The writer in me doesn’t like just saying. “Here is this group of models”. There needs to be something of an introduction, a link to something, a hook to hang it from. This time it’s easy. 1968 was something of a watershed year for me.
A year of changes. Most life-changing was that it was the year I got my first pair of glasses – now I could see things like everybody else did, I thought. So that’s what I’d been missing – wow! I revelled in my newfound sense of vision, put away the comics and started getting car magazines – and reading about cars I never saw on the street. Drifted out of Matchbox cars and into 1/32 scale Airfix models. Being able to see properly was truly life-changing for me.
And we saw the last of our trouble-ridden 1962 Falcon, as Dad traded it for a 1967. The new car seemed so much bigger, as Dad found out – the hard way. I remember the garage doors had to be tied shut at first, until we freed up some room at the front of the garage. The new Holden and Valiant were much the same size, so there’d have been no help there. Dad ‘had to’ have six cylinders for those long country journeys; I didn’t ask how come he drove four-cylinder Morrises for fourteen years.
We’re a bit light on for numbers for the 1968 model year, so I’ll show multiples of some cars. As often happens, our pickings are irregular.
We have plenty of Mopars for 1968 – and about time, some of you might be thinking. Let’s start with the Dart. We’d see this hardtop body in Australia the next year as the Valiant hardtop. Young me thought it was weird the hardtop was on a longer wheelbase than the sedan (which was on the shorter Valiant wheelbase). The 273 and later 318 V8s had long been available as upgrades from the 225 six, but we never got a big block. To most folk here, a 318 was already ‘too much engine’. There was no performance Valiant model yet. That would follow. You won’t mind seeing another one, I hope?
Or two?
And as a sort of homage to all the modified Darts out there, I built this colourful Hemi car. Yes, I put subframe connectors under it.
I’d heard of the Charger, but didn’t see one for many years. This was way before that infamous TV show which killed so many of them – but we didn’t get a decent model of the Charger until Monogram brought out their Pro Modeler 1969 Charger in 1997. They helpfully backdated it to this ’68 two years later. This one’s supposed to be a Dick Landy drag car, but I built it mainstream.
Several times.
I’d heard of the Road Runner too, not just from the TV cartoons. Funny how the Mopar muscle cars got known among kids down here, but the Ford and GM cars not so much. Not that we ever saw any of them outside the TV or movies. But we’d heard the names.
The big Plymouths were sold here, kind of, badged as Dodge Phoenixes. They weren’t common, but you’d see them occasionally. This one was a police car kit, repurposed to civilian duty in a fairly common colour scheme back then. From down here in Australia, it’s hard to imagine a police car that big.
There’s no big Ford or Chevy though, they’re long out of production and ultra-rare, but could I interest you in a Chrysler? We didn’t see these. That’s a pity. There was a nice LHD ’68 wagon outside the doctor’s surgery last year, but I’ve only ever seen it in town once, so it was probably passing through. I’m just entranced by the lines of this 300. It’s kind of timeless; not particularly modern for 1968 but without looking old-fashioned either. That’s a neat trick to pull off. It says Luxury without rubbing your nose in it. Premium detailing, I think, without looking corny.
Moving on to Ford, I have plenty of Mustangs. Revell brought out a kit of the ‘Bullitt’ car in 2000, and later modified it to this GT.
From Mustang, it’s only a small step to Shelby, of course. They were certainly beginning to look more visually distinct. AMT’s kit dates back to 1968, so it’s a bit primitive.
Now the Corvair has always fascinated me. That goes way back to reading about it in a magazine Dad bought. On paper the General seemed to do the right things – bigger than a VW, still a reasonable size, six cylinders, modern styling – but folk kept on buying the Beetle, and in ever increasing numbers. Hmm. A lesson there. Maybe several.
AMT’s Corvair is boxed as a ’69, but I’ve heard it wasn’t updated from the ’68 kit. I’ve got others I can show (update: have shown) for ’69, so I’ll call these ones ‘68s.
We can put in a couple of Firebirds here too. These are from Revell’s 2001 kit. No Trans Am yet, but I’m sure that 400’s no slouch.
Better have one of these to make the Chevy boys happy. This AMT kit dates back to 1981.
And the Chevrolet ute, sorry, El Camino. Another kit from AMT’s last Golden Age, they must have used a fully-optioned SS396 for reference: vinyl roof, bumper overriders…
Slightly detrimmed.
That’s it for 1968. Join me next time for something completely different. It won’t be 1969; that would be just too predictable. Besides’ we’ve been there already.
Peter, I identify with your opening line completely. A good opening line and idea is so key to how the rest of the essay will fill out. And you have me thinking about having less resistance to the idea of having corrective lenses again.
