In 2020 during quarantine conditions of the CoVID-19 pandemic, NCAM, unable to hold normal club meetings, created an outdoor model car gathering in a pavilion in Akron, Ohio called Plastic in the Park. Then, three events, and with quarantine restrictions relaxing, organizers decided to move the event indoors and increase the scope and promotion efforts.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, the inaugural Plastic Undercover model car show, hosted by Northcoast Automotive Modelers (NCAM), was held in the former Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company headquarters in Akron an historic structure built in 1918.
The club handed out four special awards at this NNL-type show. Rain in the forecast didn't stop 120 entrants from bringing 320 quality models. The vendor area provided a wide range of hobby entities including a kit manufacturer, numerous resin and 3D-printed parts providers, producers of paints and decals, a tool and supply distributor, and kit vendors galore.
A small gathering of modelers took place at the on-site, host hotel the night before the event.
The event drew modelers from as far as Iowa and New Jersey.
Taking home the Best Engine award, Nick Snyder built this heavily modified AMT 1/25 scale 1966 Ford Fairlane. The six-month project includes a scratchbuilt chassis, a fully plumbed and wired mill, and was built out of Nick’s love for Fords.
Along Michigan’s western coastline stand the scenic, sandy hills of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Randy Derr built this replica of the real 1965 Ford stretched pickup that once shuttled tourists there. Starting with a Moebius Models 1/25 scale kit, he used sheet styrene to extend the body and brass rod for the handrail.
Beginning with an MPC 1/25 scale 1972 Plymouth Duster, Marshall King opened the doors and trunk and added multiple machined parts to create this street machine. The Duster wears firethorn red paint and took one year to complete.
This AMT 1/25 scale ’62 Corvair was a glue-bomb that Tom Jackson had fun updating. Details include Scale Finishes Candy Red over a gold base and a lace roof decal from STS Decals.
“I was surprised the decals were still in great shape,” said Dave Wintrich about his 1990s-release AMT 1/25 scale ’62 Bel Air. The Hayden Proffitt straight-line racer took about a month to build.
Ron Francis admits to loving Super GT series cars and complicated decal work, which prompted him to tackle this Nissan GTR R35. The Tamiya 1/24 scale kit was built box stock using Tamiya paints.
Glenn Marek used a resin transkit from R&D Unique combined with parts from a ’34 Ford pickup to yield a replica of a Model 40 Speedster, the one-off once owned by Edsel Ford. It’s dressed in MCW Finishes Gunmetal Grey and was completed in one month for his local club’s theme.
Tim Stuper’s ’57 Chevy was built with cancer awareness in mind, specifically for his friend who recently passed. The Atlantis Models 1/25 scale kit was treated to the wheels and tires from a Revell Funny Car, Testors Electric Pink paint, and a host of scratchbuilt components.
Jesse Talmadge was impressed with the crisp body detail of this AMT 1/25 scale 1960 Lincoln Continental, considering it was a 63-year-old model. Staying true to factory specs, he chose Terre Verde Metallic and applied miles of Bare-Metal Foil for the chrome.
Beginning with a Revell Thom Taylor ’34 Ford Cabriolet, Marshall King spent more than a year churning out this radical street rod. Highlights include more than 160 machined parts, working suspension, and a nail polish finish.
From an MPC 1/25 scale Indy Hall of Fame kit, Gene King displayed both the ’63 Lotus Ford and Watson Roadster. Both were completed using mostly Tamiya lacquers, Indycals Decals, and aftermarket ignition wires.
To achieve the Plymouth “mod top” floral vinyl top pattern, Mike Konecsni hand-painted it with 1 Shot sign painter’s enamel. This AMT 1/25 scale 1969 GTX was built to stock specs, wears a variety of Tamiya and Testors paints, and boasts an engine bay replete with aftermarket details.
Casting a long, tall shadow over the show tables was this International Lonestar built by Eugene O’Neill. The Moebius Models 1/25 scale kit painted with Tropical Glitz includes a stainless-steel visor from Hard Knox Customs.
Aleks Kuzmanovski of Union, New Jersey, brought this 1989 Ford Probe, an AMT 1/25 scale kit. The stuck headlight represents a problem he experienced with his full-sized Probe years ago. Aleks used embossing powder to replicate the grey carpet inside and said the kit glass was difficult to install.
We think Chip Foose would applaud this take on his Revell-branded Ford FD-100 pickup, built by Steve Courtney. Steve added his own 3D-printed wheels, wired the engine, and laid out a unique paint scheme using Tropical Glitz paints.
Mantafied + Leather is a 1/18-scale, 3D-printed creation built by Lindsey Tufts Jr. Inspired by a Foose/Hot Wheels die-cast model, this custom rod was painted with fingernail polish, acrylics, and 2K clear. The real leather appearance on the car’s upper half drew a lot of attention at the show.
Vern Hizer wasn’t sure who manufactured the kit of his 1965 Dodge D-100 pickup, but that didn’t stop him from achieving killer results. In his quest to build something a little different, it has a fully detailed chassis, engine bay, and a modern hemi to make it go.
Chopping the top was a priority when Tim Ries began this Revell ’32 Ford, nicknamed Sleepy Time Gal. The interior, fabricated from a plastic sheet, was Tim’s favorite part of the two-month build.
Larry Ritz spent three years crafting this model into a replica of his 1/1 1953 Oldsmobile Super 88. He combined an MCW Resin kit with parts from a Monogram ’53 Chevy Bel Air, hinged the trunk with brass wire, and applied PPG colors and 2K clearcoat.
In the quest for more horsepower, Wesley Liptak combined a Revell Mickey Thompson Challenger kit and an MPC Raiders Coach to create this Wild West custom. The coach frame was scratchbuilt, and the “engines” were wired and plumbed. He really enjoyed the engineering aspect of the project, which took six months to complete.
Looking for a larger canvas for custom paint work, Cody Hoce chose an AMT 1/25 scale ’63 Chevy Nova wagon. He kitbashed a Moebius Models Nova gasser and added a 3D-printed engine with various machined parts. The time-consuming roof pattern was painted with MCW Finishes lacquers.
Keith Price brought this very photogenic 1948 Ford coupe made from a Revell kit. The box-stock build is finished in Rust-Oleum Colonial Red. Keith was impressed with the ease of assembly for this 20-hour project.
If you’re like Gary Kulchock and think the full-size Hummer H2 is just too big, you’ll love his two-door shorty version. Based on the Revell 1/25 kit, Gary racked up 75 hours completing the conversion. Plus, he sent the master to Jimmy Flintstone Studios, making the Pee Wee Hummer available to all as a resin body.
Sometimes, at model car shows, a model gathers a crowd that never seems to dissipate. Jim Drew witnessed this, thanks to his 1/12 scale Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Roadster. Modifications to the Italeri kit include bead-rolled fenders, scratchbuilt luggage tray and toolbox, and reworked seat upholstery.