27 replies to this topic

[Joe Mig]

Hi Guys,

Maybe you could help.

I would like to know who did the art work on for the boxes that Classic Industries used?

Was it one artist or were there a few?

Thanks for the help .

[TSR]

Joe,

There were at least two: John Power (Manta Ray) and Bob Cadaret (most of the others).

Power was a stylist that went onto BZ and did the artwork for the BRM and Watson RTR boxes, while Bob Cadaret was a GM design-studio artist who penned the '55, '56, and '57 Chevrolet cars for Bill Mitchell, before getting lured by Classic for good money. Did not last long of course and he returned to GM where he was in charge of interior design before his retirement.

The LASCM owns the original drawings of the Classic Manta Ray, BZ BRM, and Watson as well as Classic's Serpent, Gamma Ray, and Stinger, purchased directly from the artists by Scott and yours truly in the late 1990s.

[Gator Bob]

Bob Cadaret was amazing. His family has a website up in his remembrance.

The Stinger is my ultimate childhood favorite thingie. I have a new original never on track 26D version that has tortured me for many years... I want to try it out so bad... I just might.

Dokk, do you have the reproduction box for these?

[Mike Patterson]

AWESOME!!! How many more pieces of box art does the museum own?

[TSR]

Lots...
Much or all will eventually be shown on the interactive website that will come with the book.
Scott has gathered quite a bit of not only artwork for slot car boxes, but also for 1960's model kits of which there is a HUGE collection at the LASCM...

[Joe Mig]

Wow... Manta Ray that is right here on Slotblog, I never knew and I've been admiring his work for years. Thanks, Mr. Power.

This is when box art was just that box art and the LASCM owns the original drawings... way cool.

Thanks to Scott and PdL for archiving and preserving these works of art.

[TSR]

We also have several of the Gar-Vic artwork, plus this nice recent addition to the collection:

[Joe Mig]

Scott has gathered quite a bit of not only artwork for slot car boxes, but also for 1960's model kits of which there is a HUGE collection at the LASCM...

That is great as I have collected old model kits mostly for the cool box art. I'd love to see a place right here on Slotblog for people to post there favorite box art.
Now that I have my answer I changed the title go ahead and post some.

[TSR]

We could do a sub forum on the "non slot" forum...

[tlbrace]

^{I've always enjoyed some of the artwork for the 1/24 Atlas cars, especially the Lotus 30, Alfa Romeo Canguro, and the Lola T70.}

[TSR]

Unfortunately we do not have those, other than... on the kit boxes! (which we have... )

[Victor Poulin]

For what it's worth, I've seen someone recently on eBay who has been selling reproduction boxes.

They were also bringing some pretty good prices. He had some of the old Cox, Garvic, Classic, etc.

As I recall they were going for $24.95 plus shipping.

[TSR]

Victor,
There is a fellow in San Diego who makes the most beautiful repro boxes, and even creates some that did not even exist, so that one may display his built-up kits.
There is another guy somewhere in the South East who makes the most horrid repro boxes and uses the picture from the fellow in San Diego to peddle them. Beware! Quality is VERY different.
For classic antique toys, some guys in Germany have produced new boxes made exactly like the original, including the die-cut process of covers and flaps... the slot car boxes are not that much in demand to warranty such expense.

Dokk, do you have the reproduction box for these?

Nope, I have not been involved in the vintage slot car business since 2005 other than as a historian. I don't even OWN a vintage slot car today.

[Victor Poulin]

Dokk,
I think the guy I'm talking about may very well be the guy in San Diego, as the boxes looked original to me.
In fact, I wouldn't have known they were repros had he not listed them as such.

I looked again last night on eBay to see if I could find the seller, but no luck. I think it was a week or so ago I saw it.

Vic

[Joe Mig]

Keep looking they pop up from time to time.

[ravajack]

Wow... Manta Ray that is right here on Slotblog, I never knew and I've been admiring his work for years. Thanks, Mr. Power.

Sorry, but I don't think Slotblog member MantaRay and John Power are the same person.

[Joe Mig]

Sorry, but I don't think Slotblog member MantaRay and John Power are the same person.

[Gator Bob]

Joe, Is that yours up on ebay right now ?

Dokk, No vintage...? Only modern Retro^TM ?
Bet you had fun with the Dynamic Challange
Question - did the Stinger ever come as an RTR with the 26D installed?

Thanks Vic, If anyone knows who the ebay seller is making/selling these boxes or anyone who makes/has them please post the name.

[TSR]

Bob,
indeed, with few exceptions for slot cars signed by their original full-size drivers. Otherwise it's all modern Retro (no TM ).
don't remember the Dynamic Challenge cars too well, this was too many moths ago (like 3 or 4) for me to recall. Old brain cells have limited power...

As far as the Classic Stinger ever being offered with the FT26 motor, indeed there were some issued in late 1967 and early 1968, but few truly genuine examples. They were mostly issued with the metallic green body. However it was easy to convert an orange car originally fitted with the FT36D motor because if the first series did not have that provision, the second series had an extra motor mount to make the conversion.
There were no changes to either the boxes or the instructions for the few '26D" models issued, but the second series had a sticker affixed on the left side of the inner display tray describing the added motor mount.
Genuine "26D" examples in green or light metallic blue have the factory stripes and side shields affixed to them. If you see an orange car fitted with the FT26D motor, it is almost certainly a customer conversion.

[tjsguns]

PDL,
if u have all the original artwork by this guy, please show us!

[Joe Mig]

Joe, Is that yours up on ebay right now ?

Yes it is .

[TSR]

I don't have anything, the LASCM does. Some will be posted on the LASCM website when I get the time. The museum also has the K&B Lotus 30 artwork, the Monogram Lotus 38, Lola T70, Mercedes 500K original artwork, plus the ones I already mentioned: Classic Manta Ray, BZ BRM, and Watson as well as Classic's Serpent, Gamma Ray, and Stinger, plus some of the GarVic stuff, the Lunar, Coronado... and several of the plastic model kits original art.
Below is a sample:

[Victor Poulin]

Yes it is .

Hahaha,
No secrets around here Joe huh ??

[Joe Mig]

Hahaha,
No secrets around here Joe huh ??

That is okay. I'm selling it do to a growing family and I have lost space were I had a showcase a few years ago .
I think it should be on display and not in a box were you can not see it. Let someone else enjoy it besides I could use the money.
Beutifull box and car a great combanation.

[Joe Mig]

I don't have anything, the LASCM does. Some will be posted on the LASCM website when I get the time. The museum also has the K&B Lotus 30 artwork, the Monogram Lotus 38, Lola T70, Mercedes 500K original artwork, plus the ones I already mentioned: Classic Manta Ray, BZ BRM, and Watson as well as Classic's Serpent, Gamma Ray, and Stinger, plus some of the GarVic stuff, the Lunar, Coronado... and several of the plastic model kits original art.
Below is a sample:

I just love the look of the box art please keep them coming.