Bird Aero Promotional model

[Gordie]

Hmm. I wonder if the headlights on the first promo are made of glow-in-the-dark plastic? That would explain the "working headlights" from the ad.

The paint on the headlights looks like faded white and not a special plastic.

[Gordie]

I never heard back from the guy that was making all of the resin bodies so I assumed that he did not have any of the Willys models left but this week on eBay there was a resin body with grill and bumpers in separate parts for $80.00.  I was the only bidder so am awaiting its arrival.  I could tell by the details that it was made from a Bird body so that body and the Bird wheels, axles, bumpers and grill that I found earlier may let me turn it into a respectable looking Bird look-a-like.  The only thing that I am missing is the base plate and that is flat tin so I may try to make one although I am not very handy with tin snips.  I hope that it turns out as well as the nice photos that Rick sent us.  The model with the sticker on the side from a Willys Corp. luncheon would be a great find.

[MarkH]

I bought a resin model off ebay several years ago (now packed away) very similar if not identical to this one, except the bumpers were chromed. Wheels, tires & axles had to be sourced from an online model car parts supplier & the bottom "plate" needed drilled for the axles. It wasn't a particularly well fitted model but I was glad to find it. I've seen a couple sources over the years, don't know if the molds are changing owners or if there's more than one set. http://www.resinrealm.net/Star/STAR%20Models/52_Coupe.html

[Gordie]

That is nice with separate hood, a full interior with a base plate and it looks like it must have been made from a Willys Aero kit but I don't remember one ever being made but I'll bet there was.  That would be far nicer completed than the promotional models which are pretty spartan.  Is there a master list of all of the car model kits that were ever made?  There are at least four variations of the Henry J.  The website that you provided for Steve Kohler illustrates over 200 car models that he has made.  I emailed him to see if the Willys and a 1953 Kaiser models are available.  Thanks for the good tip!

[MarkH]

Here's another site with some parts and a listing for a Kaiser as well as Aero. Not the easiest site to find stuff but LOTS of it. http://www.rocketfin.com/resin_product.cfm?id=3500
http://www.rocketfin.com/resin_product.cfm?id=3514
http://www.rocketfin.com/resin_search_results.cfm

[Gordie]

I got the Willlys Aero that you illustrated.  He emailed me back right away and said that he had one left so I grabbed it.  It should look nice all put together with an interior and base plate with floor.  The second reference also has a huge inventory and a master list of all known cars and who made the models of them.  A very handy list to have available.  There is kind of slim pickings regarding Willys Aero models but now we have the two years of Bird promotional models, the Miller Memorabilia Aero coupe and now this one.  In the smaller 1:43 scale there is the Brooklin Aero and the new 1955 Aero Eagles that just came out.  Most are available on ebay.








aero Eagles that just came out.  Most are available o eBay

[Gordie]

The '53 Willys Aero body came in the mail today and it was obviously made from a Bird body but is just a little smaller.  I believe that the Bird Promotional models are 1: 24th scale and both of the new bodies seem to be 1:25 scale so my plan of using the running gear from a Bird model won't look right as the chassis parts are a little too large.  The body is so smooth and nice in white that I am going to not paint it and leave it as is. This kit was from Steve Swain in Townsend TN @ $80.00 plus postage.  He responded to my email immediately and sent the model within days.

[Gordie]

The Star model came in yesterdays mail and in comparing it to the Steve Swain model there are several differences.  First the Swain model is a body only.  The Star model is much thicker, more detailed and would be a nice model to build as it has a full interior with steering wheel and dash.  The bottom is well detailed but you need to secure wheels and axles.  I do not know why they made the hood separate as there is no motor but perhaps the builder thought that you might want to hot rod it with the motor of your choice.  It is 1 :25th scale and sold as a 1952 Willys coupe and it has the proper windshield center divider.  If you want one contact stevekohler@coc.net   $53.00 plus postage.