These are all beautifully built models. That blue Mustang GT fastback is one of my dream cars. I was expecting representation of some of the Oceania-specific Chryslers to be represented, like your Charger (“Hey, Charger!!” commercials), or the Chrysler by Chrysler (was there a scale model ever made of one of those?). Maybe those weren’t in production yet in ’68.
Enjoyable, as always!
Thanks Joseph. I think because I read so widely I’m aware of the need to grab the reader’s attention while at the same time properly integrating the ‘hook’ into the main body of the work. Many times I’ve read a story with a great intro which kind of plods from about page ten onwards. It’s such a disappointment when that happens.
The specific Chryslers you mention came in 1971 for the Charger, ’72 for the Chrysler. In 1968 we just had a the VE Valiant, a sedan body with a kinky roofline (literally, when viewed in profile), Barracuda taillights, Dodge Dart front fenders and hood, and a rather ugly grille. Oh, and a wagon the Americas never saw; there was that too. And the obligatory ute. I remember seeing the ’69 Valiant hardtop at the Royal Melbourne Show, and thinking it was an answer to a question nobody had asked.
Resin models of the Charger exist, some less successful in capturing the look; the roofline especially seems difficult to capture. Having tried some major body modifications, I appreciate the difficulty in getting this right. I have seen a model of the Chrysler by Chrysler; once again a resin kit of limited availability.
Here’s a view of that VE Valiant.
What a great collection and post. I amassed a collection of 1-18 scale Diecast models and a few kits over the years. Having to downsize with health issues, I began exploring selling many. To my surprise, I discovered most ( originally $49 and up) were not even wanted. One collectible dealer had no interest, stating he couldn’t sell what he had. Like so much else, Times HAVE changed 😕
Thanks Rick. Cars of my teen years have a special appeal to me. That’s aided by the fact that the late sixties through mid seventies were a high point for Australian manufacturers – and for muscle cars as a whole.
Yes, the problem with many collectibles is that they seem to be a one-way street: lots of folk buy them, but then there are so many out there that nobody wants them second-hand. Nice models, even great ones, but often produced in such huge quantities that they flooded the market. It can be somewhat similar with kits; just because something is old does not necessarily make it valuable. Value to the collector (of just about anything) seems to lie in scarcity rather than merely excellence.
Studying so many cars for many, many hours, is just one reason you have such a strong design knowledge, and good design taste! The size and quality of your collection, is amazing. It would also give you great objectivity to access the design of cars on their own merits, independent of the carmaker. Why I always read your posts, you’ve learned so much from your hobby.
This is another great collection, you have presented. Love the variety and colour choices, again. Some very progressive colours. But they do, all work! This era had some of the most attractive styling, and you have well-presented so many design icons!
I like the lead car’s color – the 1968 Chrysler 300. It reminds me of some of the colors that Lincoln offered in the early 1980s. I happened to have photographed a Mark VI recently in one of those shades. Lincoln seemed to tweak that particular color annually, so it was known by different names, and since I don’t know what year this Mark is, I’ll just pick the best-sounding color, which is Bittersweet Metallic.
Looks good on the 300 too.
I’ve been impressed by Peter’s confidence, applying some quite appealing and dramatic colours. He’s not afraid to push the envelope, with some dynamic colour choices. Better than what the factory offered, in many cases.
Sign of a self-assured, and talented artist!
Thanks Eric. That Chrysler is an early seventies Aussie Ford colour called Brown Satin. From memory, it was usually seen on the larger cars. Initailly I wasn’t sure which photo to open with, but the styling of that Chrysler is just so majestic that it won out. It doesn’t hurt to have a conservative colour when the shape is dramatic.
Funny how manufacturers fiddle with colours; sometimes they change the name but keep the paint formulation, other times they tweak the formula but keep the name the same. A lot of behind-the-scenes creative work going on. But how many people know the name of their car’s colour? Or even care? They just buy ‘the brown one’. Or these days ‘the black/grey/silver/white one’.
Nice spot, that Lincoln. Is that in the Cohort?
The Ford color on a Chrysler works pretty well!
The Lincoln isn’t on the Cohort (I don’t have a Flickr account), but I’ve been toying with writing it up for a while. Quite a bit has been written about the Mark VI, so the last time I glanced over those pictures thinking of something to write about, I thought the color was probably the best angle.
Here’s an interior photo – more brown goodness!
Thanks, Daniel. I can see now that what began as an occasional pastime and then a regular hobby, which my father derided and which my wife called an obsession when it took up so much space, has been such a huge part of my life. Both in the sense of cars and knowledge about them (there’s a lot I don’t know), but also in the broader sense of aesthetics, design and colour. I can link it back to the whole eyesight problem; being shortsighted and without glasses in those formative years has (I think) given me a subconscious value and passion for the visual things, an insistence on ‘rightness’. Well, rightness as I determine it!
Definitely agree about the attractiveness of this era’s cars.
Congratulations, on a long career modelling. And for your amazing perseverance, and passion. Especially when those close to you, may not have been the most supportive.
