. Nevertheless, we set out down Broadway Blvd looking at used car lots. The car I found is the subject of Chapter One and can be seen here:
The Robb Collections: Replicating My First Car In Diecast 1:24th Scale. 1964 Chevy Impala
Come Spring, 1974, a season always welcome, especially in Colorado where, at least back then, before global warming, one could expect snow from September to June. I was driving my beloved Impala home from school and to my utter surprise I spy a 1964 GTO convertible with a FOR SALE sign in the window, parked on the residential street.
I pulled over, looked the car over, one dent in the driver's door which could probably be popped out, body was rust-free, top and interior were good and it had a four-speed stick.
I knocked on the door, a man answered and said, "I'll get the keys." He did, we looked it over together, under the hood was THE top engine, 389 cubic inches with THREE two-barrel carburetors. I call it THE engine because, that engine in that body was THE beginning of "Muscle Cars" as they came to be called.
So, off we went with me driving. When it was safe, I punched the gas, and it PUSHED us back in the seats, I let off the gas and said, "It's got good pickup." Anyway, I drove back to his house and said, "How much?" "$250, you think that's too much?"
For the first time in my life, I tried a poker face. "Well, it is a ten year old car and there is a big dent in this door, so no, it sound's right. Let me see about getting the money together."
I drove quickly, I mean within the speed limits, home to ask dad if I could borrow $250. "Why?" I want to buy this car I just test drove." "But you already have a car." "But this is a GTO!" "You could get in trouble with a car like that." And he was right.
This is a photo of another Pontiac engine with three carbs. I noticed right away that there is a difference between the two, did you see it? Take a look at the previous photo. BTW, all three of these are actual FILM photos from the 1990's. So, did you figure it out? The radiator hose on this engine goes to the LEFT side of the radiator, while the one in the GTO, goes to the right. IF you were thinking, "This one has manual brakes." You are correct.
I have been wanting a 1:18th scale 1964 Pontiac GTO diecast model for sometime now. I sold one of Nancy's Scion TC models, yes, I asked her, to make room for a couple more large models.
As you know, there is a WIDE price range when it comes to 1:18th scale models. The more DETAILED the model, the higher the price. Ideally I wanted a convertible, but they are too pricey. 
I had never heard of Sun Star models, but looking at photos of their GTO models, I decided to go with theirs. Normally, at least on eBay, these go for at least and often more than one hundred dollars, but I found a seller asking only $59.99.
I am very happy with this model. It is well made and VERY detailed with the exception of the engine compartment. 
The first thing I noticed is that the roof is plastic, clear plastic, which has been painted where metal would be on the real car. Clever in that they could more easily make a convertible with the same body mold. The REST of the car body is metal.
I don't recall what the rear end of these cars look like and was wondering why there are five segments to the taillights/trim. So, I just found this photo, courtesy of HOT ROD magazine to compare it with. 
They got it right, with the exception of no backup lights in the bumper like the real car has. The central section folds down to access the gas tank filler.
The sections are more evident from this angle of the model. 
Is the model perfect? Not at all, if one want to pick nits, there are some to procure. But, check out these shots of the interior.
It's as I remember it. Note the three pedals with brake and clutch pedals the same distance from the floor. This car does not have power brakes. Back then, at least with GM cars, maybe others, if the car had power brakes, the brake pedal was much closer to the floor. Must have been a sales thing.
The gauges are clearly marked, it is one of the better dashes in cars that I own.
They flocked the trunk, which would work for MUCH newer cars than this. 
Again, thanks to HOT ROD magazine, this photo shows what a REAL trunk looks like in a 1964 GTO.
Remember I said this car has manual brakes? No power brakes booster, just the single chamber master cylinder. Yes, these cars had drum brakes all the way around.
See the tabs on the fenders on these two photos? They got that right, look at the second REAL engine photo, well above, it clearly shows that these fenders look just like the real car.
Sun Star put their effort into everything but the engine. See how the radiator hose goes to the right side? Just as I pointed out with the photos of real Pontiacs.
The chassis is well detailed and, again, they did their research. The company is located in Macau, but the models are made in China.
What follows are a few photos showing the details Sun Star put onto the car.
Telescopic radio aerial or antenna is correct. They painted the wipers black too. Could they have done better? Yes. Does one notice with the naked eyes? No.
They might have simply molded these fake grilles into the hood and hand painted them silver, but they did it like the real car.
That G T O emblem looks three dimensional, but is not.
Nicely done mirror and delicate door handles, even a tiny key hole beneath.
G T O 6.3 LITRE emblem is correct. I think that is the first time a metric engine measurement was used on an American car. A nod to the Ferrari GTO perhaps? Note they have actual chrome trim where they can, such as the bottom of the main body.
Red striped (or wall, if you prefer) tires were THE thing to have back then. Simulated knock-off on the wheel covers, another nod to the European cars that actually held the wheels on with them.
The headlight lenses are even detailed and lack the obvious center post on the back side that gives away they are plastic model lights.
All-in-all, I am well pleased with this car. I spent more for my 1967 Impala SS model, so here is a photo of it's engine compartment to show you what more money buys.
I could take the model apart, remove the engine and spend HOURS detailing it, but why? The models hoods are all closed in the collection.
Here are links to all the previous chapters in this series:
The Robb Collections: Replicating My First Car In Diecast 1:24th Scale. 1964 Chevy Impala
The Robb Collections: Real Cars I Have Owned In Diecast Miniature Chapter Two: Audi 100LS
The Robb Collections: Real Cars I Have Owned In Diecast Miniature Chapter Three: Triumph Spitfire
The Robb Collections: ERTL Authentics Muscle Machines 1967 Chevy Impala SS 427. THE Most Detailed And Realistic Diecast Car I've Ever Seen!
The Robb Collections: Real Cars I Have Owned In Diecast Miniature Chapter Five: 1964 Chevelle Malibu SS Convertible
Aside from my first car being the first article, they are not in chronological order of when I owned them.
Thank you for taking the time to read my humble blog. Please take a moment to click or tap the FOLLOW button which is located by the second MODEL engine photo. That way, you will receive notifications of new articles as they come out. Also, feel free to leave a comment below or on Facebook.
Scott
March 30, 2021
#421
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