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An Austin Showroom – part 1

Job's Modelling

Entry posted by Job's Modelling

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I always wanted to do something with my collection of 1950’s car models. Garages and showrooms are very useful to create a nice diorama. On the website of Kingsway Models I found a collection of useful items. I ordered his new Main Dealer Car Showroom. The showroom doesn’t have signs for Austin. And I wanted to build an Austin showroom. When I ordered my kit, I asked him if it was possible to create some Austin signs for my showroom. He kindly made some nice signs and a garage name.

When I got the name of the dealer for my showroom. I asked Internet of it also really existed. To my surprise it did. It was a main dealer of Austin in the 1950’s in London and had already a long pre-war history. Here it is:

 

1441458019_CarMartCollage.jpg.8d81ee689b7578357729d6ea73698c46.jpg

 

Next step to find a correct range of models. That was the hard part for me. There are a lot of model available, but to get the right time frame was not as easy as I thought.

Finally, I found a website with an overview of the models that were available in a certain year. After trying several options, I came out on 1954.

 

Unfortunately, not all models are available in 1:76. I have seen some more than excellent models in the 1:43 range.

 

1813433270_Austinmodelrangeavailablein1954.jpg.dc6b0bf7564252a3170f042fbaaf487d.jpg

 

The cars in the showroom will be a mixture of Pocketbond, Oxford diecast and John Day Models. I will make my finally choice if I have built the showroom. The John Day Models I have to paint and put together.

 

I also did some further research for some scenic items, for instance posters or brochures for on a counter.

 

204293465_Austinbrochures.jpg.90df49c996c3d05a8d199aaef251e968.jpg

 

After the research I started with the kit. The kit is kept neutral. For my Austin Garage I have changed the background walls with an Austin slogan with BMC sign and some posters.

 

575333977_Showroomstart.jpg.edafa7a410f0dec382a64bc9bfb4d879.jpg

 

If you are surprised by the Dutch text in my pictures it is easy to explain. I publish daily on Facebook in My Story to inform also some Dutch interested friends. There are also some English speaking/reading people that follow me on Facebook.

Will be continued.

 

Any information, comments etc. are welcome. 

 

Greetings,

Job

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Mikkel
  • RMweb Gold

Nice idea Job.  The two John Day models/kits in your 1954 selection look good.

 

Any particular reason that you chose 1954?

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Job's Modelling
16 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Nice idea Job.  The two John Day models/kits in your 1954 selection look good.

 

Any particular reason that you chose 1954?

 

Thanks Mikkel. I tried several other years, but the only one that gave enough models in 1:76 for my showroom was 1954.

Car Mart Ltd had several showrooms around London. I found a nice picture of one of them situated in 1954. It gives me also the possibility to give the showroom a personal touch.

My Car Mart showroom is situated in Northall, and I don't mind if it is an other year. I also created a Northall diorama in the Edwardian era.

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MikeOxon

This looks to be an interesting project, Job.  You brought back early childhood memories of travelling in my uncle's A70 Countryman, to see the Blackpool Illuminations!

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Job's Modelling
On 06/09/2019 at 23:12, MikeOxon said:

This looks to be an interesting project, Job.  You brought back early childhood memories of travelling in my uncle's A70 Countryman, to see the Blackpool Illuminations!

Thanks. I'm looking for colours to paint my models. Although I have some colour charts from Austin, I find it hard to find a good model colour.

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MikeOxon

As far as I recall, colours were still very subdued in the early fifties, with a preponderance of black.  I think my uncle's A70 was a darkish beige with natural wood panelling.  I remember when a neighbour bought a new Vauxhall Cresta PA around 1957, which was pink and was considered very poor taste.

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