Always enjoyable for us, to appreciate your work, wisdom, and points of view.
I love the Darts and they do look good with a vinyl top. I knew someone who had one back in the day and the curved rear window fascinated me. I see you built many flavors of it, probably even more than we see here! nice work!
I happen to be building my first one now and it has a vinyl roof.
Thanks Dave. Yes, I remember being fascinated by that window shape. Pretty sure that first one I saw at the Show had a vinyl top; they seemed to be most often seen with one. Of course Chrysler Australia being who they were, some weird stuff happened: I remember seeing a vinyl-topless VG Pacer test car in a magazine in teal with red/orange stripes. Maddeningly, I can’t find an image of that colour scheme. Plenty of pale blue ones, but not the darker one. Might have been a one-off.
By coincidence I’m pretty sure I got my first glasses in 1968 too; I also went from Junior to Grammar school that Autumn, so a big year for me too. I still did models without wearing the glasses though as short sight is* great for seeing the details. Save for a 1:24 Airfix James Bond Aston Martin (which came to an unfortunate end under a sofa) I never did bigger than 1:32 scale cars so I have nothing to rival your gorgeous models, Peter.
And what a nice collection today. So many colours, and stylish designs; late ’60s/very early ’70s was probably my favourite era.
*well was. I use reading glasses for the really close stuff now.
Short sight is indeed great for the detail work, Bernard. I remember fixing a pair of glasses once, holding them up close to my nose to see the screw-head. Didn’t think anything of it until my brother-in-law called his wife in with a “Hey, look at this!”. Knowing a person is short-sighted is one thing; seeing just how short-sighted they are is another matter. Sometimes when working on a model I’ll still take the glasses off for fine work. Nowadays cataracts are beginning to be a problem.
I seem to have really hit a nerve with 1968. A great time for style.
Thanks for this article. I loved building models in my teens. Big problem was I could never paint well. Either spray or brush. 4 years ago my late fiance bought me a model of a 1964 Plymouth Fury with glue and paint. I afraid to touch the damn thing!
Painting is largely a matter of using quality products, and practice. My early efforts were messy, but nobody who’s picking up a new skill is going to perfect first go. There’s nothing to be afraid of with that Fury kit. I understand there may be an emotional element making it hard for you to face it, but I’d say start it when you feel able (whenever that might be), and take your time.
Since I was very young, I have regarded the 1965-66 full-size Chryslers as the best looking big Mopars of the decade. Under the careful tutelage of Peter and other Curbsiders, I am now reconsidering and could possibly elevate the 1968 models as represented here to that lofty position. The model shown here really makes a strong case for itself (or at least for the two-door models, as I still prefer the six-window 4-door sedans from 1965-66) and I especially like the colors chosen, as I am of the belief that large luxury cars generally look better in deeper hues.
That’s not to say I don’t like the Dart coupes, as I’ve always been fascinated by the convex rear window. Also, vinyl tops sometimes look pretty good on these, if only to provide visual relief from all that (usually) green paint. And yes, that Aussie Dart sedan really did have a kink in its roofline profile)!
Thanks for another enjoyable look at your fine work!
That entire ’65-’68 line of Chryslers were very attractive cars. There was something about the cowl height and dash to axle proportions that really nailed it. The earlier generation seemed nothing special; the later fuselages too heavy and awkward. I totally get the appeal of those six window sedans too, though I think my favourite style would in fact be the wagon. While I love the ‘covered lights’ aspect of the ’65, I think the more shapely front of the ’68 does it for me.
Glad you enjoyed the post, William.
I couldn’t see before 1968 either, but that was mainly due to the fact that I wasn’t born until that year.
I too had a ’67 Falcon – not at birth, you understand – in about ’88. An immaculate survivor, it was a bit of a klutz of a thing, really. Silly as it sounds, my ’73 Honda Civic was a better car for cruising at 60-70mph. The manual Ford was yelling its valve springs off at much over about 55 mph, the steering was blousy, the body roll off-putting, and the general handling at speed a bit crude. The Honda had a 4th gear, sound deadening(!), sharp rack steering, and a lot more stability with full independent suspension. A four-cylinder Pug 404 (also later owned) was vastly nicer for cruising in the country too: but perceptions of four-cylinder cars was pretty fixed back then.
I hated those Val hardtops years ago, thinking, like basil Fawlty “it’s all bottoms with the Americans”, that the arse was far too long, but time has changed my view. And your models of them are particularly fine, might I say.
Peter, really enjoy your posts!
Spent many quality hours building model kits when growing up, leading to a career in automotive and truck repair.
I was never as good at kit building as i wanted to be.
If you’re not already aware, check out Carl’s Car World.
We visited Eureka CA and stumbled across it.
Leaning to European vintage for sure, but also early Packard and hudson scale models hand built for future production of full scale autos.